When Zahn stepped out of the ER, a hand suddenly seized his collar.
"I trusted your hospital's security and didn't place my people to watch over her," Shin said, his voice low but vibrating with restrained rage. "I blamed myself for being too complacent but what about you, Zahn Neri? Is this what the country's most secure hospital looks like?"
Zahn's expression hardened. He shoved Shin back just enough to straighten his collar, glaring coldly.
"The receptionist said it was Yeri who allowed that woman to visit her."
Shin's lips curled into a sneer. "She wasn't the problem. Your surveillance was easily breached, and two guards ended up dead. Are you seriously going to tell me the intruder was just that good at infiltration?"
Zahn let out a deep sigh, pressing his fingers against his temple as if to ward off a headache. "Shin, this is a hospital, not a military base or the prime minister's residence. Our security is tight, yes, but it's designed to protect patients, not to repel armed mercenaries."
"Are you making excuses for your hospital's incompetence?" Shin's voice cut like glass, leaving no room for negotiation. He had no intention of keeping the peace.
Knowing Shin's temper, Zahn didn't bother to argue. His tone dropped to something purely clinical. "If you want to hear Yeri's condition she suffered a heavy blow to the back and has visible bruising on her abdomen. That means she fought back and was badly kicked. The rest is the same as before, severe muscular inflammation and vein swelling. I initially suggested she be discharged today, but given her condition, that's not an option."
Shin's scoff was sharp, almost a laugh. "After what happened, you expect me to leave her here? I don't think she's safe in your hospital any longer."
"Then build your own hospital," Zahn shot back coldly, "one dedicated solely to her."
Without waiting for a reply, he turned on his heel and started walking down the corridor.
He had a crisis meeting to attend, this incident had shaken the staff, caused panic among patients, and raised serious questions about Neri Hospital's reputation for security.
But just as Zahn reached the end of the hallway, he paused and looked back over his shoulder. His voice was calm, but the words carried an edge.
"The hospital's security system runs on KGG technology. Maybe you should take a look yourself, see how someone managed to hack it so easily."
For a moment, silence hung between them.
Shin's eyes darkened, the air around him heavy and cold.
The look he gave Zahn was enough to make lesser men flinch, it was the look of someone who could drag an entire empire down into hell if he wanted to.
"If you want answers, go check the surveillance yourself. Security room's at the end of the hall."
Zahn didn't idle any longer. Without waiting for a reply, he strode away, but before he could take another step, his phone buzzed in his pocket. Seeing the caller ID, his brows furrowed.
Lianna.
He hesitated for a second before answering. "Lianna, not now. I have an emergency meeting."
"Did you check the email I sent you?" Her tone was calm and distant. Not the timid, soft Lianna he used to know.
Zahn's frown deepened. "I'm busy right now. If it's something important, talk to Mother or call my assistant."
"I sent it a day before yesterday," Lianna replied flatly. "If there's no issue, just sign it."
Something in her detached tone snapped the thin thread of patience Zahn was holding onto. Maybe it was the day's chaos, or Shin's condescending words ringing in his ears but her indifference hit a nerve.
"Lianna, are you still throwing tantrums? What's so important that you can't say it over the phone? You already know how bus—"
The line went dead.
He stared at the screen for a few seconds, breathing hard. Then he exhaled, pressing a hand to his forehead to steady his temper.
---
Meanwhile, across the city:
Cede Zone.
On the surface, it looked like any other sleek business district: glass towers, neon-lit cafés, and tech companies buzzing with innovation. But beneath that glossy exterior, almost every establishment was owned or at least controlled by Hexion.
Inside a dimly lit office on the upper floor of an unmarked building, Junho Silas, a game developer by day and a Hexion analyst by reality was sorting through a newly printed batch of photos.
He'd just received an encrypted email from Secretary Yun, marked high priority.
"Interesting," Junho murmured, eyes narrowing as he examined one of the photographs. "A hunting dog, taken down in a hospital…"
Before he could go further, the door burst open.
"I'm bored," came a familiar voice.
Junho didn't even look up. "You're always bored, Loki."
Loki strolled in, lazily tossing a dog's chew toy up and down before snatching it midair. Spotting the photos spread across the table, his eyes lit up.
"Ooh~what's this? You got a case?"
"Just received it," Junho muttered, swatting his hand away as Loki reached for the papers.
