**Moscow - Volkov Tower, 43rd Floor - Aella's Private Office, 8 pm **

**A/N POV**

The faint double knock echoes through the heavy silence like distant thunder.

"Come in," Aella calls without lifting her gaze from the glowing screen. Her voice is calm silk over steel-controlled, always controlled.

The polished mahogany door swings inward slowly, revealing Suzy Aniston. Even at this ungodly hour, Suzy looks like sin wrapped in elegance: platinum waves tumbling past her shoulders, emerald eyes sharp with unspoken urgency, crimson lips pressed into a thin line that betrays everything before she even speaks. She's beauty weaponized, the kind that makes empires fall and kings beg, but tonight those eyes carry shadows heavier than makeup could ever hide.

Aella closes her laptop with a soft click that sounds deafening in the quiet room. She leans back in her high-backed leather chair, crossing one long leg over the other. The black suit clings to her like a second skin-tailored perfection, long sleeves, formal trousers, stiletto heels that could double as weapons. Her raven hair falls loose and untouched down her back, framing a face that gods would envy: long lashes framing whiskey-brown eyes that see through souls, caramel skin glowing under soft desk light, sculpted pink lips currently set in a neutral line. Minimal makeup, because she doesn't need it. She is drop-dead lethal, the rare kind of beauty that feels like a warning label.

"Hey babe," Aella says, placing manicured hands flat on the glass desk. "What's up?"

Suzy doesn't sit immediately. She closes the door, then finally takes the chair opposite, legs crossing in mirror image.

"Kim Taehyung is back," Suzy starts, voice low. "And also..."

Aella's heart stutters once-sharp, involuntary. She keeps her face blank, but inside alarms are screaming.

"What is it, Suzy?"

Something is wrong. Suzy never jumps straight to the point unless the world is burning. They've been inseparable since they were children stealing sweets and secrets; Aella knows every micro-expression on that flawless face. The unease in Suzy's eyes is a knife twisting slowly.

"And again they tried to attack Princess," Suzy says, words dropping like stones into still water. "But our men-and Bangtan's-handled it in time. Everything's contained."

Aella's breath catches. Princess. Ara. Her little sister. The only soft thing left in her black heart.

"And more," Suzy continues, voice dropping even lower.

Aella leans forward. "What."

"Taehyung got hurt in the attack. Shallow cuts, nothing critical. But Jimin..." Suzy swallows. "Jimin took a bullet shielding Taehyung. He's in surgery now. Stable, but it was close."

**THAT'S IT.**

The room goes deathly quiet. Aella closes her eyes, leans back against the headrest, and massages her forehead so hard her knuckles turn white. Rage boils up her throat like acid. She forces one deep, shuddering breath.

"Who," she asks, voice suddenly ice-cold and dominant, every syllable a blade, "are those fuckers who dared touch him... and my Princess, Suzy?"

Suzy exhales. "Bambam."

Aella's lips curl into a slow, venomous smirk. "Fucking backstabber."

"He sent his gang members," Suzy continues. "Didn't show his face himself, of course. Jimin killed every last one on the spot. Our cleanup crew handled the rest."

Aella's smirk widens, dark and promising. "Now what next?"

Suzy already knows the answer. She asks anyway. "What now?"

"I've had enough." Aella's voice cracks like thunder breaking. "Let's finish this game."

She stands abruptly, chair rolling back. "Call Yeonjun. Tell him to hack every camera in that area-traffic, security, private feeds-for the last seventy-two hours and forward. I'm ending this myself."

"They hid the news, of course?" Aella asks, already knowing.

"Yes. No leaks."

"How is he?" The question slips out softer than she intends.

"Taehyung's fine now. Just scratches on his hands. Nothing serious."

"No-no, really. He's okay?"

Suzy reaches across the desk, squeezing Aella's wrist gently. "He's okay, babe. You don't have to worry. He's fine."

"And Jimin?"

"Out of danger. Needs recovery time. Jinyoung handled the surgery himself."

Aella nods once, tension easing a fraction. "Good. That's good."

A few heartbeats pass. Suzy speaks quietly. "Babe... are you sure about this?"

Aella's gaze snaps to her best friend. "Yeah. It's gone too far. I'm fed up with this shit. Time to show them what a Queen does when someone comes for her loved ones-especially my family."

Suzy starts to speak. "You-"

"Beyond anyone's imagination," Aella cuts in, voice low and lethal. "You still have doubts?"

Suzy swallows, shakes her head slowly. "Not anymore."

Aella chuckles-dark, humorless-then her expression softens. A real smile ghosts across her lips after long minutes of storm. "Oh yeah... I have to call our Princess. She wanted to talk about something."

Suzy smirks. "But not now, right? After some time. You don't want to wake her. She hates morning calls when she's still sleeping."

Aella's smile turns fond, almost tender. "Exactly. She'll throw the biggest tantrum if I disturb her beauty sleep. And handling her moody side is the hardest mission I've ever had. Short temper runs in the family-I have to be careful. But I don't hate it. She got all our mother's genes... the good ones, the fire. I love every bit of her."

Suzy laughs softly. "Seriously. The most feared Asian Mafia Queen, ruler of half the underworld... scared of her little sister's moods."

"As you know," Aella says quietly, "she's my everything. To the world I'm Queen. To her, I'm just Cherry Unni. I'll never change that. She's the only light in my dark world-the one thing my mother left me that's pure."

Her voice cracks just slightly. "But it's getting hard to juggle it all. I want this finished. Soon."

"So it's time to show yourself to Bangtan," Suzy says.

