𝓔𝓾𝓹𝓱𝓸𝓻𝓲𝓪 » 𝓔𝓷𝓱𝔂𝓹𝓮𝓷

XV

                           »»————-　♔　————-««

Hanseok stretched his neck, the crack of his bones louder than the ticking clock on the wall. His suit jacket stayed draped over the chair's back, sleeves rolled up just enough to show the tattoo ink crawling up his wrist.

The steel table between them didn't exist in his mind.This wasn't a real interrogation.

This was a coffee break.

Across from him, Shanna stirred her drink with one finger on the spoon, eyes half-lidded, mouth soft but emotionless. Her nails tapped the ceramic cup in a slow, hypnotic rhythm. She didn't look tense,not even slightly.

"Five minutes late," she whispered, voice smooth like silk but cutting like glass. "They're getting brave."

Hanseok smirked, eyes flicking toward her. "Brave or stupid. Either way, someone's losing a finger for this."

The door burst open.

Prosecutor Na stumbled in, panting, his tie askew, face flushed. His briefcase hit the floor with a thud he didn't even notice.

"I—I'm so sorry!" he gasped, bowing so deep his glasses slid down his nose. "CEO Hanseok! Miss Shanna! This wasn't supposed to happen—I swear !I had no idea."

Hanseok laughed, eyes crinkling like this was the funniest part of his week. His hand waved lazily in the air, dismissing the apology like a piece of dust.

"No need to get dramatic, Prosecutor Na. We're not offended." His voice was soft, but his smile didn't reach his eyes. "We're just confused. Who decided to play hero today?"

Shanna lifted her cup to her lips, blowing softly before sipping. Her voice barely rose above a whisper, but it cut straight through the room.

"Find out who reported us," she said, setting the cup down, saucer clicking against metal. "Names. Faces. Family records. Send me everything. I don't like loose ends."

Prosecutor Na's hands shook as he wiped sweat from his temple. "Y-Yes, Miss Shanna. I'll get the information immediately. I swear!I'll punish whoever dared—"

"Punish?" Hanseok chuckled again, eyes dark but his tone still playful. "Punish, huh? Don't get it twisted. You don't punish people like that." His smile sharpened into something colder.

"You erase them."

Shanna leaned back, leg crossed over the other, her stare locked on the prosecutor like he was a roach under glass.

"You've got two hours, Na. Not three. Two."

Na bowed again, his face almost white.

"Understood—right away, ma'am. I'll—"

"Relax," Hanseok cut in, voice low but mocking. "No one's dead yet."

His eyes drifted toward the ceiling, lips curling into a soft smile that didn't match the tension crackling in his jaw.

"Funny though," he murmured, more to himself than anyone else. "When rats start reporting things, it's never just an outsider, is it?"

Shanna said nothing. She just swirled her coffee, eyes steady.

"Most betrayals," Hanseok whispered "The leaks starts from somewhere near".

The corner of Shanna's mouth twitched—but she didn't correct him.

And Hanseok, still laughing softly to himself, had no idea how close he really was.

                          »»————-　♔　————-««