Byunggon’s fist slammed hard against the table, the sharp sound echoing through the room. His jaw tightened, anger simmering beneath his skin. He hadn’t expected things to spiral like this. Not at all.
He understood them—he really did. The two younger men had people they loved on the line, lives hanging by a thread because of this operation. But still… a warning wouldn’t have hurt. A single word before they threw themselves into danger. Because now? They might be the ones paying the price.
“You’re insane, Jaehyuk…” he muttered under his breath.
Seunghun stepped in quickly, trying to ease the tension before it exploded further.
“So what’s the plan?” Keita asked, his voice cutting through the heavy air. All eyes shifted to him.
Byunggon exhaled sharply, forcing himself to think. “Tell Jinyoung to head back inside. Then call the others—bring them here with Asahi and Youngbin.”
Without another word, everyone moved, slipping back into action. But even as the plan restarted, his mind was already racing ahead—quietly building a Plan B in case everything fell apart.
---
Inside, the tension refused to loosen its grip.
Jaehyuk was forced down onto a worn-out couch, Woong’s grip firm on his shoulders. Across the room, Yeongue stood frozen, held hostage. Jipyeong sat comfortably to the side, his bodyguards looming behind him like shadows.
A lighter clicked. Smoke curled into the air.
“What do you want from us?” Jaehyuk asked, his voice steady despite everything. He had to stay calm. He needed to. For Asahi.
Jipyeong leaned forward, their eyes locking. “Just one thing.”
He gestured, and one of his men handed him an envelope. “This was supposed to happen later,” he added, almost amused. “But you decided to come to me.”
He slid a document onto the table.
“A contract. Sign it, and the company transfers under my name.” His lips curled into a faint smile. “One signature, and you—and your friend—walk out of here free.”
Jaehyuk let out a quiet scoff, a smirk tugging at his lips. As if it were that simple.
“I’m only the acting CEO—with Sanha,” he replied coolly. “Even if I sign that, it won’t mean anything. The final decision isn’t mine. Dad still owns the company… along with me and my brothers.”
For a split second, something dark flashed across Jipyeong’s face. His hand clenched into a fist.
All this time, he thought Jaehyuk would be the easiest way in. The youngest son—the most loved. The perfect bait.
“I don’t care,” he snapped coldly. “You already forced me to consider other options.”
He grabbed his phone, ready to dial—
—but the door suddenly burst open.
Sanha stood there, breathing heavily, struggling to steady himself.
“Hyung…” Jaehyuk whispered, disbelief flickering in his eyes.
“Well, well,” Jipyeong chuckled darkly. “Did your mother send you?”
Jaehyuk’s chest tightened. No way…
“No,” Sanha answered firmly, lifting his head despite his exhaustion. “But I’m here to tell you—you’re not getting what you want.”
And then—
everything went black.
---
“What the hell?! Don’t let them escape!”
Jipyeong’s furious shout rang out as chaos erupted.
Jaehyuk couldn’t see a thing. Darkness swallowed everything, his senses scrambling to catch up. Then suddenly—someone grabbed him, pulling him forward just as gunshots shattered the air.
“Let’s go!”
That voice—
They ran. Fast. Desperate. Straight for the exit.
“Wait—Yeongue!” Jaehyuk tried to pull away, panic rising in his chest.
“He’s with me,” Sanha said from behind.
Jaehyuk turned, relief washing over him as he caught sight of the two figures in the dim light.
He opened his mouth to speak, but Sanha beat him to it.
“I know you have questions,” he said quickly. “I’ll explain everything—just not here. We need to get out first.”
---
They didn’t stop running until the main entrance came into view.
“The police are outside,” Jinyoung called. “Go—now!”
But Jaehyuk and Yeongue didn’t move.
“We’re not leaving without Asahi and Youngbin.”
Jinyoung let out a frustrated sigh. “They’re already safe. They got out earlier.”
Jaehyuk’s eyes darkened. If they had just waited—
His fist tightened, ready to swing, but Sanha stepped in before things could escalate.
“Save it for later,” he said firmly. “We leave. Now.”
Yeongue ran out first. The others followed close behind—
Until a gunshot rang out.
---
“You really think you’ll make it out alive?”
Woong’s voice echoed behind them, cold and mocking. He stood there, gun raised, a smirk playing on his lips.
Jinyoung reacted instantly, aiming his own weapon. “Drop it. The police have this place surrounded.”
Woong didn’t even flinch.
Instead, he laughed—then fired again. The bullet barely missed.
“I’ve been waiting for this,” he said, eyes glinting with something twisted. “Revenge.”
His gun shifted—pointing straight at Jaehyuk.
Everything slowed.
Jaehyuk froze.
Then—he closed his eyes.
BANG.
