Bound by Shadows .jc

CHAPTER 46

A Pact of Power

The SVT members sat around the imposing conference table in their headquarters, their tailored suits a reflection of their authority and precision. The atmosphere was thick with tension, the kind that could be sliced cleanly with a knife. Their sharp expressions mirrored the gravity of the situation. The dark wood-paneled room, dimly lit by a cascading chandelier above, seemed to absorb their quiet power, amplifying it in the silence.

Seungcheol, their leader, exuded a calm that belied the weight on his shoulders. He sat at the head of the table, his hands loosely clasped as his gaze shifted between the unopened hard drive in the center of the table and the door. To his right, Jun leaned back in his chair, his fingers steepled, his expression impassive but his sharp eyes missing nothing. Beside him, Dino appeared deceptively relaxed, though the way his foot tapped rhythmically against the floor revealed his pent-up energy. Hoshi, leaning forward with an elbow on the table, maintained an air of casual indifference, though his gaze was razor-sharp. Wonwoo sat to the left of Seungcheol, his intense focus on the hard drive a sign of the wheels turning in his mind. Vernon, sitting next to Wonwoo, looked unusually serious, his lips pressed into a thin line.

The sound of footsteps echoed down the hallway. The door opened, and Bang Chan and Yeonjun strode in, their tailored suits accentuating their commanding presence. Chan nodded curtly at the SEVENTEEN members as he took a seat across from Seungcheol. Yeonjun followed, exuding his usual air of casual confidence as he leaned back in his chair and assessed the room.

"Thanks for coming," Seungcheol said, his voice low but firm. His sharp gaze met Bang Chan's. "We'll start shortly. RM should be here any moment."

"You know how these things go," Bang Chan replied evenly, his voice edged with pragmatism. "Nothing moves until all the players are on the board."

Yeonjun smirked faintly. "And judging by the atmosphere in here, this isn't just about swapping pleasantries."

Before Seungcheol could respond, the door opened again. Namjoon—RM—entered the room with an air of measured authority. He didn't bother with greetings, instead offering a single, deliberate nod to the room before taking his seat. His suit, impeccably tailored, moved with him like armor, and his expression carried the weight of someone accustomed to responsibility.

"Gentlemen," RM greeted, his deep voice breaking the silence. "Let's get to it. What's this about?"

Seungcheol leaned forward slightly, his tone measured. "It's about this." He placed the hard drive in the center of the table, letting the tension linger for a moment. "This was recovered from a member of the Dragons gang. A member who's no longer in a position to elaborate."

RM's brows furrowed, but his expression remained calm. "And what's on it?"

Seungcheol's gaze swept across the room. "Information. About all of us. Not just us directly, but about the people connected to us. Loved ones, associates, anyone who could be considered a liability. Whoever compiled this didn't just aim for our businesses—they aimed for our personal vulnerabilities."

Hoshi's lips quirked into a humorless smile. "A weakness file. Someone's been doing their homework."

Bang Chan's jaw tightened. "And you're certain this isn't Viktor's doing?"

"We're sure," Wonwoo interjected, his voice low but cutting. "This isn't Viktor's style. If he wanted to move against us, he wouldn't waste time gathering this kind of intel. He'd act."

"That leaves the question of who," Jun said, his calm voice carrying an edge of menace. "And why."

Yeonjun leaned forward, his smirk gone. "More importantly, what are we doing about it?"