Everyone went quiet the moment he entered. Jiyoo’s expression was serious, almost heavy.9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdFDCe7uHMF
“This concerns Valerie,” he began, his voice steady but low.
Bryan straightened, concerned. “What happened to her?”
Jiyoo looked around the room, making eye contact with each member. “She’s safe. But she’s… going through something. She’s overwhelmed. I need all of you to understand that she’s not to be stressed or questioned right now.”
Ava crossed her arms defensively. “Is she hurt? Did someone threaten her?”
“No,” Jiyoo replied quickly, but there was a hesitation — a pause they all noticed. “She’s just emotionally vulnerable at the moment. She needs space.”
Beom scratched the back of his neck. “So we’re protecting her?”
“Yes,” Jiyoo said firmly. “And not just from outside threats. From pressure. From rumors. From misunderstandings. She trusts this group — and I expect everyone here to respect that.”
Luke exchanged a look with Sunghoon, nodding. “We’ve got her back.”
Bryan’s brows drew together. “Is she upset because of us? Did someone say something?”
Jiyoo exhaled slowly. “It’s not about any of you… It’s something personal she confided. I’m telling you this much only because the squad needs to move as a unit. If she seems distant or emotional, do not ask questions. Let her come to you when she’s ready.”
Ava softened for the first time, her voice almost gentle. “So… she needs support.”
“Yes,” Jiyoo said. “And whatever happens next, I’m responsible for her safety.”
There was a subtle shift in the room — concern, curiosity, and a new protective tension.9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1sHJe3aYtW
But no one argued.
Kain was the first to nod. “Say the word, and we’ll watch out for her.”
Jiyoo’s expression eased just slightly. “Thank you. I’ll check on her once the meeting with K-East is over.”
…
…
…
A few minutes later, he swiped his security card and pushed open the glass door of the K-East rehearsal studio. The bright white LED lights and polished hardwood floors were a stark contrast to the chaos outside. Music equipment, practice mirrors, and workout gear lined the walls — but today, everything was silent.
Min-jun, Hwan, Taeyun, Joon-wo and Jaesang were gathered at the center of the room, sitting around a large digital table displaying maps and intel.
They all looked up the second Jiyoo walked in.
Taeyun raised an eyebrow. “You’re late.”
Jiyoo shut the door behind him. “I had to make sure Valerie and Sally were secure.”
Min-jun stood with his arms crossed, studying Jiyoo’s expression. “Are they safe?”
“For now.” Jiyoo replied. “But Tyler is injured and on the move. Si-woo is pushing his people harder to cover for him.”
Hwan tapped the digital map. “His men retreated faster than expected. Do you know about injuries?”
Jiyoo nodded. “Taeyun shot him twice — left arm and rib. He won’t be fully mobile.”
Taeyun gave a short, proud smirk. “Of course he won’t.”
Min-jun ignored the ego and focused on Jiyoo. “You look like you haven’t slept.”
“I’m fine,” Jiyoo said quickly, avoiding their eyes.
Jaesang exchanged a meaningful look with Min-jun. “Something happened to Valerie, right?”
Jiyoo didn’t answer immediately.
Taeyun scoffed lightly. “As long as it doesn’t cloud your judgment, I don’t care what happened.”
Min-jun stepped forward. “It does matter. Si-woo is manipulative. If he finds out Valerie is emotionally attached to you, he’ll use it against you.”
Jiyoo clenched his jaw. “I know the risk. And that’s why we strike first.”
Taeyun leaned over the map table. “Tyler won’t get far in his condition. He’ll hide at the west port warehouse. Si-woo’s men will try to escort him out of the country.”
Jiyoo traced the route with his finger. “We intercept before sunrise. Here. At the loading docks.”
Hwan frowned. “A direct attack? With what manpower?”
“We’ll combine K-East and the Narrow squad,” Jiyoo said. “They’re already mobilizing. Valerie told them what happened.”
Min-jun exhaled, rubbing the bridge of his nose. “This is escalating faster than expected.”
Jiyoo glanced up at them, finally showing a sliver of emotion. “I’m not letting Valerie get hurt again. Not because of me.”
Taeyun clicked his tongue. “Fine. But don’t die out there. Valerie will tear this entire building apart if something happens to you.”
Jiyoo finally allowed the corner of his mouth to lift. “I’m aware.”
Min-jun stepped closer, placing a firm hand on his shoulder. “Then let’s finish this.”
The digital map flickered as the team leaned in, the plan forming.
The studio, once filled with music, felt like a war room.
