Episode 2 of "When the Phone Rings" resumes with Sa-eon still threatening to lay harm upon the mysterious caller (406) upon uncovering their identity. In the confines of the ladies' room, Hee-joo finds herself enveloped in a whirlwind of anxiety, wondering if Sa-eon has indeed figured out her dual role as both his wife and the caller. However, their hallway encounter and subsequent private discussion about her injuries and the accident alleviate her fears; Sa-eon remains oblivious to her true identity as the caller.
Sa-eon's actions suggest a deep-seated anger fueled by the audacity of someone daring to harm his wife. Hee-joo, observing his demeanor, assumes it stems from territorial instinct rather than love; it's a matter of pride, not affection. After verifying Hee-joo's ordeal, Sa-eon promptly instructs her new bodyguards to escort her home and tasks his team with identifying the caller by stripping away the voice modulator from the recording he shares with them.
Back at their residence, Hee-joo listens intently to the call recording, analyzing Sa-eon's every word while simultaneously fretting over the possibility that the actual kidnapper might be on the hunt for the incriminating phone. When Sa-eon arrives home, he insists on inspecting her car, particularly the dash cam. Hee-joo's heart races as she realizes the camera could potentially expose her secret conversations. She hastily follows him, breathing a sigh of relief when he informs her that the dash cam had been inoperative.
Their conversation is interrupted by a near-miss with a speeding motorbike in the parking lot, where Sa-eon swiftly saves Hee-joo. He urges her to stay home, but she passionately pleads to continue her work, revealing an upcoming court case that requires her interpretation. Relenting, he agrees but insists she take the bodyguards with her. He then reaches out to Administrative Officer Park, requesting a thorough review of CCTV footage related to the accident.
The subsequent day, Sa-eon reconvenes with his mother over a meal, yet his thoughts are continually diverted by incessant calls from Choi Yeong-jin. Perceiving her son's disturbance, his mother astutely inquiries about his troubles, prompting him to delve deeper into understanding his adversary. Additionally, Sa-eon inquiries about those privy to the secrets of his family, realizing that the circle of confidants is exceedingly limited, thereby refining his list of suspects.
In the courtroom, Hee-joo lends her interpreting skills to a deaf woman accused of assaulting her spouse. Following the adjournment of the case, Hee-joo makes her way to the ladies' room, leaving her bodyguards momentarily distracted as they intervene in a scuffle between the litigants. Taking the opportunity, Hee-joo reconnects with a former college acquaintance and exits without notifying her escorts. In a sudden fit of anxiety, one of the bodyguards dispatches a message to Sa-eon, urging him to expedite the search for his wife. His concentration falters during a crucial meeting.
Fortunately, the bodyguards locate Hee-joo outside the building, engaged in a leisurely conversation with her old friend, Sang Woo. A flicker of jealousy crosses Sa-eon's mind as he receives a photograph of the two, beaming with happiness. Sang-woo and Hee-joo reminisce about the past and exchange phone numbers, albeit Hee-joo cautiously refrains from sharing too much about her personal life.
Hee-joo returns home, and shortly thereafter, her mother, Yeon-hui, arrives with a set of lingerie, urging Hee-joo to use it to enchant Sa-eon. Yeon-hui emphasizes that the future well-being of Hee-joo's family hinges on the success of her marriage. If Hee-joo fails to keep Sa-eon content, they may not be able to afford the treatment for her father. Knowing Hee-joo's father is her Achilles' heel, Yeon-hui cunningly employs him as leverage. Instead of wearing the lingerie to entice Sa-eon, Hee-joo opts to don it during her charade as the kidnapper and places another call to Sa-eon.
This time, Sa-eon finds himself inquisitively wondering if the shadowy kidnapper lurking in the shadows is in close proximity to him. With steely resolve, he rejects the kidnapper's relentless demands. In response, Hee-joo, trapped in the kidnapper's clutches, sends a haunting image of a distinctive birthmark on her thighs, a personal mark etched into her skin. Doubts cloud Sa-eon's mind as he struggles to ascertain whether the picture truly captures the intimacy of his wife's body. The kidnapper, sensing his uncertainty, mocks him relentlessly, pointing out his ignorance of his wife's very own flesh.
In a sudden burst of defiance, Sa-eon retaliates, branding the kidnapper as a perverted intruder and probing with probing personal questions, aimed to dismantle her composure. His threats to add further incriminations to the charges he intends to bring against her only further incense the kidnapper. Losing her composure, Hee-joo urges Sa-eon to verify the truth himself, challenging him to look for the birthmark on her thighs. The call terminates, leaving Sa-eon scurrying to his team, desperate for news on the kidnapper's whereabouts. But the team's response falls flat, failing to pinpoint the location. He chooses to keep the incriminating picture hidden from their view.
