─── chapter eighteen.
❛ ASS BEATINGS ❜

The teachers looked up when they heard the door swing open, startled by the presence of a man who entered with a sharp gaze. "Where can I find Mr. Chu?" he asked, his voice laced with a quiet menace.

Jae-Jun scanned the room, his eyes narrowing as he searched for the male teacher responsible for taking disgusting photos of young girls. A man in a burgundy sweater hurried over, attempting to appear helpful. "Hello, can I help you?" he asked nervously.

"Yes, you can," Jae-Jun replied coldly. "You can help me find that son of a bitch."

A teacher with a long bowl cut, who had been lingering by his desk, finally stepped forward. "I'm Mr. Chu," he murmured, clearly apprehensive about the man before him. "What's this about?"

Without hesitation, Jae-Jun stormed past the other teacher and stepped up to Chu, his gaze fierce. "It's you, isn't it?"

Seeing Chu's camera on his desk, Jae-Jun picked it up, his jaw set in grim determination. "Then this...is your camera right?"

Before Chu could respond, Jae-Jun seized him by the collar, yanking him close and slamming the camera against his head. Chu fell to the ground, groaning as blood began to pool around his face.

A female teacher hurried over to Dong-Eun, pulling her back. "All right, come here," she whispered, trying to shield her from the chaos.

Jae-Jun pulled the memory card from the camera and slid it into his pocket, then tossed the camera down at the bleeding teacher, who was frantically muttering, "Call the cops! Somebody call the cops!"

Jae-Jun crouched beside him, gripping Chu's jaw harshly. "Who are you? Why are you—" The teacher's words cut off abruptly as Jae-Jun gripped his face harshly, wedging his hand into the man's mouth. "Shut the fuck up."

Fear and drowsiness clouded the teacher's eyes. "Clench your teeth if you want to keep them," Jae-Jun warned in a low, dangerous tone. "And trust me, you don't want the cops involved, pervert."

Jae-Jun's fist flew, connecting hard with the man's jaw, sending him reeling to the side. As he stumbled, Jae-Jun struck again, the impact knocking him to the ground.

"Hello, police?" The female teacher whispered into her phone. Meanwhile, Chu tried to crawl away, but Jae-Jun kicked him, knocking him down again.

"Yes, this is Semyeong Elementary."

"Shut the fuck up!" Jae-Jun shouted, his voice echoing in the tense atmosphere. Dong-Eun stared at the unfolding scene with a blank expression, while the teacher beside her looked on in bewilderment.

Eun-Ji walked toward the teachers' lounge, Joo-Won's hand in hers. She intended to discuss something important with a colleague, but as she entered, her heart sank at the sight of the man she once dated years ago pummeling someone.

Her grip on Joo-Won tightened instinctively, her breath quickening as she absorbed the violence before her. The sickening thud of Jae-Jun's fist connecting with the man's face made her release Joo-Won's hand, only to cover her ears, bowing her head to block out the noise.

Dong-Eun noticed Eun-Ji's panic attack brewing but kept her eyes on Jae-Jun, waiting for someone else to intervene. She felt an urge to comfort Eun-Ji but knew it would compromise her own plan.

The teacher, bloodied and pleading, begged Jae-Jun to stop, but the man was far from finished. He swung a nearby rose vase, shattering it against the man's head, sending him crashing to the ground. The sound of breaking glass startled Eun-Ji, and tears welled in her eyes as she fought to block out the chaos.

"Come here, asshole," Jae-Jun muttered as he settled on the man's torso. The teacher groaned through swollen lips, begging him to stop, but his pleas only fueled Jae-Jun's rage, prompting another barrage of punches.

The man gargled blood, struggling to speak as darkness closed in on his vision. Just as Jae-Jun prepared to strike again, he caught sight of Ye-Sol, Joo-Won, and a terrified Eun-Ji at the door, the latter turning away to shield herself from the violence.

