𝟮 𝗛𝗢𝗧 | 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗵𝘆𝘂𝗰𝗸 || 𝗔𝗠𝗕𝗪

𝗚𝘂𝗶𝗹𝘁𝘆

Mark was livid. It was bad enough that Jeno had been reckless, but now this whole incident was surely going to hit the news by morning. Misty had called an emergency group chat, and everyone had rushed to the station.

Hope was ready to bail Jeno out, but Mark beat her to it, arriving just in time to take care of it himself.

"See, this is what I'm talking about! You keep pulling this shit!" Mark yelled as Jeno stepped out.

"Sorry for defending Misty if it makes you uncomfortable," Jeno replied coolly.

"Yeah, don't be mad at Jeno. This idiot wouldn't leave her alone," Trixie chimed in.

Mark paused, taking a deep breath. "I get that, but Jeno needs to understand that his actions have consequences. Where were you guys, anyway?"

"I took them to NEO to see some racing," Jeno answered. Mark glared at him, eyes blazing.

"Why the hell would you take them there? You and I both know how dangerous that place is! You could've all been killed," he snapped.

NEO was notorious for all kinds of illegal racing and gang wars—a place no newbie should be.

Haechan arrived at the station, confusion etched on his face, followed closely by Renjun and Jisung. "What's going on? I came down as soon as I heard."

"Jeno is being stupid, that's what," Mark muttered.

"Okay, let's all take a breather. Jeno messed up, but let's not mess him up for it," Haechan interjected. He knew that if Mark and Jeno continued arguing, things could turn ugly.

"We knew it would be dangerous, but we still wanted to go," Misty confirmed, adding that Jeno had warned them beforehand.

Hope and Jaemin entered just in time, but a cop stopped them in their tracks, drawing everyone's attention.

"Fancy seeing you two here. It's been so long since the car crash," the cop said.

"You must have us confused with someone else," Hope replied quickly.

"No, I don't. Hope and Jaemin, are you two still together?" the cop asked.

"Together?" Jisung repeated, eyebrows raised.

"Car accident?" Renjun echoed.

"Tell them, Jaemin, like you told Renjun," Jeno said pointedly.

"You told him, Renjun?" Jaemin asked, eyes narrowing.

"N-no, I-I..." Renjun stammered.

"Don't get mad at him. I was eavesdropping because you and Hope have secrets," Jeno said.

"Secrets? Mind telling everyone, Jaemin?" Haechan asked.

"No secrets. Stop. Jaemin hasn't done anything wrong," Hope defended him.

"Not surprised, Mark. You've been so worried about me that you failed to realize Jaemin is Hope's ex," Jeno said.

"Hope, tell me he's lying," Mark screamed, his voice echoing in the station. Hope went quiet.

"He's not," Jaemin said, looking away.

"Wow, Hope. You're a liar now. Nothing new," Mark said bitterly.

"Jeno, what the hell, bro?" Hope snapped, her voice shaking with a mix of anger and betrayal.

Little did they know, someone was recording them. Hidden in the shadows, a figure held up their phone, capturing every word of the heated exchange. The tension in the room was palpable, everyone on edge as the layers of secrets and lies began to unravel. The recording would soon add fuel to the fire, spreading their private turmoil to the public.