I Fell For My Contract Partner

Chapter 5.2 Sean POV : I become The Target

I stared in disbelief, looking at the chaos that had happened an hour ago in the restaurant. Everything was a mess.

Tables and chairs were overturned, but the cashier area had taken the worst damage. The register was smashed, and the computer monitor was completely destroyed. Not only that, all the tableware had been broken and was now scattered across the floor like useless debris.

A sharp cracking sound came from the broken porcelain under my step as I moved forward slowly, scanning the scene. My coworkers stood in silence, still frozen in shock.

I stopped walking.

"Is everyone okay? What happened?" My voice broke the silence, making them flinch at my question.

They were looking at each other before answering it, then Dania, the waitress, took a small step and said, “There’s a group of men who came here this morning in a black car… They stormed inside and yelled Mr. Andrew’s name and yours, saying both of you were liars…”

Everyone’s face was so tense, it made my heart feel uneasy. I swallowed hard once I realized this wasn’t a random act. Those people were targeting me and Mr. Andrew—but who…?

I don’t think I had enemies before, or anything connected with Mr. Andrew. Weird… or maybe…

I snapped, remembering something. “Where’s Mr. Andrew?” I shouted a little. Could it be, this was James who’s doing this? He’s the only person who is tied between me and Sir Andrew.

James… he had a reason for doing all of this. Maybe he got dissatisfied because I rejected him at the Marion Hotel last night?

“He is being taken to the clinic. Those people hit him hard…”

My eyes widened in horror after hearing it from Nael. This was a serious matter…

“We have to report this to the police and give them the CCTV footage,” I suggested with a plan.

No response. All of them just stood there, lowering their gaze without any words escaping from their lips.

What is going on??

“They broke the CCTV. Besides… Sir Andrew asked us not to report anything. He was afraid things would get more complicated…”

I felt something cold crawl up my spine. James wasn’t just a powerful man—he was the kind of power that didn’t need to raise his voice to bury someone alive. Challenging him was the same as asking for death.

“Dammit…” I grunted, clenching my fist as my chest burned with frustration.

"Sean, we need to talk..."

Out of sudden, Daniel stepped forward stepped forward, his expression sharper than I’d ever seen it. I wondered what he was going to say.

“What is it?” I asked once we were out of the place.

Daniel didn’t answer me at first. His eyes kept scanning around, as if making sure no one was following us. Then, slowly, his gaze turned back toward me—sharp, unreadable.

“Answer me,” he said. “Did Andrew introduce you to James Winston? What did you do with him then? Did you sleep with him and run off with his money?”

The questions came out in a single breath, fast and cutting. It made my head spin.

“What? How did y—”

“I know about him,” Daniel cut in. “He’s… kind of famous around the boys on campus. Don’t you know that?” His brows furrowed tightly, like he couldn’t believe I didn’t.

I shook my head, innocently. Of course I didn’t know. I didn’t have time for that. I was too busy trying to survive my own life.

“So?” Daniel leaned closer, lowering his voice into a sharp whisper.

“I didn’t do anything with him,” I snapped. “I didn’t even take his money. I already decided to cancel everything… so what made him so mad?” I crossed my arms, frustration tightening in my chest.

It still didn’t make sense.

Daniel sighed in relief, but then he said something that felt like an alarm ringing inside my head.

“That’s good and bad at the same time…”

“…What do you mean by that?” I asked.

Daniel placed both hands on my shoulders and looked straight into my eyes. “It’s good because… you’re still yourself, and you didn’t get involved in their cycle. But it’s bad because that means… he wants you, Sean…”

My body shuddered, as if something icy had brushed against my skin, sending a chill straight through me.

“He... wants me…?” My voice trembled. “What am I supposed to do then? Should I run away?”

I couldn’t hide the worry on my face now, especially as I remembered that night at the hotel… when he tried to push me down so easily.

“No use,” Daniel said, shaking his head. “He has tons of money. He can follow you wherever you go.” He shrugged slightly. “He’s the type who would keep chasing you until he gets what he wants.”

I swallowed hard. “Then… w-what’s going to happen?”

“There are two scenarios,” he said, holding up two fingers. “First, he gets what he wants and gets bored, then leaves you alone. Second… he keeps you by his side for a long time until he gets bored—or worse.”

He lowered his hand. “But neither option is good… unless you’re the one chasing him for money.”

“Yeah… that doesn’t sound good to me,” I muttered, nodding slowly. “If I can’t run… what should I do?”

“You need protection,” Daniel said firmly. “Someone with a position in this city… just like him.”

Daniel’s last words kept haunting me. I never expected a rejection could turn into something this dangerous.

Somehow, it made me think of Caleb.

Didn’t he have the same kind of power as James? Judging by his looks, his fashion style—especially that “R-R Phantom” and the way reporters followed him around—he must be someone really important. In fact, he had already sent me money as our initial agreement payment. Five hundred million.

How troublesome…

I thought my problems were already over once the money was paid. Even the bank had agreed to delay the repayment for a year, so my father could be freed from his debt. But now... I was being chased by a middle-aged, desperate man—who turned out to be my father’s former business partner—and I had just lost my first job.

I pulled the name card Daniel had given me from my pocket, staring at it in silence for a long moment.

Well… at least I still had this. Another job to sign.

Thanks to Daniel.

I slipped the name card into my pocket and walked toward the apartment building, just like I had promised him.

“I hope he doesn’t mind that I came earlier…” I whispered as I walked, my eyes lifting to the tall apartment tower standing in front of me.

I stepped inside the apartment building, passing several people along the way. They greeted me politely with small smiles, while some only nodded, their curious eyes briefly lingering on me.

It changed my perspective. I thought they would be cold or arrogant—looking at me like I was some kind of criminal.

But this place was surprisingly nice. It had a garden, a children’s playground, and even an indoor pool. It felt like a perfect place for families.

And strangely… it didn’t match Caleb’s personality, or maybe I was just being too negative?

I couldn’t picture him enjoying something so peaceful. Seriously, he seemed more suited for luxury or glamorous apartments.

Now, I was standing in front of his apartment unit, staring at the door like an i***t while my eyes wandered to the panel beside it.

Goddammit, what was that thing? Some kind of button to change your room or something?

Should I press it? But I didn't even know his unit number.

Forget it.

I'd just do things the conventional way and knock on the door.

I knocked on his door a couple of times until I heard hurried footsteps coming from inside.

“Yeah, wait a minute!” A moment later, the apartment door swung open.

There he was. His pants were halfway undone, hanging lower than they should have been.

“You're a mess,” I said, quickly looking away. “Pull up your pants! Gosh, you're terrible...!” My eyes scanned him from head to toe in irritation.

He looked completely disheveled. His shirt was unbuttoned, his pants loosened, and his hair was slightly messy. What exactly had he been doing in there?

“Were you sleeping with girl?” I asked, glancing at him with a smirk.

“It would be better if you gave me a kiss. Don’t you think that's what a boyfriend should do?” he said, glancing back at me before taking a step closer.

“Caleb, n-no...!” I instinctively stepped back.

But then his hand shot out and grabbed the door handle, shutting it behind me with a quick motion.

Bang!

My body flinched at the sound of the door slamming shut.

“You...!”

I glared at him as he continued moving closer until my back hit the door. He stopped right in front of me. Too close. Our noses were almost touching.

Thump... Thump...!

Damn. My heart pounded loudly against my chest. What was he going to do?