[Warning : This book as a whole contains triggering things. I'll not be providing warnings in each chapter, if someone is uncomfortable, it's better to drop right away☝🏻😔]
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"Prove it was just a twisted way of accepting my presence, Mr. Choi." Jeonghan assured, "You can't manipulate me."

"I bet I can." Seungcheol's smile became even more sinister, "I accepted your presence because I thought I would love to toy with you in my spare time."

"Another reminder Mr. Choi." Jeonghan nodded, "You can't make me feel endangered by using your dirty tricks, never."

"Oh I can." Seungcheol leaned slightly, "How about we make a little bet, Dr. Yoon?"

"What bet?" Jeonghan asked.

"If I succeed in manipulating you, in making you scared, you will leave and never come back." Seungcheol declared, "And if you don't get scared, I'll listen to you, your advices and your suggestions."

"There's no way you'll succeed in that, Mr. Choi." Jeonghan chuckled, "How about we focus on something that would actually work for you?"

"Then accept the damn bet." Seungcheol retorted.

"Alright, I accept it." Jeonghan nodded.

Seungcheol stood straight in front of him, "You asked for it. Let me show you what you're going to deal with."

He began to unbutton his shirt with his uncuffed hand. Before Jeonghan could process what he was upto, Seungcheol's bare torse was on display.

Jeonghan's eyes widened much more than they every could. His whole body shuddered as he stared at Seungcheol's bare skin.

Bruised and scarred.

There was no single space where there weren't purple or red bruises. The fresh and old scars were mixed in such a way that they couldn't be differentiated.

"Speechless?" Seungcheol asked nonchalantly as if it wasn't a big deal at all.

Jeonghan gulped visibly, "I- I've to report this."

"You WON'T." Seungcheol warned, leaning forward as he trapped Jeonghan between his arms and the chair, "Or you'll have to see much worse than this."

"What do you mean?" Jeonghan retorted his intense gaze.

"That's for you to find out, Dr. Yoon." Seungcheol whispered, "And once you do, you'll wish you never came across this case."

"Just- just tell me one thing." Jeonghan asked, "Did you do this to yourself?"

Seungcheol nodded slowly, "Indirectly. I'm too infuriating to not to get this treatment."

"Tell me." Jeonghan protested, "Who has done this to you? And why? I need to know!"

Seungcheol smirked at his restlessness, "I see your calm breaking Dr. Yoon and it wasn't even the trailer of what you'll have to see.

And worse, you won't be able to do shit, as you claim. The point where you'll think you're doing something good, you'll be rather fucking up even more.

This place, is hell. And you're welcome as you seem a bit too reluctant. Nothing could scare you huh? If this gave you goosebumps then be ready for things that will burn your skin."

Jeonghan looked up at him, "How can you say all this so casually? As if- as if it doesn't hurt you?"

"Aww." Seungcheol laughed lightly, "Are you worried for me? Does this horrify you, Dr. Yoon?"

"What the-" Jeonghan was left speechless at the level at which Seungcheol was unbothered of everything, "How can you-?!"

Seungcheol chuckled lowly, amused by Jeonghan's reaction. The younger's struggle to speak amused him to no end.

"What? Surprised by how calm I am?" He sneered. "Don't worry, Dr. Yoon. This is just the beginning. If a few scars and bruises have you so shook, then you're in for a shock when you see the rest."

"What do you mean by the rest?" Jeonghan gasped, "There's something worse than this?"

Seungcheol's smirk grew even more sinister as Jeonghan's gasped in shock.

With a mocking tone, he teased, "Oh, you sweet, naive Dr. Yoon. You think these scars are all there is to me? That this is the worst you've seen? You're so innocent, it's almost adorable."

"Mr. Choi, this is not funny." Jeonghan tried to sound stern, "We need to get this reported. I can't let my patient treated like this."

"And on what basis are you going to defend me?" Seungcheol grinned, "I'm declared as a criminal and mentally unstable. Don't I deserve this?"

"You-" Jeonghan lost all of his composure, "How can you say this so casually Mr. Choi??!! Doesn't this bother you? Doesn't this hurt?"

