TDIMEH Chapter 65

65. The Return of Junhyuk

"Let her go."

At the man's command, feeling pleased, the rope binding Se-ah’s hands was loosened.

As blood circulated back to her wrists, a tingling sensation spread through her hands. She shook them off briefly before immediately checking on Junhyuk’s condition.

Fortunately, aside from a couple of shallow cuts on his forehead, there didn’t appear to be any major injuries.

Still, since he had been struck on the head, she carefully examined him for any hidden wounds.

As she was tending to him, the man turned to Director Kim and asked,

"I thought these troublemakers were just a nuisance on the island, but it turns out they’re a treasure. So, to get the money, all I have to do is take the woman directly to the bank?"

"Yes, that’s correct. The necessary documents are hidden in my lodging in Cebu. They can only be accessed with my fingerprint. So if you're planning to go, please take me with you."

Director Kim pleaded desperately, clearly determined to stay close to Se-ah to ensure his survival.

Hearing this, the man smirked and pulled out a dagger from his pocket.

"You sure know how to ask for things the hard way. All we really need are your fingers."

"N-no! I misspoke!"

Director Kim, now pale as a sheet, quickly hid his hands and flattened himself against the ground in terror.

"If you want to live long, watch your mouth. Whether I take you or not is entirely up to me."

"U-understood."

Waving him away as if he were a mere annoyance, the man then approached Se-ah, stopping just inches from her face.

"You’re not scheming with that bastard, are you?"

He lifted her chin with his finger, forcing her to look him in the eye. His cold, menacing gaze seemed ready to snap her neck at the first sign of deception.

Taking a deep breath, Se-ah spoke clearly and firmly,

"Absolutely not. There’s no way I would ever work with him."

"So that’s the only condition? That the hostages be spared?"

"Yes. A rescue team will arrive in a few days. If you release the hostages safely before then, I will give you all the money."

"You’re offering that much money just to save these people?"

The man responded cynically, pointing his gun toward another hostage. The captive’s face turned deathly pale.

"Yes."

"Why?"

He looked at her, clearly finding it difficult to believe.

It was understandable—most people would prioritize their own survival, but here she was, risking herself to save others.

Despite the doubt lingering in his eyes, Se-ah knew she had to convince him.

That way, they could buy time until the rescue team arrived the next day, and innocent people wouldn’t get caught up in the chaos.

"I’ve lost far greater sums of money before, so I’ve come to realize that money isn’t what truly matters. If I can save the lives of the people who are important to me, then that money is more than worth it."

As Se-ah spoke, her gaze fell on the collapsed Junhyuk.

The red blood dripping from his forehead had already soaked into his shirt. In contrast, his face was growing paler by the second.

At least in this, she was telling the absolute truth.

If it meant keeping him safe, she didn’t care about the money. It was money that would’ve been impossible to recover if they hadn’t found Director Kim in the first place, and even if they did, there was no guarantee they could claim it without the proper authorization.

Right now, the priority was using that money as leverage to create an opportunity for escape.

The man studying Se-ah eventually nodded.

"Fine. As you said, I’ll spare their lives. Once you withdraw the money from the bank, I’ll release you as well."

Se-ah doubted they would actually keep their word, but she remained calm and nodded before adding a firm condition.

"In that case, prepare a boat. Leave them here on the island while I leave with you."

"We leave first? Instead of letting them go first?"

"Yes. If you let them go first, you might change your mind after taking the money. But if they stay on the island, you won’t have the chance to go back on your word. Let them wait here until the rescue team arrives."

There was no need to risk escaping by sea when the rescue team was expected to arrive by morning. It made more sense to send the criminals out to sea instead.

"How can we be sure there’s money in that account? Do you know how expensive these slaves are? If I let them go, it’ll cost me as much as what’s in my account just to replace them."

The man immediately rejected the proposal.

"I’ve already contacted the police via satellite phone. They know the location of this island. It’s only a matter of time before they come. Moving that many people in the meantime won’t be easy for you, will it?"

"You think I don’t know that? I know this area well. Even if the police move quickly, they won’t get here for at least three days. That gives me more than enough time to clean up this island. Besides, I’m not the type to leave valuable things for someone else. If things don’t go my way, I could just eliminate them all and leave."

That was exactly what Se-ah had feared.

If the criminals felt cornered, they could easily decide to kill all the captives before making their escape.

History and war reports showed that hostages were often slaughtered in similar situations.

That was why she had to use the ten million dollars as leverage—to separate the hostages from the criminals.

As long as they were separated, it would only be a matter of time before the hostages met up with the rescue team.

"If you’re willing to throw away your bargaining chip like that, then trade their lives for ten million dollars. We’ll all be leaving together anyway, so do you really think I’d risk lying about this?"

After taking a steady breath, Se-ah made her final declaration.

"If you don’t release them, then I won’t step foot into that bank either."

At Se-ah’s words, the man let out a chuckle, his wrinkled eyes crinkling with amusement.

"You’re bolder than you look. Trying to negotiate with an organization like ours… But what if I decide to just torture you and drag you there by force?"

"As you know, the bank isn’t a place where you can just take someone against their will. And I always keep my promises."

Se-ah met his gaze, her deep brown eyes filled with unwavering sincerity.

"Hmm… But there’s still a chance the deal might fall through once we get to the bank. Something about this feels off."

The man, who had seemed to consider her offer, suddenly shook his head, rejecting it at the last moment.

Se-ah hid her disappointment, scrambling for another strategy. Just then, an unexpected voice interrupted them.

"I’ll double the amount. You’ll get it by tomorrow. But in exchange, release my wife and the others."

The voice was low but firm.

Everyone turned toward Junhyuk.

The commotion around them grew louder.

"Are you okay?"

Se-ah immediately checked his condition.

Now that he was fully conscious, he looked noticeably better than before. The ghastly pallor in his cheeks had faded slightly, replaced by a hint of color.

"Twenty million dollars? You two sure are a bold couple. Do you both manage your own separate finances? Or is one of you lying?"

The man narrowed his eyes suspiciously.

"Having a secret stash is a necessity for a married man, isn’t it?"

Junhyuk’s casual remark made the man burst into laughter, his hardened expression easing.

"Fair enough. As long as I get my money quickly, I have no problem with it."

"No! The deal is with me."

Se-ah cut in before the agreement could be sealed.

"Jin Se-ah!"

He called her name in a low voice.

"Let me handle this. Stay out of it, Junhyuk."

"No. This is my deal now."

"If you want to stay alive, just keep quiet. You know why I’m doing this, don’t you?"

"I have the same reason as you. You think I can just sit back and relax while sending you alone into enemy territory? If that were the case, I wouldn’t have jumped into the water to save you back on the boat."

Unlike Se-ah, who was visibly distressed, Junhyuk remained calm and composed. His demeanor was completely different from before.

And yet…

The more they talked, the more something felt off about him.

His voice had a slight weight to it—just enough to sound unfamiliar.

And above all, a twenty-year-old like him shouldn’t have access to that kind of money. The Junhyuk she had known wouldn’t, at least.

A possibility flashed through her mind.

Could it be…?

Did hitting his head just now…?

Did his memory come back?

Se-ah’s face turned pale.

"J-Junhyuk… What year is it right now?"

Her heart pounded twice as fast as when she had been captured.