Avoiding his phone, Jeonghan sat in his king sized bed hugging his knees to his chest. He had been snooping in his father's office for anything to break the engagement with Seungcheol, but it seems he might of been too bold. His father calling him in later and told him to 'stay put and not bring shame to the family name'. It wasn't like he had found anything crucial, but any information that he would find could potentially help. 

Obediently staying in his room, some bodyguards at the door, his father hadn't said another word to him since. Frustrated at his loss of freedom and sad at the Choi family incident, he couldn't help but throw a tiny tantrum. Ripping at the furry pillows and fluffy blankets, he rolled around pounding his fists into the bed but did not make a sound. Stupid father, stupid engagement! Dumb decisions and dumb people! Sigh....

Once his frustration was quelled, he laid flat on his back, staring at his white ceiling. 

The poor kids... roped into this rich circle and receiving the worst outcome possible.... Jihoon sounds so mature, capable of taking care of the other kids.... he'd make a nice friend to have... he also gets to see Joshua whenever he wants. Wait, no no. Don't think about him. ...And Seungcheol? His father is a douche, his mother is invisible, his company is being stolen away by power and money, why do we struggle? Why do we go up against others only to be beat down again and again? My father is no better, forcing me, controlling me. When can I be free of him, and be my own person? No engagement, no business studies, no banquets. How nice life would be if everyone could just be nice to each other...

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Startled awake by the knock on his door, he roughly smoothed his hair down before croaking out a "Who is it?" "Your father wants to talk to you." After a few days of confinement, he suddenly wants to talk? Dressing himself casually, he cleaned up and headed for the office he was caught snooping in. Knocking to announce his presence, he enter the room and sat in the only seat available in the massive room. His father said nothing, not even look at him as he entered and sat. Sitting in uncomfortable silence, Jeonghan did not have the courage to break it. 

"Son..." his father finally started. "I see you've been a bit too nosy recently." It wasn't the first time Jeonghan heard that, his mischievous younger self was scolded before for being too curious one too many times but he couldn't help but flinch at the sound of his father's voice. "...sorry sir." he answered meekly. "Give me one good reason why I shouldn't interrogate you for what you are using the information for." His father said, voice loud with command, eyes sharp seeing Jeonghan's every flaw.

Jeonghan's mind was reeling, he didn't want to expose what he was telling Seungcheol secretly but he didn't want to receive punishment either. What should he do?

"I-I was looking for some information." It wasn't a lie, but it was vague enough to stall for time. "For what do you need from the information that you would find in my office?" His father's brow raised in amusement, it was evident that he enjoyed seeing his son squirm under his gaze.

"It's just...that I want to do more for you! I've been ungrateful and I wanted to learn more so that you can trust me again..." Jeonghan blurted the first words that came into his mind, his insides twisting in fear. The lie, if his father finds out that he lied... It wouldn't be the same as not saying anything. All the other times he was asked what he was looking for he merely said nothing important, and the people around him never bothered to ask further. Just by keeping his mouth shut, he had survived for so long. His lie must of sounded nice to his father's ears because an evil Cheshire grin was on his face, eyes lighting up in delight as if a tasty meal hopped onto his plate. The look terrified Jeonghan, he prepared for the worst.

"Oh, Jeonghan....I didn't think you were finally turning about and seeing what is good for you." his father said, shocking Jeonghan to the core. Did...he take the lie? He believed it? He fumbled for words. "Yes! Yes father, I want to help you, I want to know more. I don't need childish fantasies and half-hearted relationships anymore. I want to work for you." More lies. He can do this.

His father chuckled, apparently very amused at his son's declaration. "Good, good! You've finally snapped out of it. Since that is the case, we have a lot of work to do." He went on listing all the studies Jeonghan had to catch up on, all the social gatherings he would later have to attend and etc. Jeonghan sat mock attention, letting the situation slowly enter his brain. It worked. He didn't get caught. His father believes his lies. This is even better! Get even closer and learn everything! His father was feeding him all the good information, he just needed to build enough trust to get to the dark side too! Why didn't he think of this sooner?

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"Thank you father! I'll make you proud!" "Haha! Finally I have a filial son!" Jeonghan left after listening to his father's spiel on wobbling legs with a fake smile plastered on his face. Once he was in the safety of his room, he collapsed onto his bed, the shivers and chills making their way through his body as he reviewed what exactly happened. He landed himself closer to his father accidentally getting closer to finding more information. But it also meant he had to be more careful. Glancing at his phone on the bedside table, he wondered if it was a good time to tell Seungcheol and Joshua. 

No. It is better to involve less people. Then if anything goes south, I can protect them.