The car tore through the city like a restrained animal finally given room to run.
Streetlights streaked past the windows, blurring into pale ribbons of white and gold. Inside the car, the silence was no longer heavy. It was volatile, stretched thin by everything that had already exploded and everything that was about to.
Jinho's hands were locked around the steering wheel, knuckles pale, jaw clenched so tightly. Minho sat rigid in the passenger seat, staring straight ahead, chest rising and falling too fast, his fists trembling where they rested on his thighs.
It was Jinho who spoke first.
"What you did today," he said, voice tight but controlled, "was reckless."
Minho looked at him in the mirror, he was silent for a heartbeat, then suddenly let out a sharp laugh that held no humor. "Reckless?" he repeated. "That's what you call it?"
"Yes," Jinho snapped, finally turning his head just enough to glare at him. "You assaulted someone in front of half the school. Cameras were everywhere taking videos. Do you have any idea what kind of damage that causes? To you and me. To our families."
Minho turned slowly, eyes burning. "And do you have any idea what kind of damage you caused by doing nothing?"
Jinho's grip tightened. "I told you, I didn't know she was reassigned. You think I would have let that happen if I knew?"
Minho's voice rose. "You didn't know because you didn't look. Because you assumed she would be fine. Because in you people's world, people like her are always supposed to endure quietly."
"That's not fair," Jinho shot back. "You think I wanted this? You think I wanted her dragged into this?"
"No," Minho said sharply. "You just didn't stop it."
The words hit harder than shouting ever could.
"She's in the West Estate," Minho continued, his voice rough now. "Do you even know what that means? You've never been there long enough to feel it. That place eats people alive. And she's alone."
Jinho exhaled shakily. "Minho, listen to yourself. You're blaming me for something I didn't authorize."
"I didn't send her to the West Estate, Minho!" Jinho's voice broke as he corrected him, his frustration growing. "I didn't even know when she was reassigned. This whole thing was out of my hands, and you know it! You're acting like I have control over the entire estate!"
"And I'm blaming you for staying silent," Minho fired back. "For trusting a system that doesn't protect her."
The name sat between them like an open wound.
Traffic thinned as they left the city behind. The road curved upward, The car passed through the grand entrance of the Jjejuk Estate. The large iron gates opened automatically.
Neither of them noticed their parents watching them from the upper windows of the mansion.
Inside, chairman Yeon stood rigid beside his wife, Yeon Sora, both watching the familiar car roll in. Nearby, Jang Geum, Minho's father, stood with his arms crossed, expression thunderous. The room behind them was already full. Vivian's family had arrived earlier than expected. Elders, board members, relatives. The air was thick with formality and tension.
Outside, Jinho drove in slowly, the familiar landscape stretching out before them: neatly trimmed hedges, carefully manicured lawns, and the massive, imposing house. Then, the car came to a stop.
Minho shoved the door open and stepped out, still shaking with adrenaline. Jinho followed, slamming his door shut harder than necessary.
"Minho."
The voice came from above.
Cold. Commanding.
Minho froze.
He slowly looked up and felt his stomach drop.
His father.
"What is Father doing here," Minho murmured under his breath, disbelief threading through the fear.
"Come inside," Jang Geum said sharply. "Both of you."
There was no refusal.
They entered the mansion side by side.
The moment they stepped into the grand living hall, every conversation went silent.
All eyes were diverted on them
Phones were discreetly lowered. Whispers hushed. The weight of scrutiny pressed down hard.
They walked forward until they stood before their parents. As minho wanted to bow and greet.
A thunderous slap welcomed him.
The crack echoed through the room like thunder.
Minho staggered slightly before dropping to his knees, head bowed low. Jinho followed instinctively, kneeling beside him, the sting on his cheek burning hotter than the humiliation.
"I am deeply disappointed in you," Jang Geum thundered, his voice filling the hall. "Do you have any idea what you've done?"
Minho said nothing.
"Do you know how many calls I received today," his father continued, anger sharp and unrestrained. "Investors, Media and Partners questioning my household discipline. You humiliated me."
He turned sharply to Chairman Yeon. "Tell me," he demanded, "who is this girl? Who is Bobae?"
The chairman's expression darkened. "She is a maid who worked in this estate," he replied evenly. "The daughter of Kim Jong Hoon."
Jang Geum's lips curled. "Kim Jong Hoon," he repeated, then laughed coldly. "That old fool."
"He owed you me hundred million won," Chairman yeon continued, voice steady but heavy with distaste. "He claimed he could not repay it. He offered his daughter to work here until the debt was settled."
"I remember now," Jang Geum said dismissively. "Pathetic man. I never imagined our children would be fighting over his daughter."
Minho's head snapped up. Is she not worth someone to fight over," he said hoarsely.
Another slap landed.
"Silence," Jang Geum barked.
He turned back to the chairman. "Where is the girl now?"
Chairman Yeon frowned. "I was informed she has been reassigned to the West Estate. I do not know who authorized it."
Madam Yeon's eyes sharpened. "Who sent Bobae to the West Estate?"
No one answered.
The silence stretched, uncomfortable and telling.
"So none of you know," she said coolly. "Nora."
The maid hurried forward. "Yes, Ma."
"Call Mrs Lee."
Nora bowed and disappeared into the kitchen. Moments later, she returned with Mrs Lee, who looked visibly shaken.
"Come here," Madam Yeon ordered. "Tell me who reassigned Bobae."
Mrs Lee's hands trembled. Her eyes flicked briefly toward Clara, who stood stiff and composed near the far wall.
"Speak," Madam Han snapped.
"It was… it was Miss Clara," Mrs Lee blurted out hurriedly. "She instructed the reassignment."
A murmur rippled through the room.
Madam yeon's gaze slid slowly to Clara, cold and assessing.
"I see," she said quietly.
Chairman Yeon straightened. "Donna," he said sharply to one of the staff. "Go to the West Estate and bring Bobae back. Immediately."
Before Donna could move, a chair scraped back.
"I will go," Junpyo said.
All eyes turned to him.
He stood calm and composed, though tension hummed beneath his posture.
"I know you don't trust me," he added, meeting his mother's gaze. "But allow me. I can take Vivian with me if that eases your concern."
Madam Yeon studied him for a long moment, suspicion clear in her eyes.
Jang Geum spoke first. "Let him go."
Vivian's father shifted uneasily. "I do not think it is appropriate for my daughter to be involved yet in your matters like this."
"She will be fine," Madam Yeon replied coolly. "This concerns all families present."
Reluctantly, he nodded.
Junpyo turned without another word. Vivian followed, heels clicking softly against the marble floor as they exited the mansion together.
Outside, the night air was cold and sharp.
They got into the car.
Junpyo started the engine.
And drove to the west Estate.