Today was the day. The wedding day.
The wedding was set in a huge, ancient Orthodox Cathedral in Moscow. The Cathedral's golden spires and onion domes glittered amidst the snow. The scene inside was even more breathtaking—gold-plated icons and ancient frescoes lent a royal solemnity to the event.
However, beneath this royal exterior was an impenetrable security fortress. Dmitri's guards kept a strict watch on every door, window, and rooftop of the Cathedral. Top leaders of the international mafia network, including Viktor, were present—they viewed this union as the ultimate moment to showcase their power.
Jasmine: The Disguise of Victory
Jasmine looked like a vision today. She wore a long, exquisite ivory gown that perfectly matched her famous golden and white hair. Her makeup was flawless, and there was no fear in her eyes, only a cool, triumphant look.
But behind her beauty was a different preparation. Micro-communication devices and monitoring sensors to keep in touch with Ji-han and the NIS Command were skillfully concealed in her hair, her bridal tiara, and the bouquet of flowers in her hand. Her heartbeat—the key to Dmitri's blackmail—was now being recorded second by second on Ji-han's monitor.
Jasmine stopped at the entrance of the Cathedral. Ji-han's warning echoed in her ear: "Keep your heartbeat normal, Jasmine. The slightest change will alert Dmitri and our strike team's time will run out."
Dmitri: The Lunatic's Wait
Dmitri stood near the Altar. He wore a black, Italian suit that made his muscular body look even more commanding. He kept looking towards the door. There was no love or devotion in his blue eyes, only frantic possessiveness and extreme suspicion. He had accepted Jasmine's conditions, but he knew—this woman was nothing but a trap.
Just then, the main organ began to play. The massive doors opened.
Jasmine slowly walked down the aisle with her father (or whoever was escorting her). Her every step was measured, confident like a modeling ramp walk. On both sides of the aisle sat the world's most dangerous criminals.
There was no longer suspicion in Dmitri's eyes, only the thrill of victory. He thought he had won.
As Jasmine approached him, Mafia Lord Viktor whispered to Dmitri: "You must keep an eye on this woman, Dmitri. Her eyes are dangerous."
Jasmine stopped at the altar. Dmitri took her hand. Their touch was cold, like the union of two poles. Through this touch, the NIS's ultimate countdown began.
Outside, in the Moscow fog, Ji-han was looking at a monitor from a secured van. The graph of Jasmine's heartbeat on the screen was stable.
Ji-han whispered into his microphone to his team: "Operation 'Bride' initiated. Time: 5 minutes." As Jasmine and Dmitri stood face-to-face at the altar, the atmosphere in the Cathedral was breathtaking. Dmitri had a triumphant smile, and Jasmine had a steady resolve in her eyes.
At this crucial moment, a solemn, elderly Religious Officiant with a grave appearance stood at the altar. His attire was a gorgeous ceremonial robe, further amplifying the solemnity of this historic location. This religious leader was one of Russia's most influential figures, with long-standing connections to the mafia.
The Officiant raised his hands before beginning the prayers.
"On this holy day, we witness the union of two souls…" As the religious leader began his official declaration in a deep voice, the graph of Jasmine's heartbeat on Ji-han's monitor was steadily pulsing.
These words were the final signal for Ji-han and his international team.
Jasmine was ready internally. This union, this vow—it was all an act for her. But her mind held one single thought: Where? Where is my real weapon hidden?Jasmine locked eyes with Dmitri, which was the biggest risk of her life. Dmitri held her hand, his fingers were tight.
When the Officiant asked Dmitri, "Dmitri, do you take this woman to be your wife and promise to protect her until the end of your days?"
Dmitri, looking into Jasmine's eyes, answered in the manner of a victor: "I promise."
Now it was Jasmine's turn. The Officiant was about to ask Jasmine the same question.
Just at that moment, Ji-han's voice came through the micro-communication device in Jasmine's ear—hushed, but intense.
"Countdown finished, Jasmine. No more delays."
Ji-han saw on his monitor that Dmitri's guards were beginning to move on the Cathedral roof. As soon as Jasmine had to say "I agree," Dmitri's entire focus would be on Jasmine.
Outside, piercing the Moscow fog, NIS and CIA Special Forces teams were slowly advancing towards the Cathedral.
Ji-han gave the final command: "Attack in three, two, one. Zero."
Inside the Cathedral, just as the Religious Officiant was about to ask Jasmine the question—
Suddenly, the huge chandeliers of the Cathedral went out with a loud sound!
The entire Cathedral plunged into complete darkness. Intense chaos broke out among the mafia guests. Dmitri instantly clutched Jasmine's hand tightly, preparing to use her as a human shield.
**The war had begun!**The interior of the Cathedral was instantly plunged into extreme chaos. With the chandeliers out, the vast hall was now submerged in thick darkness, with only faint daylight from outside illuminating some figures.
Dmitri's reaction was lightning-fast. He harshly pulled Jasmine towards him. Jasmine's arm was nearly crushed in his powerful grip.
"Turn on the lights! What is happening?" Viktor's deep voice rang out.
Muffled screams and the sound of metallic objects clattering came from the crowd—the mafia guards were quickly drawing their weapons. But their reaction was slow compared to the trained spies.
