Jihyun walked alongside Minjoon, nudging him with that mischievous grin.
"Hyung, I told you already stop it," Jihyun teased, elbowing his brother lightly.
Minjoon gave him a sharp look, trying not to crack. "Stop what?"
"Acting all stiff."
Jihyun muttered with a playful smirk.
But the teasing stopped instantly when Mr. Han, who had just been conversing with a few directors, suddenly sank into his chair. His hand clutched at his chest, his breath uneven.
"Dad!" Jihyun and Minjoon shouted together, rushing to his side.
Mr. Han waved them off weakly.
"I'm… I'm okay. Don't panic."
A waiter nearby froze, but Minjoon was quick, snatching a glass of water from the tray. "Here, Dad. Drink this."
Mr. Han took the glass with shaky hands and sipped. His lips pressed tight, but the sweat on his forehead started.
"Dad, what happened?"
Jihyun crouched beside him, voice trembling.
"Nothing serious,"
Mr. Han insisted, still clutching his chest. "Just a burning here. My chest feels heavy, that's all."
"Dad, this isn't nothing,"
Minjoon said firmly, his face pale.
"You should go home. I'll stay back and finish."
Jihyun shook his head, stubborn.
"Yes. Dad, look at you you're drenched in sweat. Please, let's just go home."
Mr. Han tried to resist, but even the directors around them urged,
"Chairman Han, you must rest. Your health comes first."
With a reluctant nod, he pushed himself up. "Fine. Fine. I'll go back."
Minjoon's jaw tightened.
"I'll handle the event. You go with Jihyun."
Jihyun slipped under his father's arm to steady him, supporting his weight as they began walking out.
Meanwhile, Taehyun caught sight of them leaving and approached Minjoon.
"What happened?" he asked.
"Dad's not feeling well. I sent him back with Jihyun,"
Minjoon said flatly, his eyes already elsewhere.
Taehyun leaned closer, lips quirking.
"Good. Then after this event, we'll have time together."
Minjoon ignored him entirely and walked away, irritation simmering.
At the front,
Taewon returned, Minji shadowing him quietly.
Taehyun noticed taewon he leaned against Harin.
"Where he went's to"
"You really don't know?"
Harin asked Taehyun, crossing her arms.
"Know what?" he muttered.
"Jihyun nearly had an accident backstage. Almost hit his head on the glass. Taewon blocked it, cut his own hand instead,"
Harin said casually, her gaze flicking toward Taewon.
"What?" Minjoon's head snapped up.
"Yes," Harin continued.
"Jihyun even choked his marshmallow at that time"
"Ah Jihyun, you're never at peace, anywhere" Minjoon turned rubbing his temple.
Onstage, Taewon finished his segment. The directors immediately noticed his hand.
"Director Kang, your hand
what happened?"
Taewon kept his voice low, He brushed it off and continued with the closing procedures. Cameras flashed as final reports were signed and the products finalized.
Afterward, Minjoon stepped forward to face the press.
"Chairman Han was not feeling well, so he returned home. Please understand,"
he said, bowing slightly before leaving the podium.
The crowd accepted it, notes scribbling, lenses clicking.
(In the car)
Jihyun sat pressed against his father, his voice tight.
"Dad, let's go to the hospital first."
Mr. Han shook his head gently, placing his hand over Jihyun's.
"Why are you worrying so much? I told you, I'm fine. Just relax."
Jihyun stared at him, conflicted, his chest heavy with unease. He pulled out his phone, trying to distract himself, but before he could even unlock the screen.
The world erupted.
A thunderous crash. Screeching tires. Glass shattering.
A truck rammed into their car with brutal force. The vehicle spun wildly, flipping before slamming into the divider.
Jihyun felt his body hurled forward, the seatbelt snapping loose. His head smashed through the front window, his body crashing onto the asphalt. His vision blurred red, his limbs weak, blood pooling beneath him.
Voices blurred around him.
"Call an ambulance!"
"He's still breathing!"
Everything felt distant, like he was floating. His body felt weightless, like cotton. Then, darkness.
(Back at the venue)
Taewon was seated with the directors when Minji approached, her face tight.
"Sir."
Taewon excused himself from the table. "What is it?"
"Mina messaged again."
Minji's hands trembled as she held out her phone.
"I told you to block her from every contact connected to the company,"
Taewon said coldly.
"I did. But this time it's different."
Taewon turned, his eyes narrowing at the screen. The words were short, sharp, and venomous.
Say goodbye to your dearest wife and father-in-law, Kang Taewon.
His chest froze, his breath caught.
Before he could move, chaos burst at the back of the hall. Han Company staff ran in, shouting,
"Chairman Han and Jihyun there's been a severe accident! A truck hit their car!"
Gasps spread through the hall. Reporters murmured, cameras flashing.
Minjoon froze, his body going stiff like a statue.
"What?" His lips parted, but no sound came.
Taewon's expression darkened, fury boiling beneath his calm.
"Save that screenshot," he ordered Minji.
She nodded quickly.
Taehyun grabbed Minjoon by the arm, shaking him gently.
"Minjoon, listen. They'll be fine. We need to go now."
Minjoon blinked blankly, still frozen. Taehyun gripped tighter.
"Come on, let's go."
Taewon moved quickly, his steps heavy, his mind sharp with rage. This wasn't coincidence.
Behind them, Minji's lips curved in a faint smirk as she slipped away backstage.
(In the ambulance)
Jihyun's eyes fluttered open. Tears slipped from the corners, his lips trembling as he tried to speak. But no sound came. His throat burned, his body refused to move.
He wanted to call for his dad. For Taewon. For anyone.
But only the hospital staff sat beside him, checking his vitals.
His vision blurred, slipping into black again.
(At the hospital)
The doors burst open as Minjoon and Taehyun rushed in. Taewon followed closely behind, his face like stone.
Doctors hurried them down the corridor.
"How are my dad and my brother?" Minjoon's voice cracked.
"Please wait," the doctor said.
"Their condition is severe. The accident was hard."
Taewon stepped forward, grabbing the doctor's arm. "Jihyun. Tell me."
The doctor hesitated, then answered gravely. "He's not out of danger yet."
"And MR Han?" Taewon voice shook.
The doctor looked down, then slowly shook his head.
"Not OK "
Silence hit like thunder.
Taewon's face went pale, his eyes hollow with shock.
Minjoon at back collapsed onto the chair nearby, his body trembling.
Taehyun crouched beside him, his voice low. "Stay strong. They'll be okay."
Taewon's voice broke the silence, cold and sharp.
"Taehyun. Involve the police. Now."
Taehyun blinked.
"Police? But it was an accident"
"No." Taewon's eyes burned dark.
"This wasn't a simple accident. Do it. And handle the media."
Taehyun hesitated, but the look in Taewon's eyes left no room for argument.
He nodded quickly and left, glancing back once at Minjoon before disappearing into the hall.
Minjoon sat slumped on the chair, eyes wet, his fists clenched. Taewon stood rigid, fury seething silently beneath his grief.
And in the cold hospital hallway, everything seemed to crumble at once.