The moment Seungmin’s mocking words hit them, Jihoon and Yura exchanged a quick glance, their unspoken agreement clear: run.
Without a second thought, they bolted toward the crowded ballroom, weaving through the sea of masked guests. The room was alive with music, laughter, and chatter, but none of the partygoers seemed to notice the panic in their faces. Jihoon’s heart pounded as they pushed through the throngs of people, desperate to reach the exit before Seungmin or the guards could catch up.
"Move faster," Yura whispered urgently, her grip tightening on Jihoon's arm as they neared the back entrance. But it wasn’t going to be easy. The ballroom was packed, and every second spent dodging guests felt like an eternity.
Behind them, Jihoon could hear the heavy footsteps of security closing in. His breath came in ragged gasps as adrenaline flooded his system. "They're gaining on us!"
Yura shot a quick glance over her shoulder, her face set in determination. "Follow me. I know another way out." She grabbed Jihoon’s hand, pulling him toward a smaller side corridor. “I grew up here. I know this place like the back of my hand.”
The mansion's layout was a maze of long corridors and hidden staircases, but Yura moved with purpose, leading Jihoon through a winding series of back halls and service routes. They burst into a dimly lit kitchen, dodging startled servants, then slipped through a narrow pantry door that led into a forgotten garden path.
The moment they stepped outside, cold air hit their faces. They were in a secluded courtyard, but they weren’t safe yet. The sound of voices and footsteps echoed behind them as the security guards fanned out in pursuit.
“Where are we going?” Jihoon asked between breaths, his body protesting the relentless pace.
“There’s an old gate near the gardener’s shed,” Yura replied, glancing around for landmarks. “I used to sneak out through it as a kid. If we can make it there, we’ll be out of their reach.”
Jihoon nodded, trusting Yura’s instincts. They sprinted across the garden, slipping into the shadows where the lights from the mansion couldn’t reach. As they neared the shed, Jihoon heard the faint buzz of his phone in his pocket. He ignored it, knowing it was probably another message from the unknown person, taunting him. He couldn’t afford to be distracted now.
The gate Yura mentioned came into view—rusty, half-hidden by overgrown ivy. She tugged on it, gritting her teeth as it creaked loudly, but the lock finally gave way. They slipped through just as the sound of footsteps grew louder behind them.
Yura and Jihoon darted down the alley outside the mansion’s walls, the noise of the party fading into the distance. They had made it. For now.
---
Back inside the mansion, Seungmin stood near the entrance to the ballroom, his eyes scanning the crowd. His smile had faded, replaced by a growing frustration. He had been certain Jihoon wouldn’t escape, but now, the reality of the situation was sinking in. Jihoon and Yura had slipped away, and there was no sign of them.
Seungmin clicked his tongue in annoyance as he pulled out his phone. It was time to report to the CEO. He dialed the number, tapping his foot impatiently as the line connected.
“They escaped,” Seungmin said flatly when the CEO answered.
There was a brief silence on the other end of the line, followed by a cold, clipped response. “How?”
Seungmin sighed, running a hand through his hair. “Jihoon ran into the crowd. I couldn’t stop him in time. But he didn’t do it alone—Yura helped him. She knows the mansion too well, and they used a hidden exit.”
The CEO’s silence stretched for a moment, heavy and oppressive. When he finally spoke, his voice was low and dangerously calm. “Yura? Still helping Jihoon?”
“Yes,” Seungmin replied, a hint of bitterness creeping into his tone. “It wasn’t just an act, sir. She’s working with him.”
A sharp intake of breath from the other side. The CEO’s tone changed, colored by disbelief and anger. “I thought she was playing him. That was the plan. She was supposed to string him along, to keep him under control.”
Seungmin hesitated, not sure how to proceed. “It seems… she’s turned against us. She’s chosen Jihoon over you.”
The CEO’s response was instant. “Impossible. Yura wouldn’t betray me. Not after everything I’ve done for her.” His voice cracked with emotion, his control slipping. “She’s my daughter, for god’s sake.”
Seungmin shifted uncomfortably, sensing the growing fury in the CEO’s voice. “Sir, it’s clear she’s no longer on our side. She’s been helping Jihoon gather information about the Namwon project. If we don’t act quickly, they could expose everything.”
For a moment, the CEO said nothing. Then, his voice returned, colder and more calculating than before. “If Yura wants to align herself with Jihoon, then she’ll face the consequences. But I need to be sure. I want a thorough investigation. Find out what they know, and who else might be involved.”
Seungmin smirked, knowing he was still in the CEO’s good graces. “I’ll make sure of it. I’ll have someone tailing them by morning.”
But the CEO wasn’t finished. “No. This needs to be handled delicately. Jihoon is resourceful, and Yura knows too many of our secrets. I don’t want brute force. I want precision.”
There was a pause before the CEO’s next words came through, dripping with venom. “I’ll call someone else for this job. Someone more discreet.”
Seungmin’s smile faltered. “Who?”
“Not your concern,” the CEO replied curtly. “I have a contact who specializes in this kind of thing—getting close to people, unraveling their secrets without them even realizing it. They’ll find out what Yura and Jihoon are really planning.”
Seungmin clenched his jaw, feeling the sting of being sidelined. “And what about me?”
The CEO’s voice hardened. “You’ll clean up your own mess, Seungmin. Get things back in order at the mansion. We’ll deal with Jihoon and Yura when the time is right.”
Before Seungmin could respond, the line went dead.
---
Outside the mansion, Jihoon and Yura had made it to a secluded street, hidden in the shadows of tall, looming buildings. Jihoon leaned against a wall, trying to catch his breath, while Yura paced beside him, her mind racing.
“That was close,” Yura muttered, more to herself than to Jihoon.
Jihoon nodded, his mind still replaying the events of the night. “Too close. Seungmin won’t stop until we’re caught.”
Yura crossed her arms, her eyes darkening. “We need to move quickly. If my father finds out I’ve been helping you, he won’t just be angry—he’ll send people after us.”
“We need to keep digging,” Jihoon said, his voice steady. “If we can find out what’s really going on with Namwon, we can expose everything.”
Yura nodded, her resolve hardening. “Agreed. But we’ll need to be smart about this. My father won’t stop until he gets what he wants.”
Jihoon glanced down the empty street, the distant glow of the city lights casting long shadows across the pavement. “Then we’d better get moving.”
Together, they disappeared into the night, unaware that the CEO’s new contact was already on their trail, ready to uncover every secret they held.
YOU ARE READING
The veil of retribution
ActionTwelve years after witnessing his family's brutal murder, Jihoon discovers that the company where he has a chance to work is owned by those responsible. Determined to avenge his family, Jihoon plans to infiltrate the company as a chef. As he delves...
