Episode 7 of "When the Phone Rings" kicks off with a haunting flashback to a traumatic accident entangling I-na, Hee-joo, and her younger brother. As rescuers arrived on the scene, they hastily whisked away I-na, leaving Hee-joo stranded and alone in the wreckage. In the hospital's cold sterility, her mother imparted a chilling directive: never to utter a word again, as pity was their sole means of clinging to the Chairman's favor.
These haunting memories swirl in Hee-joo's mind as she lies trapped, awaiting rescue. Her consciousness teeters on the brink until she hears Sa-eon's frantic voice piercing through the darkness, a beacon of hope. The sound triggers another Recalling the flood, taking her back to a time when Sa-eon stood unwaveringly by her side, amplifying her presence when others overlooked her. He rushed to her aid even when she hadn't cried out, lending an ear to her unspoken words.
With Sa-eon struggling to carry Hee-joo to safety, she silently confesses her burgeoning affection for him. Once at the hospital, he remains steadfast at her bedside, refusing to leave her side until she awakens. When Hee-joo grasps his hand to halt his rush to summon the doctor, she finally speaks to him, her voice a plea: "Don't leave me."
Elsewhere, Ui-yong's team schemes to capitalize on the accident, weaving it into their political tapestry. Back in the hospital, Hee-joo's mind races with potential consequences for Sa-eon now that he knows she is caller 406. Her physical examinations become a distant echo as she conjures up a grim tableau: Sa-eon divorce her for deceit, demanding she shoulder the two billion fine as her penalty.
Do-jae briefs Sa-eon on the accident investigation's progress, but the lack of CCTV footage around the park leaves them blind to the perpetrator's identity. Sa-eon suspects the culprit may have been targeting him, with Hee-joo caught in the crossfire as collateral damage.
Moreover, Do-jae delved into the phone Hee-joo had used to contact Sa-eon, labeled simply as 406, uncovering suspicious malware capable of tracking the device's whereabouts. Sa-eon speculated that the assailant had employed this to pinpoint Hee-joo's location. Do-jae, however, believed they could harness the phone's data to track down the genuine kidnapper, albeit at the cost of two to three days.
Later, Sa-eon imparted to Hee-joo the depth of his knowledge about her, highlighting that she was indeed "406." Despite numerous questions burning within him, he urged her to prioritize rest and recovery. He vowed to address everything once she regained her strength, then excused himself to resume his duties, promising to revisit her soon.
On his way to the office, Sa-eon received an update regarding Ui-young's press conference. Ui-young seemed oblivious to the identity of the cliff-fall victim, his words inadvertently heaping pressure onto Sa-eon's office. The media barrage began, with Young-woo and others receiving incessant calls. As soon as Sa-eon arrived, he disconnected all the phones to stem the tide.
Sa-eon instructed his team to announce that they were actively investigating and would issue a press release the following day. He tasked Young-woo with ensuring Hee-joo's information remained under wraps. Suspecting a cover-up, Young-woo expressed doubts, but Sa-eon reassured him that Hee-joo was safe.
Elsewhere, Yeon-hui stumbled upon I-na's return to the country during a spa encounter. Over coffee afterwards, I-na confessed she had come back to assist Hee-joo. She mentioned receiving some information at the Art Centre a day before the wedding, initially mistaking Yeon-hui as the sender. Yeon-hui, convinced that Hee-joo had Sa-eon wrapped around her little finger, dismissed I-na's efforts to intervene. She subtly hinted at knowing a secret about Sa-eon, leaving the air thick with intrigue.
Ui-yong and his team revel in the empathy their office has garnered from the public. Yet, Ui-yong knows his statement must resonate with Sa-eon's narrative. When no communication from Sa-eon arrives, their jubilance turns to apprehension. Just then, Sa-eon strides into the office, and Ui-yong hastily attempts to steer him towards the premeditated script, claiming he's already set the stage. But Sa-eon has other plans.
Sa-eon issues a stern warning to Ui-yong: delve further into the fall incident, and he'll be compelled to retaliate. Ui-yong is stunned by Sa-eon's veiled threat. He tries to assert his authority, reminding Sa-eon that he bestowed upon him the name Paik Sa-eon. This triggers a flashback for Sa-eon to his childhood, where Ui-yong and Kyu-jin forced him into the mold of their ideal son, manipulating his diet, reading habits, and attire. Defiant, Sa-eon stands his ground, insisting Ui-yong cease shoving the name down his throat; he's at the brink of discarding it all.
Sa-eon reveals that the person who plummeted off the cliff is family, shocking Ui-yong further when he admits to hiring Hee-joo into the presidential office. Mocking Ui-yong, Sa-eon boasts that Hee-joo joined before he did. Later, Sa-eon returns to the hospital, his presence causing Hee-joo's heart to flutter. Their bond seems to deepen. However, at 10 PM, Sa-eon steps out. When Hee-joo inquiries about his whereabouts, he casually mentions he's awaiting a call. Hee-joo deduces he's waiting for a call from 406, so she reaches out using the burner phone. Sa-eon engages in playful flirtation, irritating Hee-joo. He then asks 406 for assistance in capturing the kidnapper by sharing all she knows.
Sa-eon's office issued a meticulously crafted press release regarding the accident, with Sa-eon adopting the guise of the victim and utilizing details furnished by 406 during their police station encounter. A sketch of the kidnapper was unveiled, featuring a striking attribute: his odd-eyed appearance and an unmistakable fishy odor. In his office, Sang-woo perused the press release, and the distinctive traits left him unnerved. Meanwhile, another mysterious individual in a fishing supply shop seemingly decoded the identity behind the mask with a keen eye.
Upon catching a glimpse of his visage on television, the kidnapper dispatched a text to his accomplice, the very same individual who had shoved Hee-joo off the cliff. The accomplice revealed that their motive was to inflict upon Sa-eon the agony of losing something invaluable. Since Hee-joo had narrowly escaped death, the focus shifted to retrieving the burner phone.
Sa-eon convened with II-kyeong, who inquired about his brazen public exposure. II-kyeong deduced that Sa-eon, known for his tactical prowess, would never resort to such an amateurish maneuver unless he was safeguarding someone close to him. In the hospital, the kidnapper messaged Hee-joo, clarifying that he hadn't pushed her and, since she had aborted their scheme, she ought to surrender the phone.
He instructed her to unlock the door as he approached. At that critical moment, the door nearly creaked open. Hee-joo, petrified, hastily struggled to keep it closed. On the other side, Sa-eon forcefully pushed it open, to Hee-joo's immense relief.
Later, at ten o'clock that night, Hee-joo left her bed to dial Sa-eon's number, posing as 406. Determined to confess, she intended to unveil her true self and relinquish the phone. Hee-joo agreed to meet Sa-eon, but upon his return to the room, Sa-eon had vanished. He requested a rendezvous at the park, where Hee-joo and her family had suffered a life-altering mishap on their way home during the park's grand opening.
Prior to their anticipated face-to-face meeting, Sa-eon endeavored to calm Hee-joo's frayed nerves. She amused herself at the carousel, indulged in some ice cream, and ascended the tower to meet him. Over the phone, Hee-joo expressed her apprehension that Sa-eon might be disappointed and feel deserted upon seeing her. However, when they finally met, Sa-eon reassured her, insisting that he could never harbor ill will towards her. He confessed that he didn't know how to cease loving Hee-joo as he drew her into a profound kiss.