Racing back home, Sa-eon finds Hee-joo nestled in bed, the tranquility of her slumber a stark contrast to his turbulent thoughts. Attempting to uncover the truth by examining her thigh, Hee-joo tenaciously clutches the bedcover, refusing to relinquish her modesty. In a misplaced urgency, Sa-eon pulls too forcefully, collapsing onto her in an awkward embrace. Embarrassed and flustered, he shifts gears abruptly, diving into the discussion of a prestigious interpreter job at the Office of the President. He vows not to bestow her with any preferential treatment, insisting that if she desires the position, she must claim it through her own merits and accomplishments.
Hee-joo, too, is left breathless and perplexed, struggling to fathom Sa-eon's motive behind this sudden job offer. Memories of their wedding days flash through Sa-eon's mind, where Hee-joo had daringly attempted to seduce him, yet he had coldly rebuffed her advances, cautioning her against falling in love with him. Looking back, does he harbor a lingering regret for his harsh stance?
The next morning, Hee-joo awakens to a surprising sight: Sa-eon at home, dutifully preparing her breakfast. His questions about the trustworthiness of Sang-woo fill the air, setting the stage for an unpredictable turn in their tangled narrative.
Elsewhere, Sang-woo's path crosses with You-ri in an unexpected twist of fate as he swoops in to prevent her from stumbling over, having been jostled by eager fans awaiting their celebrity's arrival outside the station. In the chaos, You-ri inadvertently spills her steaming coffee onto his arm. As they converse later, Sang-woo reveals his upcoming participation in the new show. Their discussion delves into the fervent devotion of fans, prompting a heated exchange when Sang-woo deems their behavior a nuisance, much to You-ri's displeasure. The conversation then pivots to the similarities between being a fangirl and harboring a crush, prompting Sang-woo to confess his own past experience with such feelings, hinting at his affection for Hee-joo.
Meanwhile, Hee-joo visits her father in the nursing home, where she uncovers a poignant truth: he sacrificed his own dreams for hers, enabling her pursuit of becoming a news anchor. While touched, Hee-joo is also overwhelmed by the complexities of her life, which has been anything but serene. Her emotions spill over as she weeps, voicing her exhaustion and confusion about her true identity.
At the office, Sa-eon meticulously scrutinizes CCTV footage of Hee-joo's car from the fateful night. His eyes widen as he spots a man nonchalantly entering her vehicle. He later confides in Reporter Hyeok-jin, hinting at his dilemmas, while Hyeok-jin insists that the wife in question is entangled in an affair, and both lovers are trying to deceive the husband. Upon reviewing the footage again, Sa-eon observes the man's casual demeanor as he approached Hee-joo's car.
When Hee-joo calls as the kidnapper at 10 pm, Sa-eon deliberately hangs up, startling her. She quickly redials, and this time, Sa-eon asserts his composure, telling the kidnapper to call back after five minutes before terminating the call again. Hee-joo exits her car, trying to steady her nerves, pacing anxiously in a convenience store. Five minutes later, she rings Sa-eon once more. He now threatens to turn the tables on the kidnapper, mocking the caller while Hee-joo struggles to maintain her composure. Suddenly, a loud explosion echoes through their conversation, causing Hee-joo to shrink in shock. The call abruptly ends, and she's unable to reach Sa-eon subsequently. She returns home, sitting on the sofa in anxious anticipation for Sa-eon's return.
The following morning, as dawn broke, she awoke to the haunting realization that he hadn't returned home. Anxiety gnawed at her until she flipped on the TV, where a chilling report unfolded about a bombing incident at an office in Yeuido. The screen flashed a snippet of her phone conversation with Sa-eon, replaying her menacing threats towards him. Hee-joo was stunningly taken aback, for it wasn't she who had orchestrated such a heinous act.
Before she could gather her wits, Sa-eon burst in, his demeanor a disheveled mess. He pinned her against the kitchen wall, forcing her into a seated position on the narrow aisle. His hands moved with purpose, searching for the telltale birthmark on her thigh. Hee-joo's mind whirled in a fog of astonishment, her senses overwhelmed by his proximity. Sensing her reluctance, Sa-eon's voice hardened, a stark ultimatum echoing in the room—lift her skirt, or he would do it himself.
In a poignant epilogue, the truth unraveled: Sa-eon had orchestrated the switch with I-na and her sister. His motive was clear—to prevent Hee-joo from marrying into the Yeonghwa Construction family, whose son was rumored to be a monster, a man who cast a dark shadow over any marital alliance, compelling families to shy away from the Yeonghwa name.
