Hi lovelies welcome back. I know🙏😭 please don't punch me😮‍💨🤛🏼 sorry for the late update. And thank you for 11k reads🥹🙏 thank you for your support ❤️ I do hope you enjoy it🙃 (I will advise you to kindly re-read the last updated chapter to flow well with this🙏🙏)

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As the assassin hastily retreated, Jongin barricaded himself inside the bathroom, paralyzed by the fear of a possible encounter with the assassin. He longed for a phone to summon Mr. Jisoo, his lifeline out of this predicament. His body ached from the fresh injury sustained during the fierce struggle. Desperation surged as Jongin tore a towel into makeshift bandages to stanch the bleeding. Eventually, he mustered the courage to leave his sanctuary, intent on seeking urgent medical assistance from the nurses on duty.

Stepping out of the bathroom, he covertly locked his ward door from within, determined to prevent the intruder's return. His energy had dwindled, drained by the relentless struggle and the pain from his injury. Jongin's mind raced as he pondered the identity of the person who had sent the assassin. Initially suspecting Park Chanyeol, he couldn't fathom why Chanyeol would opt to end his life instead of claiming the $50 million. It was evident that the assailant was on a mission to silence him, concealing a dark truth. They seemed to possess insider knowledge of the cocaine's location, explaining their ruthless determination to hush Jongin at all costs and bury the truth.

Having fortified his ward door, Jongin wheeled himself toward his bed and pressed the nurse's call button. Alarmingly, no nurse appeared, even after what felt like an eternity. Anxiety gripped him. Why were the nurses not responding? What was happening? Panic pulsed through him, heightened by the eerie silence in the hallway. Jongin's heart raced as he yearned to escape the hospital, aware that the attacker might return, their intentions now even more mysterious and perilous.

Summoning the remnants of his courage, Jongin embarked on a silent quest for a nurse, baffled by their conspicuous absence despite his desperate pleas. He cautiously peered through the door, wheeling himself into the dimly lit corridor. His grip on the bathroom towel hanger tightened, a meager lifeline in this unsettling predicament—a fragile shield against potential danger. Thankfully, the assassin remained elusive, like a shadow in the night.

Aware that time was not on his side, Jongin tracked the telltale trail of blood left behind, a chilling reminder of the struggle. It led him to an elevator, its closed doors echoing an escape route chosen by the elusive intruder.

Upon reaching the front desk, a disconcerting scene greeted Jongin's eyes. Two caregivers, deep in slumber—a sight as rare as it was troubling. Fear clawed at him, a dread that something sinister had transpired. "H-Hello?" his voice cut through the eerie stillness, yet it seemed swallowed by the silence. Swiftly, he seized the nearby table phone, dialing the emergency service. His heart raced as he implored, "Help me." A sob followed, muffled but laden with despair. "Something's terribly wrong. I was attacked, and it's not just me; all the nurses here have fallen unconscious. Please, hurry."

Seeking refuge, Jongin wheeled himself to a secluded nook, torn between returning to his ward, the dreaded elevator, or the ominous stairwell. What if pressing that elevator button unveiled the assassin? He whispered prayers, waiting for salvation. This hospital, nestled in a remote community, seemed diminutive compared to the bustling facilities of Seoul. Jongin acknowledged that it was perhaps the best Mr. Jisoo could provide—the man who had rescued him.

The elevator doors chimed open, revealing two doctors and three paramedic nurses, likely conducting rounds when chaos erupted. The doctors rushed to attend to patients in their care, while the paramedics hastened to the side of the fallen nurses, two in total. The presence of only two nurses on duty raised concerns of severe understaffing, leaving Jongin profoundly unsettled. As paramedics worked fervently to revive their fallen comrades, one of them administered first aid to Jongin. Overwhelmed by shock and blood loss, Jongin succumbed, collapsing unconscious, adding to the unfolding drama in the hospital's hushed corridors.

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Baekhyun awoke to find the lights in his room already on, following his usual morning ritual. He slowly stretched, mindful of the stiffness in his sleep-weary limbs and the pain in his back. To the best of his recollection, he had participated in the ritual, received first aid, and then dozed off the previous evening.

