Chapter 128 Chapter 128

With the help of surveillance footage from the Cheongdam-dong apartment, the suspects were quickly identified - two fifteen-year-old high school students.

Contrary to expectations, sasaeng fans are actually just like regular fans, with a strict hierarchy. Their goal isn't to support their idols, but to get close to them at all costs.

Flights, hotels, dormitories, companies... A rational division of labor makes this privacy-invading intelligence network more cohesive than if one were to work alone. Senior personnel control the channels, and newcomers must contribute if they want to share.

That "drug-taking" wasn't just about possessiveness over their idol, but more importantly, it was about proving their worth and fitting in. The drugs were stolen from their mother's medicine cabinet, and the lock-breaking techniques were learned from their "seniors."

Apparently, this was their first time doing something like this. After drugging the child, they panicked and hid at home for several days, lying to their parents that they were unwell and even skipping school.

The one who instigated the crime was the one who deserved to be punished. Despite the two confessing repeatedly during the interrogation, the police still didn't get much useful information. There were no written records, no records, and they didn't even know each other's real names. The case seemed to be solved,

In reality, nothing was gained. While the case was serious, because both individuals were under the age of sixteen, they fell under the Youth Protection Act and could not be sentenced as adults. Officer Zheng was also alarmed.

This was clearly a worse outcome than the impromptu decision of one or two people. The day before Lia was discharged from the hospital, he came to announce the results of the investigation and, incidentally, to convey the family's request. "They hope for reconciliation." "Reconciliation?" Lia hesitated.

"After that... do I need to appear in court?" Perhaps sensing the resistance on her face, Officer Zheng shook his head. "Normally, no. Just submit a written statement. In special circumstances, I can appear if the judge requires it."

In cases like this, where the facts of the crime are largely undisputed, victims who strongly protest can avoid a face-to-face confrontation. "In any case, the case will be transferred to the juvenile court," he added. "If there's a settlement agreement, the court might offer a lenient sentence."

Even if they were juvenile offenders, the nature of the crime wouldn't change. From a legal perspective, this was an intentional drug use, a life-threatening act. It was only because they were under sixteen that it was handled as a juvenile case.

"If they weren't minors, they would have faced actual prison sentences." Officer Zheng looked at her, his expression graver than usual. It was his duty to convey the request for reconciliation, but if he set aside his position, he didn't think such behavior was excusable.

After a moment of silence, he couldn't help but add, "You have the right to refuse reconciliation." Lia barely hesitated, "I won't reconcile, Officer Zheng."

A week had passed, and her physical injuries might have thankfully healed, but she knew only she could still see cold tubes inserted into her body in every dream. Something had changed.

She would wake silently in the middle of the night, nauseated at the sight of bottled water, and so she deliberately reduced her water intake. Those who had never truly experienced death might find it difficult to understand this deep-seated fear. She needed an outlet.

Whether it was a so-called just verdict or the minimum punishment. Officer Zheng nodded in understanding: "No problem, I'll convey it." ... When leaving the ward, Officer Zheng received a call from Quan Zhilong.

He had left his number a few days ago, and he had helped retrieve the surveillance footage from Cheongdam-dong. However, he was very busy, and his assistants usually relayed his messages. This was the first time he had called in person.

Officer Zheng was a bit surprised and subconsciously glanced back at the ward door before answering the phone. "Officer Zheng, sorry to bother you. I'm Quan Zhilong." The voice on the other end was low and slow, introducing himself first. "You're welcome. I've saved your number."

"I'm calling to confirm... the person has been apprehended, right?" "Yes, thanks to the video you mentioned. We retrieved it and compared it to the suspect. We just finished taking his statement this morning."

"...Are they still at the police station?" "Yes," Officer Zheng nodded. They'll be temporarily detained at the police station before being transferred to the court for trial. There was a moment's silence on the other end of the line, as if someone was choosing their words.

"Can... I meet them?" Officer Zheng paused, holding the phone: "Sorry, this is against the rules." In principle, he cannot arrange any other meetings except lawyers, immediate family members and victims.

Although Quan Zhilong was also a victim of harassment by a stalker, this relationship was not directly related to this case. Silence fell on the other end of the phone.