Seungcheol chuckled sinisterly at Jeonghan's loss of composure. The younger's evident distress and concern only fueled his satisfaction.

With a mocking tone, he retorted, "Oh, does it bother me, Dr. Yoon? Does it hurt, you ask? Does it look like it does?"

He gestured to his own body with a wave of his uncuffed hand, "Does it look like I care about these scars and wounds?"

"It should!" Jeonghan protested, "And you have to talk about it."

"Dr. Yoon, I see you're still not used to being professional." Seungcheol leaned closer, his breath lingering on the younger's face, "You're prone to losing your calm in extreme conditions. And guess? This is not even extreme yet."

Jeonghan calmed his breaths to look at the older, "I'm not losing it. I just want you to talk about thise gruesome scars you've got. So that I can proceed to stop this."

Seungcheol chuckled faintly as he observed Jeonghan's attempts to regain his composure. The younger's struggle was both amusing and irritating to him.

He leaned even closer, his voice a sinister whisper, "Oh, you're trying so hard to hold onto your professionalism, Dr. Yoon. It's almost adorable how you're desperate to get me to talk. But you see, not everything is under your control, is it?"

Jeonghan's eyes scanned the older's marks ranging from his abdomen to his chest to his neck to his face and where not. His lips quivered at the sight he had never seen in his entire life.

"Mr. Choi-" Jeonghan began to talk but his voice trailed off as his gaze fixated on those brutal marks.

Seungcheol's smile widened as Jeonghan lost his voice, staring at the scars and wounds covering his body. The shock on the younger's face, the horror in his gaze, it all amused him to no end.

He leaned forward even more, his voice low and threatening. "Go on, Dr. Yoon. Say it. You've got questions, right? Ask them."

Jeonghan looked up again into the older's eyes. It was almost that Jeonghan could imagine the pain Seungcheol would have felt while getting those.

The nonchalance in the older's voice made Jeonghan ask an almost stupid question, "They hurt?"

Seungcheol chuckled faintly as Jeonghan asked the question. The younger's concern was almost laughable, even if it was slightly endearing.

He mockingly replied, "Well, of course, they hurt. You think I got these scars and wounds for fun? What kind of question is that, Dr. Yoon? Of course, they hurt."

Jeonghan mentally slapped himself for asking such a question. He scanned Seungcheol's face again. The closer he would get, the more bruises would come into sight.

Seungcheol watched Jeonghan's face intently, noticing how the younger couldn't keep his eyes off his scars and wounds. It was almost entertaining how affected Jeonghan was by his injuries.

A mocking smile tugged at the corner of his lips as he spoke, "Fascinated by my scars, huh, Dr. Yoon? Can't take your eyes off them, can you?"

Seungcheol leaned closer, his lips ghosting over the youngers, remaining just a breath away, "Want a closer look, hmm? The most exclusive one?"

Jeonghan's breath hitched at the proximity. Even though Seungcheol was maintaining a cold demeanor, Jeonghan couldn't avoid the hint of vulnerability in his eyes.

He definitely had more scars that weren't even physical.

Seungcheol continued in a mocking tone, "Oh, am I making you uncomfortable, Dr. Yoon? You seem like you're struggling to keep your composure. Not used to being this close to a criminal like me, are you?"

Jeonghan backed away just slightly, to maintain a distance between their lips, "You're trying to intimidate me so that I'll run away, aren't you?"

Seungcheol chuckled faintly at Jeonghan's attempt to maintain distance but failed due to the lack of space between them. The younger was obviously flustered, and it amused him even more.

He leaned even closer, his lips a whisper away from Jeonghan's ear, his voice low and mocking, "Oh, I'm doing much more than just trying to intimidate you, Dr. Yoon. You're not going to run away, are you? You're too stubborn."

Jeonghan inhaled a deep breath, "I won't go anywhere. That's a fact."

Seungcheol leaned even closer, his lips practically on Jeonghan's now, his voice a low whisper, "Then if you want to stay, you'll have to get used to being this close to me."

Jeonghan's heartbeat quickened, his eyes instinctively darting over Seungcheol's lips to know where they were headed to, "Mr. Choi-"

With a grin, he inched even closer, their lips almost touching as he spoke, "What is it, Dr. Yoon? Cat got your tongue? You look a bit flustered. Tell me Dr. Yoon, are you still willing to stay?"

