Seojin's heart pounded as she placed the tablet back on the table. The false signal had worked—at least for now.
Her mother was still intact.
But as she turned toward the glass, she saw it—the smallest flicker of amusement in her father's eyes.
He knew.
Maybe not everything. Maybe he didn't know exactly what she had done.
But he suspected.
And that meant Seojin was running on borrowed time.
The intercom crackled.
Her father's voice came through, smooth as ever. "Well done, Seojin."
She forced herself to nod, careful to hide the storm raging inside her.
"Report to my office," her father continued. "We have something… new to discuss."
Seojin exhaled slowly. This isn't over.
She cast one last look at her mother—at the silent understanding in her eyes—before turning and walking away.
She didn't know what her father had planned next.
But she was about to find out.
Her father's office was luxurious—high ceilings, dark leather furniture, walls lined with books. A place of power. A place where deals were made, and lives were destroyed.
He was already seated when she entered, swirling a glass of whiskey.
"You handled yourself well today," he said.
Seojin leaned against the desk, arms crossed. "You didn't bring me here to compliment me."
Her father chuckled. "No. I didn't."
He placed the glass down and folded his hands together. "The Council has another mission for you."
Seojin's stomach tightened. Of course they do.
"What is it?" she asked, keeping her tone neutral.
Her father leaned back. "A defector. Someone who knows too much."
Seojin's pulse spiked.
She already knew where this was going.
"You want me to kill them," she said flatly.
Her father smiled. "Yes."
Seojin forced her expression to remain still, though her mind was racing. "Who is it?"
Her father reached into a drawer, pulled out a file, and slid it across the desk.
Seojin hesitated before picking it up.
Then, she opened it—
And her breath stopped.
Inside the file was a photo.
Of Minji.
Seojin's grip on the folder tightened. Her father watched her carefully, as if waiting for her reaction.
"She's been interfering with Council operations," he said. "She's a liability."
Seojin kept her expression blank.
"What do you want me to do?" she asked.
Her father studied her. "Kill her. And bring me proof."
Seojin's stomach twisted.
This was it. The real test.
Her father wasn't just testing her loyalty—he was testing her limits.
If she refused, he would know she wasn't truly on their side.
If she hesitated, he would suspect.
And if she failed—Minji would die anyway.
Seojin swallowed hard. "Understood."
Her father smiled. "Good girl."
Seojin turned on her heel and walked out of the office, her hands trembling.
The moment she was out of sight, she pulled out her phone and sent a single, coded message to Minji.
"Run."
End of Chapter 86