<Choi Mansion>

Jeonghan pushed open the door of Seungcheol's room and walked in while shutting the door behind himself.

His eyes darted to Seungcheol, sitting in the middle of the bed, quivering slightly as he looked like he was previously drenched in water.

He was looking down on the bed, his right wrist still handcuffed. A faint trail of blood was visible on his arms, neck and lips.

"Mr. Choi!" Jeonghan rushed to him, his hands instinctively holding his shoulders, "What's all this?"

Seungcheol swatted his hand away, "Did you report those bruises and all?"

"Mr.-"

"Yes or no?"

"Yes."

"WHY?!" Seungcheol snapped his head towards the younger, "Didn't I ask you to not to?! Then why did you do it?!!"

Jeonghan was taken aback for a moment, "Because it's not fine. It's not supposed to happen. It was meant to be reported and-"

"Dr. Yoon!" Seungcheol intervened, "Didn't I already tell you that nothing happens according to what you think. At least not here."

"Why?" Jeonghan frowned, "That's what I'm asking right? Why? Why aren't you telling me?"

"Because I can't." Seungcheol stated.

"Which means there is definitely something that's hidden?" Jeonghan scrunched his brows.

"Dr. Yoon, I'm requesting you once again, stay out of this." Seungcheol warned, "Stay. Fucking. OUT."

"And what if I don't?" Jeonghan asked.

"Then go die or something, I don't care if you're ready to do so." Seungcheol rolled his eyes, his patience long lost.

"I'll find out what's going on in here." Jeonghan confidentally stated, "Definitely."

Seungcheol chuckled bitterly, "Would love to see the drama you'll bring."

Jeonghan ignored his taunts as he picked up a first aid box. He took a cotton swab and dipped it in the fluid to cleanse the fresh wounds on Seungcheol's neck.

Seungcheol was quick to hold his wrist, "Don't."

"It needs to be treated." Jeonghan retorted.

"No." Seungcheol nodded as their faces were mere inches apart, "First, how many of them are you going to treat? Second, they don't even hurt anymore."

"Don't talk like that, Mr. Choi." Jeonghan wriggled his wrist in Seungcheol's hold, "I'll treat them and make sure to find out the cause of this to stop all of this."

Seungcheol laughed as he tightened his grip on the younger's wrist, "You tried already, didn't you? What happened? Dr. Yoon, the more you'll try to stop this, the more intense they'll get. What's the point?"

"If you really claim to be that innocent in this case." Jeonghan paused, "Why have you given up?"

Seungcheol pulled Jeonghan closer to himself, never leaving his wrist, "You've seen my bruises, haven't you? My right hand is always cuffed. Even stray animals are treated better. How am I supposed to not give up?"

"I can see that." Jeonghan muttered, "But giving up won't fix anything."

Seungcheol spoke in a cynical tone, "Giving up might not fix anything, but at least it spares me from false hopes and shattered expectations."

"I know you don't trust me, Mr. Choi." Jeonghan nodded, "But at least talk it out. Only then I can proceed to help you."

"And what happens after that?" Seungcheol spared the younger's wrist, "You use your stupid methods to get me into more trouble. Why can't you understand this fact that this place is not what you think?!"

"Then why can't you tell me? What's so wrong with this place?" Jeonghan asked firmly.

Seungcheol shook his head, "Why can't I tell you? Maybe because I don't want to burden you with the truth. It's better if you stay ignorant, trusting blindly in your foolish principles."

"What's wrong in just talking, Mr. Choi?" Jeonghan reasoned, "Okay I won't report it and all. I'll just listen to you and treat you accordingly."

"You've heard what they say about me, right?" Seungcheol raised a brow as he stood up, his long chained cuff making a sound in the silent room.

He walked closer to the younger until Jeonghan was trapped between him and the wall.

"Mentally unstable. A threat. Danger to everyone." Seungcheol growled, "Aren't you scared?"

Jeonghan gulped as he nodded in denial, "No. I believe that it's not completely true."

"If I make you believe that it is, then?" Seungcheol leaned closer.

"I told you it's not." Jeonghan firmly stated.

Seungcheol leaned even closer, his breath tickling Jeonghan's ear, "What if I show you just how dangerous I can be? Would you still believe in me then, Dr. Yoon?"

"I won't fall for your tricks, Mr. Choi." Jeonghan mumbled.

Seungcheol brought his uncuffed hand against the younger's throat, pressing it slightly, "Sure?"

