The next morning, Minhyuk woke up with an unshakable sense of urgency. The dream from the previous night and the unresolved issues surrounding Seo Yura's father weighed heavily on his mind. Despite his injuries, he insisted on being discharged early, ignoring the protests of the medical staff. He had one goal in mind: to secure Seo Yura and Hyunwoo's future.
"Hyunwoo," Minhyuk called out, meeting his friend in the hospital corridor. "We're not going to wait any longer. Today, you're going to meet Seo Yura's father. Just follow my plan, and I'll handle the rest."
Hyunwoo hesitated. "Are you sure? You're still recovering—"
"I'm fine," Minhyuk interrupted, his determination evident.
But before the planned meeting with Mr. Seo, Minhyuk made a daring move. Without informing Hyunwoo, he arranged a private meeting with Seo Yura's father at his grand estate.
Inside the elegant study, Minhyuk faced Mr. Seo, who exuded authority and an unyielding demeanor. The atmosphere was charged as the two stood face-to-face, each refusing to back down.
"Who are you?" Mr. Seo asked coldly. "What gives you the right to meddle in my family affairs?"
"My name is Minhyuk," Minhyuk replied firmly. "I'm Hyunwoo's close friend. I'm here because Seo Yura and Hyunwoo love each other. I cannot understand why you, as her father, would deny her happiness for the sake of wealth or status."
Mr. Seo's expression remained calm but unreadable. "Do you really think love is enough to sustain a family? Life isn't as simple as you think, young man."
"Life becomes complicated because people like you make it so," Minhyuk countered boldly. "You've allowed pride and appearances to blind you to what truly matters—your daughter's happiness. Hyunwoo loves Yura, and he's willing to do whatever it takes to be with her, even when you make it difficult. Isn't that the kind of person you want for your daughter?"
Mr. Seo leaned back in his chair, studying Minhyuk. "Why are you so invested in this? What's your connection to my family?"
Minhyuk hesitated before asking, "Before I answer, can I ask you something? Do you know Chae Min?"
At the mention of the name, Mr. Seo's demeanor shifted. His eyes narrowed, and an uneasy expression crossed his face. "Why do you ask about him?"
"Because I need to know who he is and why he's important," Minhyuk pressed on.
After a moment of silence, Mr. Seo sighed deeply. "Chae Min is still in college, the same age as Hyunwoo. But his father, Chae Jinsoo, was my former business partner. Years ago, Chae Jinsoo and I started a business together, but his greed got the better of him. He betrayed me, leading to the collapse of our partnership. Ever since, Jinsoo has been trying to destroy me, using any means necessary—including targeting my family. Why are you asking about Chae Min?"
Minhyuk's hands clenched into fists. "Because I believe Chae Jinsoo is still pulling strings, and it might explain why Hyunwoo and I were attacked recently."
Mr. Seo's expression darkened. "If Jinsoo is involved, then this isn't just about Yura and Hyunwoo. It's about his vendetta against me, and he's dragging his son into it."
With this new information, Minhyuk realized the fight for Yura and Hyunwoo's love was part of a much larger battle. Rising from his seat, he met Mr. Seo's gaze. "If Chae Jinsoo is a threat, we need to confront him together. But first, you need to do the right thing—let Yura and Hyunwoo be together. They deserve a chance."
Mr. Seo didn't respond immediately, but Minhyuk's words seemed to resonate with him. After a long pause, he finally nodded. "I'll consider it. But if Hyunwoo wants my approval, he must prove himself worthy."
As Minhyuk left the estate, his mind was racing. The mystery of Chae Jinsoo and his vendetta was far from over, and Minhyuk knew it was only a matter of time before the situation escalated. He also couldn't shake the feeling that Chae Min—Jinsoo's son—might be caught in the middle of this conflict, whether willingly or not.
For now, his priority was clear: he needed to ensure Hyunwoo and Seo Yura had the chance to build a future together. But in the back of his mind, Minhyuk was already preparing for the next confrontation, knowing the shadows of the past were closing in fast.
Minhyuk finally returned home after his meeting with Mr. Seo. As he stepped inside, he found Hyunwoo and Seo Yura already back. Seo Yura looked visibly exhausted as she paced the living room, trying to soothe her fussy baby.
"I had to skip class today," Yura said with a sigh, "The baby's been crying nonstop."
Without a word, Minhyuk approached her. He gently took the baby from her arms and held them close. Almost instantly, the baby calmed down, their cries turning into soft coos.
Seo Yura stared in disbelief. "How… how did you do that?"
