Seojin stood outside the Council's headquarters, the weight of her decision pressing against her chest.
She had chosen to turn herself in.
But this wasn't surrender.
This was war.
Her father thought he had won. He thought she was walking in as a pawn.
But he didn't know the truth.
She was here to burn it all down.
Taking a slow breath, she stepped forward. The steel doors slid open, and she walked into the lion's den—alone.
A Dangerous Welcome
Inside, the Council's high-ranking enforcers were waiting.
Cold eyes. Heavy weapons. No trust.
A man in a dark suit stepped forward. Chairman Song.
"Seojin Han," he said, his voice smooth but sharp. "I have to admit, I didn't expect you to come willingly."
Seojin's expression was unreadable. "Let's just get this over with."
Song smirked. "Of course. But first, a precaution."
He nodded toward one of the enforcers.
Seojin barely had time to react before a needle plunged into her neck.
Her vision blurred.
Her limbs went weak.
Damn it.
She hit the floor.
The last thing she saw before darkness took over—
Was her father's face.
And he was smiling.
Minji and Kade's Next Move
Somewhere across the city, Minji winced in pain as Kade stitched up her arm. The fight with Lee Hyun had nearly killed them, but they had escaped.
Barely.
Now, they were hiding in a rundown motel, trying to figure out what came next.
Minji exhaled, pushing through the pain. "We need to get her back."
Kade frowned. "How? The Council's headquarters is a damn fortress."
Minji's hands curled into fists. "Then we bring it down."
Kade raised an eyebrow. "You sound like Seojin."
Minji smirked. "She's rubbing off on me."
But her heart was pounding.
Because deep down, she knew—
If they didn't act fast, they'd never see Seojin alive again.
Seojin's mind was hazy when she woke up.
The drug was still in her system, but she fought against it.
She was in a high-security cell. Steel walls. No windows.
Her father stood outside the glass wall, watching her like a scientist studying a caged animal.
"Sleep well?" he asked.
Seojin forced herself to sit up, her head spinning. "Screw you."
Her father chuckled. "You always had a sharp tongue. But you should know—this is the end of your rebellion."
Seojin glared at him. "If that were true, I'd already be dead."
Her father's expression darkened. "No, my dear. You're alive because I need you."
He stepped closer, lowering his voice. "You see, the Council's plans are already in motion. The mass compliance protocol—the program you've been so desperate to stop—will launch in three days."
Seojin's stomach twisted.
Three days.
After that, the Council wouldn't just control governments.
They'd control everyone.
And the worst part?
Her mother was the key.
Seojin took a slow breath. "You think I'm just going to let that happen?"
Her father smiled. "No. I think you're going to help us."
Seojin froze. "What?"
Her father leaned in. "You're going to finish what I started."
End of Chapter 90
Thoughts for Readers:
What does Seojin's father mean by making her finish what he started?
Can Minji and Kade launch a rescue mission in time, or is Seojin already too deep?
Sneak Peek for Chapter 91:
Seojin discovers the horrifying truth behind the mass compliance protocol—and the role her mother plays in it. But as she plots her escape, her father presents her with an impossible choice—one that could change everything.