Seungcheol's hand on Jeonghan's throat sent a shiver down his spine, but the younger tried his best to maintain his composure. He could feel the older's grip tighten ever so slightly, pressing him against the wall.

He took a deep breath and tried to maintain eye contact with Seungcheol, his voice steady, "Yes. I'm sure."

Seungcheol clenched his fingers around the younger's throat, "You asked for it, Dr. Yoon, you asked for it."

Jeonghan's breath hitched as Seungcheol's fingers tightened around his throat. The pressure was increasing by the second, but he stayed composed, his gaze never leaving the older's.

He took another deep breath, his voice slightly strained, "You think this scares me, Mr. Choi?"

Seungcheol finally gave in, clutching Jeonghan's throat tightly, "You think I'm playing with you huh? Well, I'm not. I'm damn serious, Dr. Yoon."

Seungcheol's grip on Jeonghan's throat grew tighter, cutting off his air supply. The younger struggled to breathe, but he refused to show any sign of weakness.

With a gasp, Jeonghan managed to speak, his voice strained, "I- I never said you were playing- But you're not- scaring me."

Seungcheol tightened his grip, "Stop fucking talking or I'll definitely make you."

Jeonghan's eyes widened as Seungcheol's grip tightened, cutting off more of his air. He struggled to breathe, his hands grasping at the older's wrist, trying to loosen his hold.

He tried to speak, but the pressure on his throat made it difficult, "Mr. C-ch-"

Seungcheol retracted his hand as the younger collapsed on the floor, coughing harshly as tears pricked on the corner of his eyes.

Seungcheol knelt down in front of him, gripping the younger's chin with his uncuffed hand, "Run away. Or you'll see much worse than this. I stopped, they won't."

Jeonghan gasped for air, coughing and sputtering as he tried to catch his breath. He clutched his throat, trying to soothe the pain caused by Seungcheol's grip.

He looked up at the older through teary eyes, his voice raspy, "I...I'm not going anywhere."

"Your choice." Seungcheol stood up as he walked back to his bed and sat on it, as if he hadn't just choked the throat of his therapist.

Jeonghan slowly stood up, his hand still clutching his throat. His breathing was still labored, and the pain from the recent attack was still fresh.

He looked over at Seungcheol sitting on the bed, his expression a mixture of defiance and concern. "Why- Why are you acting like this?"

"Like what?" Seungcheol raised a brow.

Jeonghan gestured towards Seungcheol's nonchalant demeanor, "Like this. Choking me and then just- just sitting there like nothing happened."

"Because this is who I am." Seungcheol nodded, "Unbothered and monstrous. I don't give to fucks to what happens to you or anyone, Dr. Yoon."

Jeonghan's eyes widened at Seungcheol's harsh words. The older's bluntness stung, and it hurt more than he cared to admit.

He took a step closer, his voice firm despite the lingering pain in his throat, "If you really don't care, why did you stop? Why didn't you just choke me to death right there?"

"Because the way you're acting right now, no one can save you." Seungcheol sighed, "Why would I paint my hands with your blood when you can very well do that for yourself?"

Jeonghan's breath hitched at Seungcheol's words. The older's tone was almost a warning, threatening to send chills down his spine.

He took a deep breath and approached Seungcheol, his voice somewhat shaky, "You're- you're just trying to scare me, right? You're bluffing. You wouldn't actually-"

"I CAN." Seungcheol stated, "I can, Dr. Yoon. You think your therapy and all will work on me? It won't. I don't need therapy Dr. Yoon, I need revenge.

If the law didn't do justice, I will. The people who are actually guilty will see hell, much worse than what I'm seeing."

Jeonghan's heart pounded in his chest, his breath coming in quick gasps. He had never seen Seungcheol so menacing, so dangerous.

He tried to maintain his composure, but it was difficult. He swallowed hard, his voice trembling, "Revenge? What kind of revenge, Mr. Choi?"

"The kind of revenge that will shudder you to the core if you stay to watch." Seungcheol retorted, "Even though it has nothing to do with you."

Jeonghan's mind raced as he took in Seungcheol's words. The older's tone was filled with a sense of determination and danger.

He bit his lip, his voice quieter now, "And what if I stay to watch?"

"I don't care." Seungcheol closed his eyes, resting his head against the headboard, "Do whatever the hell you want to. It's not like anyone listens to me anyways."

"Fine. You won't answer me, right?" Jeonghan began to walk away, "I'll ask Mr. Choi Sunwoo himself."

