Chapter 632: Missing (7)

The car that Choi Sung-Hyun was driving crashed into a street tree in the apartment complex, and smoke began rising from the hood.

Our car wasn't safe either, so I leaned over to the driver's seat and unbuckled Park Dong-Joon's tightly fastened seat belt first.

Click.

The twisted hook slipped out of the loop and the seat belt came undone. Park Dong-Joon tried to rescue Lee Soo-Yeon right away, but he couldn't move his body properly.

Just as I was debating whether to pull him out first and then head to the front car, Park Dong-Joon shouted urgently.

"Mr. Jung! I'm fine, so please save Soo-Yeon first! Look, the fire, the fire!"

Park Dong-Joon was right.

I nodded. "Understood. I'll get Ms. Soo-Yeon out, so don't worry. And you need to get out quickly too! This car isn't safe either."

"Got it."

Leaving Park Dong-Joon behind, I immediately pulled on the handle of the passenger seat. However, the door wouldn't open. It was an old car, and the strong impact seemed to have twisted the frame.

Click, click.

The handle spun uselessly. I wasted no time as I curled up my body and kicked the passenger door with both feet.

Bang!

The door opened barely 30 centimeters. Because the shock still lingered, I couldn't put much strength in my legs.

Just as I was about to kick again, I saw thicker smoke rising from the front car's hood. If I was late, Lee Soo-Yeon and Lee Jun-Sung would be in danger.

I forced myself out through the small opening.

Thud.

As I barely made it out of the car, I steadied my wobbling legs and headed for the front car. Smoke was rising more intensely from the hood of the car that Lee Soo-Yeon was in.

It would have been nice if a downpour had come at a time like this, but the drizzle was only getting lighter. I cursed the sky silently with every foul word I knew, staggering toward the passenger seat of the front car.

Standing in front of the passenger seat, I pulled the door open with force.

Screech.

The door of the car with Lee Soo-Yeon inside was also bent, and it took a lot of strength to open. At that moment, acrid smoke from the hood stung my nose.

"

Ugh.

"

I momentarily lost my breath and the strength in my hands faltered, but I clenched my teeth and pulled the door.

Clunk.

As soon as the door opened, I called Lee Soo-Yeon's name and unbuckled her seatbelt. "Ms. Soo-Yeon! Ms. Soo-Yeon!"

Click.

The seat belt came undone, but Lee Soo-Yeon still hadn't regained consciousness. In the end, I slid both hands under her armpits and pulled her out of the car.

That's when flames erupted from the hood of the front car where smoke had been rising.

Whoosh~

At the same time, fire also began to rise from the hood of the car that Park Dong-Joon was in.

"Mr. Park! Get out of there!!" I shouted.

Still inside the car, Park Dong-Joon shouted back. "I got it! Please save the child first!"

But perhaps because my voice was too loud, Lee Soo-Yeon came to her senses. "Huh? Who... are you?"

"Ms. Soo-Yeon. I'm Chief Jung. We met at the script reading. Remember?"

"

Ah

, yes. But... how are you here?"

"I'll explain in detail later."

After dragging her a bit farther away, I ran straight back to the front car where Lee Jun-Sung was.

Click.

Thankfully, the door where Lee Jun-Sung was seated opened without any issues. I unbuckled the seat belt and pulled Lee Jun-Sung out. His small body felt so light, probably from not having eaten properly. Either way, once this is over, Director Choi Tae-Yong must not be let off the hook.

In any case, I succeeded in rescuing Lee Jun-Sung too. I brought him over to Lee Soo-Yeon about five meters away from the front car.

Then, the flames from the front car's hood suddenly surged and engulfed the passenger seat. If I had been even a little late, it could have turned into a terrible situation.

A chill ran down my spine and cold sweat dripped down. However, I couldn't relax. Park Dong-Joon was still trapped. It looked like the driver's door was jammed from the way he was struggling inside.

At that moment, Lee Soo-Yeon, who was next to me, began crawling on the ground toward Park Dong-Joon's car.

"Mr. Park...Mr. Park... We have to save him..."

Even though she was still dazed, Lee Soo-Yeon was frantic about saving Park Dong-Joon.

"Ms. Soo-Yeon, please stay with Jun-Sung. I'll go get Mr. Park!"