"Yes."

"You really want to reveal yourself to them-and the whole mafia world-now?"

Aella nods. "It's necessary. If I stay hidden any longer, it'll create a rift between Bangtan and us. I won't allow that. Most importantly... Taehyung needs to know everything. Now."

Suzy smirks, teasing. "You're nervous, aren't you?"

Aella mirrors the smirk, winking. "Not that much, I guess."

"Don't worry, babe," Suzy says gently, smile turning warm. "Everything will go according to plan. We're all here. You're not alone."

"I know."

Aella's gaze drifts, thoughts churning behind those brown orbs.

Suzy stands. "I should go. You'll have the intel within three hours."

Aella nods. "I'm fine. Don't worry."

Suzy sighs, reading the lie perfectly. "Coffee?"

"Yes please."

"Okay. Sending it soon. And we'll have lunch together-meeting with Mr. Lang. I'll tell Kenni to prep the boardroom and papers. Everything perfect."

"Thanks, babe."

Suzy leaves. The door clicks shut.

The mask shatters.

Aella slams her fist onto the wooden desk so hard the surface cracks. Pain shoots up her arm, but she welcomes it.

**Aella's POV**

"You'll pay," I hiss to the empty room, voice trembling with fury and something deeper-something that tastes like grief and vengeance mixed. "For what you did to me, to my family... I'll destroy you all. Piece by fucking piece. The same slow, agonizing way you tried with us. I promise-it's going to be so much more interesting."

My nails dig into my palms until they bleed.

"But first... Bambam."

I close my eyes, seeing his smug face. Seeing Ara's smile. Seeing Taehyung bleeding because of cowards.

"You made the biggest mistake of your miserable life laying eyes on my Princess. Touching her. Even thinking about her."

My voice drops to a deadly whisper.

"I'll show you real hell."

A/N POV

Aella Byun can bury anyone six feet under without blinking. She can order massacres over morning coffee and sleep like a baby after. But she would never-ever-hurt, deny, or ignore a single wish from her little sister.

Byun Ara. Her Princess. Her only light. Every empire, every fortune, every drop of blood she's spilled-it all belongs to Ara. Aella would raze the world to keep that girl smiling, safe, untouched by the darkness that raised her big sister.

And now the darkness is coming for payback.

End of scene.

** Haven X Hospital, Seoul**

**[Jin-young and Taehyung's POV]**

"Thank you so much, Doctor, for saving his life," Taehyung said gratefully.

Taehyung and Jin-young were seated in the doctor's cabin. Jin-young observed him carefully, his sharp eyes clearly suspicious. He wanted to learn more about this man. The atmosphere between them was tense and uneasy, growing darker with every passing minute as they studied each other in silence.

"It's my job, Mr. Kim. You don't need to thank me," Jin-young replied, his expression cold and detached.

"May I ask you something?" Taehyung ventured.

"Go ahead. I'm listening, Mr. Kim," Jin-young said calmly.

"Back in the reception area, what did she mean when she said they 'are not allowed'? I'm guessing...?" Taehyung asked.

Jin-young smirked inwardly. *Smart as always,* he thought.

He took a deep sigh, straightened his posture, and explained, "Mr. Kim, this is the only hospital in the city where everyone receives equal treatment-whether they're from mafia gangs or ordinary people. However, you and your friends entered the wrong building. This is the children's and women's specialist ward center. The larger building next door handles mafia members, along with younger and older men. These rules are strictly enforced whenever possible. But in emergencies, when the situation is critical, we sometimes have to bend them. Your friend had lost too much blood, so I decided to operate immediately. That's ruled the receptionist. She's new here and doesn't fully understand the protocols yet."

"We don't harm innocent people, Doctor," Taehyung said firmly.

"I know," Jin-young replied. "But tell your friend not to mess with my colleagues again. I won't tolerate that kind of mafia behavior next time. Make sure he behaves."

"I've already shifted him to the other building. He needs proper rest now. He was lucky you brought him here in time-otherwise, it could have been fatal."

Taehyung nodded in agreement. "It won't happen again."

"I'll hold you to that, Mr. Kim. If you'd like, you can take him home. I'll prepare the necessary precautions and instructions. If he follows them properly, he should recover fully in a few days. It will take about an hour to get everything ready."

"That would be great, Doctor," Taehyung said. "By the way, my brother is also a doctor-"

Before he could finish, Jin-young cut in smoothly. "I know. Mr. Jung Hoseok. He's an ideal for doctors-not just here in Seoul, but famous in many countries around the world. And as for you... well, the whole world knows who you are."

Taehyung gave a small smirk. "Thanks for everything. It was nice meeting you."

They both stood up, shook hands firmly, and Taehyung added, "My secretary will inform you in about an hour when everything is set."

"Alright, Mr. Kim," Jin-young replied.

Taehyung left the cabin.

Once he was gone, Jin-young spoke quietly into his earpiece. "You were right. He notices every single detail. I told you-now doyou believe me?"

A voice crackled back through the earpiece. "He's not going to leave you alone anytime soon. Be careful. I'm sure he's already planning something. We all need to stay very cautious. I don't want to die at her hands."

"Yes, you're right," Jin-young said. "But don't worry. I can handle him."

He smirked to himself. *God knows what she'll do to them. RIP to them in advance.*

"It's going to be fun," he murmured. "As we all know, our Queen's style is unmatched. Not gonna lie-she'll return the favor with a bang."

Just then, a message popped up on Jin-young's phone:

*Tomorrow. Headquarters.*

*Chaos has come again...*

**To be continued...**