°BACKSTABBERS°

chapter 13

Ivey instinctively stepped back as Namjoon tried to snatch her phone. Her heart skipped a beat when she saw him holding it. But before she could react, a shadowy figure emerged from behind and struck Namjoon on the head, precisely where it would render him unconscious. As Namjoon crumpled to the ground, Ivey turned, startled, to face the figure. Her eyes widened in shock as recognition dawned.

"You?" she asked in disbelief, her voice trembling.

The figure's gaze was cold and steady. "I'll handle him. Go," they said firmly.

Ivey hesitated, her mind racing with questions. But one thing was clear she owed this person her escape. With a quick nod of gratitude, she fled the basement.

Namjoon groaned weakly, his vision blurred as he clutched his head. The figure crouched beside him, tying his hands before dragging him toward a nearby cabinet. Locking him inside, they muttered, "Sorry, but I have to."

As Ivey ascended from the basement, she moved swiftly to a nearby room. She shed the guard's uniform she'd been wearing, changing back into her own clothes. Her heart pounded as she made her way outside. Just then, her phone buzzed. She ducked into a corner, answered the call, and heard a familiar voice.

"Get in the first car. I'll be driving it," the voice instructed.

Quickly, she slipped a face mask over her features and scanned the area. Three cars were parked nearby. She approached the first one, its door slightly ajar. Sliding in, she glanced at the driver, who wore a black neck gaiter.

"Are you sure they won't suspect us?" she asked nervously. "Especially with such a dangerous mission ahead?"

The driver's reply was cool and composed. "These cars are headed to his main office to pick them up. Jimin will get into the middle one with his teammates. The first car is just us."

Ivey nodded, her eyes darting to the digital mirrors that obscured their identities. The tension in the car was palpable as they prepared for the next step of their plan.

"Open that bag," he instructed firmly.

Without hesitation, I unzipped it to reveal a notepad, laptop, pendrive, and a spare battery. I glanced at him, waiting for further instructions.

"Transfer this, quickly," he said.

I powered on the laptop and inserted the pendrive. A series of files popped up, and I began transferring the data as instructed. He kept driving at a breakneck speed, the tension in the air thick as we neared Jimin's main headquarters.

At 6:55 PM, he parked near a line of cars outside the building. "He'll be out in five minutes," he said coolly.

I nodded, clutching the bag tightly. True to his word, Jimin emerged minutes later with his team. Jimin entered the middle car, while his men took the last one. I noticed a man approaching our car, and soon he was inside.

He glanced at us and nodded in acknowledgment. I tensed, but the driver spoke in his deep voice, "He's our man. He knows the plan. Don't worry."

The man in the backseat offered a small smile. "Andrew. I work with your agency, reporting on the headquarters," he introduced himself.

I gave him a slight nod, turning back to the road as the cars began moving. The bag still rested heavily on my lap, a constant reminder of the mission's stakes.

Minutes later, I noticed the convoy heading into a dense jungle. Suspicion crept in. "Why are they going this way?" I asked, unable to mask my unease.

He didn't answer, his focus fixed on the road ahead. I sighed, leaning back against the seat, trying to suppress my growing nerves.