Bound by Shadows .jc

CHAPTER 9

Echoes of Vengeance

Seungcheol sat at the long, polished table in the rival's office, his gaze sharp and calculating. The air was thick with tension, suffocating even the most battle-hardened men in the room. The walls of the lavish office seemed to close in as the old man across from him, Don Min-Jae, the head of a fading but still dangerous criminal empire, attempted to negotiate.

But Seungcheol wasn't interested in negotiations. He had come to prove a point.

"Seungcheol," Don Min-Jae's voice trembled slightly, though the old man tried to hide it with false bravado. His hands were clasped together on the table in a pathetic attempt at appearing composed. "We don't need to do this. There's no need for more bloodshed. Let's settle this like men, with our words."

Seungcheol smirked, leaning back in his chair, arms folded across his broad chest. Hoshi, Jun, and Wonwoo stood behind him like silent shadows, each one embodying a deadly force of nature, ready to strike at their leader's command. They didn't need to speak; their presence alone was enough to make anyone in the room nervous.

"You think words will fix this, old man?" Seungcheol's voice was cold, dripping with sarcasm. "After everything? After you tried to cut into my territory and take what's mine?"

Don Min-Jae's brow furrowed, a bead of sweat trailing down the side of his face. He was outmatched, and he knew it. Yet he had to try—there was too much at stake. His family was at stake.

"I never intended to harm your interests, Choi Seungcheol. There was a misunderstanding between our men," the old man pleaded. "But now that we're here, we can come to an arrangement. One that benefits us both."

Seungcheol leaned forward, eyes narrowing dangerously. "An arrangement?" He chuckled darkly, though there was no warmth in the sound. It was the laugh of a man who had heard every lie, every betrayal, and was still standing, still undefeated. "The only arrangement we'll be discussing is how quickly I can destroy your empire before the shipment arrives tomorrow."

The old man visibly flinched at the mention of the shipment. Seungcheol had him right where he wanted him.

"Seungcheol," Don Min-Jae tried again, his voice more desperate now. "My family—please, leave them out of this. They have nothing to do with our business. My grandchildren, my son, my wife—they're innocent."

Seungcheol's smirk widened into a full, mocking grin. He slowly stood up, the sound of the chair scraping against the floor loud in the otherwise silent room. "Innocent?" He drawled, pacing around the table now, like a predator circling its prey. "No one's innocent in this world, Don Min-Jae. Certainly not your family. They've benefitted from your empire for years. Now, they pay the price for your mistakes."

The old man's face contorted with fear and anger, his hands gripping the edge of the table so tightly his knuckles turned white. "You... you wouldn't," he stammered.

Seungcheol stopped in front of him, leaning down to stare into his eyes. "Watch me."

Before Don Min-Jae could respond, the door to the office swung open, and two of Seungcheol's men dragged in the old man's son, his wife, and their children. Their faces were pale, eyes wide with terror. The young boy and girl clung to their mother, who was trembling uncontrollably, unable to look Seungcheol in the eye.

Don Min-Jae stood abruptly, knocking his chair over in his haste. "No! Not them! Please, Choi Seungcheol, I'm begging you! They have nothing to do with this!"

Seungcheol's gaze shifted to the family, then back to the old man, a cruel smile playing on his lips. "I wonder," he said, his voice soft but laced with malice, "how it feels to know that your entire family's fate rests in my hands."