Episode 10 of "A Virtuous Business" kicks off with an ominous scene: Du-seok, shackled and escorted, steps into the shadowy confines of a prison. The revelation unfolds that Jong-seon occupied the passenger seat, not the driver's, a twist that throws Geum-hui into a whirlwind of emotions. Despite Jong-seon's confession, Geum-hui grapples with the harrowing image of a bleeding man abandoned on the street, left to fend for himself. However, her resentment softens slightly upon learning that Jong-seon's quick thinking in calling the emergency services ultimately saved Won-bong's life.
Meanwhile, Yeong-bok stands firm, her tears brimming yet restrained, voicing her heartfelt sorrow. She holds Geum-hui in high esteem and her burden is palpable. Jeong-suk, drawing wisdom from past advice imparted to her, urges Yeong-bok to confront her conflicts head-on, rather than shying away from them. A beacon of hope arrives in the form of Yeong-bok's eldest daughter, Eom-ji, who emboldens her mother to stay resolute. Eom-ji hints at a pattern in Jong-seon's behavior, suggesting that his current situation mirrors past escapades, and that his claim of "working abroad" is a farce, a notion Yeong-sok has perpetuated among the other children.
Ironically, clarity dawns upon Won-bong too. In a heartfelt conversation with Geum-hui, he asserts that these individuals are her true friends, chosen not lightly but with care. Geum-hui cherishes his words but keeps them close as Yeong-bok approaches, seeking a dialogue fraught with uncertainty.
Outside, Yeong-bok pours her heart out, acknowledging the slim chance of forgiveness but driven by a desire to alleviate Geum-hui's pain. She confesses that she omitted mentioning the ambulance caller's identity, fearing it might appear as though she sought monetary compensation, a motive far from her intentions.
As Geum-hui prepares to depart, Yeong-bok doubles over in sudden pain, clutching her abdomen. With alarm, Geum-hui rushes her inside, relief washing over her when assured that the baby is unharmed. Geum-hui's concern shifts, noting Yeong-bok's solicitude for the baby over herself. Yet, as Yeong-bok's sobs wrack her body, the emotional dam bursts, and their bond, mended by shared vulnerability, resurges, stronger and more understanding.
As for Jong-seon, he makes an appearance to see Won-bong, offering a heartfelt apology without reservation. Yet, Won-bong insists that mere words are insufficient; actions must speak louder. Jong-seon agrees enthusiastically, and it seems the dispute is mended, with the settlement finally reaching a conclusion. This turn of events dramatically alters Jong-seon's fate, shifting his sentence to a temporary stay in a detention center followed by a trial, but with the possibility of parole looming.
Elsewhere, Ju-ri and Dae-geun's casual romance persists, with Dae-geun grappling to find suitable venues for their dates. Even a motel seems out of the question, as his mother owns every one in town! However, a glimmer of hope arises as his mother plans to leave the town soon, presenting Dae-geun with the perfect chance to invite Ju-ri over.
Back at work, Jeong-suk rallies her team, suggesting the idea of a brochure to bolster their sales. When Ju-ri selects products for men, her colleagues catch a glimpse of her love life, realizing she has a boyfriend. Ju-ri prefers in-home dates, believing they offer the easiest opportunity for intimacy. Jeong-suk, somewhat innocent and naive in this realm, finds herself momentarily distracted by an invitation to dinner at Do-hyeon's place. Her mind wanders, envisioning romantic scenarios, even fantasies of him emerging from the shower.
After dinner, Jeong-suk volunteers to wash up, urging Do-hyeon to retrieve a board game from her bag. Unfortunately, he selects the wrong one—containing her sex toys. Embarrassed, she promises to tutor him, step by step, only to realize her blunder as he holds a whip and handcuffs. They quickly rectify the situation and settle down to play board games.
During their gameplay, Do-hyeon teases Jeong-suk about "going to Hong Kong," Korean slang for achieving an orgasm. Jeong-suk clarifies the misconceptions surrounding in-home dates, and the pair share a tender kiss, with Do-hyeon confessing his desires.
Just when the mood becomes intimate, the Captain interrupts with news for Do-hyeon. He reveals a file in his drawer related to the fires and mentions a junior officer's hint about a crucial clue potentially hidden in an orphanage in Yeongeup.
It recently shut its doors, yet its ties to the orphanage couldn't be overlooked. Twenty children were sent abroad for adoption, but eleven of them bore no records of ever being in the orphanage, with no traceable files on their origins. A handful of photographs, however, provided a glimmer of hope—among them, a three-year-old girl whose features mirrored those of Yeong-ho's missing daughter. Suspicions arose that these children might have been victims of trafficking, hinted by the amounts of money jotted down on each file.
All were born in the same hospital, attended by the same midwife, whose alibi was impeccable, thus ruling her out as the perpetrator. Regardless, Do-hyeon pressed ahead to confront her. Though his interrogation yielded little, her Alzheimer's disease compounded the challenge. Fortunately, her assistant, who had served her faithfully for two decades, was present. Mention was also made of another assistant—Ok-yeop's mother.
Determined to uncover the truth, Do-hyeon joined Jeong-suk in their quest to locate her. It seemed that one of the assistants might hold the key to the mystery. They discovered that Ok-yeop had passed away three decades ago, but his mother, Cho Sun-ae, was a local figure—the owner of the town's video store. Seizing the opportunity, Do-hyeon confronted Sun-ae, probing into her past as a midwife's assistant. She, in turn, recounted the heartbreaking tale of her own child, who succumbed to illness due to lack of medical care, exacerbated by their poverty.
As their conversation unfolded, Do-hyeon suddenly slumped to the ground, the revelation stunning him: Sun-ae was the one who had taken the children in her younger years. She had stolen them, believing she was offering them a chance at a better life—a liberation, in her eyes. Sun-ae justified her actions, convinced she had done the children a favor. She revealed that each child she took bore a tiny cross tattoo on their forehead, a mark she intended to use to identify them in the future. Yet, upon inspection, Do-hyeon bore no such tattoo. It dawned on him that he, too, might be an adoptee, a realization that left him bound and gagged by Sun-ae.
But fate had other plans. A lamp was knocked over, igniting the room. Just then, Jeong-suk appeared, pounding on the door with urgency. Catching sight of Do-hyeon's notebook on the table, she rushed in to rescue him from the encroaching flames.
Outside, the other ladies surround and hold her firmly, preventing the woman from making a swift escape. Do-hyeon gathers his composure and prepares her for impending arrest.
In the hospital, Do-hyeon gradually recovers from his wounds and receives a package from his adoptive parents. Inside lies a letter adorned with embroidery that features the initials K.B.H. — a fresh clue in the case that could potentially be tied to his true identity.
However, for now, all the characters convene for a grand lunch. Do-hyeon and Jeong-suk arrive as an official couple, with Jeong-suk making her way up to retrieve her old stove. Unfortunately, in her haste, she accidentally knocks over a basket containing clothes, and to her astonishment, she notices the same embroidery — K.B.H. — on them. The same three initials that were found on the clothes with which Do-hyeon was discovered. Could it be that Do-hyeon's mother is somehow intertwined in this intricate web?