As Baekhyun cautiously turned to his side, he realized he wasn't alone in the room. He froze, attempting to identify the presence of a man in his bedroom. Suddenly, dread washed over him as he spotted the Mafia boss seated on his single cushion. Baekhyun quickly concealed his face under the oversized duvet. Chanyeol was engrossed in his phone, seemingly unaware of Baekhyun's movements.

Baekhyun took a discreet peek from under the blanket at Chanyeol. The Don wore a navy blue checkered suit with a matching waistcoat and a gold watch on his left wrist. Baekhyun couldn't discern the brand, but the man had an air of affluence. His hair was neatly parted and combed back, and his facial features were so handsome. Baekhyun couldn't help but notice Chanyeol's long, thick fingers, which caused a lump to form in his throat. Despite his wealth and undeniable attractiveness, Baekhyun harbored a deep dislike for him. Chanyeol had never waited for him to wake up before, and this unusual behavior raised Baekhyun's suspicions. "Baekhyun, what time is it?" Chanyeol's question caught him off guard.

Panicking, Baekhyun closed his eyes, wishing he could disappear. But it was too late; Chanyeol was aware of his awakening. "It's 8:30 a.m., sir," Baekhyun replied, peeking at the wall clock in his room. He bit his lower lip in embarrassment, clutching the blanket tightly. "Good morning, sir."

Chanyeol, unmoved, continued, "And you're still in bed? Did you expect to have breakfast served to you in bed?"

Baekhyun emerged from under the duvet and whispered an apology, "I'm sorry, sir." His cheeks flushed a faint pink, seemingly embarrassed for no apparent reason. The idea of Chanyeol bringing him breakfast in bed might have crossed his mind, but he dismissed it as foolish. Especially given the circumstances of his arrival. Why was he blushing under these conditions?

"What time do your school classes start?" Chanyeol inquired again, causing Baekhyun to gasp in surprise. Did Don just ask about his school? He wondered. "9:15 a.m., sir. Am I resuming my studies already?" Baekhyun's lips formed a thin, forced smile as he awkwardly rubbed the back of his neck in response to Chanyeol's unexpected attention. He mumbled a small sound, "I suppose the medication I took last night knocked me out."

Chanyeol observed him with an unreadable expression. Despite finding Baekhyun cute, he refrained from smiling. He instructed, checking his gold watch for the time, "Get up and take a shower right now. You have fifteen minutes." He rose and added, "Put on your clothes after showering, and come downstairs."

Chanyeol reiterated his instructions one last time before leaving, making sure Baekhyun heard, "You had fifteen minutes, but there are only thirteen left. Don't make me come back for you." And with that, he exited Baekhyun's room. Baekhyun quickly rose from the bed and rushed to the bathroom, muttering under his breath. "You're so heartless."

Chanyeol couldn't help but smile as he left Baekhyun's room, despite his inner voice reminding him that the younger man was his enemy. 'He's not cute,' Chanyeol's inner voice insisted. 'Don't be fooled; he's your enemy.'

After getting dressed and taking a shower, Baekhyun hurried downstairs. He spotted Chanyeol talking to Sehun and two unfamiliar Capos. Baekhyun offered a quick bow to acknowledge their presence before heading to the kitchen, where Kyungsoo was calling him over. In the hallway leading to the kitchen, he encountered Kyungsoo, who promptly handed him a sandwich wrapped in foil with a note that read, "You're not a baby; I would have used a container, so off you go."

"I don't understand what's happening?" Baekhyun inquired, but Kyungsoo found himself at a loss for words when confronted with Baekhyun's bewildered question. He wasn't in a position to provide any explanations. Instead, he simply accepted the sandwich and water bottle from Kyungsoo and expressed his thanks, following Sehun's signal to proceed.

Once inside the vehicle, he had to don an eye sleep mask, and they departed promptly. The intention was to prevent him from recognizing the surroundings in case he decided to report them or involve the police.

Blindfolded and filled with uncertainty, Baekhyun pondered their hasty decision. Even though he couldn't see, he could sense the car's motion and direction. Was he truly headed to school from this mysterious location? Was he leaving these premises after being abducted and kept in the dark for over two weeks? Or did they have some sinister plan involving his school? Anxious, he took a nervous breath and braced himself for whatever awaited him upon arrival at their destination.