Ye-Sol wore a composed facade, while Joo-Won, accustomed to such scenes, maintained a blank stare. Dong-Eun stepped in front of the children, shielding them from the brutal display.

Jae-Jun's eyes roamed Dong-Eun, assessing the situation.

Later that night, as Eun-Ji sat beside Jae-Jun, the police entered, offering her a plastic cup of water. Her face was puffy from tears.

Jae-Jun winced, his bruised and bloodied knuckles throbbing. "The victim is willing to accept a settlement," an officer informed him, his lawyer seated upright beside him.

"He's the criminal," Jae-Jun reminded. "Who's the victim?" Jae-Jun shot back, incredulous. "Don't you dare call that fucking pervert a victim when he's been taking dirty pics of little girls!"

Eun-Ji was bewildered, having been summoned after the officer witnessed her panic. The officer maintained a neutral expression. "I need to know if you're willing to settle regarding the assault."

The officer turned to Jae-Jun's lawyer. "The photos are a different matter, correct?"

Jae-Jun scoffed, "The law is really fucking strange, huh?"

"What's he talking about? Are you gonna say something?" Jae-Jun's frustration grew, his lawyer's brow furrowed in irritation.

"You should stop talking," his lawyer advised, placing his hands firmly on the table. "I'll be speaking for my client. We're willing to settle."

"I won't settle with that asshole. That fucker should rot in jail," Jae-Jun spat, his anger palpable, causing the officer and his lawyer to sigh in exasperation.

"Ma'am, what do you think?" the officer asked, turning to Eun-Ji. She looked down, taking a deep breath before meeting his gaze. "Yes, what Mr. Jeon did was terrible, but the other man committed something far worse."

Eun-Ji spoke with conviction, unwilling to let a predator walk free. The officer nodded, understanding her stance.

All heads turned toward the door when it creaked open. The officer glanced at it as an older man entered. "Hello, you're the one I spoke to on the phone," he said.

Jae-Jun groaned, irritation creeping in as he tried to relax his muscles. Eun-Ji averted her gaze, focusing on Jae-Jun's clenched fist.

"I'm Choi Won-Seok from Jaepyeong Construction's legal team," the man announced, drawing the ex-couple's attention.

"What the hell..." Jae-Jun muttered, unease settling in.

"Here's the agreement I mentioned on the phone." Choi placed his bag on the table and retrieved a file. Jae-Jun's lawyer stood, eager for the envelope.

"Thank you," Jae-Jun's lawyer said, bowing slightly before accepting it.

Jae-Jun snatched the envelope, his frustration boiling over. "Hey, are you fucking insane? I didn't agree to this!"

Eun-Ji's eyes widened as she observed the escalating tension. Jae-Jun's lawyer glared at him, snatching the folder back.

"Shut the fuck up," he snapped, his patience wearing thin. "You're the one going to jail if we don't settle," he warned, waving the folder at Jae-Jun.

Jae-Jun groaned, turning his head as another set of footsteps approached.

Do-Yeong appeared in the doorway, drawing everyone's attention.

Eun-Ji stepped between the two men, her heart racing as their lawyers followed closely behind.

As they exited the station, Jae-Jun's lawyer remarked, "I reached out because I thought it would be easier to reach a settlement."

"If Jaepyeong was involved," Do-Yeong's lawyer replied.

"Right, and regarding the photos, we'll be pressing charges."

"Both civil and criminal," Do-Yeong's lawyer confirmed. Jae-Jun interjected, "Why would you get involved? I should be the one doing that."

All eyes except Do-Yeong's turned toward him. "Don't you think?" he pressed, his gaze locked on Do-Yeong.

"What could you do?" Do-Yeong challenged, their tension palpable. "Tell me what right you have to press charges."

"You know right? Don't you?" Jae-Jun stepped closer, his voice low. "I'm Ye-Sol's father."

