Chapter 40
Lee Joon POV
As Eun Woo and I stepped outside, the night air wrapped around us cool, quiet, almost too calm for everything that had happened earlier.
For a moment, neither of us spoke.
Then it hit me.
Andrew.
I had a meeting with him tonight.
I stopped walking abruptly.
Eun Woo noticed but said nothing.
"Can we continue this discussion when I get back?" I asked, turning slightly toward him.
He adjusted his sleeve, calm as ever.
"I'll be leaving soon, sir."
I frowned.
"Leaving? Why?"
"I didn't inform my siblings I wouldn't be returning home," he said. "They'll be expecting me."
There was no hesitation in his voice. Just quiet responsibility.
I studied him for a second.
"You have a phone," I said. "Call them."
He didn't respond immediately.
"I'll be right back," I added, already turning away before he could argue.
Because this… this mattered.
The drive to the bar was quiet.
Streetlights stretched endlessly across the road, reflecting faintly on the windshield. The city was still alive, but distant like it belonged to someone else tonight.
Andrew.
It had been years.
And yet, it didn't feel like years.
Some people don't fade with time.
They wait.
The bar wasn't crowded.
Soft lights. Low conversations. The faint clink of glasses that didn't try too hard to be heard.
And there he was.
Exactly where I expected him to be.
Sitting alone.
No drink in front of him.
No phone.
No distractions.
Like he wasn't there to pass time.
He was there with purpose.
"Hey," I said as I approached.
He looked up immediately.
And for a split second just one his composure cracked.
Not fully.
But enough.
He stood.
Then pulled me into a firm hug.
"It's really been a long time," he said.
"Yes," I replied. "It has."
We pulled apart slowly.
His eyes moved past me, scanning.
Looking for the others.
"Where are Nicholas and the rest?" he asked.
"Something came up," I said. "They couldn't make it."
His brows drew slightly.
"Nothing serious, I hope."
"Nothing you need to worry about."
That was enough for him.
He didn't push.
Andrew never pushed unnecessarily.
We sat.
A waiter approached.
"I'll have a drink," I said.
Andrew shook his head lightly.
"No."
Of course.
He hadn't changed.
For a moment, silence settled between us.
Not awkward.
Just… heavy with things unsaid.
"Andrew," I said finally, leaning back slightly, "it's good to have you back."
He nodded once.
Not smiling.
Not soft.
Just acknowledging.
"What are your plans now?" I asked.
That was when it shifted.
Not visibly.
But I felt it.
The air around him grew colder.
His fingers tightened slightly against the table.
"I need to make them pay."
His voice was calm.
Too calm.
"I need justice for my parents."
There it was.
Not grief.
Not sadness.
Purpose.
I didn't interrupt.
Didn't question.
Because I already knew.
Some wounds don't heal.
They evolve.
"Whatever happens," I said quietly, "you're not alone."
He looked at me then.
"We've got your back," I added.
A pause.
Then
"Thanks."
It was simple.
But real.
He leaned back slightly.
"How's work?" he asked.
"Normal," I replied. "The usual."
He nodded, but I could tell his mind wasn't there.
So I shifted.
"I heard you're looking to partner with a company."
That got his attention immediately.
"Yes," he said, a faint smile forming. "I am."
"I might know one." I said.
"Lee Joon...."
"At least let me finish," I cut in calmly.
He raised an eyebrow but leaned back, allowing it.
"It's an oil and gas company," I said. "Luxury Oil and Gas."
His expression didn't change.
But his eyes sharpened.
"Owned by a foreigner," I continued. "Young. Intelligent."
Then I added
"A woman."
That made him pause.
Interesting.
"What can I say," he said after a moment, "if they pass the qualifications, I'll have my assistant schedule a meeting."
Then his tone shifted slightly.
More deliberate.
"But I'll be meeting the CEO myself."
"That won't be a problem," I said.
He watched me carefully now.
Measuring.
"Is she your woman?" he asked suddenly.
I almost choked on my drink.
"No."
He didn't look convinced.
"It's rare for you to help a stranger," he said.
"That's because she isn't one," I replied.
That changed everything.
"Oh?"
"We've known her for a while."
"We?" he repeated.
"Yes," I said. "Nicholas. Kang Dae."
He stilled.
"She's close to Nicholas," I added. "Almost like family."
Then, after a slight pause
"she's not easy to ignore. Getting his father's attention alone says enough." he said as his gaze dropped slightly, thoughtful.
"He doesn't respect easily," he said.
"No," I agreed. "He doesn't."
We sat in silence for a moment longer.
But this time, it wasn't empty.
It was building.
Something unseen.
Something inevitable.
Eventually, we stood.
Outside, the night had deepened.
The city lights stretched endlessly, cold and distant.
"I'll get back to you about the company," I said as we walked toward our cars.
"Sure," he replied. "I'll be waiting."
Then he paused.
"Drive safe," he added. "And send my regards to uncle… and aunt."
A small pause.
"And SEO Hee."
I nodded once.
Then got into my car.
The drive back was quieter than before.
My thoughts heavier.
Andrew hadn't changed.
Not in the way people usually do.
He was still controlled.
Still precise.
Still… contained.
Like a man living inside a structure he built himself.
Routine.
Predictable.
Dangerous in its own way.
Laurel would hate that.
She once said routine was one of the fastest ways for a person to die while still breathing.
At least she fought.
At least she moved.
Even if it destroyed her.
When I got back, the house was silent.
Not peaceful.
Just… empty.
Everyone had retreated.
Doors closed.
Lights dimmed.
Their own worlds.
I stepped inside slowly.
No one in the living room.
No voices.
No movement.
Then
I saw it.
A figure.
Sitting in the dark.
Head lowered slightly.
Still.
"Who's there?" I asked.
No response.
I moved closer.
Still nothing.
Then I reached for the switch.
The light flicked on.
Eun Woo.
He blinked immediately, raising a hand to shield his eyes as they adjusted.
"Why are you here?" I asked.
"You told me to wait, sir."
I frowned.
"You've been sitting here this whole time?"
"Yes, sir."
There was no complaint.
No irritation.
Just… obedience.
I stared at him for a moment.
Then exhaled quietly.
"Go to bed," I said. "We'll talk in the morning."
"Yes, sir."
He stood immediately.
No hesitation.
No questions.
And walked toward the guest room.
I watched him disappear down the hallway.
Then leaned back slightly, running a hand through my hair.
The house felt heavier now.
Full of people.
Full of tension.
Full of things no one was saying.
"Another day done," I muttered.
Then, quieter
"Let's just avoid disaster tomorrow."
But even as I said it…
I already knew.
That wasn't going to happen.