As the journey continued, Baekhyun remained blindfolded, his heart pounding. Finally, when they reached the entrance of the university, they removed the eye mask and tossed his backpack to him, which he instinctively caught. Baekhyun realized he had returned to school at that moment. Before instructing him to exit the car, Sehun quickly handed him a different phone from the one Chanyeol had confiscated. "You won't be able to contact anyone with this phone, not even your mother," Sehun informed him, shattering his hopes. "All you need to do is answer the phone when it rings." He added, ruffling Baekhyun's neatly combed hair, prompting a frown from the latter. "Baekhyun, don't do anything foolish and don't say I didn't warn you. You must keep silent about your whereabouts over the past few weeks. Don't mention Don, Jongin, the mansion, the ritual, or anything else you've seen or heard. If someone asks about your absence, they should know you were unwell and chose to seek medical attention."

After a few moments of staring blankly at Sehun, Baekhyun nodded softly and uttered, "Yes, Capo Sehun," conveying his exhaustion with the entire ordeal. He yearned for this ordeal to conclude so he could return to his normal life and perhaps offer a defiant gesture, particularly to Park Chanyeol.

"Here," Sehun reached into his jacket pocket and retrieved his wallet. Along with a brown envelope, he handed Baekhyun 150,000 South Korean won in cash, followed by the envelope. "This is for lunch. In case they require proof of your illness, here's your doctor's report." It was an unexpected level of thoroughness from them. Baekhyun briefly glanced at the envelope before placing it inside his backpack. It all felt surreal.

He sighed, his mind filled with unanswered questions and a deep desire for this chapter of his life to come to an end.

They bid him farewell, but Baekhyun stood there, unmoving, as he watched their car accelerate and disappear into the bustling Seoul streets. He hadn't realized he had been holding back a deep sigh of relief until his shoulders finally relaxed. He felt torn between wanting to cry and feeling overjoyed. Returning to school was indeed a welcome breath of fresh air. He longed for his former life, wishing none of this had ever happened. Regardless, the thought of returning to that mansion terrified him to the core. Living in that house felt like walking on eggshells strewn with shards of broken glass.

Thankfully, Baekhyun arrived at his class just before the lecture began. It was then that he decided to unzip the bag Sehun had given him. Inside, he found his textbooks, some of his notebooks, and a few pens from home. It didn't surprise him that they had managed to acquire his belongings; after all, these people were part of the mafia, and they would stop at nothing to find him. This meant that even if he considered fleeing, returning home was not an option. He would be tracked down, and this time, the consequences might be dire.

Reunited with the few friends he had before his disappearance, Baekhyun slowly pushed the memories of the Mafia to the back of his mind. When his mother had reported him missing, they had suspected he had been kidnapped, but Baekhyun stuck to the story that he had been genuinely ill and didn't want to worry his mother, just as Sehun had advised.

Mark Lee, handing Baekhyun a pile of test papers, said, "It's good to have you back. I went ahead and submitted our completed project and here are your grades, hoping you'd return." Baekhyun was overwhelmed with emotion as Mark's words sank in. He welled up with tears, touched by the fact that his friend had taken those steps on his behalf, thinking he might miss out on some grades. "You owe me lunch for this, though, because submitting these wasn't a walk in the park." They both shared a chuckle as Mark placed his hand on Baekhyun's shoulder and whistled. Baekhyun responded by playfully elbowing Mark. "You name it, my friend. Thanks."

Mark continued, his tone shifting slightly, "You were sick, and you didn't even call me, seriously? I'm mad at you, Baekhyun." He expressed his disappointment. "I even visited your place, but no one was there. What's your roommate's name again?" Mark tapped his forehead, then grinned, "Jongin! Right, when I asked about Jongin, your neighbors mentioned he had been away for a few weeks. Is he back?" Baekhyun, unable to speak about Jongin, simply stared at his friend. As much as he wanted to confide in Mark, he couldn't. How could he explain that Jongin was shot and that he had been abducted because of suspicions surrounding their connection? Despite their long-standing friendship since freshman year, this topic was too sensitive and could get them into trouble if revealed. "No, he hasn't called or returned yet. But he seems fine," Baekhyun replied with a silent prayer in his heart, pleading for Jongin's safety.

