Yeonjun dropped down next to him. "Amazing night, huh?"
Taehyung reply "hmmm... amazing."
"Yeonjun," he said, voice low. "Is it done? Have you talked to him?"
Yeonjun's mood shifted instantly. The playful spark in his eyes dimmed as he sat up straighter.
"Yeah," he nodded. "I spoke to him. He's coming tomorrow."
Taehyung exhaled slowly, nodding. "Tomorrow… the same day as the shareholders' meeting."
"Exactly," Yeonjun confirmed. "Everything's set."
The Next Morning
Taehyung arrived at the office earlier than usual. The silence of the empty executive floor only made his thoughts louder.
He sat at his desk, tapping a sleek silver pen against the surface, eyes fixed on the door.
Waiting.
Footsteps echoed from the hallway. The door creaked open.
"Yeonjun.." he called sharply, but stopped when he saw the person at the door.
It wasn't Yeonjun.
It was Sooyaa.
She froze mid-step, eyes wide. "I...I'm sorry, Mr. Kim. I must've came at the wrong time."
She began to turn away, but Taehyung quickly stood. "Sooyaa, no..it's not… that's not what I meant."
but before he could say more, she quietly closed the door behind her and left.
Taehyung let out a frustrated groan and ran a hand through his hair.
"What the hell is happening to me today…" he muttered under his breath.
Moments later, the door opened again.
This time, it was Yeonjun...and behind him, the night shift watchman from the press conference.
The man stepped in nervously, bowing politely. "Good morning, sir."
Taehyung folded his arms and studied the young man standing before him. "You look quite young. Are you still studying?"
The watchman smiled, standing straighter. "Yes, sir and my name is Min Gyu."
Taehyung nodded. "Min Gyu. Do you know why you've been called here?"
Min Gyu glanced at Yeonjun, then back at Taehyung. "I believe it's about the man who was on the phone during the press conference. The one who seemed nervous?"
"Yes," Taehyung confirmed, narrowing his gaze.
Min Gyu stepped forward confidently. "I remember everything. I don't brag it but I have kind of photographic memory. I can recall that entire conversation word for word."
Taehyung blinked, a small smirk forming on his lips. "Interesting. I happen to have a photographic memory too."
Yeonjun raised his hand casually. "Me too."
Taehyung gave him a sideways glance. "You always need to one up, don't you?"
Yeonjun grinned, but the atmosphere quickly turned serious again as Taehyung looked back at Min Gyu.
"What exactly did he say?"
Min Gyu didn't hesitate. "He kept repeating 'Where is my money? I did what you told me to. You promised payment after the chaos.'"
Taehyung's eyes narrowed.
Min Gyu continued, "Then a sleek black car pulled up right in front of us. The window rolled down slightly, and the driver was wearing a black mask. On his jacket… there was a strange symbol."
Taehyung leaned forward. "Did you see the man's face?"
Min Gyu nodded slowly. "Yes. I saw the face of man talking on phone and heard his voice clearly. I'd recognize him anywhere."
Taehyung exchanged a glance with Yeonjun, then stepped closer to Min Gyu.
"Very good," he said. "Min Gyu, I want you to quit your job as a security guard."
Min Gyu's eyes widened. "Sir? But… why?"
Taehyung's voice was calm but firm. "Because I'm reappointing you. From today onwards, you'll work directly under me as a senior-level employee."
Min Gyu's jaw dropped. "S-sir…"
"You won't have to do guard duty anymore," Taehyung said. "Your only task is to investigate the man you saw. Find everything you can about him. Use whatever resources you need I will provide you. You'll be given a private office, and your salary will match senior analyst level."
Min Gyu's eyes welled up slightly as he bowed deeply. "Thank you, sir. I won't disappoint you!"
Yeonjun chuckled, clearly impressed. "You just upgraded your whole life in one conversation."
Taehyung gave Min Gyu a small nod. "You can go now."
Min Gyu bowed again, his face beaming as he exited the room.
As the door shut, Yeonjun turned to Taehyung. "You really have a talent for spotting people."
Taehyung turned back toward the window, his eyes fixed on the skyline but clearly lost in thought.
Then, without looking back, he spoke.
"Yeonjun," he said, voice low, "from this, it's clear."
Yeonjun leaned forward, sensing the shift in tone. "Clear?"
"That man… the one Min Gyu saw," Taehyung said slowly, "he was just a pawn. Hired. Temporary. A man on rental basis to execute a task."
Yeonjun's brows furrowed. "Which means…"
Taehyung turned to face him fully now, his eyes cold with certainty. "Which means someone else is behind all this. Someone who's hiding in the dark. Watching every move."
Yeonjun stood straighter, the gravity of the situation sinking in. "The real mastermind."
Taehyung nodded. "And if they could go this far… they're not just playing games anymore."
The room fell quiet again, tension thick in the air.
Yeonjun's jaw clenched. "Should we tighten internal security?"
"No," Taehyung replied. "Let them think they're still ahead. We'll watch silently... until they make their next mistake."
Yeonjun nodded, then added with a hint of weight in his voice, "Also… the CFO is arriving today. He just landed from abroad. He'll be attending the shareholders meeting this afternoon."
Taehyung didn't respond immediately.
Yeonjun continued, more cautiously now, "And… he's one of your relative."
END OF CHAPTER.