As soon as I said that, I headed for Park Dong-Joon's car, where the flames were starting to surge.

Whoosh.

Flames erupted strongly from Park Dong-Joon's car as well. Smoke thickened, clouding my vision.

"Mr. Park!"

As I called out to him, a desperate voice came from inside the car. "Don't come! It's dangerous!"

Ignoring Park Dong-Joon's words, I searched for a way to get him out. I couldn't go through the half-open passenger side, because flames were blocking it.

I immediately ran to the driver's side and shouted loudly. "Turn your head, Mr. Park!"

"What?"

"I said turn your head! I'm going to break the window!"

Park Dong-Joon quickly turned his head. I wrapped my fist with my raincoat to avoid injury. Then, with all my strength, I swung my fist at the window.

Crash.

The driver's side window shattered and the radiant heat from the fire made my face sting. Still, I endured it and quickly cleared the remaining glass from the window frame using my raincoat-covered hand. Then I laid the raincoat over the window sill and leaned my upper body inside.

"Mr. Park! Reach out and grab my neck."

Park Dong-Joon stretched out his hand and grabbed my neck. I used the strength in my neck and waist to pull him toward the window.

Rip.

There was a tearing sound as his clothes snagged on the window sill, but I managed to pull him out without major injury. Then I slid my hands under his armpits and began dragging him far away from the car.

Once we were about three meters away, the car started to make loud noises.

Boom, boom.

At the same time, flames roared up from both vehicles and the intense heat hit us. Thankfully, our bodies were soaked with rain, so we didn't get burned.

"

Huff, huff, huff.

"

Panting heavily, I got as far from the car as I could. Then, lying down next to Park Dong-Joon, I collapsed on the cold ground.

At that moment, the raindrops began to fall more heavily.

Plop, plop.

The drizzle turned back into a downpour.

'

If it was going to rain like this, it should've started sooner

.'

I raised a clenched fist toward the sky in frustration, then slowly lay back and began to catch my breath.

A moment later, people who arrived late began shouting in alarm.

-Babe! Call 911 first!

-There's probably a fire extinguisher at the security office. Let's go find it!

Since people had started to come out, I felt we no longer needed to worry.

That's when Park Dong-Joon got on his knees and crawled the two meters to Lee Soo-Yeon. "Soo-Yeon. Are you okay? Are you hurt anywhere?"

Lee Soo-Yeon snapped through her tears. "Is this really the time to be worrying about me? Let me see. I mean, how badly are you hurt that you can't even stand?"

Now that she had come to her senses, Lee Soo-Yeon scolded Park Dong-Joon as she touched his leg.

"I'm fine. I was just a little shaken up," Park Dong-Joon groaned as he moved his ankle. "See? I told you I'm fine. But what about you? Are you hurt anywhere?"

Even in that situation, Park Dong-Joon kept checking on Lee Soo-Yeon.

At that moment, Lee Soo-Yeon suddenly shouted loudly. "No, I'm not fine! Everyone left me... and if even you disappear, what am I supposed to do, Dad?"

Park Dong-Joon froze. "Soo-Yeon. What did you just say? Did you just... call me Dad?"

Tears began to stream down Lee Soo-Yeon's cheeks. "That's right. You're my dad, so don't you ever think about leaving me alone in this world again. If you're gone too, I really...

Sob

."

Unable to finish her words, Lee Soo-Yeon threw her arms around Park Dong-Joon as if she had returned to the moment in her childhood when she clung to the police officer who saved her.

Then Park Dong-Joon embraced Lee Soo-Yeon tightly and began to shed hot tears too. "Okay... okay... I won't ever get hurt, my daughter..."

Ever since that incident 20 years ago, the two had leaned on each other and were now finally accepting one another as father and daughter.

A little while later, Lee Soo-Yeon asked as she finally calmed down. "But, Dad... why did Sung-Hyun run away? He said the bad guy after him was coming for us too and told us to escape quickly..."

"It's hard to believe, but Lieutenant Choi kidnapped Jun-Sung. And it seems like he was planning to hurt you too. I'm so sorry. I can't believe I introduced someone like that to you..."

Lee Soo-Yeon's eyes widened like lanterns.

'

Well, it is indeed a hard thing to believe

.'