"This is no technical error, Bhaiya!" Dmitri roared. He pulled out a revolver and pressed it against Jasmine's head. "Spies! You finally came!"Jasmine's Signal
Jasmine knew this was her last chance. Ji-han had taught her—this darkness was the main moment for action. Even though she had to keep her heartbeat graph stable, she had to do something that would catch Dmitri off guard.
Knowing her life was in danger, Jasmine threw the bouquet of flowers in her hand with fierce force at Dmitri's face.
At the same time, activating the hidden microphone in her necklace, Jasmine gave her final signal— "Red suit! Right side!" (This signal pointed towards the direction where Viktor and his high-ranking associates were).
The Strike: Cathedral Assault
Just then, the bright light of intense flash-bang grenades burst from all sides!
Boom! Boom! Boom!
The blinding flashes momentarily stunned the mafia guards and guests. Immediately after, the glass of the Cathedral's massive windows and arched doors shattered. Black-clad NIS and CIA agents descended from the roof and balconies, deploying smoke grenades.
Gunshots began amidst the thick smoke and darkness. This was no ordinary firing—it was a well-planned, swift attack.
Although Dmitri was not momentarily blinded, he was disoriented by the smoke and chaos. As he gripped Jasmine, Ji-han's voice cut through the air directly to his ear, as if piercing the wind.
"You are not alone, Dmitri!"
Moving through the darkness with lightning speed, Ji-han advanced towards Jasmine. He held a silenced pistol. Ji-han knew his primary target was to free Jasmine.
Ji-han leaped towards Dmitri and Jasmine. Dmitri was still holding Jasmine as a shield.
Ji-han had come with one single goal—Jasmine. He fiercely struck Dmitri's hand to make his pistol fly off and, at the same time, yanked Jasmine towards himself.
Ji-han pulled Jasmine into his embrace.
Gunshots, screams, and the mafia's attempts to flee surrounded them. But Ji-han and Jasmine were momentarily cut off from that extreme chaos.
"Jasmine, are you alright?" Ji-han's voice was filled with concern.
Jasmine did not reply. She only clung tighter to Ji-han. The speed of her heartbeat was now incredibly fast.
Dmitri had already picked up the pistol from the floor. He aimed at Ji-han.
"You have to die, Spy!"Jasmine clung tightly to Ji-han's chest. Outside, the Cathedral was still shaking with the sounds of gunfire and shouting. Ji-han was ready to pounce on Dmitri, who was aiming his pistol.
But precisely at that moment, Jasmine shuddered with an intense, unexpected feeling.
Ji-han had rushed in to save her, to put his mission at risk. The intensity of his love was undoubtedly true. But when Jasmine saw that frantic possessiveness, that deep pain, in Dmitri's eyes, her mind suddenly took a different turn. Dmitri's love was not secret and calculated like Ji-han's—it was wild, exposed, and maddening.
Jasmine felt her heart being torn apart by an extreme conflict. Dmitri's passionate urgency over the past two months, his ability to take extreme risks—all this aroused an intense, real sense of love within Jasmine, contrasting with the artificiality of her modeling persona.
She quickly hid her face in Ji-han's chest and whispered in his ear— "Sorry."
Before Ji-han could look up in surprise, Jasmine fiercely pushed him away!
Ji-han staggered a few steps back, stunned. Extreme astonishment and disbelief were in his eyes.
Jasmine did not waste a moment. As Dmitri was steadily aiming at Ji-han, Jasmine ran and leaped directly towards Dmitri.
She wrapped her arms tightly around Dmitri's waist, resting her head on his chest. The hem of Jasmine's white gown blended with Dmitri's black suit.
Dmitri was completely stunned! His pistol was aimed at Ji-han, but Jasmine's sudden embrace froze his hand. He could not shoot. His blue eyes widened in amazement, as if he had never dreamed of this scene.
"Jasmine! What are you doing!" Ji-han screamed, but his voice was drowned out in the chaos.
Dmitri's back was then encircled by Jasmine's arms. He could not lower his weapon, nor could he fire. His hard face now began to soften.
"Jasmine… you… why?" Dmitri whispered in disbelief. All his resistance crumbled.
Jasmine rubbed her head against his chest. Her breathing was fast. "Because… because I know you loved me too," Jasmine said. Her heartbeat graph was probably even more unstable at this moment!
Ji-han, whom Jasmine had just pushed away, turned to stone from the extreme mental shock. The silenced pistol in his hand dropped onto the floor. His mission, his love, his entire life—all seemed to be shattered in an instant by this treacherous embrace.The area around them was filled with fire and smoke from the grenades. Dmitri and Jasmine's unexpected embrace in the center of the Cathedral—which had turned Ji-han into stone in an instant.
Dmitri was still stunned. In Jasmine's warm embrace, he seemed to have forgotten the war surrounding him.
In that precise moment, swift NIS agents emerged from the cover of the smoke. They pounced on Dmitri.
"Dmitri Viktorovich, you are now in the custody of the South Korean National Intelligence Service!" an agent announced in a stern voice.
Dmitri realized that his passionate madness had trapped him. He screamed in intense fury. He was dragged away. Mafia Lord Viktor met the same fate.
"Jasmine! You lied! You lied!" Dmitri screamed as he disappeared.