They had split up into exactly three groups in order to visit the different companies as stated on the list given by Kim Sung Gyu. At least one of them was bound to have more lead towards the answer they were looking for.   “Hello? Mr. Lee?” Hyun Mi spoke into her phone as she was seated next to Woo Hyun driving the organization’s car. After being out of reach for many days, her boss finally decided to contact her. “Where are you?”   “I’m at the airport on the way back to Seoul,” Mr. Lee answered, and she could hear indistinct chattering in a foreign language in the background. “I see you haven’t completed your mission yet.”   The girl flinched, quickly scanning the car for any suspicious hidden cameras, but knew there were none. She met Woo Hyun’s alerted gaze, quietly mouthing her to ask what was wrong. But she smiled so he wouldn’t worry.   “About that, I’ve been wanting to talk to you about it,” Hyun Mi began a little hesitant with the request, but stern with her will.   “Are you defying orders?” Mr. Lee’s deep gauge in his strictness surprised her.   “No, sir. I just think there is a better solution,” she tried. Silence met her from the other side of the phone.   “I’ll schedule a meeting with you tomorrow.”   The call ended right when the car pulled up at the driveway of a rather small looking building that resembled a mini construction site. The walls were painted in uneven pastel colors. And the entire place did not seem like it was in business.   “Everything okay?” Woo Hyun asked, stopping the engines before unlocking the car. He stared at her who seemed to think for a second before she replied.   “You’d know if I were lying anyway,” she then told him with a forced smile and exited the car. That was enough to inform him something was going on, but she’d rather he not know about it. And he respected that decision. They had to focus on this Kim Myung Soo person anyway.   “Is it out of business?” Woo Hyun questioned, circling the building for any sign of a living human. They decided to overcome the pile of debris and planks to enter the interior that was off limits.   “Not all companies being funded can get on top. Some will still go bankrupt and—” Hyun Mi paused the moment they met a girl inside, crossing her arms as she stared back with irritation. The girl's long dyed dark silvery hair shone brightly against the only ceiling lamp lit on.   “We are under renovation, not bankrupt,” the girl stated, taking an offense to their previous predictions. She then squinted her eyes and soon recognized a familiar face. “Hyun Mi?”   “Seul Yi!” Hyun Mi yelled out in surprise, going to the surprised girl and locking her in a small hug. They were somewhat acquainted. “What are you doing here?”   “I work here now. I quit working as a celebrity’s stylist and joined Myung Soo instead,” Seul Yi spoke.   Woo Hyun wondered what was going on. He did recognize her familiar name as a renowned fashion designer and artist. But that was as far as his knowledge permitted.   “Woo Hyun, this is Seul Yi. We met before when she was assigned to design a dress for me for the Annual Peace Campaign back in 2015,” Hyun Mi explained.   Woo Hyun politely shook her hand, putting on his business smile for show. “Where is Kim Myung Soo?”   “He’s in the bathroom,” the girl’s tone was suddenly friendlier. “I’m sorry you have to see the studio in its messy state.”   “That’s okay,” Hyun Mi told her. “I am more surprised such a famous designer like you decided to settle here. Do you like it?”   Seul Yi grinned and shrugged like it was an easy achievement to obtain. “I like it yes. But I never expected he would want to expand only a month after the company was set up.”   “Why?” Woo Hyun questioned, finding it strange  it took only a month to successfully expand when many startups usually needed five months to even meet their break even point.   “So that more people could use our service,” Seul Yi answered. In another term, it simply meant to be able to gain more profit. But it was still strange.   At this time, a man appeared from another room, looking like a model who walked straight out of the magazines. He gave the two newcomers a weird look, but soon identified their identities as well. “Mr. Nam, Ms. Jang, to what do I owe the pleasure?” He asked, shaking their hands firmly.   The initial plan was to act as interested investors, but it somehow didn’t fit well with the scenario. Hyun Mi knew they’d be rejected at once because these two wouldn’t need more investments when they could already afford an expansion. What they needed were clients who had great abilities to influence the word of mouth.   So in that short moment, she made up her mind to change the plan impromptuly. She linked her arm around Woo Hyun’s and leaned closer to him. For professionalism’s sake, she ignored the thudding in her heart. “We’re looking for photographers who specializes in couple photography,” she said.   “Couple?” Seul Yi was utterly surprised. “I didn’t know you two were dating. I-Is this for like a wedding photoshoot?”   Woo Hyun managed to conceal his surprise and was quick to go along her act, he always did. He placed his hand on top of hers, holding her so affectionately one might question what the true act was. “I have yet to propose to her officially, but we are looking into it in advance. It isn’t very often we get a day off work to go on a date.”   “And I thought you initially came here to ask for help with your campaign photoshoots,” Myung Soo spoke with a small chuckle. "Who knew two of our country’s most beloved speakers were together?”   “Yeah, who knew,” Woo Hyun repeated, eyes playfully darting to the girl.   Hyun Mi’s eyes widened, letting her hand slip from the politician’s grip. Of course that would’ve been a much better and logical possibility than pretending to be a couple. But the damage was already done. She had to deal with the embarrassment.   Woo Hyun laughed at her reaction with amusement, and placed an arm around her shoulder to hold her close. He did not seem to oppose the idea. “It seems she just wanted an excuse to be able to see more of me. How sweet.”   “What are the price range for every photography package you offer?” Hyun Mi quickly shifted the topic, sounding as interested as possible. She could not let the politician distract her.   “I want the best for my sweetheart. Money is not a problem,” Woo Hyun spoke, gently tousling her hair like any loving boyfriend would. He was playing the impromptu role too well.   Seul Yi soon took a beautifully laminated high quality printed paper that contained all the package deals. “For couples, pre-wed, and wedding photography, it would be this price range,” she pointed her finger to a section.   “It’s amazing how you gained enough clients with this price list, and still be able to expand after a month of existence,” Hyun Mi spoke, clearly hinting at something but soon covering it with some sugarcoated compliments. “You are the first company I have ever seen to be so successful at that. Are there any secrets to this success?”   “We work hard,” came Myung Soo’s default answer.   “I am friends with Choi Min Ho and he has always been excited about investing his money to this startup,” Woo Hyun dropped the bomb. “Seemed it turned out well.”   “Choi Min Ho?” Seul Yi frowned as if she had never heard the name before. “He came to us before, but he never ended up transferring his fundings. Then we found out he passed away.”   “So the one funding your expansion wasn’t Choi Min Ho?” Woo Hyun frowned, genuinely surprised.   “No, it was another external third party,” Myung Soo opened up, not realizing he was giving out too much information.   “He offered the exact amount of money as Choi Min Ho did. What a coincidence. So we took it!” Seul Yi said very openly as well.   Woo Hyun and Hyun Mi were experts at witholding their surprise at this point, even after gathering such valuable information. They had never considered this possibility before. What if Choi Min Ho was working for someone else? What if he and the other investor were just puppets to distribute the funds to all these illegal startups?   “Woo Hyun has an upcoming campaign to shed light towards investors anonymously helping start up businesses such as yourself to become an amazing pioneer in the industry,” Hyun Mi suddenly began to make up a story. “Would it be possible for us to interview this external third party?”   “That won’t be possible. He does not like his identity revealed. We don’t even know his actual name, he goes by a pen name,” Myung Soo said. He seemed to be speaking the truth.   “Is there a way to get hold of him?” Woo Hyun asked, receiving a head shake from the other two.   “He appeared to transfer us the money, and we have never been in touch ever again,” Myung Soo answered. This time his voice faltered a little, and Hyun Mi sensed this was only partially true.   “Thank you so much for the information. We shall contact you again after looking through the price deals,” Hyun Mi decided to end the meeting and quickly pointed at Seul Yi. “And I have your number.”   “Yes, contact me anytime,” the girl spoke, waving at the two who left.   Woo Hyun scurried through the construction materials before offering her a hand, helping her get down. Technically he knew she was more than capable to go through the dangerous road even when wearing tall stilettos, but he couldn’t stop acting like a gentleman. Plus, one could never be too cautious in this cold weather. Just like the instance when Hyun Mi accidentally tripped from the small nail poorly pierced into the frozen plank. She was properly caught by Woo Hyun who hugged both his hands around her.   “Sometimes, I can’t figure out whether you are as agile as you say you are, or whether this damsel in distress style is just an act.” He grinned.   “I’m one of the most agile agents at the organization. It’s just that lately… Lately I’ve gotten distracted,” she trailed off the last part quietly, looking away from him.   “I wonder why.”   Hyun Mi avoided his mesmerizing eyes and walked ahead of him. She knew exactly why. It was all because of him. If his charming smiles never occupied her mind even once, if she wasn’t reminded of the kiss everytime she set her eyes upon his lips, if he stopped looking after her like she was someone dear to him, maybe then she wouldn’t be distracted.   “Oh, Hyun Mi!”   The two looked up at the voice calling her name in such a familiar way. They were greeted by Hoya and Bi Ah who seemed to be heading to Kim Myung Soo’s place.   “Dear Lord, why are they everywhere?” Hyun Mi whispered with a shiver. She crept to Woo Hyun as he spontaneously pulled her closer towards him. They had to become a public couple after all.   “I’m so happy to see you so often lately,” Bi Ah said giddily. If only she wasn’t affiliated to the police officer over here, Hyun Mi would’ve been more than happy to see her too.   “What brings you two here?” Woo Hyun asked. He noticed the hesitation a