You're Mine, I'm Yours

Part 29

The atmosphere in First's office crackled with tension as he listened intently to Dan's voice through the phone, his expression grave and troubled. The implications of what Dan was saying sent a chill down his spine. His grip tightened on the phone as he processed the gravity of the situation.

"So you think someone is sending all files from inside the house?" First questioned, his voice low yet edged with urgency.

"Yes, the IP addresses we traced show your location," Dan replied from the other end, his tone serious and matter-of-fact.

First's jaw clenched as he absorbed the implications. "Do you think you can fool David, Dan?"

"He's taken the bait already," Dan affirmed confidently, his voice laced with a hint of satisfaction. "And the Thanawat's won't be safe for much longer, not when you have his boy wrapped around your fingers. It's going to be easy to tear them apart from the inside out and destroy every inch of them."

A surge of conflicting emotions washed over First - anger, guilt, and a growing sense of dread. He knew the extent of his plan but hadn't anticipated the toll it would take on those around him, especially Khaotung.

"Keep Khaotung out of this," First demanded sharply, his voice cutting through the air like a knife. "We just need to send them a message to threaten them."

Dan paused for a moment before responding, his voice now tinged with caution. "He's not as foolish as David, First. He may love his only son, but he'll need proof if we want to lure him into our trap. We have to show him what we're capable of."

Before First could respond, the sound of his office door opening interrupted their conversation. He glanced up sharply to see Khaotung entering the room, a frown etched deeply on his face. First's heart sank as he realized the precariousness of the situation.

"I'll call you back later," First muttered into the phone, cutting off Dan abruptly. He couldn't risk Khaotung overhearing any more of the dangerous game they were playing.

"Where is my damn laptop?" Khaotung demanded with his raised voice and the forceful bang of his hand on the desk as his eyes blazing with frustration as First rolled his eyes, pointing at the new laptop on the desk. "I meant my old one. I need it."

"It was destroyed. Use the new one," First replied with a sigh.

"I have important exams coming up, and all my files were on my old laptop! How could you dispose of it?" Khaotung yelled, slamming his fist on the desk.

"Mark already transferred all your university files to the new one. Take your laptop. I need to discuss something important about the business," First insisted, trying to divert Khaotung's attention.

"Why can't you discuss it in front of me?" Khaotung paused, suspicion flickering in his eyes. "And how could Mark transfer all my files when my laptop was destroyed?" His gaze bore into First's, causing First to flinch involuntarily. He had sent Khaotung's old laptop away to retrieve data secretly.

"Did you go through my stuff, First?" Khaotung asked sharply.

"I had to make sure you're not involved in something, Tung," First replied defensively.

"What do you mean involved? Are you suspecting me?" Khaotung's voice rose with incredulity and hurt.

"Everyone is under suspicion, Tung. There's a mole stealing our deals and sabotaging us. He's already killed half of our men," First explained, trying to justify his actions. "I trust you, but I had to be sure to keep you safe, to keep us all safe."

"How does suspecting me keep me safe, First?" Khaotung demanded, hurt and confusion evident in his voice.

"I trust you, Khaotung. You're precious to me. But there are things I'm not sure about," First admitted reluctantly.