As if mocking Theo’s words, Marsha twisted her body and bent his arm. Theo, letting out a small groan, barely managed to break free.
Ha! Theo laughed out loud as if amused. Why are you so incredible? It’s such a headache. Theo was becoming determined because of Marsha, who kept evading his attacks while striking his vital points.
“I have no choice.”
Let me try something a little underhanded. Theo pressed down on Marsha’s shoulder. It was the area wrapped in bandages where she had been shot. Marsha, realizing her mistake, couldn’t endure the pain and lost her balance.
Sorry, sorry. Theo uttered a soulless apology as he took advantage of the opportunity to strike the back of her neck with the edge of his hand.
Marsha collapsed right there. After laying her on the basement floor, Theo wiped the sweat from his forehead. She’s an even more incredible talent than I expected. Is that why only she was assigned to stay by Michael’s side?
“Oh, dear.”
Theo looked down at his feet. Marsha’s cell phone, which had just been stepped on, was broken in two. He lightly kicked the pieces toward Marsha.
Anyway, I’ve taken care of the one who concerned me most. Theo took out his own phone and called someone as he climbed the stairs.
[Hey, Theo! I’m on my way now.]
“How long will it take?”
[At most about thirty minutes?]
“Be here in ten minutes, Jeff.”
[What? Wait a minute…!]
Theo hung up. Then he hurriedly ran to the kitchen. After rummaging under the cabinet, he found an oil container hidden in the corner. He had secretly brought it from Hunter’s house a little earlier. It might be dangerous, but… Theo hesitated slightly before picking it up. Well, Herick is there, so it should be fine. While actively thinking about what would happen next, he headed toward Michael’s room, and his eyes met again with the two men still standing in front of the room.
“What is it now?”
They asked irritably. Theo hid the oil container behind his back and said nonchalantly:
“It’s about time for your shift change. Just wanted to let you know.”
“Why are you telling us this instead of Marsha?”
“If you have a problem with that, just keep standing there. You complain even when someone tells you about your break time.”
Theo mimicked their irritated tone.
They must have been quite tired from standing still in front of the door for a full eight hours. As expected, they hesitated at Theo’s assertive response and eventually moved away.
Theo waited until their backs disappeared, then flung open the door. Herick, who had been helping Michael get up from the bed, paused.
“Where’s Marsha?”
“Why does everyone keep looking for Marsha through me? Makes me jealous.”
Theo poured the oil he had brought evenly in front of the door, along with a mischievous smile. Oops, just a mistake. He slightly covered his open mouth with his hand. Herick’s mouth fell open in response.
“What are you doing…!”
“Ah, this is also a mistake.”
Theo took a lighter from his pocket and dropped it on the oil-soaked floor. Herick, who noticed his intention, jumped up from his seat. This crazy bastard, seriously.
The flames spread along the oil, blocking the doorway. What can we do about this? Theo leisurely stepped back, watching the flames that had risen as high as his height. Herick wore an incredulous expression.
“What are you trying to do?”
“It’s just so much fun to mess with that guy.”
Michael rolled his eyes as Theo pointed at him. Theo chuckled gleefully, having momentarily detected irritation from Michael, who had been maintaining an expressionless face. Yes. That’s exactly the expression I wanted to see.
“I feel so bad about this. Looks like the only escape route is through the window.”
Try jumping down and ask the guys below to catch you. Combining your weight with Ghost’s, we’d need to gather all the guys outside. Theo said as he gradually moved away.
“Theodore!”
Herick shouted at Theo’s retreating back. I can’t hear you, can’t hear. Theo covered his nose from the smoke that was slowly spreading.
“Hey, Hyungoh! Come out quickly!”
Theo shouted to Hyungoh, who was looking outside, as he flung open the door so hard it seemed it might break. Through the window, men were moving in an orderly fashion.
“What’s happening right now?”
“Well, something’s happening, so move your butt a bit.”
Theo roughly grabbed Hyungoh’s arm and practically dragged him out. Not understanding what was happening, Hyungoh looked around. The smell of burning. Hyungoh frowned and looked up at the second floor.
The flames had already spread and taken over the second-floor corridor. Hyungoh snapped to attention at the sight of the intense fire.
“There’s a fire, Theo!”
“Wow, your reaction is so quick.”
“Let me go, that’s Michael’s room!”
“That guy has a more tenacious life than a cockroach. Worry about yourself.”
“But…”
“Hey.”
Theo asked irritably.
“Don’t you want to go to Korea?”
Hyungoh paused. Wait. Then that means…
“This was Theo’s plan?”
“Yes. Now that you’ve come to your senses, just follow me without arguing. This is the optimal timing to escape.”
Theo felt relieved as he saw life returning to Hyungoh’s eyes. I was worried how long you were going to stay out of it, but this is fortunate.
“But I didn’t want Michael to get hurt.”
“No, he won’t get hurt! Do you think I left Herick next to him for no reason?”
We don’t have time, so stop being so stubborn! Theo urged desperately. Upon hearing that Herick was with Michael, Hyungoh hesitated briefly but then reluctantly moved. Certainly, if it was Herick, he wouldn’t let Michael get hurt.
Hyungoh and Theo opened the front door and quickly crossed the yard. At this moment, men in black suits who emerged from the back entrance surrounded them. Ah, shit. Theo gritted his teeth.
“That’s why I told you timing is important.”
“I’m, I’m sorry.”
What are we going to do now? Theo blamed Hyungoh. He was dumbfounded facing the men pointing guns at them. We can’t get caught so pathetically like this. This plan took all the brainpower I had.
“Choi.”
Michael approached limping from beyond the men. Hyungoh gasped when he saw him.
He came down already? Surprised, Theo spotted Herick in the distance, being supported by the men. Should I have broken something on that guy too? His judgment is unnecessarily quick. Theo scratched his head vigorously.
“Choi.”
Michael called him once more. Hyungoh, who had been fidgeting nervously, covered his ears forcefully. He was uncomfortable with his voice calling him.
Once, twice. And the final call. It bound Hyungoh beyond imagination. It felt like invisible threads were tying up parts of his body with each call.
Somehow, it felt familiar.
“Don’t call me.”
Hyungoh said in a strained voice. Michael, who was about to open his mouth to call him one last time, paused.
Hyungoh’s eyes reddened. Tears welled up and flowed down his chin. Huh? What’s happening? Hyungoh was bewildered. A single phrase kept circling in his mouth. It was a familiar line. But he couldn’t remember when he had uttered such words. What could it be? Feeling an inexplicable sense of déjà vu, Hyungoh opened his mouth.
“Please don’t call me anymore, Michael.”
