He stood up abruptly, pulling her up with him thanks to the handcuffs, and pinned her against the wall. His grip on her wrist tightened.
Ni-ki leaned in closer, his voice a cold whisper. "You're playing with fire, angel. Don't think for a second tha...
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
THE AFTER PARTY WAS LARGE CELEBRATION, as friends, family, and associates filled the room, congratulating Ni-ki on his new position as CEO. The atmosphere was electric, with champagne glasses clinking and laughter echoing against the sleek, polished walls.
Rhaine stood a little to the side, watching Ni-ki from afar as he moved effortlessly through the crowd, doing what he had to do.. She couldn't help but feel proud as she saw him shake hands, accept congratulations, and carry himself with the confidence of a true leader.
Just then, Mr. Jin appeared at her side, his eyes following her gaze to Ni-ki. "Quite a night, isn't it?" he murmured.
Rhaine nodded, though something about his tone made her feel uneasy.
Mr. Jin's gaze scarily shifted right away. "You know, I was hoping you'd be long gone by now," he murmured with a taunting edge. "Ni-ki may be fond of you, but you're not the kind of woman who belongs in this world."
Rhaine crossed her arms, narrowing her gaze at Mr. Jin. "You know what? I'm tired of this game, Mr. Jin. If you keep pushing, maybe I'll convince Ni-ki to fire you."
Mr. Jin's lips curved into a smirk. "Oh, is that so? You think Ni-ki would do that? I've been part of Ni-ki's life since the day he was born. Do you really think he'd choose you over me?"
For the first time, Rhaine felt a crack in her confidence. She continued to pierce through his eyes with hers, but she could some doubt creeping in.
Mr. Jin noticed and leaned in slightly, his voice almost a whisper. "Careful, Rhaine. You may think you have influence, but loyalty is hard to buy—especially in this world."
She swallowed, steadying herself, but his words made her gulp. In the back of her mind, a seed of worry took root, leaving her unsure of just how far Mr. Jin's hold over Ni-ki might really go.
A familiar voice cut through the tension. "Hey, Rhaine. Is the old man bothering you?"
Rhaine turned to see Jungwon standing there, his expression unreadable as he looked between her and Mr. Jin. Without waiting for a response, he stepped up beside her and placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder.
"Come on," he said, guiding her away. "Let's get you out of here."
Rhaine shot Mr. Jin—who maintained a discontent facade—one last glare as she let Jungwon lead her through the crowd, feeling a rush of relief at his support.
Jungwon gently steered Rhaine through the crowd, his hand steady on her shoulder.
They finally reached the other five boys all huddled together near the far end of the room, where it was quieter. Their faces brightened as they saw her approach, and Jake was the first to reach out, pulling her into a friendly half-hug.
"Hey! There you are!" Jake grinned, his usual warmth putting her instantly at ease. "We were wondering where you wandered off to. NishiCo parties can be... a lot."