Jeonghan nodded, almost immediately, "There's no doubt in that."

Seungcheol chuckled, "Stay out of this. It would be better for you. You're too good for a place like this."

"Suddenly you have to worry about my well-being?" Jeonghan mocked, "Where did that softness come from, Mr. Choi?"

"Stop interpreting everything in the wrong way." Seungcheol gritted his teeth, "And you really want to help me with my scars huh? I think your soft hands and pretty lips would do a great job."

"That's not something you need, right now." Jeonghan retorted, "You-"

"Oh please, shut up." Seungcheol gripped the younger's chin, "That's something I'll at least be satisfied happy to have. Much better than that therapy bullshit."

"Plus, I can see." Seungcheol's thumb caressed the younger's lower lip, "You're way too intrigued in my body, why don't you get to feel it hmm?"

"Mr. Choi, both of us know that you need my help." Jeonghan stated, "As a therapist, not what you're trying to imply. That's just temporary pleasure, a distraction from reality."

Seungcheol laughed slightly as his hands trailed down to wrap around the younger's throat, "Dr. Yoon, do you know? My temporary games can permanently ruin you."

Jeonghan gulped, "Then do it, if you mean it. If you're really that much of an unfazed psychopath as everyone claims, then tighten your grip, Mr. Choi."

Seungcheol clenched his jaw, unable to press further on the younger's throat, "You're welcoming your own downfall, Dr. Yoon."

"I'm fine with it." Jeonghan whispered.

Seungcheol sighed heavily as he backed away, "Alright then, welcome to hell, I guess? If someone really wants to step into the games of life and death, who am I to interfere?

Just remember one thing Dr. Yoon, I had warned you, a lot."

"Thankyou for your concern." Jeonghan stood up, ready to leave, "The sessions will start from tomorrow. I'll be here again."

Seungcheol laid lazily on his bed, "I'll rather have you on my bed."

"You don't mean it." Jeonghan looked back.

"Oh yeah, I don't. You already know me well." Seungcheol mocked, "I won't even deny."

"Have a good day ahead." Jeonghan muttered as he left.

"Never saw someone so reluctant to fuck up his own life." Seungcheol closed his eyes, sighing to himself.

"Another headache." Seungcheol rolled his eyes as Joshua walked into the room and took his seat, "You're advocate Hong, I assume?"

"I am." Joshua nodded, "And I won't even expect any courtesy from you."

"Not just courtesy." Seungcheol barely put any efforts to look at the younger, "Don't expect anything from me."

Joshua frowned slightly as he took into account, the scenario at the room, Seungcheol's one had being cuffed while he cleared looked worn out.

"Done gawking?" Seungcheol taunted, "You may leave, then."

"Mr. Choi." Joshua grinned lightly as he sat on the chair, "Everyone says that you're mentally unstable but I would say that you're a damn genius. This whole drama is for you to be saved from the sentence, isn't it?"

Seungcheol laughed for a moment, his jaw clenching, "Mr. Hong, I would rather stay behind the bars or be hanged than staying here."

"Then why are you acting as if you're not stable?" Joshua intervened, "What's the reason behind this drama?"

"I never said that, others did." Seungcheol huffed, "And then again, these dirty tricks are not my cup of tea. Let them remain with people like you, who pretend to be the servants of justice while selling yourselves for a few bundles of cash."

Joshua frowned, "Oh right. What injustice happened to you, Mr. Choi?"

"Injustice?" Seungcheol chuckled lowly, leaning back against the uncomfortable chair. "There are only a few certain truths in this universe, Mr. Hong.

People lie. People cheat. People will sell anything for enough money. And the most important truth of all: the so-called 'justice' and 'fairness' are but empty notions that society clings to."

He smirked, fixing his gaze on Joshua. "What's your price, Mr. Hong? How much for you to look the other way?"

Joshua clenched his jaw, "I'm not here for money-"

"Oh which means you're already well fed by the other side?" Seungcheol intervened, "Certainly enough to get me thrown behind the bars?"