The hospital room was dimly lit, the only sound was the steady beeping of the heart monitor. Eugene lay on the bed with bandages wrapped tightly across his torso, IV lines attached to his arm. He winced every time he breathed — the bullet wound was still fresh and burning.
The door slid open and Bryan stepped in first, followed by Ava, Woonjae, Beom, and Luke Wong. Their expressions ranged from concern to quiet fury.
Ava spoke softly. “You’re lucky Taeyun was fast. If he didn’t shoot Tyler first, you’d have been gone.”
Eugene gave a small, strained laugh. “I’m aware.”
Bryan approached the bed, arms crossed tightly. “Why didn’t you tell us about the deal with Si-woo?”
Eugene’s face hardened instantly. “I was trying to keep Valerie safe. And all of you.”
Beom scoffed. “By marrying her? That’s the stupidest plan we’ve ever heard.”
Eugene closed his eyes for a moment, then opened them slowly. “It was the only option. Si-woo wanted a guarantee. Something that emotionally ties me to his conditions.”
Luke frowned. “A marriage? That’s not a guarantee — that’s manipulation.”
Eugene’s voice went quiet. “I know. But I thought if Valerie and I… if we acted like everything was normal, Si-woo would stay focused on me. Not on her.”
Ava stepped closer. “So you lied to her? You let her walk down that aisle without the truth?”
Eugene’s jaw tightened, pain flashing across his face — emotional and physical. “I didn’t want her to suffer.”
Bryan leaned forward, voice sharp. “She suffered anyway. Tyler exposed everything. She broke down in front of the whole church. Do you know what that did to her?”
Eugene’s eyes lowered. Guilt washed over him visibly. “I know… I know I hurt her.”
Woonjae stepped in. “But why hide it from us? We could’ve helped.”
Eugene looked at him with weak determination. “If you all knew, you would’ve tried to stop me. I couldn’t let Si-woo hurt Valerie again because of my decisions.”
A silence fell over the room.
Ava softened her tone. “Did you even love her, Eugene? Or was she just a shield?”
Eugene swallowed hard, eyes glistening. “I love her. I always have. But she was meant for someone else… Maybe Jiyoo. Maybe someone better than me.”
Bryan stared at him, stunned at the honesty. “And now?” he asked quietly.
Eugene took a slow breath. “I just want her to be safe. Even if she never forgives me.”
A long pause and Yuki placed a hand on Eugene’s shoulder lightly, careful not to touch the bandages.
“Valerie survived because Jiyoo got her out in time,” she said gently. “She’s safe… for now.”
Eugene looked away, his expression mixed between relief and heartbreak.
“Good,” he whispered. “That’s all I needed to hear.”
The squad members exchanged glances — some pitying, some frustrated — but they all understood one thing; Eugene’s choices were flawed, reckless, and painful, but they came from love twisted by desperation.
The room fell into a heavy silence as he leaned back against the pillows, exhausted from talking. The others stayed quiet for a moment, processing everything he revealed. Then he broke the silence. “Where’s Jiyoo now?”
Max looked around the group with concern. “He disappeared right after taking Valerie. No calls. No messages.”
Luke crossed his arms. “That’s not like him. Even if he’s emotional — he wouldn’t go off-grid like that.”
Beom frowned deeply. “Unless he thinks Valerie isn’t safe anywhere else.”
Woonjae nodded, thinking hard. “Jiyoo knows the layouts of the city better than anyone. If he’s hiding her, he picks a place no one can trace.”
Yuki tapped her foot anxiously. “So… what do you think happened last night? After he got her out?”
Everyone glanced at each other — no one had a real answer.
Bryan sighed sharply. “They were both in shock. Valerie just had her entire world collapse. Jiyoo saw her break down. They could’ve gone anywhere.”
Beom raised an eyebrow. “Or done anything.”
The others snapped their eyes toward him. “Beom,” Yuki warned, “don’t jump to conclusions.”
“I’m not judging,” Beom said with a shrug. “I’m saying they’ve always had a weird tension. A history. Something unresolved.”
Luke looked down thoughtfully. “And after everything blew up… they were alone together. Valerie probably needed someone to hold onto.”
Yuki frowned. “I’m worried about her mental state more than anything else. She was traumatized.”
Bryan rubbed his temples. “But Jiyoo has been gone this long? It’s suspicious.”
Woonjae added in a low tone. “What if something happened between them?”
A collective pause and Eugene tensed at those words. His fingers gripping the sheets tightly, knuckles turning white as his breath hitched, but he stayed silent, staring at the floor.