Eun-Ji and the lawyers watched, anticipating what would unfold.

Do-Yeong clenched his jaw, irritation flashing across his face. "You're an even bigger son of a bitch than I thought," he retorted.

Jae-Jun chuckled darkly. "I'm warning you; back off."

"Jae-Jun, just stop," Eun-Ji said softly, arms crossed in concern.

Without warning, Jae-Jun lunged, landing a punch on Do-Yeong. But the older man quickly retaliated, striking back hard.

Eun-Ji's eyes widened in shock as punches flew. Panic surged through her; she covered her ears, trembling. The lawyers rushed to separate the two fighters.

"You shouldn't do this here!" one shouted.

"We're outside a police station!" another added, desperation creeping into their voices.

"Please, stop!" Do-Yeong's lawyer pleaded, pulling him away.

Jae-Jun chuckled mockingly. "Hey, you fucking..."

He swung again, but Do-Yeong dodged, landing a solid punch in Jae-Jun's stomach. Jae-Jun hunched over, gasping for air, but rose again, swinging wildly.

"You fucker!" Jae-Jun stumbled, blood staining his mouth as Do-Yeong retaliated, landing a blow that sent Jae-Jun to his knees.

Their lawyers exchanged worried glances as Eun-Ji watched, her eyes glistening with tears. Do-Yeong continued to strike, leaving Jae-Jun gasping for breath.

The lawyers stepped in again, "That's enough; stop!"

"Why?" Jae-Jun shot back defiantly.

"Please, just stop!" Do-Yeong's lawyer begged, trying to restrain him.

Jae-Jun's lawyer helped him to his feet. "Hey, let me go," Jae-Jun mumbled, swaying unsteadily.

"Oh, shit," he gasped, trying to catch his breath, hands resting on his thighs.

"I'm not doing this for you," Do-Yeong shot back, his glare piercing through Jae-Jun.

"My family is none of your business," Jae-Jun retorted, a mix of defiance and pain etched across his face.

"You should leave," Do-Yeong insisted, his voice low and steady. Jae-Jun groaned, shaking his head as if trying to dispel the pain radiating from his body.

"I'm warning you, never come near my daughter again, asshole," Do-Yeong warned, glaring at Jae-Jun.

Eun-Ji stood frozen, terror-stricken, tears streaming down her cheeks, her hands trembling at her sides.

Do-Yeong nodded toward her, signaling it was safe to approach, but she couldn't move. His lawyer gently urged her forward, trying to calm her as they walked away from Jae-Jun.

Do-Yeong helped Eun-Ji into his car. As they drove to a nearby park, silence hung heavy in the air. Though she was calmer now, the earlier chaos lingered in her mind.

Do-Yeong reached for a handkerchief, attempting to wipe her tears. She flinched at his touch, prompting a frown from him.

"It's okay; it's me," he reassured her. Eun-Ji relaxed slightly, allowing him to gently dry her tears. "Two times in one day I saw someone get their ass beat, and the first time I probably heard you curse."

Do-Yeong chuckled, easing the tension. A small smile crept onto Eun-Ji's face. "Sorry about my reaction; I just have a horrible past with him."

He looked at her, rubbing her knuckles soothingly, and she felt herself relax further. As she caught sight of his busted lip, concern filled her.

"What's wrong?" he asked, noticing her gaze.

Eun-Ji reached out, gently cupping his face as her fingers brushed against his lips. He hissed at the unexpected sting of her touch, a reminder of the fight he had just endured.

She quickly withdrew her hand, her gaze shifting away from him as if trying to distance herself from the vulnerability of the moment. "You should clean that up when you get home," she advised softly, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Can you please take me home? I'll call someone to bring my car or have I-Seul pick it up for me," she replied, her tone strained yet hopeful.

With a resigned sigh, Do-Yeong started the car and began driving Eun-Ji home, the tension lingering between them as their hands slipped apart, each lost in their own thoughts.

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