ENEMIES WITH BENEFITS//TAEHYUNG FF//

THE COUNTERATTACK

Three days after the announcement, the storm finally arrived.

Not quietly.

Not subtly.

War never was.

The morning at Vanguard Innovations started like any other.

Employees moved through the glass corridors, assistants carried files, analysts stared at screens filled with numbers.

But the tension in the air was impossible to ignore.

Because everyone knew.

When powerful families were humiliated publicly...

They didn't forgive.

They retaliated.

Y/N stepped out of the elevator onto the executive floor, tablet in hand.

Her heels clicked confidently against the marble floor.

Even after joining Vanguard, the whispers hadn't stopped.

"That's her."

"The woman Mr. Kim chose."

"The one Aurora lost."

She ignored them.

Because the only opinion that mattered was waiting inside the CEO's office.

Inside the office, Taehyung stood near the massive window overlooking the city.

His sleeves were rolled up.

Tie loosened.

Laptop open on the table beside him.

And judging by the dark expression on his face...

Something had gone wrong.

Very wrong.

Y/N stepped inside.

"You look like someone just declared war."

Taehyung didn't smile.

Instead, he slid a tablet across the desk toward her.

"Look."

She glanced down.

Her stomach dropped.

Breaking News: Kim Group Announces Sudden Investment Withdrawal From Vanguard Partners

Her eyes widened.

"That's..."

"My father," Taehyung finished calmly.

"But he's not done."

As if on cue, his phone rang.

The caller ID flashed:

Chairman Kim

Y/N looked at him.

"Are you going to answer?"

Taehyung's jaw tightened.

"Yes."

He answered the call and switched it to speaker.

His father's cold voice filled the office.

"So," the older man said, "you're still running that little company of yours."

Taehyung leaned back in his chair.

"You didn't call to ask about my health."

"No."