"All the best and congratulations." Seungcheol muttered without opening his eyes.

"What for?" Jeonghan frowned.

"You'll know." Seungcheol retorted.

Jeonghan didn't reply as he left the older's room.

"Yes, what's the matter, Dr. Yoon?" Sunwoo asked.

"It's serious, Mr. Choi." Jeonghan frowned, "Why does Mr. Choi Seungcheol have so many bruises?"

"Bruises?" Sunwoo repeated.

"Please don't act like you don't know." Jeonghan immediately tackled.

"I do know." Sunwoo sighed, "He becomes extremely violent at times, the guards have to do anything and everything in their power to handle him."

"Handle him? Are you for real?" Jeonghan scrunched his brows, "He's a human being for god's sake. You can't treat him like he's some wild animal."

"He is." Sunwoo shrugged, "You're new so you don't know yet- wait, what's that?" He pointed at the slight red mark on the younger's neck.

"Did he try to harm you?" Sunwoo asked immediately.

"It's not because of him." Jeonghan cursed himself for lying in such a sincere matter.

Sunwoo grinned lightly, "We both know what it is. But if you want to lie, I won't pester you. Anyways Dr. Yoon, I suppose you know that he can get wild at times.

Trust me, much wilder than what you've witnessed. That's the only option to control him."

"But why does he keep saying that this place is a threat and-"

"Dr. Yoon, don't interfere in our family matters." Sunwoo growled.

"I'm sorry sir I'm simply doing my job." Jeonghan bowed slightly, "He revealed a truth."

"That's not the truth!" Sunwoo slammed his hand on the table, "It was declared false in the court last year. He blabbers all that because he's mentally unstable."

"And what if he's saying the truth and some people are trying to manipulate it?" Jeonghan raised a brow.

"Don't try to defy the legal orders." Sunwoo warned, "Just do your work as you're asked to, Dr. Yoon."

"Alright, what about his meals? I've to change them." Jeonghan stated, "He needs more nutritions and-"

"Dr. Yoon." Sunwoo intervened, "That's his doctor's work not his therapist's, got that?"

"But-"

"We're already very stressed about his condition and you're supposed to sooth it. Why are you aligning your thoughts with your patient? His thoughts should be the one to align with you.

Please, fix him and do not forget to send the daily reports to the hospital or else they'll think we're being a bother and ruining his therapy sessions."

"I get it, Mr. Choi." Jeonghan nodded.

"Thankyou." Sunwoo stood up as he excused himself.

Jeonghan inhaled a sharp breath. He had studied Sunwoo with the little conversation.

It was evident that he was hiding something. And getting him to reveal it wasn't easy until he had a few information sets in his hands.

He got a secluded spot and called Woozi. He explained everything to him, "You'll be coming with me tomorrow, right?"

"Yeah, hyung." Woozi replied, "You're coming to Serenity right now?"

"Yeah, I am." Jeonghan stated as he hung up the call.

He made his way out of the mansion and reached the Serenity Medical Centre.

He discussed a few things with his fellows, Woozi, Mingyu and Wonwoo after which all of them went to their respective cabins.

A couple of hours passed as Jeonghan received a package which was a mail.

He opened the letter which was a legal order.

His eyes widened as he read through the order. He blinked and rubbed his eyes to make sure he was reading it correctly.

He took the letter and quickly summoned Woozi, Mingyu and Wonwoo in Wonwoo's cabin.

He kept the letter on the table, "What is this?"

The other three took note of the legal order as Woozi scoffed, "Living there?"

"Yeah." Jeonghan nodded, "Why do I need to shift there to handle this case?"

"And you won't have to come here either in the meantime." Mingyu muttered, "No other cases. Only this."

"It's almost like locking you up in the Choi Mansion." Wonwoo added.

"And it's a legal order." Woozi muttered, "According to the undertaking signed by you, you've to follow all these orders related to the case."

"I know." Jeonghan scoffed, "I don't understand what's happening."

"Maybe this case is actually so intense that Mr. Choi needs 24/7 monitoring?" Wonwoo looked up.

"Yeah. According to the things you've told us, he definitely needs that." Mingyu nodded.

"But be cautious hyung." Woozi patted his shoulders.

Jeonghan inhaled a deep breath as he thought, 'These are not legal orders. They're influencial orders. And I very well know who's behind this.'

A/n : In the previous chapter, Jeonghan was talking about reporting Seungcheol's bruises.

Anyways take care everyone!
-Jeonghanneyonghaseyo