Beauty and the Broken

12| 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐨𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐫

The moon cast a serene glow over Taehyung's secluded farmhouse, its silver light filtering through the large windows of the living room. Inside, Taehyung, Jungkook, and Aera were seated around a rustic coffee table, their expressions tense yet determined. After a long day of gathering evidence, they had returned home to freshen up and now sat ready to discuss their findings.

Aera took a deep breath, glancing at the files spread out before her.

"I've been looking into the financial records of my company," she began, her voice steady but with a hint of urgency. "These account details show that Jungkook's father was withdrawing large sums of money over the past few years. At first, it seemed like legitimate business expenses, but the patterns suggest something else."

She handed a stack of documents to Taehyung, who leaned forward to examine them closely. Jungkook, sitting opposite her, watched silently, his eyes betraying a mix of guilt and anxiety.

Taehyung frowned as he scanned the pages.

"These withdrawals coincide with some of the more suspicious activities we've been tracking," he said, looking up at Aera. "But what's more disturbing is that they seem to fund operations outside the company's stated objectives."

Aera nodded, pointing to specific entries.

"Exactly. This money was being funneled into offshore accounts and shell companies. It's clear that there's a larger scheme at play here."

Jungkook shifted uncomfortably in his seat.

"And my father was at the center of it all," he muttered, a shadow of regret passing over his face. "But we still need concrete proof to link this to the murders."

As they delved deeper into the discussion, the atmosphere grew heavier with the weight of their discoveries. They were piecing together a puzzle that had remained unsolved for years, each new revelation bringing them closer to the truth.

Just as they were about to break for dinner, Jungkook's phone rang, its sudden sound startling them. He glanced at the caller ID and excused himself to take the call.

After a brief conversation, he returned to the living room, his expression more serious than before. "I have to go somewhere," he said, his voice tinged with urgency.

Taehyung and Aera exchanged worried glances. "Is everything okay?" Taehyung asked.

Jungkook nodded, though his eyes were distant. "I'll be back soon. There's something I need to check out. It might be important."

Aera's concern deepened. "Be careful, Jungkook."

He gave her a reassuring smile before grabbing his coat and heading out into the night. As the door closed behind him, Taehyung and Aera were left to ponder the implications of their findings and what Jungkook might uncover on his mysterious errand.

~jungkook pov~

Jungkook's footsteps echoed softly as he walked up the familiar path to his father's grand house. The air was thick with tension, and the moonlit night cast eerie shadows across the manicured lawn. He hesitated for a moment before ringing the doorbell.

The door opened, revealing his father, a tall man with a stern face and piercing eyes. "Jungkook," he greeted, his voice deceptively warm. "Come in."

Jungkook stepped inside, the opulence of the house feeling suffocating compared to Taehyung's farmhouse. They moved to the study, where his father gestured for him to sit.

"Where have you been living?" his father asked, a hint of suspicion in his tone.

Jungkook forced a casual smile. "I've been staying at a friend's place. Just needed some space to think."

His father nodded, seemingly accepting the lie. "Good, good. It's important to have some clarity in these times." There was a pause as he studied his son. "How is Aera?"

"She's fine," Jungkook replied cautiously.

"Is she now?" His father's gaze sharpened. "You need to bring her back. Stop digging into things that don't concern you."

Jungkook clenched his fists. "Why are you doing this to her? She's innocent."

His father leaned back in his chair, a cold smile playing on his lips. "Innocent? In this game, there are no innocents. Everyone is a pawn, and they must play their part. If they don't, the consequences will be brutal."

The words hung heavy, and Jungkook felt a chill run down his spine. "What do you mean by consequences?" he demanded, his voice trembling with anger and fear.

His father's expression hardened. "Come back home with Aera, Jungkook. If you continue down this path, you both will face the consequences together. It's not just about you. It's about her safety too."

Jungkook stood up, his heart pounding. "Why are you threatening her? What do you gain from this?"

"Control," his father said simply. "Power. You either play by the rules or you get crushed."

"What kind of father are you?"

"One who understands the stakes," his father retorted coldly.

The intensity of his father's words made Jungkook's resolve falter. As he turned to leave, his father's voice stopped him.

"If you truly want to save Aera, come to my side," he said softly, almost gently. "You can't protect her if you're against me."

Jungkook turned to face his father, his eyes blazing with defiance. "I'd rather die than betray her."

His father smirked, a cruel twist of his lips. "Then you've made your choice."

Without another word, Jungkook stormed out of the house, his mind racing with the implications of his father's request. As he stepped into the cool night air, he knew one thing for certain: he would protect Aera, no matter the cost.