Second Chance (Taekook)

CHAPTER - 40

Defending the Heart

"Is that so?"

A calm voice emerged from the entrance, wrapping around the room like a cool breeze. Its softness contrasted sharply with the chill it carried, instantly commanding the attention of everyone present.

Taehyung turned to look over his shoulder, his heart racing as he beheld Jeongguk's tall, unyielding silhouette making its way to him. The air seemed to thicken with unspoken tension.

What is Ggukie doing here? The question echoed in Taehyung's mind.

The onlookers who had been quietly observing the drama unfold from the sidelines stood frozen in disbelief. As he advanced, the man moved with the predatory grace of a tiger stalking its prey. His tall, imposing figure cut a striking silhouette against the backdrop of the room, radiating an aura so cold it seemed to chill the very air around him. It felt as though he had ushered in a frigid gust from the outside, altering the atmosphere with his mere presence.

His dark, serene eyes swept over the crowd, sending a shiver racing down their spines, as if a divine entity had descended among mere mortals. The weight of his gaze held an unsettling power, making the space feel sacred and ominous all at once.

As Park Jeha and Lin Mi-Sung turned to face him, their expressions abruptly crystallized in shock at the overwhelming presence of Jeon Jeongguk.

Netizens might not fully grasp the true nature of Jeongguk, but any businessman in Korea certainly does. Word travels fast in their circles, especially about his notorious pettiness when it comes to his family. Park Jeha was acutely aware of this; after all, her brother had felt the brunt of it firsthand.

As Jeongguk's cold, dark eyes swept past Jeha and Mi-Sung, they locked onto Taehyung, lingering on the shirt he had carelessly left on the counter.

"My Tae is jealous of you? I don't care about my baby? That's news to me as well," he said, his voice calm and low. Though his tone was measured and seemingly innocuous, an icy chill spread through the room, making everyone acutely aware of the underlying threat.

Jeha's body trembled as she stood frozen, her mind racing.

"CEO Jeon, why would you be here?" She stammered, desperation creeping into her voice.

Jeongguk paid no mind to Jeha, his focus unwavering as he strode purposefully toward Taehyung. The air around him seemed to grow heavy with intensity, causing the employees nearby to instinctively step back, sensing the shift in atmosphere.

Taehyung stood rooted, unsure of why Jeongguk had arrived, but a wave of unexpected calm washed over him as Jeongguk's strong arms encircled his waist. Without thinking, he leaned into the warmth, seeking solace in the protective embrace.

"Are you okay, baby?" Jeongguk's voice was low and soothing, his hand gently rubbing Taehyung's waist in a comforting gesture.

"I'm fine, Bun. I can handle all this by myself," Taehyung replied, attempting to sound more confident than he felt.

But before he could gather his thoughts, Lin Mi-Sung, visibly shaken, interjected. "CEO Jeon, this is just a misunderstanding," he stammered, fear evident in his tone.

Taehyung shot a glance at Mi-Sung, inwardly rolling his eyes. Coward, he thought, his heart racing as he remained cocooned in Jeongguk's embrace, feeling both safe and defiant in the face of the brewing storm.

Though the Lin family has influence, it pales in comparison to that of the Jeon family. Lin Mi-Sung understood all too well that earning CEO Jeon's ire would spell disaster for him—his father would never let him hear the end of it. The gravity of the situation weighed heavily on his mind, each thought spiraling into a sense of dread.