Yuki noticed immediately. “Eugene…” she began softly.
He shook his head. “Don’t,” he said quietly. “If… if she’s with him, then she’s safe.”
His voice cracked, betraying the heartbreak beneath it.
Bryan looked at Eugene with sympathy but also seriousness. “We need to find them. Si-woo’s men are still out there. Tyler’s people won’t stop. They’re both targets now.”
Luke nodded. “And if they’re together… they’re vulnerable.”
Eugene took a shaky breath and whispered: “Just find her. Please.”
Everyone exchanged determined looks.
Yuki straightened. “We will. And when we do, we’ll make sure both of them are protected.”
The hospital room had finally quieted down after everyone left. Eugene remained sitting up in his bed, staring at the door long after it closed.
The monitors beeped steadily beside him, but his mind wasn’t steady at all. He clenched the blanket with one hand, breathing unevenly.
Eugene pressed his hand against his forehead, groaning softly with his voice cracked in his mind. “I was supposed to marry her… because of a deal.” He shut his eyes. “And he… he got to hold her when I couldn’t.”
His throat tightened painfully. A silent tear fell, unnoticed. “What if I already lost her…?”
He inhaled sharply, forcing the emotion down, but the hurt stayed lodged deep inside. His jealousy wasn’t loud — it was quiet, suffocating, a wound he couldn’t stop touching.
Meanwhile, Si-woo’s assistant rushed back into the room, this time more frantic than before, clutching a tablet close to his chest.
“C–Chairman… we found something.”
Si-woo raised a brow, unimpressed but listening. “Speak.”
The assistant swallowed and held out the tablet. “Security traffic footage from the hills near the church was recovered. The CCTV system glitched because of the explosions, but a few frames were restored.”
Si-woo’s eyes narrowed as he snatched the tablet. “What frames?”
The assistant pointed at the screen. “Right there… the motorcycle.”
On the grainy video, a black motorcycle sped down the mountain road. The rider wore a helmet. Behind him, a woman clung tightly to his waist—white wedding dress unmistakable even in the poor resolution.
A trail of dust followed them as they vanished down the hill. Si-woo’s grip tightened on the tablet.
“That’s Valerie,” he said coldly.
The assistant nodded. “And the one driving her… we believe it’s someone within K-East.”
Si-woo slowly turned his head toward him. “K-East?”
The word was a hiss.
The assistant nodded again, shrinking back. “Yes, sir. Based on the body build, height, and the timing of his disappearance from the building… it matches one member exactly.”
Si-woo leaned forward slightly. “Who?”
The assistant whispered like he was afraid the walls would hear:
“Jiyoo, sir.”
For a moment, Si-woo froze—not from fear, but from shock. Then he laughed.
A quiet, humorless chuckle that grew darker as he processed the betrayal. “Jiyoo?”9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdW5lV0omVX
He repeated the name like it tasted bitter. “That quiet mouse? That obedient, soft-spoken boy?”
He slammed the tablet down onto the desk. “And he thinks he can steal from me?”
The assistant flinched. “Sir, it appears Jiyoo is not as obedient as we thought. He—”
Si-woo cut him off sharply. “He saved her. He risked everything to take her away from my control.” He paused, jaw tightening. “That means he is more dangerous than Eugene.” He walked in circles around his office, processing the revelation. “So Jiyoo…” He tapped a finger against his chin. “…has feelings for her.” He stopped walking. “…or she has feelings for him.” His eyes darkened. “Either way, it means Valerie is no longer isolated. She has protection. She has someone willing to fight for her.” He exhaled through his nose, eyes full of cold rage. “And that ruins everything, but no matter… I will be the one to speak to him myself. That is if he is willing enough to…”
The assistant gulped nervously and asked him curiously. “What do you mean, sir?”
Si-woo smirked faintly. “Simple.” He stepped closer, lowering his voice so it chilled the room. “Bring him to me alive.” He paused. “And if Valerie is with him…” His eyes narrowed. “…bring her back unharmed. She’s far too valuable.”
The assistant nodded rapidly. “Yes, Chairman!”
Si-woo waved them away. “Go.”
The henchmen rushed out, leaving Si-woo alone.
He stared at the frozen CCTV frame on the tablet where Jiyoo was driving the motorcycle while Valerie was holding onto him.
His voice lowered to a whisper. “You think you can take what’s mine, Jiyoo?” He continued to smirk dauntingly. “We’ll see.”9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsK1Y0uzehT
and then Add to home screen.