Feeling a bit uncomfortable with Mark's questions, Baekhyun opted to steer the conversation in a different direction. "I'm genuinely grateful. I didn't anticipate this," he remarked, gesturing towards the graded project papers he held in his hand with a gentle smile. Mark, however, dismissed it, saying, "No need to mention it; just treat me to lunch, alright? However, you've missed out on most of the group projects," Mark pointed out, retrieving his text books from his bag and placing them on the table. "I'm confident the professor can provide you with your own or, even better, pair you up with someone," he suggested, "Especially if he's informed about your health challenges."

Baekhyun humbly nodded in agreement with Mark's proposal and added, "Thank you."

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On their way to the workplace, Chanyeol and Minseok made a detour to check on Baekhyun's mother at the hospital. They found themselves in the neurosurgery nursing unit, where they met Kim Jongdae and the neurosurgeon who had performed the surgery on Mrs. Byun. Upon their arrival, the neurosurgeon was in the process of assessing her condition. Currently, she is under sedation, administered by the neurosurgeon to keep her unconscious for a few days to aid in her recovery. After evaluating the patient, Jongdae and his colleague who happened to be the neurosurgeon joined Chanyeol and Minseok outside the room, explaining that she was still not fully aware of her surroundings, necessitating the use of a ventilator to assist her breathing while she slept.

Minseok left Chanyeol to discuss with his cousin and the neurosurgeon, and after exchanging goodbyes, the doctors departed for another assessment. The two men waited outside the glass door of the unit, silently observing Mrs. Byun's condition. Minseok sighed, slipping his hands into his trousers' pockets, and commented, "It appears she's on the path to recovery, albeit gradually."

"I hope so," Chanyeol replied, his gaze fixed on the woman lying in the hospital bed. Even with her eyes closed, her features bore a resemblance to Baekhyun's, especially as he slept. It was the same as that morning. Chanyeol had found himself scrutinizing Baekhyun's facial features while he slept, unable to shake the image from his mind. Baekhyun was undeniably attractive, but was it appropriate to acknowledge that? He pondered whether Baekhyun was merely an exceptionally good-looking man or something more in his eyes. Regardless, Baekhyun was undoubtedly a striking individual. But was that the extent of it?

Try as he might, Chanyeol couldn't banish the memory of Baekhyun from his thoughts. Despite his rational mind urging him to distance himself from Baekhyun and ignore these feelings, he found himself unable to do so. Chanyeol muttered softly to himself, "It's impossible," which caught Minseok off guard.

"Don, what's impossible?" Minseok inquired with curiosity.

"Never mind," Chanyeol replied dismissively, not wishing to delve into that conversation with his Sotto Capo present. "Let's proceed. Today, I need to inspect some construction sites. I want to see what they're doing with my money. And then I have a meeting with an architect friend of mine from Busan." With that, Chanyeol turned and left Minseok slightly bewildered as he hurried to catch up. "What's troubling you? Mrs. Byun isn't going anywhere anytime soon," Minseok commented, even though he struggled to keep up with Chanyeol's brisk pace due to his shorter stature and shorter legs. Despite his breathlessness, he managed to stay close to his Don.

"Who said I'm worried about her, Kim Minseok?" Chanyeol scoffed as he pressed the elevator button to call the lift to their floor. Minseok shot a glance at him, his brows furrowing in concern. He couldn't help but ask, "You haven't been yourself since you got involved with this family. That's why I'm curious. What's going on?" Minseok inquired out of genuine worry, contemplating the abrupt changes in the Mafia leader's demeanor, which were clearly out of character. What was it about Baekhyun and his mother that made them so significant? What was it specifically about Baekhyun that had such an effect on the Don?

