Episode 7 of A Virtuous Business unfolds with a grim revelation of the depths of Jeong-suk's harrowing experience. Do-hyeon arrives in the nick of time, heroically rescuing her from her nightmarish ordeal. Yet, despite his intervention, Jeong-suk remains deeply traumatized, prompting him to gently escort her back home. With compassion brimming in his eyes, he urges her to rest, acknowledging that a hospital visit isn't feasible in her current fragile state. The police eagerly await her statement, but Do-hyeon, acutely aware of her mental turmoil, shields her from their immediate inquiries.
The following day, Jeong-suk is jumpy, startled by every sudden noise, even the mere tapping of her door. As the women convene to discuss their burgeoning business, Jeong-suk grapples with the prospect of attending home visits solo, her recent trauma casting a long shadow over her courage.
Meanwhile, Gyeong-sik's detention at the police station continues, and his rebellious antics only escalate. Do-hyeon, undeterred by Gyeong-sik's antics, asserts his authority, deciding to handle the matter personally. Jeong-suk's fragile state of mind forbids her from testifying, and Do-hyeon himself isn't fully recovered; a wound at the back of his neck, inflicted by Gyeong-sik, is bleeding, drawing the attention of his fellow detectives.
When Do-hyeon learns of Jeong-suk's intent to return to work, his concern deepens. Ironically, Jeong-suk is more worried about rushing back prematurely, fearing the gossip that might spread like wildfire. Do-hyeon, ever the gentleman, respects her wishes and keeps her ordeal under wraps.
However, Detective Na, unable to curb his loose lips, drops subtle hints about the incident while bragging about his prowess to the neighborhood ladies. Their perceptive minds quickly piece together the puzzle, realizing that Jeong-suk was the victim. Jeong-suk, chance-hearing their conversation in the town square, feels overwhelmed, unable to confront the probing glances and whispered theories, especially as she fiercely guards Min-ho from the scandal's shadow.
Jeong-suk arrived for her next scheduled in-house meeting, her heart leaping into her throat when she unexpectedly saw Gyeong-sik standing in place of her husband. Panic surged through her veins as she grabbed her belongings and bolted out the door, just as Do-hyeon appeared on the scene, his eyes filled with concern. He urged her not to flee or hide but to confront the situation bravely and overcome it. However, Jeong-suk wasn't in a state to heed his advice. Nonetheless, she couldn't ignore the bandages peeping from the back of Do-hyeon's neck.
Jeong-suk's friends remained in the dark, but news of the incident had already spread like wildfire throughout the town. Geum-hui and Yeong-bok visited her that night, their faces etched with worry. Gyeong-sik, unwilling to let the matter rest, painted himself as the victim, fueling the flames of their concern. They believed Jeong-suk should stand her ground, starting with giving her testimony and filing a police report.
A pivotal moment arrived when Min-ho had a heart-to-heart with his closest friend, emphasizing the importance of facing their problems head-on and not letting bullies push them around. Empowered by their resolve, the women marched into the police station, their faces adorned with layers of makeup, determined to set the record straight. To their surprise, the local women already present were solidly on Jeong-suk's side.
The situation escalated dramatically when Gyeong-sik strode in, spitting out lies about Jeong-suk being at the house solely for the settlement money. Jeong-suk, usually composed and reserved, erupted in fury, her voice echoing through the station as she shouted at Gyeong-sik. The room fell silent, stunned by her sudden display of anger. Gyeong-sik smirked and laughed, but Jeong-suk stood her ground, commanding him to silence. With a swift and forceful motion, she smacked the top of his head, knocking him unconscious and sending a clear message to everyone present.
Jeong-suk is wracked with anxiety over the potential consequences, while Do-hyeon and the rest opt to forgive and forget. Despite the prevalent ache and sorrow, one thing shines brightly through: the townsfolk hold a favorable view of Jeong-suk, and these ladies stand firmly by her side. Yeong-bok and the others are astounded by Jeong-suk's sudden surge of self-assurance, which she slyly attributes to some expert coaching. Moreover, she arranges to rendezvous with Do-hyeon the next day. However, Na's suspicions are piqued by her interest in Jeong-suk, albeit he thinks it's merely to procure discounts on adult products!
Elsewhere, Yeong-bok discovers the possibility of her own pregnancy, haunted by her recent nausea and bloating. She ventures to the pharmacy in search of remedies but, upon glancing at the calendar, realizes that her suspicion might indeed be accurate. Matters are further complicated by the arrival of a familiar town figure, unknown to us, the audience, but recognized by the residents. A man named Du-seok calls Yeong-bok's husband, propositioning a meeting. He has a job opportunity lined up and wishes to rope him in, dangling the prospect of a larger abode and more wealth as bait. The pregnancy could potentially sway him towards making a hasty decision, but we shall see how it unfolds.
Do-hyeon and Jeong-suk finally meet, with the latter intent on aiding Do-hyeon in his quest to find his mother. Grateful for his prior assistance with her own predicaments, she views this as her way of repaying the favor. His abode is chilly and unwelcoming, yet within its basement lies a treasure trove of his belongings. There are piles of papers, boxes, and documents. The main attraction is a board laden with various names, one of which might belong to his mother.
The new clue emerges from a series of arson attacks. It seems that a serial arsonist is kidnapping babies from the homes engulfed in flames. These poor infants are the primary victims, and Do-hyeon, bearing burn marks on his arm, is one such victim.
Jeong-suk is utterly committed to assisting and resolves to spearhead the initiative of interviewing the local women. She believes they might open up more freely to her than to him, an act that subsequently prompts Do-hyeon to hold her in higher esteem than he previously did. As Jeong-suk departs for the night, she leaves behind her notes, which Do-hyeon meticulously reviews. To his surprise, he stumbles upon an aspect he had never considered – perhaps his parents are also searching for him?
Exhausted, Do-hyeon drifts off to sleep on the couch, while Jeong-suk returns to his house in search of her missing notepad. Upon entering, she discovers the detective immersed in a troubled slumber on the sofa, trapped in a nightmarish vision. Within his dream, he hears soothing hums and glimpses a woman seated at a table, tenderly stroking her pregnant belly. The woman remains anonymous, devoid of a face. Awakening from his distressing dream, Do-hyeon finds Jeong-suk standing before him, and he envelops her in an embrace, his heart pounding with fear and uncertainty triggered by the haunting images he encountered.
