The veil of retribution

Chapter 21: The Price of Truth

Jihoon paced the apartment, his mind racing as he tried to process the layers of deception and danger that had unfolded before them. He glanced at Yura, who sat silently on the couch, her face pale and drawn, her eyes flicking toward the window as though waiting for something—anything—to provide a sense of relief.

The tension between them was palpable, not because of any unresolved conflict, but because of the storm swirling around them. They were on the verge of a breakthrough, and the risk of being caught in a fatal trap was all too real. The Namwon project wasn’t just an ordinary conspiracy; it was something much darker. Jihoon felt the weight of it settling on his chest like a boulder.

The sharp ring of Jihoon’s phone shattered the silence. His heart raced, knowing exactly who it was before he even looked at the screen. He quickly picked up the call.

“They’re ready,” the secretary’s voice came through, low and urgent. “The CEO, Minho, and Seungmin—they’ve been locked up for hours now. Minho and the CEO won’t talk, but Seungmin… he’s on the verge of breaking. We need you both here.”

Jihoon didn’t hesitate. “We’re on our way.”

He hung up and turned to Yura. “The secretary needs us. Seungmin is close to talking, but they need us there to break him.”

Yura stood, her face a mixture of fear and determination. “Do you think we’ll finally get the answers?”

Jihoon’s jaw tightened. “If Seungmin knows anything, we’ll get it out of him.”

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They arrived at the facility shortly after nightfall. The air outside was thick with humidity, and a storm was brewing on the horizon. The building, nondescript and secluded in an industrial district, was the kind of place no one asked questions about. Inside, the air was colder, sterile, and filled with the tension of unspoken dread.

The secretary greeted them as they stepped through the door. His face was lined with stress, his eyes tired but alert. “It’s been hours,” he said quietly, leading them down a long hallway. “Minho and the CEO haven’t said a word. But Seungmin… he’s different. He’s weak. I think if you push him, we’ll get what we need.”

Jihoon nodded. He could already feel the cold determination building within him. This was what he had been waiting for—answers, revenge, justice. He glanced at Yura, who followed close behind, her face pale but resolved.

They entered the dimly lit interrogation room. The CEO and Minho sat slumped in their chairs, silent and defiant, their eyes dull but still burning with the kind of arrogance that came from a lifetime of power. But Seungmin—Seungmin was a different story. His face was slick with sweat, his hands trembling as they rested on his knees. The bruises on his face told the story of a man who had already endured hours of questioning, and the cracks in his resolve were showing.

Jihoon stepped forward, his eyes locked on Seungmin. The air between them was thick with tension, and Jihoon could see the fear behind Seungmin’s gaze. This was it. He could feel it. Seungmin was on the verge of breaking.

“You know why we’re here,” Jihoon said, his voice cold and steady. “We know you have the answers. And we’re not leaving until you tell us everything.”

Seungmin swallowed hard, his eyes darting nervously between Jihoon and Yura. “I—I can’t… If I talk, they’ll kill me.”

“They’re not going to get the chance,” Jihoon said darkly. “But if you don’t talk, I’ll make sure you regret it.”

Seungmin flinched at Jihoon’s words, his face crumpling under the weight of his fear. But then, something shifted. His gaze flickered with a strange glint, something almost like desperation mixed with twisted desire.