Inferno Hearts | Xu Minghao

20. Shadows of the Past

ਲ┄ਲ┄ਲ┄ਲ┄ਲ┄ਲ┄ਲ

A powerful flaw of wind pushes against the runway as a private plane touches down at the airport.

Stepping out from within is a man in his forties, tattoos prominently displayed on his neck and hands, his shirt casually unbuttoned.

An aura envelops him akin to an icy breath—difficult to draw in, with an air of toughness.

Surrounded by bowing figures, the man extracts a cigarette from his pack and ignites it, breathing in the smoke.

He surveys the familiar surroundings of Seoul, having returned after vanishing for years. "Shall the game begin," he murmurs to himself.

The members convened in the office, addressing various issues that had showed up in their business.

As the lengthy discussions progressed, the conversation eventually turned to Nabi, who had become a central focus in recent times.

Minghao proceeded to share with the other members what he and the others had observed on Nabi's body during their earlier encounter.

A collective shock rippled through the office as the rest of the members listened in silence, their faces reflecting their astonishment and disbelief upon hearing about her scars.

"It means that the person she was referring to when you asked her about wanting to end her life is the one who inflicted all these scars," Seungcheol stated, his voice carrying sense of realization.

The scene from that day replayed vividly in his mind as he made the connection.

Minghao nodded in agreement with Seungcheol's observation. "Yeah, that could explain why she didn't protest to leave this place," Minghao added, his expression reflecting his contemplation.

"It might sound strange, but I have a feeling she finds more safety within these walls than out there," he continued, his tone laced with analysis.

"Given the recent incidents she's been through, it's becoming evident that this man is beyond evil," he concluded, the gravity of the situation casting a somber tone over the room.

"By the way," Jun interjected, his attention focused on the conversation unfolding among the members. "You mentioned finding a phone as well. Have you looked into its contents?" he inquired, his curiosity evident in his question.

Minghao's expression shifted as he realized his oversight regarding the phone. "Oh, you're right," he admitted. "I had intended to check it last night, but the incident with Jeonghan hyung completely slipped my mind," he explained, acknowledging his forgetfulness.

Retrieving the phone from a drawer, Minghao unlocked it to reveal a screen image of the orange cat, Ginger, along with a few notifications.

As he explored the contents further, he discovered that there were only three contacts saved in the device. These included her boss, a work colleague, and an unknown number.

The simplicity of the contacts list intrigued him as he considered the limited connections she had maintained.

As Minghao delved into the messages on the phone, he uncovered a series of texts from her work colleague inquiring about her absence and the reasons behind her sudden disappearance from the workplace.

Additionally, two messages from her boss stood out, notifying her that she had been fired due to her long absence from work.

With a sense of determination, Minghao shared the discovery with the other members, explaining the contents of the messages and the inconsistencies they presented.