House Of Cards || NCT Mafia

Chapter thirty-one : On the other side of the Law

Taeyong was walking back and forth in his office, pacing around like a lion in a cage. The reason behind his newly found excitement was his last phone call. Thanks to Jeno's latest update about Iseul, Taeyong had finally the last proof he needed to make that call.

Nervously biting his nails, an old habit of his, he was waiting for Ten, Jeno and Johnny. He didn't have to wait long, though, because not even a minute later, a knock on the door was heard.

"What was so important you asked us to come right away?" asked the tallest of the bunch.

Taeyong stopped walking and turned his head towards his members.

"After what Jeno revealed about Iseul's affiliations with Park, I called the State," he stated, his face serious.

"The State?" Ten repeated. "Why did you call them?"

"Did you do what I requested?" Taeyong asked, his eyes piercing through the other male. Ten nodded, handing him the file he was holding.

The leader took it, observing its content, then closed it and smiled. Jeno and Johnny exchanged a confused look, not understanding what the two were talking about.

"So, why did you call them?" Johnny asked.

Taeyong took out pictures from the file to show them. Jeno recognized it right away. Those were close-up pictures of Iseul's bracelet, where the cursed symbol was clearly visible in its center.

"I called them because now," Taeyong replied, "we have enough proof against the girl."

"Enough proof for what, hyung?" Jeno frowned.

"You know the rules, right Jeno?" the leader walked closer to the young man. "No gang is allowed to even just put a finger on those mundane civilians. They must be kept away from any harm that could be caused by the mafia world. 'What's mafia's business, stays in the mafia', remember?" Taeyong quoted.

Jeno nodded, patiently waiting for his leader to get to the point.

"Which is why I couldn't do anything about Kang's offspring just yet. She was part of the civilian category. Or at least from the State's point of view. But not anymore," he added, a disturbing smile creeping on his face.

"Now, we have enough proof to show them who she really is, who she's associated with. She's part of the mafia world, which means she's not under the State's protection anymore. The law cannot protect her now."

Jeno could feel himself freeze. So that was Taeyong's plan, to prove to the State Iseul was part of a mafia gang, so he could get to her without breaking the Law.

Ten and Johnny smirked.

"That way you can also get your revenge on Kang," noted the tallest.

"Yeah, you go after what he cares about the most and get rid of an obstacle," Ten continued. "Quite a brilliant idea, hyung."

Taeyong's eyes sparkled with evil. Ten got it right, he could kill two birds with one stone. But maybe he could go further with his plan and try to take down Park Min-Seok as well.

Jeno, still standing next to Ten, wasn't really happy with what Taeyong intended to do. Yes, he was suspicious of Iseul, but he still gave her the benefice of the doubt. Even after seeing the bracelet, her reaction had seemed genuine, something his leader didn't seem to care about.

Jeno, however, still wanted to dig deeper about her before making a decision.

"Uhm," he began, unsure of how to speak his mind without Taeyong killing him. The three men looked at him, "Maybe we could... observe her some more before making any move, don't you think...? I mean, just to be sure?"

Judging by the deadly stares he was now receiving, Jeno realized he should have kept his mouth shut.

"Why?" Taeyong inquired, a dangerous look in his eyes. "So we can give her all the time she needs to attack us? I don't think so."

Jeno looked down, unable to maintain Taeyong's state. All of a sudden, someone knocked at the door. Taeyong signaled to Johnny to open it, revealing Jaemin.

"I'm sorry I couldn't help overhearing, I heard you guys talking about reporting Iseul to the State as a mafia member?"

Usually, the leader would have been pissed to see one of his members admitting that they spied on a private conversation, but when Taeyong looked in the youngest's eyes, he noticed a change. So he let him speak.

"Can I come with you?"

Jaemin's request was a surprise. The others had expected him to beg them not to do anything against the girl, pleading in her defense, but there had been some changes. Jaemin wanted to make her pay for being allies with a traitor.

Taeyong raised an eyebrow at the boy.

"Why?"

"I could testify she's not who she pretends to be. After all, I'm the one who knows her best out of all of us," he replied.

Taeyong seemed to think about it for a second.

"No offense, Jaemin, but that won't be necessary. As much as I appreciate you coming back to your senses about the girl, there's nothing more you could bring in the discussion. I just need Ten's report on his 'hunt' as he likes to call it", the man smirked at the mention of his name, "Johnny as the head of public communication, and Jeno as a witness for the bracelet."

Jaemin frowned, upset by the leader's decision.

"Another time, I promise," Taeyong added, noticing his change of mood. "Besides, you'll have your chance to get revenge for the wrongs that have been done to you, trust me," he put a fatherly hand on Jaemin's shoulder.

Taeyong turned around, facing the three men still standing in his office, "Let's go, guys. The State is waiting for us."

Jaemin moved aside so they could walk out, internally burning. His rage wouldn't go away if he didn't do something. Jeno was the last one to get out of the office, giving his brother a sad smile before following the others.

After watching them leave, Jaemin decided to put his rage to use by going to the basement, as he spent the rest of the day punching his feelings away.