⤷MASQUERADE || Jeon Jk FF ♡

part; ⁰⁵

It had been a long, hectic day, and the weight of it pressed down on my shoulders. The media frenzy outside the office was still fresh in my mind—cameras flashing, reporters shouting questions about my official takeover as the heir. I had anticipated the attention, but it didn’t make it any easier to face.

As the car came to a stop, I stepped out with a sigh, the cool evening air a slight relief from the day’s chaos. Namjoon exited the passenger seat shortly after, his tall frame casting a shadow in the dim light. He moved with his usual professional grace, bowing slightly before bidding me farewell.

"Good night, Joon," I said, offering a brief nod in return. As much as I preferred keeping things strictly formal, it was hard to resist the occasional nickname. Namjoon didn’t seem to mind, his face as neutral as ever.

He glanced at me, his sharp eyes scanning the surroundings before they settled back on me. "I’ll pick you up in the morning," he said, his voice steady.

I nodded again. "Right. See you then."

With that, I turned on my heel and made my way inside, the familiar silence of the building greeting me. My steps echoed lightly in the empty hallway as I walked toward the elevator. The events of the day replayed in my mind—the heavy discussions, the critical stares, the subtle games of power unfolding between the heirs.

Taking a deep breath, I pressed the button to the elevator and waited, my thoughts still swirling. One step closer. I had officially claimed my position as the heir, but the journey ahead was far from over. It was only the beginning.

The elevator doors slid open, and I stepped inside, leaning back against the cool metal wall. As the doors closed, sealing me off from the outside world, I couldn’t help but feel the weight of my responsibilities creeping up again. The stakes were higher now, and every move I made would be scrutinized.

But that was tomorrow’s problem. For now, I just needed to rest.

As I walked through the quiet halls toward my room, I couldn't shake the feeling that the real challenges were just starting to unfold.

As I stepped inside my bedroom, the familiar scent of the room barely registered before I felt a sudden force pushing me forward. My cheek slammed against the wooden door, and I instinctively clenched my jaw, struggling to break free from the iron grip pinning me in place. My hands fumbled against the door, trying to push back, but I could feel the weight of his body holding me still.

The sharp stench of alcohol hit me first, followed by the heat of his breath against my ear. I stopped struggling as soon as I recognized the voice.

“Welcome back, sissy,” Minhyuk's voice slurred with alcohol, his breath hot and reeking as it fanned against my skin. His grip on my wrists tightened painfully, sending a jolt of anger through me.

I remained silent, my heart pounding, but I refused to show him fear.

“Are you happy?” he growled, his voice dripping with contempt. “Happy after coming back and ruining everything?” His words were venomous, soaked in bitterness.

His grip tightened even more, the pain shooting up my arm as he sneered. “Bitch, who the hell do you think you are?”

His laughter was low, cruel, as if the mere thought of me asserting any kind of power amused him.

“You think just by getting the position, you can be powerful?” He spat the words like a curse, his lips brushing too close to my ear, sending a wave of disgust through me.

Minhyuk’s laugh echoed darkly in the room, tainted with a toxic mix of jealousy and hatred. “You know Dad better than I do, don’t you? What made you think he brought you back, for ? You think you’re special?”