The Vanishing CEO

The next morning, Kim Joon sat at his desk, a mess of photographs, notes, and reports sprawled across the surface. The elusive connection between Song Yuna and Han Seung-min gnawed at him. He couldn't shake the feeling that Yuna had uncovered something dangerous, something that had ultimately cost her life. But without Han Seung-min, Joon was stuck chasing shadows.

Officer Park entered the office, holding his phone. “We’ve got something. One of our patrol units spotted a car matching the description of Han Seung-min’s vehicle abandoned near the Han River, not too far from the old docks. No signs of struggle, but it's been there for at least 24 hours. No one’s seen him.”

Joon frowned. “Have you searched the area?”

“They’re sweeping it now, but no luck so far. It’s like he disappeared,” Park replied, his voice tinged with frustration.

Joon stood up and grabbed his coat. “Let’s go take a look ourselves. If Han Seung-min left his car behind, he’s either running from something—or someone.”

***

The Han River was calm that morning, its smooth surface reflecting the early light. The old docks were quiet, save for a few police officers combing the area around the abandoned car. It was a sleek black sedan, the kind of vehicle that screamed wealth. But now it sat in the shadows, empty and silent, like a ghost of its former self.

Joon circled the car, taking in the details. The doors were unlocked, but there were no obvious signs of a struggle. Inside, everything was neat, undisturbed. The glove compartment had been rifled through, but there was nothing of value left behind—just some business cards, a few receipts, and an old phone charger.

“Whoever did this took their time,” Joon muttered.

Park crouched down near the rear wheel. “No blood, no signs of a fight. It’s like he walked away from it willingly.”

Joon scanned the area. The docks were mostly abandoned, with only a few warehouses left standing—places where people could easily disappear. But something didn’t add up. Han Seung-min was a man used to control, power. If he had walked away from his car, it wasn’t because he was hiding from the police. He was hiding from something far worse.

As Joon studied the surrounding warehouses, a thought crossed his mind. “What if Han Seung-min didn’t run? What if he’s being held somewhere close by?”

Park glanced up. “You think someone’s got him?”

Joon nodded slowly. “Song Yuna was digging into something dangerous. She asked Choi Mi-young about Han Seung-min, and now he’s vanished. Whoever killed Song Yuna might be after him too.”

Suddenly, one of the officers approached them, his face pale. “Detective, we found something in the trunk.”

Joon followed him back to the car, where the trunk had been popped open. Inside, nestled in the corner, was a single red rose. Its petals were dark and rich, just like the one found at Song Yuna’s apartment.

Joon’s jaw clenched. The rose was a message—clear and deliberate. Whoever had killed Song Yuna was playing a game, and Han Seung-min was the next target. The rose wasn’t just a calling card; it was a countdown.

“Have forensics go over every inch of this car,” Joon ordered. “If there’s anything here that can lead us to Seung-min, I want it.”

As the officers began their work, Joon stared at the rose. The killer was toying with them, leaving breadcrumbs—but why? What was the significance of the rose? And why were they after Han Seung-min?

The more he thought about it, the more he realized that this wasn’t just about Song Yuna or Han Seung-min. This was about something bigger—something that connected them both.

“We need to find out what Yuna was working on,” Joon said to Park. “Her so-called ‘project.’ It’s the key to all of this. Whatever she discovered, it’s what got her killed.”

Park nodded. “I’ll check with her contacts again. Maybe someone in the art world knows more than they’re letting on.”

Joon sighed. “And I’ll look into Han Seung-min’s business dealings. If he’s involved in something shady, we’ll find it.”

As they walked back to their car, Joon couldn’t shake the feeling that time was running out. Song Yuna was already dead, and if they didn’t act fast, Han Seung-min would be next.

The killer was moving in the shadows, always one step ahead, but Joon was determined to catch up. The clock was ticking.

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