THE HIDDEN ROSE

6. We're Finally Home! |

"Who are you? What are you doing here?" Aisha demanded, her voice dripping with arrogance. "Who let you in? You can't just stroll into this mansion like this."

The butler, taken aback by her rudeness, opened his mouth to defend them, but Aisha cut him off. "You should know better than to allow random people into the mansion! Do you even have a clue who they are?"

Taehyung's heart raced as anxiety clawed at his chest. The tension in the air felt suffocating, and he could feel his palms beginning to sweat. Memories of his past-the tragic incident that had forced him to leave-flashed in his mind, making it hard for him to breathe. He fought to remain steady, but Aisha's scornful tone and hostile glare only amplified his distress.

"Enough, Aisha!" Heejin snapped, stepping forward with a fierce expression that surprised Aisha. Her eyes burned with anger, directed not only at Aisha but also at the circumstances that had brought them back to this moment.

Heejin's gaze locked onto Aisha with an intensity that made the room feel smaller, the air denser. She stepped forward, squaring her shoulders, each movement exuding an authority that was impossible to ignore.

"You listen to me, Aisha," Heejin began, her voice steady but sharp. "You may have some power here, but don't think for a second that it gives you the right to treat us like intruders. You have no idea who you're talking to."

Aisha raised an eyebrow, crossing her arms defiantly, even though she was surprised Heejin knowing her name. A flicker of uncertainty crossed her face. "Oh, I think I know exactly what I'm doing. You're just a couple of people who think they can walk in here like they own the place."

Heejin let out a soft, bitter laugh. "That's the thing, Aisha. He does own this place. Taehyung is more than just a guest-he's the true heir to the Jeon Mansion, the young master you've never met. The one who's been kept away for his own safety while people like you have been let loose to throw their weight around."

Aisha's face shifted from disbelief to shock, her eyes flickering to Taehyung, who stood silently beside Heejin, his presence quiet but commanding. "That... that can't be. If he was that important, why haven't I heard of him? Why has no one mentioned him?"

"Because," Heejin said with a cold smile, "the people who actually know what's going on don't waste time talking to the likes of you. Those who serve this family since a long time know the truth, and they know their loyalty to Taehyung is above any misplaced loyalties they might have to others in the organization."

Aisha took a step back, her face paling. She opened her mouth to respond, but no words came out. The authority in Heejin's tone had left her visibly shaken.

"From now on," Heejin continued, her voice cutting through the tension like a knife, "you will show us the respect we deserve. Taehyung is far above your station, and you'd be wise to remember that. As for the butler, he knows his duties better than you ever will. So don't dare question him again on matters you know nothing about."

The butler, who had been standing quietly beside them, cast a grateful glance at Heejin and gave a subtle nod. Taehyung, though still visibly shaken, felt a surge of reassurance from Heejin's firm stance and protective words. He managed a small, grateful smile in her direction, feeling the weight of her support as he faced Aisha's stunned silence.

Aisha, now fully aware of the grave mistake she had made, looked down, unable to meet Heejin's fierce gaze. Without another word, she turned and hurried out of the room, her pride bruised but her position clear.

As the door closed behind her, Heejin turned back to Taehyung, placing a comforting hand on his shoulder. "You're home now, Taehyung. And no one, especially not someone like her, will ever make you feel like you don't belong here again."