MASKED FACES || SEVENTEEN

⛥ FORTY NINE ⛥

(After the meeting in the conference hall)

The atmosphere in the conference room was crackling with tension as the deafening silence hung heavily in the air. Despite the faint sounds of activity from the world beyond the closed doors, the room was wrapped in a deathly quietude.

The faces of the three men in attendance bore a nervous demeanor as they sat before the imposing figure at the head of the table. The man, his gaze sharp and penetrating, surveyed them intently, creating an aura of unease.

Suddenly, Joshua broke the silence with a harsh and direct question. "You three, what are you up to behind our backs?" His voice carried a threatening tone that made Chan and Wonwoo visibly shiver in their seats.
Even Woozi, usually calm and composed, was visibly startled by the unexpected confrontation and his body language betrayed his discomfort.

The three men exchanged nervous glances, trying to maintain their composure, but the tension in the room grew even more palpable. Joshua's gaze bore into them, his expression stern and unyielding, leaving no room for evasion. It was clear that the time for hiding secrets had come to an end.

"Well?" Joshua's voice carried a hint of annoyance as he waited for an answer. But the three men were hesitant to respond, their faces betraying the guilt they felt at being caught in their deceit. Chan and Wonwoo fidgeted uncomfortably in their seats, while Woozi tried to keep his composure, though his clenched fist betrayed his unease.

"I happen to know a few things," Joshua began, his tone cold and matter-of-fact. "I overheard a conversation between Chan and Wonwoo in the garden one night."
He paused for a moment, giving them a chance to react, but neither Chan nor Wonwoo dared to speak, their faces betraying their guilt.

With a sudden bang on the desk, Joshua's voice rose in anger. "What the hell is wrong with you both?!" he exclaimed, his gaze sharp and accusatory. "Falling for your hostage? Is this what the years of training taught you?"
His words were tinged with disbelief, but there was a hint of disappointment in his tone as well.

Chan and Wonwoo couldn't meet his gaze, their faces flushed with guilt and shame. They knew they had made a mistake, but the feelings they had developed for the hostage were real, no matter how much they tried to deny it.
"I know you both have feelings for her," Joshua hissed, his voice laced with anger and frustration. "But are you willing to risk everything for her?"

Chan and Wonwoo remained silent, their expressions conflicted. They knew they had crossed a line, but their feelings for the hostage were strong and uncontrollable. They had been trained to be loyal and vigilant, but they had never been trained to handle these kind of emotions.
Joshua's eyes narrowed as he studied their faces, trying to understand their thoughts and motivations. He could see the struggle within them, the internal conflict between duty and desire.

Joshua's gaze shifted to Woozi, his expression hardening. "I know you're the group's hacker," he said, his tone sharp and disapproving. "But that doesn't mean you should go around searching for unnecessary details and sharing them with him."
He motioned his head towards Chan, who was sitting with a guilty look on his face.
Woozi lowered his head, knowing that he had been caught red-handed. The accusation hit him hard, and he could feel the tension in the room rising.

With a decisive motion, Joshua stood up from his seat, his face set in a stern expression. "Enough of this nonsense from now on," he said firmly, his voice leaving no room for negotiation.
He looked at the three men in turn, his gaze sharp and unrelenting. "If you don't stop this foolishness, the consequences won't be pleasant," he warned. "I'll stay silent for now, but don't force me to take matters into my own hands."
With that, he turned and walked towards the door, leaving the room in a stifling silence.