Joshua calmed himself, "Justice is all I'm seeking. I can't see a criminal being free out here just because he had successfully proven himself mentally unstable."

"Justice, huh?" Seungcheol leaned forward, the corners of his lips curling into a sardonic smile. "You speak of justice like it's some holy creed, yet who decides what's just and fair? The law, right?

But guess what, Mr. Hong? The law is just a set of rules made by people. People with their own flaws, prejudices, and yes, their own pockets to fill."

Seungcheol's gaze darkened, his voice quiet yet intense. "And they've filled yours nicely, I assume."

"Mr. Choi, don't cross your damn limits." Joshua paused, "I don't really care about my pockets but you definitely have no regret for whatever you've done.

You could atleast be ashamed for killing your own parents, losing the trust of your brother. Blaming others and trying to humiliate their profession won't bring peace to you."

Seungcheol's jaw clenched, his gaze growing colder. "Ah, there it is," he sneered, "the moral lecture. Telling me how I should feel and what I should regret."

He leaned back and let out a bitter laugh. "You think I don't feel any shame? You think I don't carry the weight of what I've done? But tell me, Mr. Hong, what use is the shame when the damage is done? What use is the regret when the blood is already on my hands?"

"Did you just agree that you yourself did all that?" Joshua frowned at the sudden manipulation of statements, "Where's the drama of blaming your uncle and aunt for that?"

"Will you believe if I say otherwise?" Seungcheol questioned, "Or believe what your so called law had laid in front of your blind gaze."

"I see, you've infinite grudges with the law, don't you?" Joshua grinned, "And guess who am I? A servant of that same law."

Seungcheol chuckled darkly, "Ah, we're finally getting somewhere, Mr. Hong. Yes, I blame the system for its flaws, for its corruption, and for the so-called 'justice' it serves. And yes, you're a part of that same crooked system."

He leaned forward, his voice low and intense. "You may deny it, but deep down, you know it's true. You're just another pawn in the game, serving those who pay the most to have their way. How does it feel, being a puppet on a string?"

"Not again, Mr. Choi. Stop crying over the same thing." Joshua rolled his eyes, "I haven't been paid for anything."

"Try to go against for what is being fed to you." Seungcheol laughed, "You'll know it yourself."

Joshua scrunched his brows, "Pardon?"

"You heard me," Seungcheol replied with a dry, cold chuckle. "You claim you haven't been paid, but how do you know for sure? You've probably been paid in ways you're not even aware of. Gifts, favors, promises of future opportunities... They've all found their way to you, I can assure you."

He leaned back in his seat, a smirk on his face. "But maybe you're right. Maybe you're not a puppet. Maybe you're just a fool who believes in a broken system."

Joshua stood up, "Talked enough. I got why you were needed a therapist, Mr. Choi. Just because you 'believe' someone has wronged you doesn't mean the whole world is wrong.

The fact is that you're pathetic and insecure. I hope Dr. Yoon will cure you soon and I'll get my turn to throw you behind the doors of hell."

Seungcheol's smirk widened as Joshua stood up, clearly amused by the lawyer's outburst. "Oh, did I strike a nerve, Mr. Hong? You seemed to be quite rattled."

He leaned back in his chair, his eyes locked on Joshua's. "You call me pathetic and insecure? Maybe that's the case.

But I'm not the one standing here, pretending to be a pillar of justice and truth, while being a puppet for those in power. That, my friend, is pure hypocrisy."

"I'm pretty sure that I don't want to lectured by a criminal." Joshua scoffed as he left.

He stood outside the room as he inhaled a sharp breath, a frown making its way on his brows.

What was that?

Was Seungcheol really speaking some truth or was he just trying to manipulate him?

Was he really aware of the entire case or just a part of it which was intentionally being displayed to him?

"There's more to this." Joshua concluded to himself, "I need to find out. The case wasn't supposed to be closed yet. Definitely not."

Maybe Jeonghan was right. It was too early to judge this case and accept the trial outcomes as they were.

Maybe, the case was needed to be reopened, unofficially.

A/n : I'm really excited for everything that's about to come in the book!!

Anyways take care everyone!
-Jeonghanneyonghaseyo