VENGEANCE IN THE SHADOWS [KIM MINGYU]

{3} The Shadows Await

Chapter: 3

"The Shadows Await"

┌── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──┐

Mingyu sat on the cold bench of the holding cell, his wrists still bruised from the rough handling of the officers. The fluorescent lights flickered above him, casting harsh shadows on the gray walls. He could hear faint murmurs from the guards outside, talking about "the son who killed his own father for power."

He clenched his jaw, feeling the weight of their judgment settle in. It hadn't even been a full day, and already the world had branded him a monster.

"Kim Mingyu." The gruff voice of the guard echoed through the small space, accompanied by the metallic clank of the cell door opening. "You've made bail."

Bail? Mingyu frowned. That could only mean one person.

As the guard led him out, he was met by a familiar, commanding presence standing by the exit-Seungcheol. Dressed in an immaculate black suit, sunglasses perched on his face, Seungcheol exuded power and control, as though this entire situation was just another business transaction.

"You're welcome," Seungcheol said coolly as Mingyu approached him. "Now get in the car."

Mingyu said nothing, but the tension between them was thick. He followed Seungcheol into the sleek, black car waiting outside the station. The moment the door closed behind them, the car sped off, leaving the chaos of the police station behind.

They drove in silence, the city lights reflecting off the car windows, until they reached an underground garage, far away from prying eyes.

Seungcheol finally turned to face him, his expression unreadable. "You understand what this means, right?"

Mingyu's fists tightened in his lap. "The world thinks I killed my father."

Seungcheol nodded. "Every news outlet is running with it. 'Kim Mingyu murders his father for power.' That's the headline. They'll paint you as the villain in this story, whether you like it or not."

"And what? I just sit back and let them?"

"For now," Seungcheol's voice was steady, unyielding. "You can't fight this head-on, Mingyu. Not when the entire world is watching. Alexander's in control of the narrative, and you're the scapegoat. If you make a move now, they'll find you and lock you up again-this time for good."

Mingyu slammed his fist against the car door, frustration boiling over. "So I'm supposed to disappear? Let Alexander get away with everything?"

Seungcheol's gaze hardened. "Disappear for now, yes. You don't have the resources or power to take him down yet. But you will. The only way you win this is by staying hidden, waiting for the right moment to strike."