Minhyuk shrugged nonchalantly, rocking the baby a little before handing them back to Yura. "Sometimes, they just need a change of energy," he said with a small smile. "You'll figure it out."
Before Yura could say anything else, Minhyuk turned and headed upstairs to Hyunwoo's room.
Hyunwoo was sitting at his desk, engrossed in a book when Minhyuk walked in. Without preamble, Minhyuk asked, "Do you know where Chae Min lives?"
Hyunwoo looked up, startled by the question. "Yeah, he lives near the university. Why? What do you need from him?"
Minhyuk's eyes narrowed, his expression serious. "I need to talk to him. But that's not your concern right now."
"What do you mean?" Hyunwoo asked, confused.
Minhyuk crossed his arms. "It's time for you to stop hesitating and ask for Mr. Seo's approval. You can't keep waiting. You love Yura, don't you?"
Hyunwoo nodded firmly. "Of course, I do."
"Then don't waste any more time. Make him see how serious you are about her."
With that, Minhyuk turned to leave. As he made his way downstairs, Hyunwoo's mother called out to him from the kitchen.
"Minhyuk, join us for dinner. You must be hungry."
Minhyuk offered a polite smile and shook his head. "Thank you, but I'm still full. Maybe next time."
Before anyone could say more, Minhyuk stepped out into the cool evening air, his thoughts already focused on his next move. He knew the confrontation with Chae Min's family would be critical, not just for himself but for everyone involved.
Minhyuk arrived at Chae Min's house as the sun began to set, casting long shadows across the quiet street. The house was modest but well-kept, with a small garden out front. Minhyuk rang the doorbell, his heart steady but his mind alert for what might come next.
A moment later, Chae Min himself opened the door, his expression shifting from surprise to confusion. "Minhyuk? What are you doing here?"
"I need to talk to you," Minhyuk said, his voice calm but firm. "It's important. Can I come in?"
Chae Min hesitated for a moment, then stepped aside. "Sure. Come on in."
Inside, the two sat across from each other in the living room. Minhyuk wasted no time. "I've been hearing things about your father. About how he used to be business partners with Mr. Seo."
Chae Min stiffened at the mention of his father. "What about it?"
Minhyuk leaned forward, his gaze intense. "Someone's been targeting Hyunwoo and me recently. I have reason to believe your father is involved. If I'm wrong, tell me now."
Chae Min's eyes widened in shock. "Wait, what? My father? That's ridiculous. He hasn't been involved with Mr. Seo or his business for years."
"Are you sure?" Minhyuk pressed. "Because if he's holding onto some grudge against Mr. Seo, then he's dragging you and your family into something dangerous."
Chae Min looked away, his jaw tightening. After a moment of silence, he spoke. "I don't know what my father is up to, but… he hasn't been himself lately. He's been secretive, always on the phone, meeting with people I don't recognize. I thought it was just work stress, but now…"
Minhyuk frowned, the pieces of the puzzle beginning to fall into place. "Chae Min, if there's any chance your father is involved, you need to talk to him. Find out what's going on before someone gets hurt. This isn't just about Mr. Seo anymore. It's about Yura, Hyunwoo, and everyone else caught in the middle."
Chae Min nodded slowly, the weight of Minhyuk's words sinking in. "Alright. I'll try. But Minhyuk… be careful. If my father really is behind this, he won't back down easily."
As Minhyuk left Chae Min's house, he felt a mix of frustration and resolve. The situation was more complicated than he'd anticipated, but at least now he had someone on the inside who might help uncover the truth.
The night was quiet as he walked back toward Hyunwoo's house, but Minhyuk couldn't shake the feeling that he was being watched. Turning a corner, he glanced over his shoulder, catching a shadow retreating into the darkness.
"Looks like things are just getting started," Minhyuk muttered under his breath, his hand instinctively brushing against his side where his injuries still ached.
Despite the danger, he knew one thing for sure: he wasn't going to back down until everyone was safe and the truth was finally revealed.
The next morning, Seo Yura sat across from Minhyuk, her eyes filled with determination as she prepared to reveal the full extent of the conspiracy. She had already shared a part of her story with him, but today, she was ready to tell him everything.
"I know you've been trying to protect me, Minhyuk," Yura began, her voice steady but tinged with sadness. "But there's more you need to understand. The truth about my father, my stepmother, and Mr. Chae Jinsoo."
Minhyuk looked at her intently, waiting for her to continue.
Yura took a deep breath before speaking. "It's not just about my stepmother. She's been working with Mr. Chae Jinsoo all along, even before their marriage. Everything was planned, from the start."
Minhyuk's eyes widened in shock. "You mean, the marriage was a set-up?"
