(The next day)
Taewon sat in his office, flipping through the final pages of a thick file Taehyun had just handed him.
"It's done," Taehyun said.
Without looking up, Taewon asked,
"Did you find a way to Kamal?"
"Yes," Taehyun replied.
"So, there's a chance this project will be successful?"
"For sure. He's currently reviewing it," Taehyun said.
"His father is sick, I spoke with him but he was asking for"
Taewon finally looked up. "For what?"
"We'll have to pay him. He's going against his father, and while he's willing to do it for us as a friend, it still needs to be worth his risk."
"How much?"
Taewon's tone stayed flat.
"Fifty billion won."
Taewon's brows knit.
"That's a huge amount."
"I know," Taehyun said without flinching.
"I already made the deal
half now, half after."
Leaning back in his chair, Taewon considered it for a moment before nodding. "Alright."
Taehyun smirked.
"Oh, and about Mina
I found something interesting."
"What?"
Taewon asked, his tone cooling.
"She was involved with Li Meilin," Taehyun said.
"A female Alpha celebrity in China. When her company found out, they called it a rumor, deleted every clip though it was real. After that, Mina decided to come back."
Taewon hummed, closing the file.
"Alright. I'll be meeting her in a few days."
Taehyun tilted his head with a teasing glint. "Why? Looking for your chance?"
"Shut up,"
Taewon replied, not amused.
The office door opened. Jisoo stepped in. "Sir, Jihyun's friend Soobin is here."
"Let him in."
Soobin entered, offering a polite greeting before sitting next to Taehyun.
"Mr. Jin said you wanted to meet me?"
"Yes," Taewon said.
"It's about Jihyun."
Soobin's expression tightened.
"Is he okay?"
"He's fine. But I feel like he's hiding something. I heard you're closer to him than the others."
"I haven't met him for a week,"
Soobin said.
"He's angry with me and won't talk to me."
"What happened?"Taewon asked,
"It was the day you suddenly disappeared," Soobin explained.
"We met, and he told me about your arrangement. He kept bringing up Mina. I told him not to meet or talk with her, but he misunderstood said I was taking your side, looking down on him because he's an Omega. Then he walked out. I tried calling, but he refused to meet any of us."
Taewon's gaze hardened.
"Alright."
Beside Soobin, Taehyun's eyes were fixed on him with that unreadable, almost challenging stare.
"You're lying right?"
Taehyun asked casually.
"No, I'm not" Soobin replied evenly.
"Oh, but you look like"
Taehyun remarked.
Soobin's lips twitched.
Taehyun leaned forward slightly,
but Taewon cut in.
"Stop it."
With a shrug, Taehyun sat back.
"Alright, alright."
Taewon looked back to Soobin.
"Can you Tell me clearly about Jihyun and Mina? What happened back then in your high school?"
Soobin drew in a breath.
"Jihyun liked her since high school. She ignored him because he was an Omega, but she was his first crush. He never got serious about anyone else. Mina used him, made him spend money like water.
After she debuted, she kept pushing him away, insulting him, but he thought she was just stressed. Then one day he proposed
she rejected him badly, called him clingy and spoiled. A few days later, she left Korea to work as an idol in China. That was enough for him to give up on school.
He tried auditioning for entertainment companies for a year, but he couldn't dance or sing well, so he was eliminated every time. Eventually, he gave up completely
started living in clubs, spending money with friends.
We all went abroad on scholarships, but he stayed here. We don't know what happened in those three years. And now Mina's back. That's all we know."
Taewon nodded.
"Alright. and Don't worry I won't be sharing this with Jihyun."
Before Soobin could reply, Jisoo returned. "Sir, the meeting will start in five minutes."
Taewon stood, adjusting his jacket.
"Thank you. Soobin, we'll meet next time for sure."
"Sure," Soobin replied, standing as well.
As Taewon left, Taehyun remained seated, eyes still on Soobin.
Soobin slung his bag over his shoulder, then frowned.
"Why are you looking at me like that? Since I came in, it's been constant. Or are you mistaking me for your lover or ex?"
Taehyun smirked.
"No. You just kinda look like my mom. you remind me of her."
Soobin's eyes narrowed.
" Mister. And do you think we're close enough for you to talk like that?"
"Not yet,"
Taehyun said smoothly.
"But we could be. Sit down."
"Do I look like someone who'd sit next to an overconfident person like you?"
Soobin shot back.
"Come on, keep me company until Taewon's done. Don't miss your chance
you'll regret not sitting next to an S-class Alpha like me."
Soobin let out a sharp laugh.
"Wow, keep dreaming, Where do you even get this confidence?"
"Natural,"
Taehyun grinned.
Rolling his eyes, Soobin walked away.
Taehyun leaned back, a small smile tugging at his lips.
"Not my type"
(A few days later)
The house was quiet.
Around evening, Taewon sat in the lounge, laptop open, working steadily. Every so often, he scooped a spoonful of chilled fruit cocktail from the bowl beside him.
The main door clicked open.
He looked up just in time to see Jihyun step in, bag in hand, lips set in a pout. Without a single word, Jihyun walked past him and up the stairs, disappearing into his room without a glance.
Taewon's phone buzzed
Minjoon's name appeared.
"Hello?"
"Oh, hello, Taewon. Jihyun is missing
He left an hour ago after an argument with Mom, and we don't know where"
"He's back home," Taewon cut in.
"Huh?"
"He's back," Taewon repeated, glancing toward the stairs.
"Oh, thank God," Minjoon exhaled.
"Alright, thanks, Taewon."
"Bye. Take care."
"Bye."