⤷MASQUERADE || Jeon Jk FF ♡

part; ¹²

Jungkook leaned back in his plush leather chair, the smooth material creaking slightly under his weight as he stared down at the tablet in his hands. The cool, detached expression on his face betrayed nothing of the turbulent thoughts churning beneath the surface. His eyes, however, held a glint of something darker-a flicker of displeasure mixed with a calculated sharpness that promised retribution.

The screen was filled with a headline in bold, striking letters:

"The New Power Duo? Kim Taehyung and Shin Y/N's Captivating Balcony Moment Sparks Rumors of Alliance!"

And below it, the now-viral photo of Taehyung and Y/N from the gala stared back at him. The image was masterfully captured-Taehyung's intense gaze fixed on Y/N as they stood close, her face turned away from him as if dismissing his presence entirely. The angle of the shot, paired with the opulent backdrop of the moonlit balcony, made it seem almost intimate, creating a false narrative that the media, as expected, was now feeding on.

He knew Taehyung well enough to understand this was a deliberate move. A game. A show for the world, orchestrated by someone who thrived on attention and relished the spotlight.

Taehyung loved being at the center of it all. And this-using Y/N to draw in more eyes-was just another play in his endless pursuit of control and dominance.

"Sir?" a voice broke through his thoughts.

Jungkook's gaze shifted to the man standing before him-his manager, Kim Daejin. A capable, composed individual in his mid-forties, Daejin knew when to speak and, more importantly, when to remain silent. Right now, he stood with a carefully neutral expression, hands folded in front of him as he waited for Jungkook's acknowledgment.

"Yes?" Jungkook's voice was a low rumble, steady but tinged with a quiet intensity.

Daejin cleared his throat, sensing the slight edge in his employer's tone. "I see the media is... buzzing, sir. The picture is everywhere. It's dominating the business sections as well as the tabloids. Many are speculating about the implications of an alliance between the Shins and the Kims."

"Let them speculate," Jungkook replied curtly, his gaze dropping back to the tablet for a moment before he powered it off and set it aside. "It's what Taehyung wants-attention. He feeds on it like a parasite."

Daejin raised an eyebrow subtly, his lips pressing into a thin line as he carefully chose his next words. "Do you think it's wise to leave these rumors unaddressed, sir? The shareholders might interpret this as a shift in alliances or a potential merger. It could stir up some unnecessary-"

"Concern?" Jungkook finished for him, his lips curving into a cold, humorless smile. "If they're rattled by something as trivial as a photo, then they're fools. I don't have time to coddle them."

"Yes, sir. But-" Daejin hesitated, then continued, "-it might be prudent to release a statement. Even a vague one would do, just to steady the board members and stakeholders."

Jungkook hummed thoughtfully, his eyes narrowing slightly. He then leaned forward, his elbows resting on the polished mahogany desk as he pinned Daejin with an unblinking stare. "You think I should clarify my stance because of what? Some poorly framed narrative being pushed by a man-child who craves validation?"

Daejin swallowed, keeping his composure under Jungkook's scrutinizing gaze. "It's not just that, sir. It's the timing. This is happening right before the board meeting. If this keeps escalating, it could cast a shadow over the decisions we need to finalize. Some might use it as leverage-particularly those who are already on the fence about the proposed changes."