CHAPTER 5

BETRAYAL AND LOYALTY

The opulent suite felt like prison. Chaewon looked down at the unsigned sheet of paper before her, Jian's threat echoing in her mind. She'd not sign it; not for anything in the world. But how could she defy a man who controlled everything she did?

"This is a prison," Chaewon shouted. The opulent suite had not so much served as an elaborate prison.

"Indeed," someone said, interrupting the silence. It wasn't Jian.

A knock on the door—not anticipated.

"Who is it?" she called out, having trouble hearing herself over the wildly racing beat of her heart.

"It's Han," came the low, hushed voice.

She slowly opened the door, finding Jian's impenetrable right-hand man, Han waiting. There was tension drawn on his normally impassive countenance, his eyes darting about the room. He slid in swiftly, closing the door quietly. The action was swift and hushed, as quiet as an intruder moving in the dark.

"Chaewon," he called, his whisper low, insistent.

"You have to go. Now." Han's voice was low.

"What is the matter?"

"Jian is not who you believe. There is something bigger going on. You are in serious danger."

"What do you mean?" she asked, her voice tense with fear.

He placed a small, worn leather-bound book on the table in front of her. "This… this is the key. It holds the truth regarding everything. It holds the truth about Jian's past as well as his connections. It is your only hope."

"What is this?" She inquired, Chaewon reaching for the book, the leather chill against her skin. Her face settled on the book, curiosity and suspicion warring within.

"A history," he said softly. "One that is not known, something that could destroy his entire empire. It is dangerous, Chaewon. It's your only hope."

"What kind of danger?" she asked in a shaking voice. Danger from Jian loomed over their meeting. She was over her head in some foreboding game, and she obviously wanted to go out.

"The kind that can cost you your life," Han answered, his eyes hard. "Jian is not just a ruthless entrepreneur. He's involved in something much darker, something much more evil than you can imagine."

"Why would you help me?"

"My reasons are clear," said Han, his voice filled with resigned uncertainty. "But he is aware that you’re now an active party in something beyond his control. The book is the hope for anything in you being able to comprehend that, Just move quickly."

Han's eyes were wide. He gave Chaewon a glance, his face twisted in urgency, in something like despair. "Take it," he breathed, pushing the book into her arms. "Run. Don't even look back." He vanished then, leaving Chaewon standing in the suite, the book clutched in her arms.

Before Chaewon could make her move, a crash resounded down the corridor. Splintering wood, shattered glass. The door crashed open, with Jian standing in its doorway, his countenance twisted in fury. Han had already made his escape. The book, though it held something in store. An escape. What did it contain, and could it possibly be employed for an escape?

"Han!" The lone word was short, immediate, an alarming threat.

"So, the little bride of mine found herself another friend, did she? How boring." Jian's voice oozed a threatening calm. "But have no fear, your little flight of fancy is already in shreds. The game is far from over. And I am just beginning."

"You can't possibly try such a thing!" Chaewon's voice trembled, lost in the rising tension.

He took another step forward, his eyes narrowing. "Oh, I will do just that. Your father's passing is just an insignificant setback in the larger picture. And as for you, lovely Chaewon, you are just a means to an end. Now, sign. That will be the key to your survival. And don't forget your survival… and your friend's… is dependent on your compliance.”

"I will not sign anything," she said, defiance in her voice. She looked down at the book in her hand, hope swelling in her.

Jian's smile was cold, predatory. "So, then… Then you will learn what happens when you meddle with me. The game is not remotely over. Indeed, it is just about to start. And as for you, my beautiful Chaewon, soon you will learn what fear is." He paused, his eyes spark with a nervous intensity. "Take this…as a warning."

There the book rested in her palms, its leather-covered surface cool against her skin. The truth lay within, somewhere. The question was, though, would it be sufficient? It was a race against time. She already had little time.

"What about Seojun?" she demanded, the tone of her voice laced with desperation. "What have you done with him?"

There was something disturbing in the smile on Jian's face. "Let's just say he is in a situation in which he can think about what his misguided loyalty implies. His safety…hinges on your full cooperation. Shall we proceed?"

“The locket… What is its meaning?”

“A key, my dear. A key that opens much more than you can imagine. A key that leads to a conspiracy that goes much further than your family. It's about control, power, and an older legacy than either of our families.” Jian replied.

"What am I supposed to do with all of this?" she questioned, barely being able to whisper.

“You, Chaewon, are the linchpin. The key to solving the greater mystery is in your hands. Your compliance is not an option, but rather an obligation. Sign the papers, and I will take care of you. Refuse, and your destiny will be far worse than anything your imagination can conjure.”

"I am not your slave!" Chaewon replied.

“Then you will belong to someone else. Perhaps… someone not so kind.”

Jian moved in close, his breath caressing the curve of her ear. "Consider this… as an example of my stubbornness. The game has begun, Chaewon. And I have no intention of losing." He rose from the sofa, stepping away from her.

Chaewon embraced the book in her fist, a shred of hope, a gamble in a world where hope was something she no longer had.