Episode 3 of "When the Phone Rings" flashbacks to the dramatic moments preceding the bombing. Sa-eon, still masquerading as Hee-joo's kidnapper, is engaged in a tense conversation with her over the phone. Meanwhile, an unsuspecting twist unfolds at Sa-eon’s office as the actual kidnapper delivers a pizza – but this ordinary-looking box harbors a sinister secret: a bomb. The explosion rips through the office just as Sa-eon's voice is echoing in Hee-joo's ears.
After regaining consciousness in the hospital, Do-jae brings Sa-eon the comforting news that no one was seriously harmed in the blast. Yet, Sa-eon is anything but relieved; the kidnapper's tactics have entangled him in a web of complexity. He can't publicly disclose his predicament, so he devises a covert strategy.
Part of his conversation with the kidnapper makes headlines, while he discreetly monitors Hee-joo’s security updates through her bodyguard. This episode also revisits the cliffhanger from the previous one, where Sa-eon arrives home, driven by curiosity to examine Hee-joo's distinctive birthmark. But Hee-joo, sharp as a tack, interrupts him just in time. She prompts him to voice his intentions, and her inquisitive demeanor makes Sa-eon conclude that she's clueless about his underlying investigation. Worried about his apparent injury, Hee-joo breathes a sigh of relief when he dismisses it and strides away.
Retreating to his home office, Sa-eon receives a call from Do-jae, who shares the police's theory linking the bombing to a series of arson attacks in the vicinity. However, Sa-eon stands firm in his conviction that the kidnapper is merely riding the coattails of a genuine arsonist. He instructs Do-jae to embark on a parallel investigation, determined to uncover the truth hidden beneath layers of deceit and danger.
Hee-joo, eavesdropping discreetly, uncovered the startling truth that Sa-eon had been the one to manipulate the conversation footage broadcast by the media. Subsequently, Sa-eon requested to inspect Hee-joo's phone, suspecting it might have been compromised. A wave of panic surged through Hee-joo as she realized the inquiry stemmed from the compromising photo she had sent. In a swift motion, she darted to her room and hastily deleted the incriminating image from her sleek, enigmatic black phone – our nickname for it from now on!
Elsewhere, a social gathering unfolded between Sa-eon's and Hee-joo's parents. Chairman II-kyeong's curiosity piqued, eager to understand how Ui-yong intended to leverage Sa-eon in his presidential campaign strategy. Meanwhile, among the mothers, Kyung-jin was incensed when Yeon-hui attempted to pry into her private messages. Kyung-jin, spotting breaking news about a bombing (despite Sa-eon's name remaining undisclosed), retaliated impulsively by pouring scalding tea over Yeon-hui and storming out without an apology. Ui-hyong stayed back to administer first aid to Yeon-hui, his behavior tinged with an odd demeanor that didn't escape II-kyeong's perceptive gaze.
At the television station, Sang-woo convened with his team to prepare for his upcoming appearance on You-ri's show. The producer inquisitively inquired if there was any story Sang-woo had never covered, prompting him to share a poignant memory. He recounted his childhood at Nuri Dream Center orphanage, when he'd sneak out to bond daily with the Chairman's son, who was staying nearby. Their camaraderie flourished until Sang-woo stumbled upon something grim and unsettling. Intriguingly, Sang-woo left the room abruptly as his alarm blared, rushing off to a lunch date, leaving his audience hanging in suspense.
Unsurprisingly, Sang-woo's lunch companion was Hee-joo. Meanwhile, Sa-eon scoured Hee-joo's phone, stumbling upon her plans to meet with Sang-woo. Before departing, he conferred with Do-jae, who briefed him on the progress of the bomb materials investigation, lamenting their inability to identify the kidnapper's voice. Sa-eon was reassured by Do-jae's unwavering commitment to assisting him in the matter.
Following that incident, he storms out and receives a message from You-ri. Being the quintessential opportunist, he seizes the moment to invite You-ri to lunch at the very same restaurant where Hee-joo and Sang-woo are currently dining. Hee-joo is astonishment personified as he breezily disrupts her lunch with Sang-woo, pretending it's a mere coincidence while keeping mum about their marital status. Eventually, the quartet finds themselves sharing a meal together, with Sa-eon seizing the opportunity to scrutinize Sang-woo as though he were a suspect under interrogation. Fortunately, Sang-woo handles the grilling with the finesse of a seasoned professional, though Hee-joo's nerves are frayed. You-ri lends a helping hand by responding to some of the probing questions, while Sang-woo gallantly shields Hee-joo. It's astonishing how Sa-eon's jealousy doesn't choke him!
Moments after Hee-joo excuses herself, Sa-eon's phone rings, revealing a call from Do-jae. Do-jae has successfully apprehended the perpetrator who ignited another fire while the police were probing the office bombing. Following the call, Hee-joo confronts Sa-eon, inquiring if he suspects her of having an affair with Sang-woo. She vigorously defends Sang-woo. Sa-eon is incensed by Hee-joo's unwavering praise for Sang-woo, prompting him to question how well she truly knows him and conceding that perhaps he doesn't know her as intimately as he presumed. In this regard, he is correct; he is akin to Jon Snow—he knows nothing!
Post the confrontation, Hee-joo receives a summons from the center, prompting her departure. Sa-eon returns to the table, requesting Sang-woo's business card before settling the bill and exiting. Hee-joo too, departs shortly thereafter.
