So everyone returned to Seoul, each glad to be leaving the compound. FYI – the judges did get us that plane. Mostly because Park Jimin was afraid Kim Seokjin would bleed out. Thankfully Seokjin made it through the surgery and the judges left Korea. We were glad to see the backs of them, but it would be all too soon before we saw the Competition Federation when the Golden Quill was to be passed to the next generation. 

Anyway...

We all returned to Seoul feeling much lighter but with a lot to do. Soo-hyuk presented the Quill to his father, who congratulated him and the official ceremony was held at the Lee Estate. It was exciting times and everyone was in high spirits except for Jungkook, who had failed to locate Ryu Hyeri and felt something terrible must have happened. 

Hoseok was also not at peace; he felt there were matters he needed to sort out with his father. He was in conflict whether to forgive his father for all the lies but he still had a hope that his father cared. 

“I am sorry I did not tell you sooner.” Chairman Jung watched his son from his chair beside the fire. “I wanted to protect you. We have spent our whole lives serving the Consortium that I did not know any other way.”

“What was so wrong with that girl?” Hoseok turned away from the window and finally met his father’s eyes. He wanted to see his face. “I had a crush. Maybe it would have come to nothing…”

“And maybe you would have kept that girl at your side. Your m