"Someone killed a hunting dog?" Loki snatched a photo anyway, his grin widening. "Who did it? Must be someone real good, right? Don't tell me it's the Boss!"
Junho sighed, finally glaring at him. "No. The Boss sent the request. Now stop touching things. I'll brief you once I'm done reviewing the file."
But Loki was already bouncing on his seat like a kid offered candy. "Let me take this one. C'mon, you know I've been itching for something fun! Give it to me, yeah?"
"Right, you're also a hunting dog, a stray one at that," Junho muttered.
Loki leaned closer, grinning from ear to ear, eyes glittering with excitement. "Exactly why I'm perfect for this job. I know there's something fun coming if it's from the boss."
Junho sighed and stood up to make coffee. "Want some? I heard from the others that the boss is seeing someone. Apparently, the rumor's spreading and they're already after the woman he fancies. Take a look at the report—"
When he turned around, the room was empty. His desk too.
Loki and the file were both gone.
"That psychopath," Junho cursed under his breath. He could just reprint it, but dealing with the chaos Loki left behind was always a headache.
Loki was the type who had more muscle than brain.
Still, Junho sent someone to tail him before returning to reprint what he needed.
---
"What do you people need the corpse for?" the detective asked Secretary Yun, his tone sharp and impatient.
The body of the deceased man was currently stored in the hospital morgue, awaiting transfer to the police forensics department for autopsy.
Secretary Yun ignored the detective's irritation. Truthfully, he also didn't understand why Shin Keir wanted him to keep such close track of the corpse. Was there some hidden clue? Some detail Shin suspected?
"This is now a shared case, Detective," Secretary Yun explained smoothly. "The mafia doesn't just make accusations. We investigate too and that includes the autopsy."
Moments later, a forensic technician reported, "The syringe found at the scene contained a deadly chemical, colorless, odorless, and untraceable. A few drops could cause total organ failure."
Had the attacker succeeded in injecting it into Yeri, she would've died without anyone realizing it wasn't natural.
Secretary Yun immediately interrupted. "I'll need a copy of that report."
The police were visibly annoyed especially the lead investigator, who was barely restraining his temper.
Dealing with wealthy people who have ties with the mafia was exasperating.
Secretary Yun, however, didn't care. Since the case was officially shared, he had every right to act.
Better to annoy the police than face Shin Keir's plummeting mood later.
"The autopsy can be done by our department," the detective suggested stiffly. "We'll forward the results to you."
Secretary Yun considered it and nodded, his Boss hadn't specified who should perform the autopsy only that the corpse must be closely monitored.
While the investigation continued, police officers questioned patients and staff, gathering statements and evidence.
Then, chaos erupted near the entrance.
A man was shouting, trying to push past security.
"I'm telling you, I'm not here to make trouble! I just want to see the corpse!"
"Sir, if you don't calm down, we'll have to arrest you," one guard warned.
Secretary Yun blinked. What is that troublemaker doing there?
Sure enough, it was Loki.
Loki spotted him instantly and waved cheerfully. "Yo! Yun Yun! Is the boss here? I'm here to see the corpse!"
Secretary Yun "..."
---
Meanwhile, at the security office, Shin was reviewing the building's surveillance footage when Master Keir called.
Information traveled fast.
The old man had already heard what happened but his main concern wasn't the hospital attack. It was the engagement meeting scheduled for the day after tomorrow.
"With the Zhis in such a mess, should we postpone the engagement meeting?" Master Keir asked.
Shin didn't even hesitate. "No. The date stays."
"What are you on now? Her mother's been shot, Yeri's in bad shape, and Klaus Zhi might be detained," the old man argued, his tone bordering on scolding. "We're not canceling just rescheduling to something appropriate for both families."
"Nothing will change," Shin replied flatly. "If there's nothing else—"
"Wait," Master Keir cut him off. "I assumed you don't have the time to checked online but Hadi's stirring rumors, claiming you almost crippled him."
Shin's expression didn't flicker. "Oh?"
Master Keir sighed heavily through the receiver. "That boy… what was he thinking…"
Shin wasn't in the mood to care. "Do whatever you want," he said coolly before ending the call.
Still, a faint smirk tugged at his lips. If anything, this might be good news. With that old hag's obsession over the Keir family's spotless reputation…
Wouldn't it be interesting to see who she'd protect: her precious grandson, or the family's pristine name?