Fortnight

Chapter - 24

Paris,

Two years ago

Kwang stands at the bar, his eyes darting anxiously towards James, who is engrossed in a conversation with a customer. He taps his foot impatiently, feeling the need to do something, anything. His phone buzzes, and he quickly checks the message from his intel: "Mark is going to meet his partner today." A location is attached.

Biting his lip, Kwang thinks about how Jaehyun has explicitly told him to stay back. But this task is too important to ignore. He needs to finish it. Looking around for a way to leave unnoticed, Kwang sees James still busy and decides this is his chance. He moves swiftly through the back door, careful not to attract any attention. Once outside, he sighs and pulls out his phone to check the location. It is far from the bar, so he hails a taxi, instructing the driver to hurry.

As the taxi speeds towards the warehouse, Kwang's mind races. He has to make it quick, before anyone, especially Jaehyun, notices he is gone. Upon arriving at the location, Kwang pays the driver and slips out, making his way stealthily towards the warehouse. He finds a corner where he can observe without being seen and looks for a way to get inside. A window catches his eye, providing a clear view of the interior.

Crouching below the window, Kwang pulls out a mini camera recorder, placing it on the window sill and connecting it to his phone via Bluetooth. He checks the live feed on his phone and his breath hitches when he sees who Mark's partner is. It is Martin James.

Kwang gasps and covers his mouth. So the collaboration is just a façade, a cover for their real business. He focuses on listening to the conversation, heart pounding in his chest.

Inside, Mark and Martin are in the middle of a heated argument. Mark's voice is angry, "You think you can just make decisions without consulting me? This partnership means we decide together."

Martin's eyes flash with irritation. "Partnership? You're delusional. I've been carrying this business on my back while you play at being important."

Mark's fists clench. "I'm done with your insults. You'll regret this, Martin."

Martin sneers, "Get out of my sight."

Mark's voice rises. "You think you can just push me out like this? After everything I've done for you?"

Martin crosses his arms, a smirk playing on his lips. "What you've done? Please, Mark. You've been nothing but a liability. I should have cut you loose a long time ago."

Mark steps closer, his voice low and threatening. "You try anything, and you'll regret it."

Martin's smirk widens into a grin. "Big words for a man who's out of options."

Mark glares at him, then turns on his heel and storms out, slamming the door behind him. Martin kicks a can in anger and screams, "I should have had him taken out on day one! Enough of this nonsense." He turns to one of his men, "Call the hitmen. I want it done by tomorrow. Mark needs to be gone so I can have this business and its money all to myself."

Kwang's eyes widen in shock. A hitman? Martin had hired an assassin to take out his own partner? He breathes hard, realizing the gravity of what he has just discovered. He needs to get this information to the higher-ups quickly.

But then he hears something that makes him stop in his tracks. Martin is speaking again, "Those stupid CBI agents. Why am I paying them if they can't even do their job? I have to handle this myself now."

Kwang's blood runs cold. His higher-ups are in cahoots with Martin? This is a massive setup to frame Mark as the villain and eliminate him while Martin takes over everything. Kwang needs to act fast.