°BACKSTABBERS°

Chapter 9

As I turned to leave, the old lady's voice boomed behind me, cutting through the tension like a knife. "You'd better not let anyone catch you loitering here, or you'll regret it!"

I quickened my pace, the weight of her gaze lingering on my back like a shadow. The realization hit me like a thunderbolt: she was the boss's aunt, and I was nothing more than an unwanted guest in this labyrinthine mansion. With every step I took, the stakes felt higher, and the walls seemed to close in around me.

Navigating through the winding corridors, I took deep breaths, trying to steady my racing heart. I had to find the basement-the heart of the operation. The old lady's warning echoed in my mind, but curiosity and determination drove me forward. I needed answers, and I was willing to risk it all to uncover the truth.

Finally, I reached a heavy wooden door, slightly ajar, with faint sounds of voices seeping through the gap. I pressed my ear against it, straining to catch snippets of conversation. "...the shipment must arrive by tonight..." one voice said, low and menacing.

My pulse quickened. This was it. I had to get inside. Quietly, I pushed the door open just enough to slip through, my heart pounding as I stepped into the dimly lit room. The air was thick with tension, and I could see two men sitting at a table piled high with maps and documents, their faces obscured by shadows.

"Are you sure the plan will work?" one of them asked, his tone laced with doubt.

"Of course it will! We've waited too long for this," the other replied, confidence radiating from him. "Tonight, everything changes."

I held my breath, inching closer to hear more. The stakes were escalating, and I needed to know how deep this rabbit hole went. As I shifted slightly, my foot brushed against the edge of a loose floorboard, and it creaked ominously.

Both men froze, their heads snapping toward the sound. Panic surged through me, and I instinctively ducked behind a large stack of crates, my heart racing. "Please don't let them find me," I whispered to myself, praying for luck.

"Did you hear that?" one of them said, rising from his seat and moving cautiously toward my hiding spot.

I held my breath, eyes wide, my mind racing through escape routes. Just as he reached the crates, I remembered the old lady's warning and how I couldn't afford to get caught. Gathering my courage, I made a split-second decision. I rolled to the side, slipping out of view just as he peered around the corner.

"What was that?" he asked, turning back to his companion, who now looked equally uneasy.

"Just your imagination. Let's get back to the plan," the other man said, but I could see the doubt etched on his face.

As they returned to their discussion, I took the opportunity to inch away, heart pounding in my chest. I needed to find a way out of this room and back to safety before they decided to investigate further.

Suddenly, the door creaked open, and I froze, my heart in my throat. It was the old lady again, her expression a mix of determination and concern. "What are you doing here?" she hissed, glancing around the room as if she could sense that something was amiss.

"I-I was just-" I stammered, scrambling for an excuse, but she cut me off.

"Get out! Now!" she commanded, her voice low but fierce. "You don't belong here, and if they find you, it'll be bad for both of us."

With no time to argue, I darted past her, heart racing as I navigated through the maze of crates and back to the door. I could hear the men's voices behind me, growing louder as they caught wind of the commotion.

"Wait!" the old lady called after me, her voice suddenly softer. "You need to be careful. If you're caught, it'll ruin everything."

I paused for a fraction of a second, looking back at her. "I know what I'm doing," I insisted, though uncertainty gnawed at my insides.

"Do you?" she challenged, a glimmer of respect in her eyes. "Then make sure you stay one step ahead. Trust no one-not even me."

With that, I slipped out of the room, adrenaline coursing through my veins. I needed to regroup and figure out my next move. The old lady may have been right; I was in over my head, but I couldn't turn back now. The truth was within reach, and I was determined to unravel the mystery.

I let out a heavy sigh as I stepped into my room, closing the door behind me with a soft click. I reached for my phone, dialing a number that promised answers. My heart raced as I waited, counting the seconds until the call connected.

"Do you have something?" came the voice on the other end, tinged with urgency.

I leaned against the wall, a thrill of excitement coursing through me. "Not yet, but I'm close. I've discovered the way to the basement... all I need now is the perfect moment to slip in."

"Be cautious," he warned, his tone serious. "They're more dangerous than you think. Don't rush this."

"I know. I'll take my time." With that, I ended the call, a mix of anticipation and fear swirling inside me. The thrill of the unknown beckoned, and I could almost taste the adventure that lay ahead.

She took a steadying breath, feeling adrenaline surge through her as she navigated the opulent halls of Jimin's mansion. This was no ordinary mission; she had infiltrated the world of a notorious gangster, and the stakes were high.

As she approached a heavy oak door, muffled voices caught her attention. Pressing her ear against the wood, she heard whispers of a pivotal deal set for tonight. Her pulse quickened this was the information she needed.

Spotting a slightly ajar door leading to a study, Ivey slipped inside, heart racing. The room was dimly lit, filled with the scent of cigars and danger. She rifled through documents on the desk, discovering evidence of illegal transactions that could bring Jimin down.

Suddenly, footsteps echoed in the hallway. Panic surged, and she darted behind a heavy curtain just as Jimin entered the room. He moved with a predatory grace, unaware of her presence.

"Tonight must go perfectly," he murmured, glancing at his watch.

When Ivey made a slight noise, Jimin turned, surprise flashing across his face. "Quite bold, aren't we?" he said with a sly smile, leaning against the desk.

Jimin's laughter echoed behind her, a reminder that the game was just beginning, and she has to be ready for the challenge ahead.

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