The elevator door chimed as it opened, and Chanyeol stepped inside, paying no attention to Minseok's banter. "Oh? It's Baekhyun, isn't it?" Minseok let out a sarcastic chuckle. "You have a thing for him, don't you?" Minseok prodded, attempting to catch Chanyeol's attention, but the Mafia leader dismissed it with a wave, saying, "Not today, Kim Minseok." Chanyeol reached to press the button for the first floor, only to realize that his Sotto Capo was still outside the elevator. He then asked, "Are you coming in, or do you prefer taking the stairs, Kim Minseok?"

"What?" Minseok responded, taken aback.

"Are you coming in, or do you plan to take the stairs, Kim Minseok? You choose," Chanyeol repeated, their gazes locked for a few seconds before Minseok eventually entered the elevator. Undeterred, Minseok began to sing, "Deck the halls with boughs of holly, Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la..."

"Tis the season to be jolly
Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la..."

"DON we now our GAY apparel
Fa-la-la, la-la-la, la-la-la—"

Chanyeol's patience wore thin with Minseok's incessant singing. If they hadn't been running late for their appointment, Chanyeol would have seriously considered kicking Minseok out of the elevator. Hearing him sing on and on, Chanyeol eventually shook his head, stating, "You can sing all you want, Kim, but trust me, it's not getting to me. And I won't respond to your inquiries just to satisfy your curiosity. You should understand that, so stop scrutinizing my decisions." Minseok's persistent teasing was increasingly getting on Chanyeol's nerves.

"I'm just wondering if you've forgotten the real reason we took Baekhyun that night," Minseok defended himself, adding, "I'm not criticizing your actions, boss; I'm simply singing for my amusement. Remember the 50 million bucks? You're not just throwing that money around on a whim or a fleeting infatuation, are you?"

"KIM MINSEOK!" Chanyeol's outburst was chilling, accompanied by a glare that could end Minseok's life. Chanyeol sternly told his Sotto, "Don't cross the line." As the elevator descended, Chanyeol continued to speak, turning toward Minseok and saying, "I can handle a joke, but you need to learn the difference—I won't tolerate disrespect. Do you understand me? Do you UNDERSTAND!?"

"Yes, boss!" Minseok replied with regret, blinking after his response. "Whether I want Baekhyun for myself or not is none of your business," Chanyeol told him. "Your job was to find Kim Jongin, dead or alive, not question my interest in anyone." Minseok, fully aware of his behavior, bowed, muttering, "I apologize, boss. I beg your forgiveness and accept any appropriate punishment you see fit."

They maintained silence as they reached the ground floor and headed toward their parked cars. Minseok's phone kept ringing, but he kept declining the calls.

"Aren't you going to answer that call?" Chanyeol asked when they were in the car. He was vigilant about his associates and could tell when someone was trying to hide something. As Minseok continued to ignore the call, it persistently rang. "It's from my family, Boss," Minseok replied. "I'll deal with them later," Chanyeol smirked but didn't entirely believe him. Minseok had been acting strangely lately, and Chanyeol intended to find out why.

Upon arriving at the construction site, they saw numerous workers. Heavy-duty trucks were stationed around the site, delivering raw materials for the ongoing project. Forklift and crane operators were on standby with their equipment. Minseok, being the first to exit the front passenger side, attempted to open the door for Chanyeol, but Chanyeol, as usual, had already opened it himself, causing Minseok to snort sarcastically. He knew that their discussion about Baekhyun had left Chanyeol quite agitated, but he needed to understand Chanyeol's intentions regarding the younger male. Perhaps not solely for knowledge's sake but also for his motives. Minseok observed Chanyeol approaching the contractors, shaking hands with them, and then following them while donning a safety helmet.

Suddenly, the same caller from earlier rang Minseok's phone once again. As Chanyeol and the contractors continued their tour, Minseok called out to Chanyeol, excusing himself to take the call this time, muttering, "It's still my family." He then walked away to a quieter area.

"What the hell are you doing? I told you not to call me during the day." Once Minseok was in a quieter spot, he exclaimed into his phone. The person on the other end didn't sound like a family member but rather an acquaintance. A bit impatiently, Minseok inquired, "Did you get rid of it?" But upon learning that the target had escaped, Minseok exclaimed, "What the hell!" almost attracting the attention of the workers. He took an intense breath, glancing around to ensure no one was eavesdropping before he continued in a hushed yet frustrated tone, "What do you mean it escaped?" He whispered urgently into the phone to avoid being overheard.