"What kind of nonsense is that...?"

"I'll explain everything in detail later. But just remember one thing. I... will always protect you. You believe your dad, right? Soo-Yeon?"

Lee Soo-Yeon's eyes, briefly clouded by confusion, began to regain focus. "I believe you, Dad. If I don't believe you, who else would I trust?"

Park Dong-Joon gently patted Lee Soo-Yeon, trying to calm her. "Thank you."

At that moment, the man whose car had been taken earlier walked over to us. The man looked to be in his sixties with dirt on his clothes.

"Chief Park, are you hurt?"

"Oh, Mr. Jung. Are you okay?"

The man, Professor Jung Yoon-Hwan, smiled as he rubbed his backside. He was apparently a next-door neighbor of Park Dong-Joon.

"

Oof.

I'm fine. But what happened to Lieutenant Choi... why did he do that? He never seemed like that kind of person..."

Maybe because he was a professor, he spoke calmly even after having his car stolen.

"I'll explain the details later. But first, could you give me your car's license plate number? You need to report it as stolen."

"Sure. The number is 23B37XX."

"Thank you."

Park Dong-Joon immediately called the police.

"Yeah, it's me. Lieutenant Choi Sung-Hyun just stole and fled in a white Genosis, plate number 23B37XX. Send people to intercept him. And I crashed into his car with mine near our apartment. Both vehicles are now in flames and unusable, so send a team to clean it up and dispatch an ambulance."

After issuing instructions, Park Dong-Joon hung up.

"Mr. Jung, please take the ambulance to the hospital when it arrives. Go with Soo-Yeon and Jun-Sung."

"Got it."

Meanwhile, Lee Jun-Sung, who had been in Lee Soo-Yeon's arms, began to regain consciousness. "

Ugh... uhh.

.."

As the child opened his eyes, Park Dong-Joon gently spoke. "You must be Jun-Sung. Are you okay?"

Lee Jun-Sung nodded and looked around. "Yes. But... where did that police officer go? He said he'd take me to my dad."

Seven-year-old Lee Jun-Sung didn't realize he had been kidnapped, since Choi Sung-Hyun had given him new clothes and let him sleep in the apartment.

At that moment, Park Dong-Joon, who had experience with abduction cases, chose his words carefully to keep the child unaware.

"

Oh

~ that officer got into a car accident and went to the hospital. So how about we go to the hospital too, and then meet your dad?"

Because Park Dong-Joon was in a police uniform, Lee Jun-Sung nodded with relief. "Okay~"

To help calm the boy, Park Dong-Joon pointed to me and said, "Oh, and this is your personal sponsor."

At that moment, Lee Jun-Sung looked at me, stood up straight, and bowed 90 degrees. "Thank you, Mr. Sponsor! Thanks to you, I'm doing well."

He gave a response that sounded far too scripted for a child. This was undoubtedly the doing of Choi Tae-Yong of Comfort Orphanage who had likely drilled this into the children, insisting they greet sponsors properly. Sponsors should feel pleased when greeted like that so they would give more donations, after all.

Turning a child who should be growing up strong into one who begs for donations was utterly unforgivable. Once the case with Choi Sung-Hyun was resolved, I needed to make sure Choi Tae-Yong was punished.

But since the child was right in front of me, I suppressed my boiling anger and forced a smile. The child wasn't at fault.

"That's good to hear, Jun-Sung. I'm glad to see you well. But don't worry about that man from before. I'll take you to your dad myself, okay?"

"Really?"

"Of course. I have money and I know people. I'll make sure you get to live with your dad from now on."

When I explained it in a way that a seven-year-old could understand, Lee Jun-Sung's face lit up brighter than ever. "Wow~ thank you!"

Just then, people arrived with fire extinguishers and began putting out the fire on the car.

Fwoosh! Fwoosh!

Since it had started pouring again, the flames from the hood were being extinguished quickly. Only then did I relax and check Everyday.

[Everyday V12.2]

[Date: December 24, 2025]

-7:00 p.m.:

(Deleted Schedule: Director Ahn Jung-Hae.

Missing 2 – The Story of That Day

reaches 12 million at the box office.)

At last, I had prevented the Gwacheon serial child abduction case. Now, it was time to catch Choi Sung-Hyun, who had fled. If we let him get away, no one knew what could happen next.

