Seojin stood frozen, her father's words ringing in her ears.
"I'm sorry."
That was all he had to say after everything? After the betrayals, the secrets, the lives lost under the Council's influence?
Her fingers clenched into fists, her nails digging into her palms. "You're sorry?" she repeated, her voice shaking. "That's it? That's all you have to say after everything you've done?"
Her father exhaled slowly, stepping away from the window. "Seojin, you don't understand the weight of the world you're trying to fight."
She scoffed. "Then explain it to me. Tell me why you—my own father—are part of the Council of Nine. Why you built your empire on blood and corruption."
Her father studied her, his expression unreadable. Then, finally, he spoke.
"I did what I had to do," he said, his voice calm. "For our family."
Seojin felt a surge of disbelief. "For our family? You think putting me through hell, making me fight against everything you built, was for us?"
Her father's gaze hardened. "You don't see the full picture. The Council—what we control—it's not just about power, Seojin. It's about balance. You think the world is black and white, but it's not. We don't just manipulate governments and criminal organizations for our own gain. We ensure that order remains."
Seojin's breath caught. "You're trying to justify the Phoenix's crimes?"
"I'm telling you the truth," he replied, stepping closer. "The Phoenix is just a piece of the puzzle. We built them, we control them—but they are nothing compared to what the Council has planned."
She wanted to scream, to pull out her gun and end this nightmare. But she needed answers.
"What does the Council want?" she demanded.
Her father was silent for a long moment. Then, he finally said, "A new world. One without chaos. One where we decide what happens, not elected officials or reckless leaders."
Seojin's stomach twisted. "You mean a world under your control."
Her father didn't deny it.
Her hands trembled as she reached for the gun at her side. "And what happens to the people who don't fit into your 'new world'?"
Her father's jaw tightened. "Sacrifices have to be made."
Something inside Seojin broke.
She had spent years fighting corruption, uncovering the Phoenix's darkest secrets, thinking she was doing the right thing. But all along, the man she trusted most had been orchestrating everything.
Her voice was barely above a whisper. "You're a monster."
Her father sighed. "If that's what it takes to keep our family safe, then so be it."
She stared at him, feeling like she was looking at a stranger.
The silence between them was suffocating. Seojin's grip on her gun tightened. "You're coming with me."
Her father's expression remained impassive. "And if I refuse?"
Seojin swallowed the lump in her throat. "Then I'll take you down like the rest of them."
Her father exhaled, then did something unexpected—he smiled. "You've always been strong, Seojin. But you're not ready for this fight."
A chill ran down her spine. Before she could react, a voice came from behind her.
"She's more ready than you think."
Seojin turned just in time to see Kade stepping into the office, gun drawn.
Her father's expression darkened. "Ah. So the traitor finally shows himself."
Kade's grip on his gun didn't waver. "I was never loyal to you."
Seojin's heart pounded as she glanced between the two men. Kade had known about her father?
"You knew," she whispered, anger bubbling beneath the surface. "You knew he was part of the Council."
Kade's eyes flickered with regret. "Not at first. But I suspected. And when I found out the truth, I knew you had to hear it for yourself."
Seojin clenched her jaw. "And you didn't think to tell me?"
Kade's voice was firm. "Would you have believed me?"
Seojin wanted to argue, but she knew the answer. She wouldn't have. Not until she saw it with her own eyes.
Her father watched them with interest. "You two make a good team. It's a shame you don't understand what you're truly up against."
Seojin raised her gun higher. "That's where you're wrong."
Her father's smirk remained. "Is it? If you kill me now, Seojin, the Council won't die with me. They'll come for you. They'll come for everyone you love. Do you really think you can survive what comes next?"
Seojin's breath caught.
She knew the truth. Killing him wouldn't end this war.
But letting him go meant letting the Council continue their reign of terror.
The weight of the decision pressed against her like a vice.
Then, suddenly—an alarm blared throughout the building.
Kade's eyes snapped to the door. "They know we're here."
Her father smiled. "And that means you're out of time."
Seojin's mind raced. They had to move—now. But her father…
She had to decide.
Minji's voice crackled through Seojin's earpiece. "Seojin! We've got incoming! Phoenix operatives are flooding the building—we need to extract now!"
Kade grabbed her arm. "We have to go."
Seojin's gun was still trained on her father.
He was calm. Too calm.
He knew she wouldn't pull the trigger.
"You're making a mistake," her father said smoothly.
Seojin's heart pounded in her ears. She wanted to end this. But deep down, she knew—her father was right.
Killing him now wouldn't stop the Council.
Her grip tightened, her finger hovering over the trigger.
Then—she lowered the gun.
"This isn't over," she said, her voice cold.
Her father simply smiled. "It never is."
Kade pulled her toward the door, and Seojin let him. She had made her decision.
For now.
As they ran, gunfire echoed behind them. The Phoenix was closing in. But Seojin didn't care.
She had a new target.
She wasn't just fighting the Phoenix anymore.
She was going to destroy the Council of Nine.
Even if it meant going after her own father.
End of Chapter 71
Thoughts for Readers:
Did Seojin make the right choice by sparing her father? Or should she have ended it right there?
What do you think the Council of Nine's next move will be?
Sneak Peek for Chapter 72:
Seojin and her team are forced to go into hiding as the Council begins their counterattack. But when an unexpected ally reaches out, they learn a terrifying truth—one that will change the course of their mission forever.