Weakness (Jang Hanseok x fem OC)

57

Chapter 57: Bound by Blood

Part 1: The Weight of a Bullet

The top floor of Babel Tower was eerily quiet. The dim lighting cast long shadows against the polished floors, the cold air heavy with unspoken words.

Han-seo stood by the floor-to-ceiling window, arms crossed tightly over his chest, his fingers digging into his sleeves. The city below stretched endlessly, glittering with life, but up here, it felt like he was standing on the edge of something vast and empty.

Behind him, Hanseok lounged in his chair, one leg crossed over the other, his fingers lazily tapping against the desk. His suit jacket was draped over the chair's back, his usual sharpness dulled slightly by exhaustion. But his eyes-those dark, calculating eyes-remained sharp.

Han-seo didn't need to turn around to know he was being watched.

Hanseok exhaled slowly. "You know," he mused, voice laced with amusement, "getting shot by Vincenzo..." He trailed off as if savoring the memory. Then, with a soft chuckle, he said, "It reminded me of when you shot me."

Han-seo flinched.

He knew this was coming.

Still, his throat tightened as he turned slightly, forcing himself to meet Hanseok's gaze. "Hyung, I-"

Hanseok raised a hand, cutting him off effortlessly. "Relax. I'm not mad."

Han-seo blinked. "You're... not?"

"Nope," Hanseok smirked, tilting his head. "In fact, I'm grateful to be alive. Aren't you?"

Han-seo swallowed hard, trying to decipher the meaning behind his words. He had spent his entire life trying to predict Hanseok's moods, trying to survive them. But today, something felt different.

Then, Hanseok leaned forward, his expression softening into something almost... thoughtful. "You know, before she left, your mother asked me for a favor."

Han-seo frowned, caught off guard. "My mother?"

Hanseok nodded. "She asked me to be nice to you. To take care of you." He tapped his fingers against the desk, his voice turning distant. "Even if you never gave me anything in return."

Han-seo stared at him, his heart pounding.

His mother had pleaded with Hanseok?

Begged him to spare him?

He wasn't sure whether to feel relief or shame.

Hanseok's smirk widened slightly, pulling him back into the moment. "You know, I've been thinking about that a lot lately." He leaned back in his chair, arms folding loosely over his chest. "And I decided..."

He let the silence stretch just long enough for Han-seo to hold his breath.

"...I'm going to keep my promise."

Han-seo blinked. "W-What?"

Hanseok's smirk turned lazy. "I'm giving you Babel Bio."

Han-seo's blood ran cold. "You're serious?"

"Of course." Hanseok tilted his head, feigning innocence. "You've gotten smarter, haven't you? I think it's time you proved it. If you do well, maybe I'll even give you Babel Chemicals or Pharmaceuticals."

Han-seo's mind raced.

This was a trap.

It had to be.

Hanseok never handed over power freely. He controlled everything.

But... what if this was his chance?