Shadows of Suspicion

Sofia exited the café with practiced precision, her every movement exuding an air of confidence. The sun gleamed against her tailored black blazer as her sharp heels clicked against the pavement. She paused momentarily, her sharp eyes scanning the surroundings. Nothing seemed amiss, but that didn't mean there wasn't more beneath the surface.

Reaching the sleek black car parked nearby, Sofia retrieved her phone from her bag and slid into the back seat. The door closed with a solid thud, sealing her in the quiet interior as she tapped Viktor's number on speed dial. The line connected after a single ring, and his low, gravelly voice cut through the silence.

"Report."

Her tone was calm, professional. "The café is clear. Nothing suspicious to report on the surface. If they're hiding something, they're doing an excellent job. Wonwoo was there."

There was a pause, just long enough for her to feel the weight of his calculated thoughts on the other end of the line. "Wonwoo?" Viktor repeated, his voice laced with an undercurrent of suspicion.

"Yes," Sofia affirmed. She adjusted the hem of her skirt, her voice steady despite the subtle tension in her shoulders. "He was seated casually, observing the place. Ordered an americano, no theatrics, but his presence is telling. He wants us to think Jeonghan is here."

The pause this time was longer, heavier. Viktor's voice came through cold and deliberate. "And what do you think?"

Sofia hesitated for the briefest moment, careful to choose her words. "If Wonwoo is monitoring the café himself, it's unlikely to be a decoy. Either Jeonghan is here, or someone close to him is."

A deep hum resonated through the phone, almost like a growl. Viktor was thinking, calculating. "Come back," he said at last. "We'll discuss this further."

"Yes, boss," Sofia replied, ending the call. Dropping the phone back into her bag, she caught a glimpse of her own reflection in the rearview mirror. For a fleeting moment, her composed exterior faltered, but she quickly straightened, her face hardening again.

"Drive," she instructed the chauffeur, leaning back in her seat. The car pulled away from the curb, leaving the café and its secrets behind.

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In his dimly lit office, Viktor sat behind a massive oak desk, the room heavy with the scent of cigars and leather. His fingers tapped against the polished wood as he processed Sofia's report.

"Wonwoo..." he muttered under his breath, his expression tightening. A man like Wonwoo didn't move without purpose. If he was out in the open, it wasn't without a reason. It was either a calculated bait or a deliberate show of control.

Viktor leaned back in his chair, the shadows of the room casting long streaks across his face. "Jeonghan," he said, almost as if testing the name on his tongue. It came out more like a curse.

"You're slipping, S.Coups," Viktor said with a faint sneer, his mind turning over every possibility. If Jeonghan was nearby, it would explain Wonwoo's presence. But if he wasn't, then this was a game—one he wasn't willing to lose.

Reaching for his phone, Viktor dialed another number. The response on the other end was immediate.

"Keep the team on high alert," Viktor commanded, his voice leaving no room for argument. "Double the surveillance around the café and flower shop. I want every shadow, every breath accounted for. If Jeonghan is there, I want him."

"Yes, sir," came the curt reply before the line went dead.

Viktor leaned forward, steepling his fingers as a sinister smile tugged at his lips. "Let's see how far you'll go to protect him," he murmured.

The office grew quiet again, save for the rhythmic tapping of Viktor's fingers on the desk, the sound echoing like the ticking of a clock.

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The penthouse was quiet, save for the faint hum of the city outside. S.Coups stood by the window, hands tucked into his pockets, the dim light casting sharp shadows across his face. Behind him, Daniel lingered near the door, his presence steady but unwelcome.

"You know I'm right," Daniel said evenly, his tone as cold as the air between them. "This obsession of yours will be your downfall."

S.Coups didn't turn, his gaze fixed on the skyline. "I don't need your opinions. Do your job, and stay out of my personal life."

Daniel's lips twitched into a humorless smile. "Personal life? You mean the florist you've caged upstairs? How long do you think this will last before it breaks apart—him, you, or both?"

S.Coups's hands tightened in his pockets, but his voice remained calm, detached. "That's not your concern."

A tense silence filled the space before Daniel moved toward the door, his steps deliberate. "You can ignore me, Seungcheol, but you can't ignore the truth. Don't let your feelings blind you."

S.Coups turned slightly, his expression blank, his voice colder than steel. "Goodbye, Daniel."

Daniel paused at the door, casting one last glance back at the man he had worked beside for years. The weight of unspoken words hung in the air before he gave a curt nod. "Goodbye."

The door clicked shut behind him, leaving S.Coups alone in the vast emptiness of the penthouse. He exhaled slowly, the coldness of the moment sinking deeper into the room, matching the icy calm in his chest.

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Time skip to night 

 Obsidian Mansion (svt mansion)

The room carried a quiet tension as the group gathered, each member's demeanor adding a distinct layer to the atmosphere. The warm glow of the chandelier softened the sharp edges of the living room's minimalistic design, but it couldn't mask the underlying unease. Jeonghan stood silently near Dino, his posture subdued, his presence delicate and cautious—a stark contrast to the imposing figures around him.

The introduction began with Dino's bright energy cutting through the heaviness like sunlight piercing a clouded sky. "I'm Dino, youngest of the group!" he chirped, his grin wide and unrestrained. His excitement seemed to defy the room's mood, his voice a touch of warmth in an otherwise cold gathering.

Next came Vernon, his relaxed stance belying the sharpness in his voice. "Vernon, sniper," he said simply, his words as precise as his craft. His eyes flicked briefly to Jeonghan, unreadable, before he stepped back.

Wonwoo followed, his sharp gaze lingering on Jeonghan for a moment too long. "Wonwoo. Strategist," he said curtly, his tone devoid of warmth. He returned to his place with an air of quiet dominance, his presence heavy despite his silence.

"Jun," the name fell from his lips with a practiced neutrality, as if introductions were mere formalities. He didn't linger, retreating without much acknowledgment.

"Hoshi," came next, his voice low but steady. His expression was unreadable, a faint edge of curiosity hidden behind his composed demeanor.

Throughout it all, Jeonghan remained a silent observer. His bowed head and tight, polite smiles revealed little, though they hinted at an inner unease. He acknowledged each name with a small bow, his hands clasped in front of him as if anchoring himself. Despite the attempts to appear calm, there was no hiding the guarded tension in his stance.

S.Coups stood off to the side, his arms crossed, observing the process with a detached air. His authority was unspoken but palpable, his gaze sharp and unwavering. When the last name had been spoken, he ended the introductions with a clipped, "That's it. Everyone's dismissed for now. Jeonghan, come with me."

The room didn't hesitate to disperse. Dino gave Jeonghan a small smile of encouragement, but Jeonghan didn't meet his eyes. Instead, he stepped closer to S.Coups, following as the man guided him toward the stairs with a firm hand at the small of his back.

As they ascended, the murmurs of the remaining group faded behind them. S.Coups' words were simple, direct. "Dinner will be served in your room." His voice, though not harsh, left no room for question.

The house itself seemed to echo the dynamic, ornate but cold, its grandeur marred by an absence of warmth. The faint sound of Jeonghan's steps against the hardwood felt hesitant, as though he were stepping into a world he still couldn't comprehend. The looming presence of S.Coups beside him offered little solace, but perhaps, in some small way, it was enough to ground him in the moment.

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