[Paris]
David sat in his sleek office, the sunlight casting reflections on the tall glass windows behind him. A half-full cup of coffee rested in his left hand, steam curling lazily into the air. His right hand flipped through documents files, reports, contracts scattered across the desk like fallen leaves in autumn. His expression was calm, focused… almost bored.
Then FZHHMMM.
A sudden flick of blue light tore through the silence like thunder in a vacuum.
Two figures now sat on the black leather couch as if they had always been there.
Jin crossed one leg over the other, elbow resting casually on the armrest. Shun leaned back, arm draped across the top of the couch, eyes locked onto David.
David didn't flinch, but the coffee cup trembled slightly in his hand.
"Hello, David," Jin said smoothly. "Long time no see."
In an instant, Shun vanished from the couch and appeared in front of David. His expression had turned cold, deadly serious, and his fist was already mid-swing.
CRACK.
Before the punch landed, David caught it with his left hand. The impact sent a shockwave through the room the windows behind him shattered, glass raining down, papers flying like a storm. The whole office descended into chaos.
"Mr. Shun," David said, straining to hold the punch with a hand that looked visibly fractured. "It's me who should be mad. not you trying to kill me."
"You asshole," Shun growled. "You sent Evolvers after my wife. You really think I wouldn't lose it?"
David's expression shifted. "Kill her? I sent them to bring her in to call you here. Nothing more."
"Don't bullshit me," Shun snapped, yanking his hand back and stepping away. "They all went for the kill. She just happens to be strong enough to kill them first."
David sighed and took out his phone, dialing quickly. "Daniel. My office. Now."
He hung up and looked at Shun, motioning to the seat. "Take a seat."
A few minutes later, the office door creaked open. Daniel stepped in and instantly froze.
The room was a wreck. Shattered glass littered the floor, papers danced in the air from the gust blowing through the broken windows. One man sat casually on the couch Jin. Another stood in front of David, his presence radiating tension Shun.
Daniel quickly walked over and stood beside David, his eyes landing on David's left hand, which was visibly injured and starting to swell.
"What happened?" he asked, concern lacing his voice.
David didn't answer that. Instead, he pointed straight at Shun.
"Forget that. Look at this man," David said, his tone sharp. "I gave you his wife's details and told you to send some Evolvers to catch her. But I've just been told you sent them to kill her."
His anger was rising now, crackling in the air like static. Daniel stiffened under the pressure.
"But… you're the one who said to kill her, sir," Daniel replied cautiously, trying to keep his voice calm.
David's eyes narrowed. "When the hell did I say that?"
Daniel hesitated. "When you gave me the details, you said to hire some high-rank Evolvers and send them after her. You said, 'Catch her,' and then" Daniel demonstrated by dragging his hand across his throat, mimicking a neck-slicing gesture. "You made this sign."
David stared at him. A moment passed. His expression shifted to one of pure disbelief.
"I was fixing my damn tie, you idiot!" David's voice cracked with frustration.
Daniel blinked, stunned. His shoulders slumped slightly as shame washed over him.
"I.... I'm sorry, sir," he muttered, lowering his head.
David exhaled slowly, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Just don't act without actual words next time."
Then he turned toward Shun.
"As you can see.. this was a misunderstanding. For that, I sincerely apologize," he said, calm now, but still visibly annoyed.
"Is that so," Shun muttered as he walked over and dropped onto the couch across from Jin. He leaned back, arms folded, eyes locked on David. "Still.... you went after my wife just because I wrecked a few of your cars and roughed up your guys? I had a valid reason."
David scoffed, his patience thinning. "Valid? You destroyed vehicles worth millions and put my employees in the hospital for two months! All because I didn't pay you the full amount? I paid what your job was worth!"
"Oh really? We brought you that target alive, just like the contract said," Shun snapped back. "You didn't pay full price because she had a few injuries."
David let out a short, bitter laugh and stood, walking toward Shun. "Minor injuries? She was half dead! I had to treat her for a full year before she could even walk straight again."
Shun didn't flinch. He looked up at David, calm but sharp. "She had a bounty of six billion dollars on her head. We had to face over forty high-rank Evolvers to get her. You should be thankful we even brought her back breathing."
David paused, jaw tight, then sighed and sat beside Shun on the couch. "Fine. I get your point. But why go on a rampage over payment? It's not like you two are broke."
Shun shrugged. "We're not. But we work for our money. You cut our pay like we're amateurs. Of course I was pissed."
"Alright, alright, both of you," Jin finally said, his voice cool and composed. "You done playing the blame game? Let's head back. There's nothing left to do here."
Shun glanced at him, gave a short nod, and leaned forward slightly ready to leave.
"Since you're already here, how about staying a little longer?" David said, adjusting his sleeves. "There's something I need to discuss."
He turned to Daniel. "Get someone to clean this place up. And send some coffee."
Daniel gave a short nod and left the room without a word.
Within minutes, the office had transformed. The shattered glass was gone, papers were neatly stacked, and the mess looked like it never happened. The rich scent of coffee filled the room as a fresh set was placed on the side table. David flexed his hand now fully healed thanks to Shun's healing.
The three men now sat across from one another, the tension slightly cooled but not forgotten.
Jin took a quiet sip of coffee, then looked up with his usual calm eyes. "So, what do you want to talk about?"
David leaned forward, elbows resting on his knees, fingers steepled under his chin. His expression was serious not the businessman mask he usually wore, but something closer to genuine concern.
[Chapter 28 end]