"Was your face visible?" Minseok's anger grew as he listened to the person on the other end while running his fingers through his hair. He was relieved when the answer came back negative. "Good. Now, pay attention closely, you idiot." Minseok snapped, his frustration evident. "You need to find and eliminate that piece of garbage, no matter how you do it. Don't contact me until you've taken care of it. Otherwise, I'll come after you, your idiotic brother, sister, and even your mother." He abruptly ended the call. After that discreet conversation, Minseok quickly silenced his phone. He had thought no one was watching, but Chanyeol was, and Minseok's visibly upset demeanor had piqued Don's interest.

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After having been reported missing for several weeks, the school authorities contacted the police upon hearing of Baekhyun's return. Baekhyun was in the middle of his classes when one of the professors entered and had a conversation with the class instructor before escorting him away. Baekhyun followed the professor to their department office, where he found himself face-to-face with two detectives. At that moment, Baekhyun felt his color drain.

"You must be Baekhyun. Please, come in and have a seat," one of the officers gestured. Baekhyun hesitated initially but recalled Capo Sehun's advice from that morning. He approached them and took a seat, his anxiety palpable.

"So, Baekhyun, we're here to ask you some questions, and we'd appreciate your full cooperation," Detective Zhang Yixing began. "I'm Detective Zhang Yixing, and this is my colleague, Detective Kim Junmyeon. We received a report from a woman who seems to be your mother, judging by the shared last name. So, tell us, who is Mrs. Byun to you?"

"She's my mother," Baekhyun replied, remembering what Kyungsoo had told him about how his mother reported him missing.

"Where were you for the past two weeks?"

"I was ill," Baekhyun responded. The two detectives exchanged glances upon hearing this. "You were sick? And one day, you just disappeared without informing anyone?" Junmyeon inquired.

"I didn't vanish; I went to the hospital and got admitted because of my illness," Baekhyun informed them. He didn't want them to assume that he just disappeared which would imply that he was indeed kidnapped.

"Did you get a chance to contact your mom?" Junmyeon inquired, and Baekhyun sadly shook his head. "I understand it's been tough, but at least she deserves to know you're okay after all this time." Baekhyun's gaze dropped in guilt. It had been the right thing to do, and he'd been longing to hear his mother's voice for over two weeks. But how could he, when the Mafia Lord had forcibly taken away his phone? Seeing Baekhyun's conflicted expression, Junmyeon probed further, concerned for any leads. Certainly, here's a more engaging version of the paragraphs:

"Your mother has gone missing, right after reporting your own disappearance. Do you have any inkling about who might be behind her vanishing?" The detective's revelation brought Baekhyun to the verge of tears. He held suspicions close to his chest, but disclosing them was no simple task. Could Chanyeol somehow be connected to his mother's disappearance, or was it a cruel twist of fate? "W-what? How? When did this happen? Where is my mother?" Baekhyun's voice trembled with anguish, and he made a futile attempt to leap from his seat, only to be thwarted by Junmyeon's swift grip. "Please, you have to help me find my mother!" Baekhyun pleaded, his emotions running raw. Meanwhile, Yixing observed the younger man with an air of calm, a nagging suspicion that Baekhyun might be putting on a show. "And what ailment were you supposedly suffering from?" Yixing interjected, cutting through the sobs. Baekhyun hesitated, unable to reveal the details of his alleged illness, as he hadn't perused Sehun's report. "What illness, Mr. Byun?" He remained silent but continued to weep uncontrollably.

"On the same day your roommate vanished?" Yixing probed further, his eyes scanning the report submitted by his mother. "Which hospital were you supposedly admitted to?" Yixing's curiosity was unmistakable, sensing that something in Baekhyun's story didn't quite add up. Why was he sweating? Why was he dodging their questions? They watched as Baekhyun retrieved the brown envelope handed to him by Capo Sehun that very morning. Yixing snatched the envelope and unfolded the contents. As he read, he cast occasional glances in Baekhyun's direction. After finishing, he handed the report to Junmyeon. "Pneumonia? You were missing for two weeks due to pneumonia?"

