DANCE WITH THE DEVIL

CHAPTER 25

The main house held an unusual calmness today. Upcoming deals and schedules were postponed, but the staff's vigilance doubled under strict orders from the boss. Outside, guards were positioned in strategic rotations, each watchful of the territory, though no one or nothing had crossed the boundary. Inside, every necessary layer of defense was ready—a quiet display of readiness that hinted at an expectation of the unexpected.

Haechan and his team were on high alert, tasked with guarding Areum and Chenle. Despite Haechan's typical ease with handling assignments, it was Areum's impatience that presented the real challenge. Her biting remarks and the cool authority she exuded commanded respect—and caution. Even with no pressing threats, most of the staff treaded carefully around her, her presence in the house a constant reminder of her formidable place within the family.

Haechan felt like he was walking on eggshells, especially when Areum's sharp gaze settled on the dining room's new occupant.

"Why is she here?" Areum asked, her tone firm as she glared at Yanna, who sat across the table.

"Would you like to eat in the backyard? The weather's nice today, not too windy," Haechan suggested, hoping to defuse the tension.

Areum's brows knitted. "No, why should I be the one to leave? She should."

Haechan swallowed back any further suggestions and nodded, settling behind Areum as her silent shadow.

The table was cloaked in silence. No one spoke, the quiet only broken by the soft clatter of utensils. Even Chenle kept his head down, though he paused to reach for the water pitcher near him when he noticed Yanna needed it.

Before he could hand it to her, Areum's voice cut through the air.

"Let her get it herself, Le. She has hands and feet."

Chenle quickly drew back, respecting his sister's command. Yanna shot a quick look at Areum but wordlessly stood to retrieve the pitcher.

After she sat back down, Areum finally addressed Chenle, breaking the uneasy silence. "You've been with Jisung lately—has he heard from the others in Italy?"

Chenle nodded. "He has, though only sparingly. Jisung's making sure the roads stay clear for them."

"Has Dad been in touch?"

"Yes, but he mentioned they're limiting communication. Too much risk in using the lines; they don't want us exposed," Chenle explained.

Areum gave an approving nod. "Probably wise. That attack served as a wake-up call, no doubt." She shifted her gaze to Yanna. "The Zhou Clan hacked our last transmission. That's how they knew our plans, isn't it, Alyanna?"

Yanna glanced up, startled. "Yes... that's what I understood as well."

"Lovely," Areum said with a tight smile, her voice dripping with irony. "We all know what happened to our families because of this information leak. What a reunion for us kids of those clans."

"Yeah, I suppose so..." Yanna replied nervously, before standing. "Um, excuse me."

"Of course," Areum replied coolly, watching as Yanna hurried from the room.

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