BOUND BY OBSESSION|| L.HS X S.JY

N I N E T E E N

Chapter 20: A Game of Power

Heeseung sat at his desk, flipping through a file with little interest. The empire he had built was running smoothly for the most part, but his mind was elsewhere. Jaeyun had been quieter than usual, more withdrawn. Something was bothering him, and Heeseung’s possessive nature couldn’t ignore it. He was losing control of Jaeyun’s fear—losing the sense of power that came with Jaeyun’s trembling obedience.

Just as Heeseung was about to leave his office and seek Jaeyun out, the door opened. Sunoo walked in, his face pale but defiant.

Heeseung raised an eyebrow. “Well? Did you get what I asked for?”

Sunoo’s lips tightened. He didn’t meet Heeseung’s gaze, his hand gripping the back of the chair for support. “Sunghoon caught me,” he admitted, his voice low but steady.

Heeseung’s eyes narrowed, his fingers drumming lightly on the desk. “Caught you?” His voice was deceptively calm. “What do you mean, he caught you?”

Sunoo exhaled sharply. “He knew I was there. He… tied me up, tried to get me to talk, but I didn’t give him anything.”

Heeseung stood abruptly, his chair scraping against the floor as he pushed it back. “He tied you up?” His voice was cold, dangerous. He moved toward Sunoo with slow, deliberate steps. “And you let him?”

Sunoo flinched but held his ground. “I had no choice. He’s not as predictable as you think. He’s onto something, and he’s not afraid to act on it.”

Heeseung stopped in front of him, looming over his bodyguard with dark eyes filled with barely controlled rage. “I don’t care what Sunghoon thinks he knows,” he hissed. “He has no right to lay a finger on you or anyone who belongs to me.”

Sunoo stiffened at the word “belongs.” It wasn’t the first time Heeseung had said something like that, but each time, it unsettled him. There was no point arguing, though. Heeseung’s possessiveness knew no limits, and the man would destroy anyone who dared challenge his control.

“You will not let this happen again,” Heeseung growled. “Do you understand?”

Sunoo nodded, his jaw tight. “Yes, boss.”

Heeseung’s eyes lingered on him for a moment longer before turning away, his mind already racing with thoughts of retaliation. Sunghoon had always been a thorn in his side, but now, his cousin had crossed the line. Touching Sunoo, p laying his little games… it was an insult that Heeseung could not ignore.

Without another word, Heeseung stormed out of the room, leaving Sunoo alone, his heart pounding in his chest.

---

In Sunghoon’s office, the atmosphere was unusually calm. Sunghoon sat at his desk, reviewing a series of financial reports. He was focused, but the memory of Sunoo’s face, the way he had looked so defiant even while tied up, played over in his mind. Sunoo had surprised him. Most of Heeseung’s men would have broken easily, but not Sunoo.

The door to his office swung open without warning, and Sunghoon’s eyes flicked up. He wasn’t surprised to see Heeseung standing there, his expression dark and threatening.

“Busy, cousin?” Heeseung’s voice was dangerously low, but there was no mistaking the fury boiling beneath the surface.

Sunghoon leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms. “What’s the matter, Heeseung? Something bothering you?”

Heeseung stepped into the office, closing the door behind him with an ominous click. “You know exactly what’s bothering me,” he snapped. “You touched what’s mine.”

Sunghoon raised an eyebrow, a smirk playing at his lips. “Yours? Are we talking about Sunoo, or have you finally realized that Jaeyun isn’t a pet you can keep caged?”

Heeseung’s eyes flashed with anger, and he closed the distance between them in two swift steps, grabbing Sunghoon by the collar and yanking him out of his chair. “You’ve always wanted what’s mine,” Heeseung growled. “But I’ll kill you before I let you have it.”

Sunghoon didn’t flinch. He met Heeseung’s gaze with equal intensity, his lips curling into a mocking smile. “And here I thought you didn’t care about Jaeyun,” he sneered. “But now… I’m starting to think you’re losing control of him. Is that why you’re so angry?”

Heeseung’s grip tightened, his knuckles turning white. “Don’t test me, Sunghoon. You’ll regret it.”

Sunghoon chuckled softly, the sound infuriating Heeseung even more. “Is that a threat, cousin? Because if you really wanted me dead, you would’ve done it already.”

Heeseung shoved Sunghoon back into the chair, his face inches from his cousin’s. “Stay away from Jaeyun,” he warned, his voice low and deadly. “And stay away from Sunoo.”

Sunghoon’s smirk widened. “You’re awfully protective for someone who claims not to care.”

Heeseung straightened, his eyes never leaving Sunghoon’s. “Remember your place, Sunghoon. You’re nothing without me.”

With that, Heeseung turned on his heel and stormed out, leaving Sunghoon alone in his office, his laughter echoing through the room.

Sunghoon leaned back in his chair, his fingers lightly tapping the desk as he thought. Heeseung’s rage had confirmed it—his cousin was losing control, and Jaeyun was the key to breaking him completely. If he played his cards right, he could take everything Heeseung had built. He just had to be patient.

And as for Sunoo… well, that was a game Sunghoon intended to play at his own pace.

For now, though, he had stirred the hornet’s nest, and it was only a matter of time before Heeseung’s obsession consumed him completely. And when that happened, Sunghoon would be ready to take everything.