"I was told that you recruited a new kid," said the big boss, or also known as Krait, to Hayoung.

Hayoung's eyes travelled to Hanbin, who was sitting opposite her. He smirked.

"Seems like someone's been poking his nose into my business," Hayoung commented with a sneer in her voice. "His underlings must have been performing so badly that he's threatened by my new recruit."

Hanbin scowled, clenching his fist tightly. A contemptuous smile spread across Hayoung's face. She loved pissing him off.

Krait chuckled. "I do love your sense of humour, Hayoung." He coughed slightly, then cleared his throat. "Still, I can't help but be a little concerned with this new recruit of yours. Can she be trusted?"

"I understand your caution. But don't worry. I'll make sure she's someone trustworthy."

Krait nodded then turned to Hanbin. "There's a lot that you need to learn from her, Hanbin. You're a capable man, but you're too impulsive. I hope to see a fair fight between the two of you."

Hayoung was caught off guard by the sudden news. "What do you mean?" she asked, looking at Krait.

"I told big boss that I'm going to fight for the leadership position," Hanbin interjected with a smirk that Hayoung so badly wanted to wipe off.

"Both of you have great leadership qualities, so I've been in a dilemma for a while. When one of you finally proves your worth to me, I'll be more than glad to appoint you as the new leader."

Hayoung was absolutely displeased to hear the new piece of information from Krait, but kept a calm demeanour nevertheless. She had been working so hard for years to earn his confidence and trust, and now there was a possibility that her efforts could go to waste should Hanbin be selected as the new leader instead of her.

"Have you asked Mino?" Krait asked Hayoung, moving on to a new subject.

"Yeah. He's gonna need some time to find out. The identities of the undercover cops aren't easy to find out. Furthermore, he's only a low ranking officer so he doesn't have access to most confidential information."

Krait exhaled a deep sigh. "It was a mistake recruiting him. You should get rid of him, Hayoung."

"Yeah, you recruited a police officer but he's of no value," Hanbin added smugly.

"He has helped us ensure that our previous arms dealings went smoothly. Don't downplay his contributions." Hayoung turned to give Hanbin an icy stare. "You talk as if my underlings have been caught by the cops as many as yours."

Hanbin took offence at that, and spat, "At least my girlfriend doesn't have me on a leash."

"Okay, that's enough! If you want to fight, do it elsewhere, not here," Krait admonished. "Only come here when you have good news to bring. Anyway, I have a meeting with the higher ups later. One of you will be a part of them the next time. Work hard if you don't want to fail yourself."

Sooyoung quietly watched Hayoung hitting and kicking the punching bag repeatedly. The paralegal was extremely mad, and Sooyoung could literally see fire in the former's eyes.

The paralegal who was breathing laboriously gave one last punch before letting out a primal scream, causing Sooyoung to flinch. She then headed towards where Sooyoung was sitting, taking off her boxing gloves and throwing them to the ground. She grabbed the bottle of mineral water Sooyoung handed to her.

"I'm so ing mad," she spat after gulping down half the volume of water.

"Look, I don't think there's much to worry about that Hanbin."

"It's not him that I'm worried about," she sighed, sitting on the bench next to Sooyoung, then wiping her face with the towel she had brought along.

"Then?"

"It's the big boss. He doesn't trust me."

"What? That's not possible."

"If he trusted me, he wouldn't even consider Hanbin. I've been under him long enough to know whether he fully trusts me or not." Her sudden punch on the bench made Sooyoung jolt in surprise. "Can't believe I've been working so ing hard to get to where I am now only to be slapped by this rude awakening."

Sooyoung sighed, and gave Hayoung's shoulder a gentle squeeze. "What are you going to do then?"

"I haven't come up with a plan yet. I'm too ing mad to think of anything rational."

"Okay let's not talk about this for now. It'll only spoil your mood more," Sooyoung stated. "So how are things between you and Naeun?"

"How's that even a better subject to talk about?" Hayoung groaned.

A light chuckle escaped Sooyoung's mouth. "You gave her a bouquet of roses the other time."

"And your point is?"

"Since when are you this romantic?" Sooyoung teased.

"They're just flowers," Hayoung flatly replied.

"But you gave her 99 stalks."

"So?"

"It means 'I love you forever'. Don't pretend not to know it."

"I don't," Hayoung shrugged.

"Still doesn't change the fact that you're in love with her."

"I am not."

"Quit denying Hayoung. You treat her differently from your previous girlfriends."

"If this is about the $10k ring and bouquet of roses I-"

"No," Sooyoung interjected. "It's nothing about the things you've bought for her. It's the things you ask me before buying anything for her. Do you know that you've never asked for my opinions or suggestions before? It's only after you got together with her for awhile did you bother about her likes and dislikes. You actually care about what she might think of the gifts you got her. I don't think you've ever realised what you've been doing all this while, but as your bestfriend, I have."

"She's just sticking around because I have money."

"She might be a goddamn gold-digger but I'm certain she must felt something for you along the way."

"I can't fall for her Sooyoung, and you, of all people should know that."

"You're already in love with her, Hayoung. Give yourself a chance."

"No, Sooyoung. A criminal like me doesn't deserve a place in anyone's heart."

"Hayoung," Sooyoung sighed. "You've never wanted all of this."

"I-"

"HEY GUYS!"

The arrival of Bomi caused the duo to instantly halt their earlier conversation.

"Hey," Hayoung and Sooyoung responded in unison.

"Did I just interrupt you guys?"

"Nope," Sooyoung replied. "We were only talking about the gambling dens that this paralegal," she pointed to Hayoung, "put you in charge of. How are they?"

"Running pretty smoothly."

"That's good to know. If ever one of them gets busted by the police, it's crystal clear whose side you're on," Hayoung said to Bomi with an indescribable expression that the latter could not quite put a finger on.

"Don't worry about it. I'm absolutely clear of which side I'm on, and I'll make sure that'll translate into earning your trust."

Hayoung and Sooyoung exchanged glances. The former turned to look at Bomi.