Bound by Shadows .jc

CHAPTER 51

 A Shadowed confrontation   

The meeting room was steeped in an oppressive silence, broken only by the faint hum of the projector casting shifting images on the wall. Rows of serious faces reflected the cold glow of the screen as data and plans scrolled past—smuggling routes, financial figures, coded correspondences. Hoshi entered late, his sharp gaze sweeping the room. The rigid postures, the clipped tones, and the somber atmosphere confirmed it: another routine mafia meeting. No distractions, no mistakes.

Seungcheol sat at the head of the table, his presence commanding, radiating an unspoken authority. His face was impassive, his eyes fixed on the screen, though his mind seemed elsewhere. To his right, Wonwoo leaned slightly forward, jotting notes. Jun sat back, arms crossed, scanning the faces around the table. The meeting progressed like clockwork—strategies dissected, orders given. As the final slide flicked off the screen and the room was cast in muted light, Seungcheol rose, signaling its end.

Chairs scraped against the floor, the men filed out in an orderly fashion, and the heavy door swung shut with a dull thud. Hoshi lingered behind, his expression unreadable. Wonwoo and Jun exchanged brief glances before following Seungcheol out of the room.

Seungcheol's office was as austere as the man himself: all sleek lines and muted tones, the faint scent of leather and smoke lingering in the air. Behind the polished oak desk, the city skyline stretched out like a dark promise, lights twinkling like distant stars. Seungcheol stood by the window, his broad shoulders rigid, silhouetted against the glass. His hands were clasped behind his back, a stillness about him that was more unnerving than any motion.

The others entered quietly, but the tension was palpable. Wonwoo, Jun, and Hoshi settled into the chairs across from his desk, their movements deliberate, calculated. For a moment, the room was filled with nothing but the distant hum of the city.

Finally, it was Wonwoo who broke the silence, his voice sharp and low. "What was yesterday's meeting about?"

Seungcheol didn't turn. His gaze remained fixed on the sprawling city. "It's done," he said simply, his tone offering no room for further inquiry.

Wonwoo's eyes narrowed, his patience already thinning. "That's not an answer."

Jun leaned forward slightly, his expression a careful mask of calm. "Why did you send Jeonghan back?" he asked, voice laced with an edge that betrayed his irritation.

Seungcheol's head tilted slightly, but he still didn't look at them. "I signed the contract," he replied flatly, as if that explained everything.

Jun straightened, his brows furrowing in frustration. "What contract?"

Hoshi, who had been reclining casually in his chair, leaned forward now, a sharp smile tugging at his lips. "Wait," he said, cutting Jun off before Seungcheol could reply. "Is it Viktor you went to meet?" His voice was light, almost teasing, but there was no mistaking the dangerous undertone.

Seungcheol turned just enough for his profile to catch the dim light. He gave a curt nod.

Hoshi chuckled darkly, leaning back again. "Fucking knew it," he muttered, shaking his head. His smirk widened as he ran a hand through his hair. "Should've known Viktor was pulling strings again. That bastard doesn't know when to quit."

Jun's jaw tightened. "The letter you got yesterday evening—was it an invitation from Viktor?"

Another nod from Seungcheol.

"And the contract?" Jun pressed, his frustration growing. "What does that have to do with Jeonghan?"

Seungcheol's gaze finally moved to Jun, his expression unreadable. "It's none of your business," he said, his voice cold and final.