The Criminal Store Chap 03

Mike sat alone in his office, his revolving chair turned toward the floor-to-ceiling glass window. Beyond it, the dazzling lights of Seoul stretched endlessly into the night.

An imported cigar rested between his fingers, its rich aroma slowly filling the spacious office. He quietly admired the city below, completely lost in his thoughts.

The office door suddenly opened.

Mike didn't bother to turn around.

He already knew who had entered.

"Where have you been?" Seo demanded angrily. "Do you have any idea how many times I called you?"

Mike remained silent.

Standing near the door, Secretary Kim lowered his head nervously.

"Sir... I tried my best to stop him outside, but he wouldn't listen. I'm sorry."

Without saying a word, Mike casually raised one hand, signalling his secretary to leave.

Secretary Kim immediately bowed before quietly closing the door behind him.

The office fell silent.

Mike finally spoke, his voice calm enough to send chills down the room.

"I warned you not to come here."

His cold eyes never left the city outside.

"Why is it so difficult for you to follow a simple order?"

Seo let out a bitter laugh.

"You can't stop me from coming here. I have permission."

Mike slowly turned his chair until he was facing Seo.

His icy gaze locked onto him.

"Permission?"

His voice was dangerously quiet.

"Who gave you permission?"

A brief pause.

"It certainly wasn't me."

Seo swallowed hard, but forced himself to answer.

"I... I don't need your permission."

For a second...

Everything became silent.

Then—

Before Seo could even react—

Mike crossed the room in an instant.

His hand shot around Seo's throat, slamming him hard against the wall.

Seo gasped for air.

Mike's grip tightened just enough to remind him who held the power.

"I don't want to see your face ever again."

His voice remained frighteningly calm.

"So before you die by my hands..."

"Leave."

Mike released him with a sharp shove.

Without another glance, he straightened his suit jacket and walked out of the office as though nothing had happened.

Seo collapsed against the wall, coughing violently.

"...You think I'll let you go that easily?"

A twisted smile slowly spread across his face.

"It took me far too long to find you."

On the Other Side...

Jin was busy working at his convenience store during another quiet night shift.

As he arranged the shelves, he softly hummed his favourite poem to himself.

The peaceful silence lasted only a few moments before the entrance door chimed.

Jin turned around.

"...Hyung?"

A small smile appeared on his face as he walked over.

"Hello, Hyung. What are you doing here? Is everything okay?"

"I'm fine," Hyung replied warmly. "How have you been?"

As he spoke, he reached out and gently patted Jin's shoulder.

The smile disappeared from Jin's face.

He immediately stepped back, creating distance between them.

His expression turned cold.

"I said don't touch me."

His voice was sharp.

"Why can't you understand a single word?"

Hyung let out a soft sigh before forcing a smile.

"Calm down. You're misunderstanding me. I wasn't trying to do anything."

Jin remained silent.

Deep down, he had known Hyung's true intentions from the very beginning. Yet no matter how much he wanted to push him away, he couldn't.

There were chains around him that no one else could see.

He had no choice.

Hyung broke the silence.

"Come on. Let's have a cup of coffee together."

"I still have work to do," Jin replied flatly. "You can go by yourself."

Hyung laughed.

"Oh, come on. It's been such a long time since we met. At least sit with me for a while."

After insisting several more times, Jin finally gave in.

With obvious reluctance, he prepared two cups of coffee and carried them outside.

As they sat down, Jin looked at him with a puzzled expression.

"Hyung... why are we sitting outside instead of inside?"

A faint smirk appeared on Hyung's lips.

"Today..."

He took a slow sip of his coffee.

"I just felt like sitting out here."

Jin didn't reply.

He simply sat there in silence.

What Jin didn't know...

Directly across the street...

A black luxury car was parked quietly.

Jin hadn't noticed it.

But Hyung had.

That car was the real reason he had insisted on sitting outside.

Inside the vehicle...

Mike watched everything through the tinted window.

He let out a quiet sigh.

"I didn't come here to watch this."

His jaw tightened.

Seeing someone else sitting beside Jin irritated him more than he expected.

Even so...

He forced himself to stay calm.

He knew he had already left a terrible first impression on Jin.

If he acted impulsively again...

Things would only become worse.

At that moment...

Hyung deliberately reached out and placed a hand on Jin's shoulder once again.

Jin immediately stood up, his patience finally running out.

"I'm leaving."

Hyung's smile disappeared.

"Sit down."

His voice turned unexpectedly cold.

Jin froze.

For a brief moment...

He silently sat back down.

Even though he obeyed...

A strange feeling crept over him.

It felt as though someone was watching his every movement.

His eyes wandered around the street.

But he couldn't find anyone.

Inside the black car...

Mike narrowed his eyes.

"I'll have to keep an eye on him..."

Without another word...

The engine roared to life.

The black car sped away into the night.

Hyung watched it disappear.

A slow smile spread across his face.

"So..."

He thought to himself.

"Now the real fun begins."

To Be Continued...

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***