The Villianess's Redemption (HYUNJIN ff) ✓

40.A Game of Shadows

Chapter 40: A Game of Shadows
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Hyunjin's Pov

“What?” I asked, my voice barely more than a whisper. “But why? If they get what they want…”

Jasmine shook her head. “It doesn’t matter. That’s how they operate. They tie up loose ends. They’ll get what they need, but Eliza… She’s a liability. She knows too much.”

Her words hit me like a punch to the gut. The hope that had just begun to bloom inside me was suddenly crushed, replaced by a chilling fear.

“Then we need a new plan,” Felix said, his voice steady but tense.

I looked at Isabella, who gave me a nod.

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The group was back  sitting in the study room after their talk with Jasmine. Tension hung in the air, thick and suffocating. Each of us had our minds racing, trying to solidify the plan that we knew was filled with danger at every corner. The stakes were higher than ever, and any mistake could cost us everything.

“So according to Jasmine,the Seo brothers have 5 warehouses in total and she believes that the possible one in which Eliza is held captive is....,” Jeongin said, his voice shaking slightly but firm in its resolve.

Felix completed the sentence for him.“The one near where we were last time.”

Isabella speaks up. " I believe that's the best possible one as they could not have gone so far."

Bangchan leaned forward, his arms crossed over the table. “Then we proceed with the plan. Hyunjin, you’ll head to the previous warehouse, where they want you to meet. The rest of us will back you up from outside.”

I gave a small, hesitant nod. I hadn’t said much, the weight of the decision pressing heavily on my shoulders.

Today was the day I had to face Donghyuk, not only to possibly save Eliza but to face the choice I'd been dreading since the start. Whether to give in to Donghyuk’s demands, or risk everything.

“We’ll be nearby, but you’re going in alone,” Jeongin said, his usual lightheartedness absent. “Isabella, Bangchan, and I will be close, just in case things go sideways. We’ve got Detective Namjoon’s gadgets—so we’ll hear everything. Just make sure you keep calm, Hyunjin.”

Hyunjin exhaled a shaky breath. “Yeah… I’ll try.”

Bangchan pulled out a decoy they had meticulously crafted—a perfect replica of the seal and contract that Donghyuk wanted so badly. I took it in my hands, marveling at how close it looked to the real thing.

“This looks… incredible,” I muttered, tracing the edges of the fake seal. “They won’t be able to tell the difference.”

Bangchan gave me a reassuring smile. “That’s the plan. We’ve worked hard to make sure it holds up.”

Seungmin, who had been quiet the whole time, finally spoke. “Felix and I will take the second team and infiltrate the warehouse where Jasmine suspects Eliza is. We’ll have knights and some of Namjoon’s men surrounding both sites. If Eliza’s there, we’ll get her out.”