Yura nodded. "Yes. They were never in love. The marriage was a calculated move. It was meant to get close to Mr. Seo, to take him down, and to destroy everything he worked for."
She paused for a moment, her gaze distant as she recalled the painful memories. "I found out the truth years ago. I had proof—documents, recordings, everything—but my stepmother found out. She threatened me, and for a long time, I couldn't do anything. But I kept everything safe, hidden in a drawer, away from her reach."
Minhyuk felt a chill run down his spine as he processed the gravity of what Yura had just revealed. "So, your stepmother and Mr. Chae Jinsoo were behind everything—your father's betrayal, your mother's death… and now, they're trying to destroy Hyunwoo and me?"
Yura nodded, her expression pained. "Yes. It's been their plan all along. They want to bring my father down, and anyone connected to him is a target. They see Hyunwoo and me as obstacles."
Minhyuk's fists clenched, anger bubbling up inside him. "I won't let them get away with this. We need to expose them—before it's too late."
Yura looked at him, her eyes filled with a mix of fear and hope. "I want to fight back, Minhyuk. I want to stop them, but I can't do it alone. I need your help."
Minhyuk gave her a reassuring smile. "You don't have to do it alone. I'm with you, Yura. We'll bring them down together."
As Yura shared the final details of her plan to confront her stepmother and Chae Jinsoo, Minhyuk felt the weight of their shared mission. This wasn't just about love and family anymore. It was about justice, and about taking down the people who had manipulated and betrayed them for so long.
"I'll go to your house tonight," Minhyuk said, determination in his voice. "I'll get the evidence we need, and we'll take this to the police. We'll make sure they pay for what they've done."
Yura nodded, grateful but also fearful. "Be careful, Minhyuk. My stepmother is dangerous. And Mr. Chae Jinsoo… he's even worse."
Minhyuk gave her a reassuring look. "I've dealt with worse. Don't worry, we'll get through this."
As they finalized their plan, both of them knew that the road ahead would be filled with danger. But for the first time, Yura felt a glimmer of hope. She wasn't alone anymore. And with Minhyuk by her side, she knew they could fight back against the people who had wronged them all.
Later that evening, Minhyuk quietly made his way to Yura's house, the hidden evidence she had kept for so long now within reach. As he stepped closer to her house, he couldn't help but feel the weight of what was about to unfold. It was no longer just about protecting Hyunwoo or fighting for Yura's happiness—it was about exposing the truth, no matter what the cost.
As Minhyuk quietly approached Hyunwoo's house, he could feel the tension building up in his chest. He had everything they needed to expose the truth, but there was still one obstacle left: getting the evidence into the right hands without being caught.
Hyunwoo, ever the loyal friend, was already waiting for him inside the house. He had come prepared, and the seriousness in his eyes showed just how much he was willing to sacrifice for Yura's sake.
"Minhyuk," Hyunwoo greeted him quietly, giving him a firm handshake. "I'm ready. Whatever it takes, I'll help."
Minhyuk nodded, relieved to see Hyunwoo so resolute. "We'll need to move fast. We'll get the evidence tonight, and then we'll take it to the police first thing tomorrow. No mistakes."
They shared a determined look before heading to Yura's house. However, getting inside without being noticed wasn't going to be easy. They had to sneak around carefully, avoiding anyone who might be watching.
As they made their way through the back alley, there was a slight mishap when Minhyuk, trying to avoid a squeaky floorboard, accidentally kicked a can. The can clattered loudly on the ground, echoing through the night.
Hyunwoo froze, his heart racing. "Did anyone hear that?" he whispered, his eyes darting around.
Minhyuk couldn't help but chuckle, despite the situation. "I'm not sure, but if anyone's still awake, we're definitely not in luck."
Hyunwoo rolled his eyes but smiled. "Great. First time sneaking around, and you're already causing noise. Typical."
Minhyuk laughed under his breath. "Hey, I'm just trying to add a little excitement."
The two of them continued forward, this time more cautiously, but still, the small mishap lightened the mood for a moment. They managed to reach the back door of Yura's house without further incident, and with a shared look of determination, they entered.
Inside, Yura was waiting for them, looking both nervous and relieved. She quickly handed over the folder with all the hidden evidence.
"We're doing this," she said quietly. "No turning back."
Minhyuk and Hyunwoo exchanged a glance before taking the folder, knowing that this was the moment where everything would change. The fight wasn't just for love anymore; it was about exposing the deceit, the manipulation, and the shadows that had haunted them for far too long.
The next few hours would be crucial, and despite the tension, there was also a strange sense of camaraderie between them. No matter what came next, they knew they were in it together.