CHAPTER 17 — THE SECOND TRAITOR
1029 Words
The drive back to Seoul felt different.
Heavier.
Darker.
More dangerous.
Nobody spoke.
Not Aarya.
Not the bodyguards.
Not even Jungkook.
The revelation from the safe house had changed everything.
One traitor was bad.
Two traitors?
That was a disaster.
Because it meant someone close to Jungkook had betrayed him.
Someone he trusted.
Someone who had access to everything.
Aarya glanced toward him.
Jungkook sat beside her in complete silence.
His eyes remained fixed on the passing city lights.
His expression unreadable.
But she could feel it.
The storm inside him.
Growing.
Waiting.
Ready to explode.
Three hours later—
they arrived at headquarters.
Aarya had never seen the building before.
From the outside, it looked like an ordinary corporate skyscraper.
Elegant.
Modern.
Respectable.
The perfect disguise.
But the moment they stepped inside—
she felt it.
Power.
The entire building practically revolved around Jungkook.
Employees straightened instantly when he appeared.
Security guards lowered their heads.
Conversations stopped.
The atmosphere shifted.
Like a king had entered his kingdom.
Aarya followed quietly.
Watching.
Learning.
Trying to understand the world he ruled.
The private conference room sat on the highest floor.
Massive.
Luxurious.
Cold.
The moment the doors opened—
Aarya froze.
A man sat tied to a chair.
Bruised.
Bleeding.
Terrified.
Kang.
His head lifted immediately.
The second he saw Jungkook—
his face went pale.
Completely pale.
The fear in his eyes was real.
Raw.
Overwhelming.
Aarya suddenly understood something.
Kang wasn't afraid of dying.
He was afraid of Jungkook.
The room became silent.
Every person watched.
Waiting.
Jungkook approached slowly.
Deliberately.
Like a predator approaching wounded prey.
No anger.
No shouting.
No threats.
Just calm.
Terrifying calm.
Kang swallowed hard.
"Boss—"
"Don't."
The single word silenced him instantly.
Jungkook stopped directly in front of the chair.
His hands slipped into his pockets.
Relaxed.
Controlled.
Dangerous.
"You betrayed me."
Not a question.
A fact.
Kang's breathing became uneven.
"I can explain."
"No."
Jungkook's voice remained soft.
"Because there is no explanation."
Silence.
Heavy silence.
The kind that made breathing difficult.
Then something unexpected happened.
Kang laughed.
A broken laugh.
A desperate laugh.
"You think I'm the problem?"
The room froze.
Jungkook's expression didn't change.
Not even slightly.
Kang's eyes filled with bitterness.
"You still don't know."
Aarya felt a chill race down her spine.
Something about those words felt wrong.
Very wrong.
Jungkook narrowed his eyes.
"What don't I know?"
Kang smiled.
And suddenly—
he looked relieved.
As if he finally wanted to tell the truth.
"The person betraying you..."
A pause.
"...isn't me."
The room exploded.
Guards stepped forward instantly.
Weapons drawn.
Voices rose.
Chaos erupted.
But Jungkook raised one hand.
Everything stopped immediately.
Silence returned.
Dead silence.
Then—
Jungkook spoke.
"Continue."
Kang laughed again.
"You really don't see it."
His eyes drifted toward Aarya.
Then back to Jungkook.
And suddenly—
something inside Aarya twisted.
Because Kang looked sorry.
Actually sorry.
"He's standing right beside you."
The room froze.
Every person looked around.
Confused.
Searching.
Trying to understand.
Jungkook's gaze darkened.
"Who?"
Kang smiled sadly.
Then spoke one name.
One single name.
And the world stopped.
"Minho."
Aarya's heart dropped.
No.
Not Minho.
The friendly assistant.
The one she had spoken to weeks ago.
The one Jungkook trusted.
The one always nearby.
No.
No way.
The room erupted again.
Several men immediately pulled out phones.
Others exchanged shocked looks.
But Jungkook remained completely still.
Too still.
Dangerously still.
Because Minho wasn't just an employee.
He was family.
Practically a younger brother.
A trusted friend.
One of the few people Jungkook allowed close.
And now—
his name stood at the center of betrayal.
Then the conference room doors opened.
Everyone turned.
And froze.
Because Minho was standing there.
Alone.
Calm.
Expressionless.
The room fell silent.
Aarya's pulse pounded violently.
Minho looked at Jungkook.
Then at Kang.
Then sighed.
A tired sigh.
Almost disappointed.
"I was hoping he'd stay quiet."
Nobody moved.
Nobody breathed.
The atmosphere became suffocating.
Jungkook stared at him.
For several seconds.
Neither spoke.
Then—
"Why?"
The question sounded different.
Not angry.
Not furious.
Hurt.
Genuinely hurt.
And somehow—
that was worse.
Minho looked away briefly.
As though he couldn't meet Jungkook's eyes.
Then finally—
he answered.
"Because your father ruined my family."
The room went silent.
Aarya frowned.
Confused.
What?
Minho's expression hardened.
"My father worked for yours."
A pause.
"When everything collapsed..."
His jaw clenched.
"...he took the blame."
Jungkook's eyes narrowed.
"Your father stole from us."
"No."
Minho's voice rose.
For the first time.
"He was framed."
Silence.
Dangerous silence.
Years of pain echoed through every word.
Every look.
Every breath.
Aarya watched the two men.
And suddenly—
she understood.
This wasn't about money.
Or power.
Or territory.
This was personal.
Deeply personal.
Years of resentment.
Years of hatred.
Years of revenge.
All leading to this moment.
Then Minho smiled.
A cold smile.
The smile of someone who had already won.
And that terrified Aarya.
Because victorious people were dangerous.
Very dangerous.
"You still don't understand."
Jungkook's gaze darkened.
"Understand what?"
Minho looked toward Aarya.
Directly toward her.
And suddenly—
every instinct in her body screamed.
Run.
"She isn't random."
The room froze.
Aarya stopped breathing.
Jungkook's eyes immediately snapped toward her.
Then back to Minho.
The tension became unbearable.
"What are you talking about?"
Minho's smile widened.
Slowly.
Cruelly.
Triumphantly.
Then he delivered the truth.
The truth that changed everything.
"Aarya's father..."
He paused deliberately.
Enjoying the moment.
Enjoying the shock.
Enjoying the destruction.
"...was the man who investigated my father's case."
Silence.
Absolute silence.
Aarya's blood ran cold.
No.
No.
No.
That wasn't possible.
Her father?
What did her father have to do with any of this?
Minho laughed softly.
"He helped destroy my family."
The room spun.
Aarya stared.
Unable to think.
Unable to breathe.
Unable to understand.
Because suddenly—
her connection to this war wasn't accidental.
It never had been.
She wasn't just Jungkook's weakness.
She was part of the past.
Part of the reason this entire nightmare existed.
And for the first time—
Aarya realized she had been chosen long before she ever met Jeon Jungkook.
- Writer
