POV: Ahn Min-jae
The night was eerily quiet as Min-jae leaned against the balcony of his penthouse, staring at the city lights. Everything had fallen into place—Seo-jin was reinstated as the rightful heir, Ahn Corporation was secure, and Hyun-sik was behind bars.
But something didn't sit right.
"You're thinking too much," Ha-neul's voice cut through the silence.
Min-jae turned to see her standing in the doorway, arms crossed.
"Old habits die hard," he murmured.
She stepped closer, slipping her arms around his waist. "You should be celebrating, not brooding."
Min-jae sighed, resting his chin atop her head. "It just feels too easy. Hyun-sik went down without a fight. That's not like him."
Ha-neul pulled back slightly, meeting his gaze. "You think he has something planned?"
Min-jae's jaw tightened. "I don't know. But I'm not letting my guard down."
Before Ha-neul could respond, Min-jae's phone buzzed. He pulled it out and saw Seo-jin's name on the screen.
Seo-jin: Meet me at the company. Now.
Min-jae frowned. "Something's wrong."
---
Ahn Corporation – Late Night Meeting
POV: Seo-jin
The boardroom was empty except for Seo-jin, who was pacing near the windows when Min-jae arrived.
"What's going on?" Min-jae asked, shutting the door behind him.
Seo-jin's face was tense. "I got a message from an anonymous number." He handed his phone to Min-jae.
Min-jae read the text:
"The fight isn't over. The real battle begins now. Meet me at the old warehouse if you want the truth."
Min-jae's grip on the phone tightened. "This has to be Hyun-sik."
Seo-jin nodded. "But why now? He's in custody."
Min-jae thought for a moment. "Unless someone else is working with him."
Seo-jin's expression darkened. "Then we have to end this once and for all."
Min-jae glanced at the clock. Midnight. The meeting place was an old abandoned warehouse at the outskirts of the city.
It felt like a trap.
But they had no choice.
"Let's go," Min-jae said.
---
The Warehouse – The Final Confrontation
POV: Ahn Min-jae
The warehouse smelled of rust and decay, the flickering overhead light casting eerie shadows.
Min-jae and Seo-jin stepped inside cautiously.
Then, a slow clap echoed through the space.
They turned to see a man sitting casually on a crate, dressed in a sharp suit. He looked familiar—too familiar.
Seo-jin's breath hitched. "No... it can't be."
Min-jae's eyes narrowed. "Jung Woo-sung."
Ahn Corporation's former CFO. A man who had disappeared months ago after being accused of embezzlement.
Woo-sung smirked. "Miss me?"
Seo-jin clenched his fists. "You're behind this?"
Woo-sung stood up, dusting off his suit. "Oh no, I was just the cleanup crew. The real mastermind? He's a bit... unavailable at the moment."
Min-jae's stomach twisted. "Hyun-sik."
Woo-sung's smirk deepened. "He may be locked up, but his plans are still very much in motion."
Seo-jin took a step forward. "What do you want?"
Woo-sung shrugged. "Simple. Everything. Hyun-sik might have lost, but I'm not done yet. Ahn Corporation belongs to the one who's strong enough to take it."
Min-jae rolled his shoulders. "Then you're about to be very disappointed."
Woo-sung chuckled. "You always were confident, Min-jae. But confidence won't save you this time."
Min-jae took a step forward, his voice deadly calm. "I suggest you walk away while you still can."
Woo-sung smirked. "I was hoping you'd say that."
With a snap of his fingers, the doors burst open. Armed men flooded in, surrounding them.
Min-jae's muscles tensed. A trap.
Seo-jin's voice was low. "This doesn't look good."
Min-jae smirked. "Oh, I don't know about that."
A loud bang echoed through the warehouse as the doors behind them slammed open again.
Ha-neul walked in, flanked by a group of security officers.
She smirked at Min-jae. "You didn't think I'd let you have all the fun, did you?"
Woo-sung's smirk faded as he realized he was now the one surrounded.
Min-jae crossed his arms. "Looks like you made a miscalculation."
Woo-sung's face twisted in rage. "You think this is over?"
Seo-jin stepped forward. "No. But you are."
With a signal from Ha-neul, the security team moved in, disarming Woo-sung's men within seconds.
Min-jae grabbed Woo-sung by the collar. "Your little game ends here."
Woo-sung sneered. "Enjoy your victory while it lasts."
Min-jae's grip tightened. "I intend to."
As Woo-sung was dragged away, Seo-jin let out a deep breath. "It's finally over."
Min-jae nodded. "Yeah. It is."
Ha-neul stepped beside him. "So, how about that celebration now?"
Min-jae chuckled, wrapping an arm around her. "I think we've earned it."
---