The Hunt

75

As soon as I heard the front door close I knew the day was ruined. And it wasn't even noon yet. 

Having finished sweeping up the broken glass, I handing the broom and dustpan to Namjoon to put away. "Jin is going to need us in the living room." 

He just nodded and let me lead the way. 

"Oh, Waffles, good. This guy says he knows you?" Jin said in a pleasant tone, but he expression showed that he was on high alert. Rightfully so. 

"Sehyun-oppa, what are you doing here?" I gestured to the couches in the formal living room despite it not being my house. I figured it was better than taking him into the dinning room. 

"Another one of your brothers?" Namjoon asked quietly and took a seat next to me. 

"Yeah, sorry."

"There's only one more, right?" 

"Yes, but I doubt he'll come here." 

Sehyun cleared his throat to gain our attention. 

"Look, you heard about Uncle Seunghan taking the fall for everything, right?" Sehyun asked, ignoring the other two men in the room and focusing only on me. 

I nodded. "Yeah. It's very convenient." 

Sehyun smiled at my choice of words. "Yes, it is." He shifted in his seat and leaned forward slightly, as intense look in his eyes. "Obviously, Seunghan is just meant to misdirect everyone that is looking into things and give those who are actually behind everything a chance to pin it on someone else. Make it look like the actual Patsy paid off Seunghan." 

"And you know this how?" Namjoon asked, one eyebrow raised. 

"Because I know who is behind it." Sehyun glared at Namjoon, but continued on. "They are trying to take over The Council by making it look like the current leaders are unfit, and forcing them to step down." Locking eyes with me, Sehyun let out a deep breath. "They're going after father first, I'm sure you can figure out why." 

I nodded again. My departure from the family fold and avoidance of my marriage did not reflect well on my father and his ability to lead. The addition of JiHoon's failure to locate his missing fiance because he was distracted by his human girlfriend didn't do much to improve matters. If anything, JiHoon's murder was beneficial for my father. 

"How would they take over father's position on The Council though? If he steps down, Jaehyun-oppa is slated to take his place. Or are they planning on disgracing the entire Choi Family? That is going to take a little more than just one murder," I stated bluntly. 

"You're correct." 

He just looked at me with a smug look, waiting for me to draw my own conclusions. 

"So, what? Jaehyun is the mastermind? He wants to make father step down so he can take a seat on The Council?" I didn't even try to hide my annoyance. I was tired. 

Tired of being on edge. 

Tired of being strung along. 

Tired of doubting everything I had even been told. 

Most of all, I was tired of people dragging things out dramatically and not getting to the damned point! 

"Mastermind is generous. From what I've gathered, he's working with a Min and two  of the Lees." Sehyun leaned back, still sitting up straight and tall, but with less intensity in his gaze. "I'm guessing they figured father was the easiest target for the first part of their plan. If things didn't go according to plan, they could easily pin it on Jaehyun if need be." 

I held up a hand to signal him to stop talking. "How do you know this? Do you have any proof? If they're all next in line, why go through all this trouble? Why not just wait?" 

"In Jaehyun's case, I would say it has a lot to do with arrogance and entitlement. You know what a brute he is." 

"Evidence?" I asked flatly. 

Sehyun nodded, and reached into his pocket to produce a thumb drive. "I was visiting Jaehyun's home the other day and he happened to to leave me in his office with his computer unlocked. Being the curious person I am, I had a little look at his emails. They're encrypted, but I was able to decode them fairly quickly." 

He held the thumb drive out to me and I accepted it. "Why?" 

I saw a smile quickly appear and vanish from Jin's face at my not-so-simple question. 

"Why what?" Sehyun's brow furrowed in confusion. 

"Why did you suspect Jaehyun? Why are you giving this to me? Why should I believe anything you've said?" 

I felt Namjoon shaking next to me with silent laughter as Sehyun's face paled. 

It was then that I was struck with a brilliant idea. 

"Excuse me a minute," I said and stood from the couch. I walked into the dinning room with purpose, interrupting Taehyung, Hyukmin and Sarah's conversation. Roxy was leaned forward, her face resting on the table. 

"Did you poison her?" I asked Hyukmin pointedly. 

Hyukmin's chubby cheeks turned slightly pink and he gave me a sheepish smile. "Just a little nerve toxin. She'll be fine, it wasn't a lethal dose." 

"Can you also do hypnosis?"  

*****

I know some of you noticed I didn't update this past weekend. I have been getting frequent headaches, and I think it is related to the amount of time I spend on the computer. That being said, I am going to cut back to updating twice a week instead of the three times. I think Monday/Thursday will work best. 

Thank you all for your support! I appreciate it more than you know! I am in awe every day that so many people have read and enjoyed The Hunt! Thank you!