The Next Morning…..
Security was tripled—black-suited guards at every door, cameras blinking red in the hallways like they were watching Kang-woo personally. Ji-woon hadn't slept. Kang-woo could tell by the dark circles under his eyes and the way he kept one hand on the small of Kang-woo's back the entire time they moved through the house, like letting go would mean losing him.
Min-jae showed up at breakfast with a bandage on his cheek and a smirk that didn't reach his eyes. "Some crazy fan, probably. Happens to directors all the time."
"Fan with a black sedan and no plates?" Kang-woo muttered into his coffee. "Real original."
Ji-woon's fingers tightened on his waist. "Enough."
The merger vote was in six hours. The Japanese investors were already spooked, the board was circling like vultures, and someone had leaked the assassination attempt to the press before the sun came up. Headlines screamed "Kwon Group Heir Targeted in Gang-Style Hit." Perfect timing to make Ji-woon look weak.
Kang-woo followed Ji-woon into the underground garage after breakfast, Yoon-ah trailing behind with a tablet full of fresh evidence. The flash drive had given them more: Min-jae's private email account linked to the shell company. Small leaks at first, then bigger ones. Enough to tank the deal and leave Ji-woon holding the blame.
"He's been planning this for months," Kang-woo said, voice low. "Street play. Weaken the boss, make yourself look like the only safe option. Classic."
Ji-woon stopped beside the armored black SUV, turning to face him. "You keep talking like you've done this before."
Kang-woo met his eyes. "Maybe I have. In another life."
For a second Ji-woon looked like he wanted to push, to drag the truth out with teeth and hands. Instead he opened the passenger door. "You're riding with me. No arguments."
They peeled out of the garage with two escort cars behind them. The city blurred past—glass towers, Han River glinting under gray skies. Kang-woo's phone buzzed in his pocket. Unknown number. He answered anyway.
A voice he hadn't heard in this body but knew in his bones crackled through. Tae-sik. The low-level thug from the gala.
"Mad Dog. Or should I say princess now? Moon Ho-cheol got my message. He's not happy you're playing house with the Kwons. Says you owe him for the last collection. Ten million or he burns you himself."
Kang-woo's grip tightened on the phone. "Tell him I'm dead."
"You're not. And I saw you handle business in that pretty suit. Real nice moves. Moon's sending someone to the vote. Make sure the merger dies or they'll make sure you do."
The line went dead.
Kang-woo stared at the screen, pulse hammering.
Ji-woon glanced over. "Who was that?"
"Wrong number," Kang-woo lied, but his voice cracked.
The first escort car exploded behind them.
Metal screamed. Glass shattered. The SUV swerved hard as the driver cursed and floored it. Kang-woo twisted in the seat and saw the second escort car already burning, flames licking the sky. A black motorcycle cut through traffic ahead, rider in full helmet, something glinting in his hand.
"Gun!" Kang-woo barked, old instincts taking over. He grabbed Ji-woon and yanked him down just as bullets punched through the rear window, spiderwebbing the bulletproof glass.
Ji-woon's arm locked around him, shielding him with his body like it was automatic. "Drive faster," he ordered the driver, voice ice-cold.
The SUV fishtailed onto the riverside highway. Horns blared. The motorcycle stayed glued to their tail, rider firing again—pop pop pop—bullets pinging off the armored sides. Kang-woo's heart slammed against his ribs. This wasn't some rich-boy game anymore. This was his old life crashing headfirst into the golden cage.
"Take the next exit," he snapped at the driver. "Cut through the underpass. They can't follow on a bike if we lose them in the tunnels."
Ji-woon's eyes flicked to him, surprise flashing for half a second before he nodded. "Do it."
The driver swerved hard. The motorcycle tried to follow, but the underpass narrowed and the bike had to slow. Kang-woo caught a glimpse of the rider's helmet in the side mirror—cheap, scratched, exactly the kind his old crew used.
They burst out the other side and the motorcycle was gone.
Silence filled the SUV except for the engine and Kang-woo's ragged breathing.
Ji-woon pulled him upright, hands checking for injuries, eyes wild in a way Kang-woo had never seen. "You're bleeding."
Just a cut on his forehead from flying glass. Kang-woo wiped it away with his sleeve. "I'm fine. But that wasn't random. That was targeted. At both of us."
Ji-woon's thumb brushed the blood off his temple, then lingered on the claiming bite under his collar. "Whoever sent them knows too much."
The SUV sped toward the Kwon headquarters, city lights streaking past like warnings.
Kang-woo leaned his head back against the seat, heart still racing.
Old enemies weren't just surfacing anymore.
They were driving straight at him with guns out.
And this time the golden cage might not be strong enough to keep them outside.