Page 54

The safe house sits at the end of a quiet cul-de-sac, porch lights burning warm against the darkness. Two black sedans flank Dennis's father's Audi in the driveway. His security detail melts from the shadows as Isabelle's Honda approaches.

"Your father's men are thorough," Jessica observes as they help Chris from the back seat. He's more alert now, the drugs starting to wear off, but his movements still come slow and careful.

"Kim Industries takes security seriously." Dennis adjusts his grip around Chris's waist. "Especially after recent events."

His father waits in the living room, jacket off, sleeves rolled up as he studies documents spread across the coffee table. He looks up as they enter, eyes moving from Chris's unsteady form to Jessica's familiar features.

“Jessica,” he says.

“Jaehyun.”

"Thought you were dead," he says simply.

"Everyone did." She matches his tone. "That was the point."

Chris stiffens against Dennis's side. Despite the lingering effects of whatever they gave him, his focus sharpens on his mother.

"Mom..." His voice cracks on the word.

Jessica crosses to him in three quick steps, hands coming up to frame his face. "My beautiful boy." Her thumbs brush his cheeks. "I'm so sorry. For everything."

Chris sways forward until their foreheads touch. "You're real," he whispers. "You're actually here."

"I never left." Her voice carries a decade of watching from afar. "Not really."

Dennis begins to step back, to give them space, but Chris's fingers tighten in his shirt.

"Stay," Chris murmurs. Then to his mother: "He's why I finally understood. About Dad. About everything."

"I know." Jessica's smile turns knowing. "I've been watching."

"Speaking of Christopher." Mr. Kim interrupts, ever the businessman. "We have a small window before he realizes what's happening."

"Right." Jessica straightens, though one hand stays on Chris's shoulder. "Isabelle?"

The PI moves to the coffee table, adding a fresh stack of documents to those already spread out. "Everything's here. Plus proof he killed William Rhodes for control of the company."

Chris's breath catches. "Grandfather's death wasn't an accident?"

"No." Jessica's voice hardens. "Your father arranged it, then used the confusion to seize control. I discovered proof, but speaking out would have put you in danger. So I waited. Gathered evidence. Built a network of allies." She meets Mr. Kim's eyes. "The Kim family among them, though they didn't know it at the time."

"Smart," Mr. Kim says. "Using my competition with Christopher to check his power."

"The enemy of my enemy," Jessica agrees. "But now we end this. Together."

"We give Dad exactly what he wants," Chris says, easing onto the couch. His voice comes stronger now. "His perfect heir returning to the fold."

"He'll be suspicious," Mr. Kim points out. "After today's press conference—"

"He'll want to believe it." Jessica's fingers tap the documents. "His ego demands it. The prodigal son choosing him over Kim Industries' heir? Over love?" Her mouth curves. "He won't be able to resist."

"Public signing ceremony," Mr. Kim says. "Transfer of Kim Industries' holdings."

"Where everyone can witness Christopher Lancaster’s triumph." Jessica nods. "His moment of complete control."

"And his complete downfall." Chris's hand finds Dennis's, grip sure despite his lingering weakness. "Everything exposed at once—the fraud, the murder, all of it."

"You'll need to sell it," Isabelle warns. "Make him believe you're choosing him."

"I know exactly what to say." Chris's jaw tightens. "I'm his son, after all. I know what strings to pull."

Dennis squeezes his hand. Even now, after everything, that admission costs Chris something.

"That’s settled, then," Mr. Kim says, standing and straightening his cuffs. He glances at Dennis. "I’ll return to your mother—she’s beside herself with worry. Kim Industries still needs its CEO in the public eye. You’ll handle things here. I’ll expect updates."

"Of course," Dennis replies, his voice steady. “Thanks for everything, Dad.”

Mr. Kim’s gaze sweeps the faces in the room for a moment before he nods and steps toward the door. "Good luck tomorrow. To all of us."

They work through the early afternoon, piecing together the plan while Chris drifts in and out of consciousness on the couch. Dennis keeps trying to get him to eat something, but Chris can only manage small sips of water.

By late afternoon, the drugs start wearing off. Chris is more alert, sitting up straighter, following the conversation with clear eyes.

"Get some rest," Jessica says, noticing Chris fighting to stay awake despite his improved state. "Both of you. We'll finalize everything in a few hours."

Dennis helps Chris up the stairs to the closest bedroom. The moment they get to the door, Chris turns into him, pressing his face into Dennis’s neck.

"Thank you," he whispers, letting Dennis take his weight, letting his arms go limp and floppy after having to keep it together for hours. "For finding me. For everything."

Dennis doesn’t mind. He holds him closer and lets the overwhelming relief of having Chris back in his arms wash over him.