At that moment, a call came in.

[Caller ID: Lee Soo-Chan]

Lee Soo-Chan had agreed to follow me after getting in touch with Lee Ho-Jae. When I quickly answered, I heard a confused voice.

-Hyung-nim! That guy... is he fleeing in another car? A white Genosis, plate number 23Ba37XX?

"Yeah, that's right. How do you know that?"

-Ho-Jae called me.

"Ho-Jae did?"

-Yes. He was on his way to us and saw him. Now the agency guys are chasing him with him. They say he's heading toward Indeokwon.

Since Choi Sung-Hyun had kidnapped one of the agency's employees, his colleagues were chasing him with bloodshot eyes. And now, he was escaping toward Anyang, the closest area from Gwacheon.

'

We got lucky.

'

I immediately informed Park Dong-Joon of Choi Sung-Hyun's location. He then called the police and relayed the current position.

A little later, fire trucks and ambulances arrived.

Park Dong-Joon staggered to his feet. "Soo-Yeon, please take care of Jun-Sung for me."

"Dad, are you really going like that in your condition?"

"Yeah. And I'm sorry, but... could you let me finish this?"

Lee Soo-Yeon stared at him for a moment, then sighed. "Yeah, that's just like you. But... don't get hurt."

"I won't. And... I'm sorry."

Lee Soo-Yeon shook her head. "What do you have to be sorry for? He's the one who did wrong."

Park Dong-Joon nodded and thanked her.

Just then, Lee Soo-Chan's Binz sedan arrived before the police cars.

Screeech.

"Hyung-nim! Get in!"

"

Oh

, Soo-Chan."

We made sure Lee Soo-Yeon and Lee Jun-Sung got into the ambulance, then got into Lee Soo-Chan's car and started pursuing Choi Sung-Hyun.

***

Choi Sung-Hyun entered Anyang and turned from Indeokwon Street toward Seongnam. Eventually, he headed into a mountain valley in Unjung-dong, Seongnam, and reportedly entered a long-abandoned house.

Lee Ho-Jae and the agency team parked their cars at a distance and were keeping watch after confirming there was no way for Choi Sung-Hyun to escape.

Soon, we also drove up the mountain through an unpaved road and arrived at the clearing in front of the abandoned house. As we got out of the car, we saw six vehicles. Inside them were Lee Ho-Jae and the agency workers all watching the house.

Upon spotting us, Lee Ho-Jae got out of his car, bowed, and approached. "Hyung-nim. We haven't approached the house yet, just like you said."

Since it had been mentioned that Choi Sung-Hyun might have a gun, Lee Ho-Jae and his team had not entered the house.

"Good job."

"But... Why do you think he came here? There really seems to be no way out."

Just like Lee Ho-Jae said, the only thing behind the house was a small trail, making this practically a dead end.

That's when I felt a sudden chill running down my spine. As I looked around, the place started to feel eerily familiar.

𝒻𝑟𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝑛𝘰𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝘤𝘰𝘮

'

The pine trees densely lining both sides of the dirt road, the large reservoir at the foot of the mountain, the old duck stew restaurant with a worn-out sign next to the reservoir, and a visible duck farm not far from that...This place is...

'

At that moment, I realized where we were.

"Mr. Park! This place is..."

Park Dong-Joon also recognized the location and his face turned pale. "That's right. This is... Lee Tae-Gil's house from 20 years ago."

This was the very location used in

Missing – The Lost Ones

, Lee Tae-Gil's house.

Just then, Choi Sung-Hyun's voice rang out from inside the abandoned house.

-Hey, don't you remember this place?

He must have recognized Park Dong-Joon from the sound of the car.

"Yeah! This is Lee Tae-Gil's house, isn't it?"

-Wow~ I thought you would've forgotten, but you remembered well.

"Of course I remember. But more importantly, no one's hurt yet. So put the gun down and surrender! I'll help make sure you get some leniency!"

Even now, Park Dong-Joon was trying to persuade Choi Sung-Hyun.

Then Choi Sung-Hyun shouted again.

-Then do you know why I came here?

"How would I know that?"

At that moment, Choi Sung-Hyun began to reveal something shocking.

-The reason I came here is...