Chapter 25: Fractured Loyalties

The safehouse was tense as the team regrouped after their narrow escape from the shipping yard. The hum of the van's engine had barely died down when Seojin stormed to the table, throwing her bag down with more force than necessary. She pulled out the files and spread them across the table, her hands trembling as she sifted through the damning evidence.

Her father's face stared back at her from the photographs, the documents painting a picture of a man deeply involved with the Phoenix. The weight of the revelations pressed heavily on her chest, but her mind refused to accept them.

"You're bleeding," she said, noticing Jiwon clutching his arm as he leaned against the wall.

"It's just a graze," Jiwon replied, wincing as he sat down. "Let's focus on what matters."

"What matters?" Seojin snapped, her voice sharper than she intended. "What matters is that my father—my *dead* father—was working with the Phoenix! What else don't I know?"

---

Kyungmin stepped in, his tone measured. "Seojin, we don't know the full story yet. There could be an explanation."

"What explanation?" Seojin shot back, pacing the room. "These aren't just random files, Kyungmin. They're contracts. Photos. His name is everywhere."

Dojin spoke up from his workstation, his eyes never leaving the screen as he worked to decrypt additional files. "It's possible he was coerced. Or maybe he was trying to take them down from the inside."

"Or maybe he wasn't the man you thought he was," Jiwon said bluntly, drawing a glare from Seojin.

"Enough," Seojin said, her voice low but firm. She turned back to the files, her resolve hardening. "I'm going to find out the truth. And if he was involved in this… I'll deal with it."

---

Dojin interrupted the tense silence. "I've got something."

Everyone gathered around as he pulled up a decrypted file. The screen displayed a series of shipment logs, each one detailing the movement of *Inferno* prototypes to various locations across South Korea. One shipment, in particular, was marked as "high-priority."

"This one," Dojin said, pointing to the screen. "It's being transported to a facility in Gwangju. It's scheduled to arrive in three days."

"What's the facility?" Jiwon asked.

"Looks like a research lab," Dojin replied. "But it's heavily secured. Getting in won't be easy."

Seojin's eyes narrowed. "We're not letting this shipment disappear. If *Inferno* is as dangerous as we think, this could be our chance to stop it—and uncover more about my father's connection."

---

As they planned their next move, the tension among the team became palpable. Jiwon's injury and Seojin's emotional turmoil weighed heavily on everyone, fraying the bonds that held them together.

"I still think you're too close to this," Jiwon said, his voice calm but firm. "We're not here to settle personal scores. We're here to stop the Phoenix."

Seojin turned to him, her eyes blazing. "This isn't about revenge. It's about answers. If my father was involved, then this entire operation is more personal than you realize."

"Then you need to make sure your emotions don't cloud your judgment," Jiwon replied.

Kyungmin stepped between them. "Enough, both of you. We don't have time for this. We need to focus on the mission."

Dojin, sensing the rising tension, spoke up. "I can work on tracing more files while you're in Gwangju. Maybe I'll find something that clears up the mess about your father."

Seojin nodded curtly. "Good. Let's stick to the plan."

---

Later that night, Seojin sat alone in the dimly lit safehouse, the documents spread out before her. She picked up one of the photographs, staring at her father's face. He looked younger in the image, his stern features softened by a faint smile. He stood beside Kang Hwan, their body language suggesting camaraderie.

"This can't be who you were," she whispered. "What were you doing?"

Her thoughts drifted to her childhood, to the memories of her father teaching her how to stand up for what was right. He had always been her moral compass, the person she looked up to. The idea that he could have been involved in something so dark was unbearable.

"Seojin," Kyungmin's voice interrupted her thoughts.

She looked up, her expression guarded. "What is it?"

"I just wanted to check on you," he said, sitting down across from her. "This isn't easy for any of us, but I know it's hardest on you."

"I don't need your pity," she said, though her voice lacked the usual bite.

"It's not pity," Kyungmin said gently. "It's understanding. You're not in this alone."

Seojin nodded slowly, her defenses softening. "Thanks."

---

**End of Chapter 25**