Masquerade | Johnyong

★ Chapter sixty-two

Masquerade 62

Johnny gazes out the window with his arms crossed. Victory fills the air yet still he struggles to be content, to settle. How could he?

"My uncle is still out there. . ." Sicheng murmurs from the chair across. He plays with his fingers, nervous.

Johnny gives a slight nod. It's a complex situation, one he rather deal with quietly.

"Karina, I need you to set a meaning with Lee Hyunmin. We'll definitely need his resources." Johnny orders, his voice low and measured.

"You think he was there when we fought?"

"If he was, wouldn't he have made a move?" Johnny questions.

Sicheng bites his lip as he shifts uncomfortably in his seat. "There was a reason to hold back. A back up plan? It's the only way it could explain. . ." His voice trails off. It's the only way that could explain the mess that's been left.

Sicheng let out a heavy sigh. "I know my uncle — he wouldn't miss the opportunity to kill me."

"Winwin-ssi has a point." Karina chimes in.

Johnny listens, his expression unreadable, slightly nodding as their conversation lingers. He sits down behind his desk, glancing at the two. "No one can hear of this. Everyone is exhausted, especially Taeyong."

Karina and Sicheng share a glance, sharing a look of understanding.

"For now, it's getting late. You two may go." They bow, retreating from the room.

Johnny leans back in his chair, staring up at the ceiling.

🕊️

Taeyong stood with his head low, his face flushed with anger as his fists trembled.

"It was simple orders!" Suho snapped, his voice cold and unforgiving.

Taeyong's head shot up in defense, anger burning in his eyes. His patience had run thin as his frustration finally boiled over. "So I was just supposed to stay on the side lines? If it wasn't for me, Sehun wouldn't even be alive right now." He retorted.

The corner of Suho's lip twitched, a brief moment of shock crossing his face before his usual steely mask returned. Chen looked away, shaking his head in disapproval while Xiumin watched with amusement.

Baekhyun let out a disappointed sigh and left, not wanting to see Suho's response to such disrespect.

Kyungsoo leaned back in his cheer, his brows furrowed. "What?" He scoffed.

Sehun moved towards Taeyong, raising his hand to slap him but Chanyeol quickly pushed him out the way and slapped Taeyong himself.

"You don't get to question orders. You do what you're told."

Taeyong froze, his chest aching with a sense of betrayal. He had no right or reason to expect Chanyeol to treat him fairly but somehow he still did. He was still so naive — and he was still proving their point of being so.

Chanyeol glared down at him, his voice harsh. "You saved him, yes. No one is denying that so you can have your brownie points, but you disobeyed and disobedience can get you killed!" The weight of his words burned into Taeyong's chest as his eyes brimmed with tears. He clenched his jaws, fighting them back. He wouldn't allow himself to cry in front of them.