Beauty Next Door (vsoo)

[03]

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Knock. Knock. Knock.

The sharp rapping against the knotty alder door shattered the stillness of the night. It wasn't just an ordinary knock. It was frantic -desperate. Like someone running for their life.

The family inside was fast asleep, wrapped in peaceful dreams, but the knocking was relentless.

Inside the master bedroom, the man of the house stirred, groaning softly. His wife, barely awake, let out an unladylike yawn as he gently excused himself from bed.

Rubbing his eyes, he stepped out into the dimly lit hallway, his gaze instinctively drifting toward another door. His son was still asleep.

But the knocking only grew louder.

"Help me... help me...

A voice, hoarse and weak, barely making it past the wooden barrier.

The man hesitated. Who would be out at this hour? 2 AM. Was this a prank? Or was someone truly in danger?

Then-sudden silence.

A chill ran down his spine. He inhaled deeply, pushing away the unease creeping into his chest. His fingers tightened around the doorknob as he slowly pulled the door open.

His breath hitched.

Blood.

A pool of crimson glistened under the dim porch light, seeping into the wooden floorboards. A woman lay collapsed against the threshold, her clothes torn, her body trembling.

Her eyes-bloodshot and filled with terror. Her long hair had been roughly cut, uneven strands falling over her pale face.

His heart pounded. He crouched down, hands hovering uncertainly.

Was she even breathing?

Before he could check, a soft hand landed on his shoulder.

"Appa... what happened?"

His son's voice-worried.

The man swallowed, turning slightly. "I don't know, son. Check her pulse-she's barely holding on."

Without hesitation, his son knelt beside him, pressing gentle fingers to the woman's wrist. His eyes widened at the unsteady rhythm beneath her skin.

But before he could react, her ice-cold fingers shot out, gripping his wrist tightly.

Her lips trembled as she whispered, voice fragile but desperat

"Help me. oppa...

×××××

The meeting room at KJ Technology and Management Consulting was filled with employees, all eager and ready to dive into their latest VR program.

At the head of the room, Taehyung sat beside Mia, the Vice CEO of KJ, awaiting CEO Kim Jisoo, who had yet to arrive from a previous meeting. The energy in the room was tense, everyone anticipating the beginning of this crucial session.