The Storm Breaks

The penthouse air was heavy, oppressive. Seo-yeon leaned against the chilled glass of the window, her breathing uneven as she observed the men moving below. They were not ordinary men. Their actions were too calculated, their appearance too intentional.

She recognized what this signified.

Hyun-soo had acted.

Her phone still gripped tightly in her hand, Hyun-soo's final words ringing through her thoughts.

"You think Joon-woo can protect you?"

She swallowed hard. He hadn't been angry. If anything, there'd been something close to regret in his tone.

As if he already knew how it would turn out.

A sharp knock at the door made her jump.

"Seo-yeon."

Joon-woo's voice was smooth, controlled. Too controlled.

She moved away from the window, pausing for only a moment before unlocking the door.