CHAPTER FOUR: Witness to Death
The serene beauty of the company's residential area stretched before Haera like a dream. The buildings, laced with fine architectural designs, shimmered under the soft rays of the setting sun. Neatly trimmed hedges bordered the winding pathways, and the scent of freshly bloomed flowers floated on the breeze. For a moment, she forgot about the worries that had plagued her since her arrival at the company.
Enchanted, she strolled deeper into the estate, drawn by the elegance of her surroundings. Every corner seemed to promise peace. Her heart felt lighter. But unknowingly, with each step, she had crossed the invisible line separating her company's residence from another estate entirely.
By the time she noticed the sky darkening, she paused and glanced around—her smile faltered. Nothing looked familiar.
Wait... where am I? she thought, turning in slow circles. The once-beautiful surroundings now felt eerily quiet. Dread crept into her bones.
She turned back the way she had come—or what she thought was the way back—but the more she walked, the more unfamiliar everything became. Her surroundings seemed to shift. The trees looked taller, the paths narrower. Panic began to swirl in her chest.
Frantically, she reached for her phone to call her bodyguard. Dead. The screen stayed black no matter how many times she pressed the power button.
"No... No, no, no... not now," she whispered, shaking it.
Haera looked around again, her hands trembling. "Maybe I'll meet someone who can help me," she said to herself, trying to calm the wave of fear that was rising.
But as she walked on, she found no one. Not a soul. The beautiful estate now felt abandoned — like a trap disguised as paradise.
As she pressed on, unsure of where to go, she noticed a massive structure ahead — a half-built mansion surrounded by construction equipment and stacks of cement blocks. She remembered someone mentioning this building before. Isn't this part of the estate owned by the richest man in the country?
She hesitated. Then, hearing muffled voices from inside the structure, her heart leapt with hope.
People! Maybe I can ask for help.
Haera hurried into the unfinished building, expecting to find workers or guards.
But what she saw stole the breath from her lungs.
There, in the middle of the hollowed-out hall, lay a man — lifeless, bathed in a pool of his own blood. His face was twisted in agony, eyes frozen in terror.
She gasped but clamped her hand over her mouth, her body going rigid. Her legs threatened to give out beneath her.
Before she could scream or run, she heard footsteps — multiple pairs — approaching from the adjoining room.
Haera darted behind a thick pillar, crouching low, struggling to calm her pounding heart.
From her hiding spot, she watched as a group of men entered the space. Each wore an identical silk black suit and a black mask that covered half their face. Their movements were swift and cold — professional. But one man among them stood out.
Taller than the rest. His body strong and commanding. His mask bore intricate golden designs, making him appear more regal... and far more terrifying.
Their leader.
Haera's breath caught as she watched him stride to the dead man's body, glance down with disinterest, and then turn to address the others.
> "The next target will be at the International Tycoons Conference next week," he said, his voice low and calculated. "We strike then. No mistakes."
The words hit Haera like ice water. The Tycoons Conference...? That's the same event I was invited to. Her eyes widened in horror.
Who are they planning to kill?
Then she remembered — this residence belonged to the richest man in the country. It made sense now. These men weren't just killers. They were enemies trying to frame him by murdering someone and leaving the body on his land.
They're going to make him look guilty.
She clenched her fists. I have to report this! I can't let them do this to him. He could be the next victim!
But just as she began to turn and sneak away, her foot caught on something hard — a pile of rusted iron rods. They clanged together noisily, the sharp metallic sound echoing through the hollow building like a death bell.
The gangsters froze. Then — chaos.
> "Who's there?!" one shouted, drawing his weapon.
Haera didn't wait. She ran.
Her legs moved faster than they ever had. She didn't look back. The sound of footsteps thundered behind her. Shouts and curses filled the air as the gang chased her down.
But unlike them, the leader did not rush. He calmly slid his gun back into his trousers and took another exit. His posture was composed, but the aura he carried was sharp — like a blade drawn in silence.
His golden mask glinted as he scanned the shadows, his eyes hunting.
Meanwhile, Haera, desperate to hide, spotted a large trash can near a cluster of tools. Without thinking, she lifted the lid and jumped inside, trying to calm her ragged breathing. The stench made her gag, but she forced herself to remain still.
Moments later, the gang members ran past her hiding place, unaware of her presence.
Everything went quiet.
Haera counted slowly in her head. One... two... ten seconds...
Then she carefully lifted the lid and stepped out, ready to run again.
But as soon as her feet touched the ground — a figure blocked her path.
She looked up.
The man in the gold-marked mask towered above her, his arms folded, watching her with sharp, unreadable eyes.
> "Where do you think you're going, young lady?" he said smoothly.
His voice was calm — too calm — and it terrified her more than any shout could.
Haera stumbled backward, trembling.
"Y-You stay away from me!" she cried. "I-I know what you're planning! I saw you kill that man! I'm going to tell the police, and I'll — I'll tell them everything! You're trying to frame the richest man in the country!"
She took another step back, heart hammering. "Don't come any closer or I'll scream! I'll—!"
But then she remembered... there was no one around.
The gang leader tilted his head slightly, clearly amused by her outburst. Then he slowly pulled out his gun and pointed it at her.
> "I'll give you a chance," he said coldly, "to say your last prayer."
Haera gasped, tears filling her eyes. Her knees buckled.
"P-Please... don't kill me. I won't say a word. I promise. Just… let me go," she sobbed.
He paused.
Then, to her surprise, he slowly lowered the gun.
Before she could react, his hand struck the side of her head — and darkness consumed her.
---
She woke up moments later in his arms, limp and unconscious.
> "Get the car," he ordered one of his men.
"Yes, Boss," the man replied and disappeared.
A few minutes later, the car arrived. The leader carried Haera to the back seat with unexpected care and laid her down gently. He then stepped into the passenger seat beside the driver.
> "Drive," he commanded.
The engine roared to life.
The car pulled away from the half-finished building, disappearing into the night — with Haera inside it.
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💥 End-of-Chapter Hook:
> What does this mysterious gang leader want with Haera?
Is she just a witness… or something more in his plan?
💬 Drop your guesses in the comments!
💖 Don't forget to VOTE if you're hooked — and add to your library to see what happens next!