I. The Iron-Clad Fortress
Kim Taehyung's focus was now singular and absolute: the safety of the gala venue and the capture of Kim Seok-jin. He converted the Grand Ballroom of the Taewon Tower—the site of the foundation gala—into an elaborate, hidden fortress.
Invisible Perimeter: His trusted security consultant, Joon, installed a multi-layered, sub-dermal motion sensor grid beneath the ballroom's carpet. This system was designed to instantly identify any movement inconsistent with a regular gait, flagging the weight and stride of a trained operative (like one of Seok-jin's compromised security detail).
Facial Recognition: Every single guest, from the most powerful CEO to the lowest-ranked server, was required to pass through a three-point biometric scan. The data was cross-referenced with a ghost file Taehyung had created, containing known associates of Seok-jin.
The Art Piece: The Red Scarf painting was the bait, and it was treated like the most valuable asset in the corporation. It was housed inside a clear, bullet-proof acrylic casing designed to instantly descend into a floor vault at the first sign of perimeter breach.
The Command Center: Taehyung didn't trust the Tower's central security. He set up a hidden command center directly beneath the ballroom floor, where he and Joon would monitor the event, ready to order the lights cut and the lockdown initiated the moment Seok-jin showed his hand.
Taehyung knew the risk was immense. He wasn't just exposing Seok-jin; he was inviting a direct attack on his own life and the person he was sworn to protect. The only thing he could control was the environment.
II. The Pressure of Proximity
The psychological strain was pushing Taehyung to his limit. He was fighting a war outside and managing a volatile, beautiful lie inside his home.
As the gala approached, Min-soo became increasingly anxious. The idea of the public display terrified her, yet she felt compelled to be there.
"Taehyung, why am I going to this event?" she asked him in the kitchen one morning, her voice small. "I don't know these people. I don't even know you."
Taehyung was reviewing the gala guest list, his eyes scanning for suspicious names. "You are the artist," he stated, not looking up. "You must introduce the work."
"But I feel like I'm introducing a ghost," she countered, stepping closer. "That scarf... it feels like a wound. A shared wound. Why are you risking your position for a painting that has no value to the company?"
This question—so sharp and perceptive—came too close to the truth of the Vow. It revealed that Min-soo's innate intelligence was not erased, merely dormant.
Taehyung finally looked up, his eyes cold and hard. "You are valuable, 'Min-soo.' The secret you represent is valuable. Nothing more. Don't mistake my protection for kindness."
He had to push her away, reinforcing the lie that he was only protecting an asset. But his facade was costing him. When Min-soo walked out of the room, he quickly scanned the guest list again, using the task to hide the faint tremor in his hand.
III. The Glimpse of the Past ✨
Later that evening, Min-soo found the remnants of an old photograph album tucked away. Most of the pictures were damaged, but one clearly showed Taehyung as a child—smiling, soft, and wearing a bright green hoodie.
She had always seen him as the cold, ruthless Chairman. Seeing the boy, the gentle heart she had sensed beneath his armor, shattered her perception.
She confronted him as he was heading out for a final security check. "The man I see now is a fortress," she said, holding the photo out. "But this man... he's the one who promised me a green scarf to match my painting colours."
Taehyung froze. She hadn't remembered the exact words of the vow, but she had remembered the colour, the scent of kindness, and the shared childhood moment. The fragments were assembling, threatening to become whole at the worst possible time.
"That boy is dead," Taehyung replied, taking the photo and ripping it in two. His voice was final, his action cruel. "Don't search for him. Focus on the gala. It will be the most important performance of your life."
He walked out, leaving Min-soo shattered and confused. He had to be cruel now, so he could be kind later—if they both survived the trap he had laid. The gala was their last stand, and he couldn't afford a single moment of weakness.