Baekhyun breathed a sigh of relief. "Yes, sir. I didn't want to burden anyone."

"I understand... So, are you telling us you spent a full two weeks in that hospital? Who footed the medical bills?"

"I heard it was a philanthropist, but I honestly have no idea who that person is," Baekhyun replied, wiping away his tears, despite his struggle to contain his emotions. He felt a twinge of irritation at their relentless questioning but recognized the need to maintain composure and avoid raising suspicion.

"Did you commute to school from your home or from the hospital?"

"I commuted from my home," he claimed, concealing the truth.

"But how come no one saw you, especially your neighbors?" Baekhyun went blank at this moment, his heart pounding so loudly he feared they could hear it. He had to choose his words carefully, as these detectives were astute. "I entered through the back door to avoid drawing attention."

"What about your roommate? We heard you lived with someone. Where is he?"

"He went on a trip," Baekhyun responded, still crying.

"Where did he go?" Yixing asked.

"He didn't say. I asked, but he didn't tell me."

Yixing leaned closer to Junmyeon, whispering something in his ear before addressing Baekhyun again. "Some sources mentioned that you were dropped off today by a luxury car with two individuals inside. Do you know them?"

"I met one of them at the hospital while I was admitted," Baekhyun fabricated.

"So, you two became friends?" Yixing interrupted him.

"We're not that close. I accidentally bumped into him, and he offered me a ride."

"And you accepted the offer without knowing if he was a serial killer or kidnapper?"

"It didn't cross my mind, to be honest, and he doesn't strike me as one." that was the dumbest thing to say Baekhyun. He internally wanted to smack himself. "Please help me find my mother, please. I don't know what's happening. Please help me," he pleaded with the detectives. For the first time that moment they saw the sincerity in Baekhyun.

"Right, sure. We'll do our best and get back to you once we find something. For the time being, we will keep this report. We may need to investigate this hospital further. If necessary, we might visit your home."

On hearing that they would visit his home, Baekhyun's heart leaped. How can they visit his home when he's not been living there for over two weeks? "When will you be coming?" he asked just to be sure but his hope was thrown under the bus.

"That's for us to decide, Mr. Byun," Yixing said with a sinister smirk, indicating his distrust. "Thank you for your cooperation. Have a good rest of your day." They released Baekhyun, leaving him with a sense of uncertainty about his mothers whereabouts.

When Yixing and Junmyeon left the university campus, they engaged in a conversation. Junmyeon, while fastening his seatbelt, inquired whether Baekhyun was being truthful.

"Of course, he's not telling the truth," Yixing muttered as he entered the car, locked the door, and secured his seatbelt. "Can't you see it in his eyes? He could barely maintain eye contact during my questioning."

"Could he be fabricating the story about the hospital and his claimed illness?"

"That's something we need to uncover. First, we must broaden our search for his mother, report her as missing, and investigate further. Some locals mentioned that she appeared to have been robbed, possibly even assaulted, as there was blood in her store. A group of men took her away that same evening. Something doesn't add up, and I'm convinced Mr. Byun is concealing something."

"Hmmm..." Junmyeon sighed, feeling overwhelmed by the unfolding events, including Jongin's disappearance and Baekhyun's sudden reappearance, tied to his mother's disappearance. "I'll get to the bottom of this, and I assure you we'll apprehend those responsible for these crimes," Yixing affirmed.

An hour later, Baekhyun's phone came to life with a subtle vibration. He cautiously picked up the call, only to be jolted by Sehun's words of praise for his astute handling of the questions. Baekhyun's face drained of color as he grasped that he was under surveillance, and the eerie mystery of how it had occurred sent a shiver down his spine. These people, he thought, were truly diabolical.
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Authors note 📝
Q: Is something fishy? Who is the bad guy?

Q: Did Baekhyun handle the detectives well? : Could he have told them the truth not knowing that the Mafia could hear his conversation?

(Please kindy let me know if I should drop the next part.🥺 I don't know if y'all still have an interest in reading this😩)