At the heart of the center, Jin-yi eagerly unfolds the documents for the interpreter position at the President’s office before Hee-joo, her eyes sparkling with excitement. However, Hee-joo’sresponse shocks Jin-yi; she declares her dislike for the job and broaches the subject of divorce. Furthermore, Hee-joo reveals a chilling detail—her husband wishes her dead. Jin-yi, misinterpreting the gravity of the situation, dismisses it as a heated spat common in married life. But as Hee-joo persists, Jin-yi urges her to pursue the job, suggesting it could be a means to sustain herself independently of her husband.
Back in the office, Do-jae confirms to Sa-eon that their suspect is not the arsonist. Fortunately, the genuine perpetrator reveals that he crossed paths with the impostor during a test run. Unfortunately, the police overlooked reporting the initial bombing , and the arsonist never caught a glimpse of the impostor's face. Sa-eon then asks Do-jae to investigate Sang-woo, and is astounded when his assistant presents Sang-woo's YouTube channel. Sang-woo, a renowned psychiatrist specializing in psychology, is also a prominent figure in true crime shows and an avid advocate for healthy living. Do-jae elaborates that Sang-woo's physical charm endears him to women, sparking an increased jealousy in Sa- eon.
Meanwhile, the kidnapper strikes again, terrifying Hee-joo by tampering with her car. He demands a call and plays Song Hyun-joo’s hit, “Call Me Now,” heightening the tension.
After this harrowing incident, Hee-joo anxiously navigates her way home, arriving at 9:55 PM, with Sa-eon arriving mere seconds later. As the clock edges closer to 10 PM, Hee-joo makes a move to leave, but Sa-eon intercepts her, volunteering to fetch whatever she needs from the convenience store. Once he’s gone, Hee-joo dials his number, referring to him as the kidnapper. Intrigued, Sa-eon inquiries about the kidnapper’s motives for keeping Hee-joo alive.
She is visibly flustered, asserting that Sa-eon's lack of affection for his wife is palpable, leaving her to ponder why he persists in retaining her. In response, Sa-eon stands firm in his refusal to abandon Hee-joo, vowing never to release her from his grasp. Without awaiting the kidnapper's rejoinder, he abruptly ends the call.
Upon his return from the store, he confides in Hee-joo that he will not grant her a divorce, fearing the tarnishing of his reputation. Hee-joo feels insulted, believing this is the sole motive behind his retention of her. Furthermore, he broaches the subject of her job at the president's office, insisting that she exerts herself to the utmost. As he prepares to depart, she clasps his arm, inquiring about the necessity of her continued companionship amidst the looming publicity and potential peril it may pose to him. Despite her arguments, Sa-eon dismisses her concerns as trivial. He confesses that the kidnapper's assertion of their strangerhood stung him deeply. He then retreats to her bedroom and climbs into bed, challenging Hee-joo to defy his advances if she dares.
Reluctantly, Hee-joo complies. Sa-eon then urges her to erase the memory of her kidnapping ordeal and his harsh words during that time. He solemnly promises to safeguard her, doubting the security of their abode. After she drifts into slumber, oblivious to her tears streaming in her dreams, he slips away.
In her dreamscape, Hee-joo revisits ahaunting chapter from her youth. She had been involved in an accident that resulted in the tragic demise of the chairman's sole heir. To shield themselves from retribution, Hee-joo's mother insisted that she fake mutism, hoping to elicit the chairman's mercy. Yeon-hui saw this as their only chance to remain under the chairman's protection and cruelly compelled Hee-joo to relinquish her voice.
The following morning, Sa-eon and Hyeok-jin converged to engage in a spirited game of indoor tennis. During a brief lull, Hyeok-jin couldn't resist bringing up the tale of the unfaithful wife, inquiring about the husband's curious lack of investigation. Sa-eon responded with a nonchalant shrug, revealing that the husband preferred to uncover the truth on his own terms. Hyeok-jin chuckled, jesting that the husband must be head-over-heels in love or a twisted individual indeed to resort to such extreme measures.
However, as Hee-joo failed to make the anticipated call, the kidnapper's patience wore thin, prompting him to devise a new strategy. He stealthily visited Hee-joo's father at the nursing home, seizing the opportunity to briefly abduct him when left momentarily unattended. With the elderly man's phone in hand, he initiated a video call to Hee-joo, sending shockwaves through her being.
Hee-joo's heart raced as she gazed at the kidnapper's menacing face on the screen. The kidnapper mocked her, inquiring why she was using the phone to intimidate Sa-eon. When Hee-joo confessed that she was actually trying to secure a divorce, the kidnapper's amusement knew no bounds. He declared with excitement that they were allies in this battle, but warned her not to falter in her resolve.
To intensify her distress, he flashed four bloody teeth in front of the camera, leading Hee-joo to believe they belonged to her father. After the call ended, Hee-joo rushed to the nursing home, where she found the police already on the scene. Relief washed over her when she learned her father was unharmed, but his repeated recitation of the kidnapper's message only deepened her terror.
The police offered to escort Hee-joo to the station to record her statement. However, as they drove, the police radio crackled with static, and Hee-joo's nausea intensified. The officers quickly pulled over to assist her. In a panic, Hee-joo leaped out of the car, vomiting violently on the roadside. As she retched, tears streamed down her face, reflecting on the tumultuous journey of her life and the isolation she felt in her struggle.
Suddenly, Sa-eon emerges with an air of regal grace, as though he were Prince Charming himself, accompanied by his entourage. With a graceful nod of thanks, he dismisses the officers, volunteering to provide a statement in Hee-joo's stead. The police officers, recognizing him instantly, are taken aback by his unexpected presence. They inquisitively inquire about his connection to Hee-joo, and he responds with a proud declaration, asserting that she is his wife. Hee-joo is left utterly astonished, and so are we, caught in the spell of this unexpected twist!