As if realizing that he had refused too bluntly, he hesitated for a moment and added, "If you're with Lia, I can arrange a meeting." "No need...this is just my personal idea." There was a pause.

"I'll think of another way, thank you." A soft breathing sound came from the other end of the line, as if he was about to hang up. Officer Zheng held the phone, hesitated for a moment, and then said inexplicably, "I'm on duty tonight, if you insist."

After saying this, there was a long silence on the other end of the line before a low "thank you" came through. Officer Zheng put away his phone and slowly exhaled. He always couldn't help doing these unnecessary things.

He knew full well that in every case, the victim wasn't the only one who suffered. Those close to him would also be emotionally wounded. He had seen too many such cases, and over time, he could only sigh inwardly.

Lia was oblivious to the conversation outside. That afternoon, she welcomed her second visitor of the day. The PR manager came in person. Even though she'd seen this face many times, each encounter had always been unsuccessful, and she simply couldn't warm to him.

The middle-aged man wearing glasses sat beside her bed with a smile on his face, which was completely different from his previous cold attitude.

Kim was urgently hospitalized due to overdose. He came here to seek Lia's consent and make a public response. There is no impenetrable wall in the world, let alone in a hospital.

The girl before him was clearly no longer the freely manipulated trainee she had been a few years ago. Yang Hyun-seok had even specifically instructed that any response required Lia's approval. The man pondered as he explained his purpose.

"Let me reconcile?" She knew that the public relations department had sent someone to follow up on the police station and the hospital in recent days, but she didn't expect to hear such a ridiculous request in person.

The man pushed his glasses up and explained, "There's some speculation about 'overdosage,' but because the news was blocked early on, the media hasn't yet obtained reliable evidence. If we reach a settlement, the police can close the case quickly. We'll simply respond that you're 'unwell' to avoid any further complications."

He paused. "Once the procedure is prolonged, there's no guarantee the news won't leak out. If the outside world knew it was the illegitimate child who drugged her—" He paused there, giving Lia a meaningful look. "Why would you respond to feeling unwell?" Lia frowned.

The man was stunned. Seeing that he seemed unable to react, Lia patiently explained, "I'm a victim. Why should I be afraid of the news leaking out?" As if he had not expected her to ask this, the man's smile froze and he was unable to respond for a moment.

Why was he afraid of the news leaking out? Of course, he was afraid of trouble. He was the last person to see things get complicated. Compared to the more speculative explanation of "illegitimate child drugging," "physical discomfort" was certainly simpler.

Once the law enforcement process is prolonged, he will have to take care of the police station, family members, media... everything. Not only is it expensive and laborious, but the possibility of mistakes is also higher.

Even more problematic is that Quan Zhilong has been going back and forth to the hospital these past few days. If he were photographed and linked to the "illegitimate child drugging" incident, the situation would be out of control. But none of this could be said.

He pondered for a moment and picked the reason that would best convince her: "I'm worried that if the family members get emotional and say inappropriate things in front of the media, they might point the finger at Zhilong--" Lia frowned.

She knew the man wasn't telling the truth, at least not the whole story. But there was truth to his words. When it came to Quan Zhilong, even if the risk was minimal, she had to give it a second thought. "...What if I'm hospitalized due to overwork?"

The man didn't understand: "What about the trial--" "I'm willing not to announce to the media that I was drugged. Isn't that a good thing for the family?" Lia looked at him steadily.

The PR director was startled, a flicker of discomfort behind his glasses. As for managing the news during the process, that was his job. She didn't say this, but he clearly understood.

Lia's stance was clear: no reconciliation, but she was willing to compromise on media coverage for Kwon Ji-yong's sake. If the news was mishandled, it would be her responsibility as the PR director. Oh, what a little girl.

For so many years, he'd been accustomed to choosing the method that saved him the most effort, but he hadn't expected to be so completely thwarted today. The man opened his mouth, unable to swallow or spit out his breath. Both sides knew full well that he didn't have the final say in this public relations matter.

Therefore, no matter how reluctant he was, he finally nodded and left in a hurry with a sullen face.

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