As the taxi rolled through the traffic lights, Linda leaned forward.
"Sir… can I use your phone?" She pleaded.
The driver hesitated, glanced at her through the mirror, then finally handed it over.
She quickly dialed a number. "Linda?" Ha Rin's voice came out breathless the moment the call connected. "Where are you? Are you okay?"
"I'm fine," Linda said, watching the road ahead. "Are you at home?"
"Yes. Alex and I have been waiting for you at your apartment, we just left your apartment."
"I'm close. Wait for me at the gate. I need cash for the ride."
"Okay."
Linda returned the phone to the driver, saying, "thank you sir. "
The driver collected the phone without saying anything, his eyes focus on the road.
A few minutes later, the car stopped outside Ha Rin's place. Ha Rin was already standing by the gate.
Immediately she sighted the car, she ran out held Linda in a tight hug before paying the driver.
Then she pulled Linda inside and closed the door.
"I was so worried," she said, hands moving over Linda's arms and shoulders, checking her. "You weren't picking your calls."
"I didn't have my phone. I left it in my bag at the garage." Linda answered.
Ha Rin's eyes narrowed. "What really happened between you and Williams?"
Linda exhaled and leaned back against the wall.
"It's a long story… It started the very day I arrived in Seoul. It was raining heavily. He splashed me from head to toe and didn't even apologize. He was arrogant, he Insulted me, and called me names."
Her jaw tightened, " then, I slapped him."
"What?" Ha Rin gasped. "You slapped Williams Adam? You actually slapped him? Linda, you're a legend. I'm officially your number one fan."
Linda rolled her eyes.
"Where did he take you?" Ha Rin asked, clearly enjoying this too much.
"I think… his house. He locked me inside his room."
"His room?" Ha Rin's eyes sparkled. "You're so lucky girl."
Irritation flash on Linda face as she said "don't start," she warned, making Ha Rin giggle.
"Babe, when you become Mrs. Adam Williams, don't forget me__"
"Are you insane?" Linda snapped. "I would rather marry a monkey than that lunatic."
She declared.
Ha Rin burst out laughing. "Then how did you escape?"
A slow, satisfied smirk touched Linda's lips.
"Oh… I didn't leave quietly."
Ha Rin noticed the look. "He didn't just let you go, did he?"
Linda shook her head and began to describe the disaster she had left behind.
By the time she finished, Ha Rin stood frozen, mouth opened down.
"…Linda," she said slowly, "you are either the bravest person I know… or completely crazy."
Linda shrugged.
"Maybe both, but what ever, he deserves worse"
-----
Williams returned later that evening, the house already quiet when he stepped inside.
The butler greeted him as usual, unaware of what had happened upstairs. Williams only nodded and headed straight for his room.
He unlocked the door.
The first thing that hit him was the sound.
Water running.
His brows drew together as he stepped inside.
Then he pause. The curtains were gone.
The bedsheet missing.
The window half-open, the fabric tied and trailing down the wall like some ridiculous escape rope.
His gaze moved slowly around the room, and settled on the bed that was bathed with cream, then slowly lower his eyes to floor.
The scent of his body cream was very obvious__half the bottle wasted, streaked across the bed and carpet as if someone had done it on purpose.
His jaw tightened.
He walked to the bathroom and pushed the door open.
The bathtub was overflowing.
Inside it was his things, floating and soaking.
For a long moment, he simply stood there, staring.
Then he went closer, he lifted his laptop up and water flows down from it.
He turned off the tap and seat on the wet edge of the tub staring at his expensive clothes and he has not even wear.
Then, a deep laugh echo through the room.
The kind of laugh that meant someone was in very serious trouble.
He stood up slowly, back toward the room. His eyes landed on the open window again.
" You escaped." He murmured.
He ran a hand over his expressionless face.
"You black devil, I will make Seoul hell for you."
There was no anger in his voice. Only promise.
Then he brought out his phone and tapped a few buttons.
The footage of Linda move appeared on the screen.
He leaned back slightly, eyes fixed, watching every reckless move she made — the way she tied the sheets, how her hands shook as she tested the rope, how she slipped, then forced herself through the window anyway.
When she got stuck on the iron rod, panic written all over her face, he let out a low chuckle.
"Stubborn little thing." He murmured.
When she finally slid down and disappeared into the road, his lips curved.
"Don't let me catch you, bitch," he cursed.
At that very moment, a knock sounded at the door.
"Young master," the butler said from outside. "Master has returned."
Williams slipped his phone into his pocket and opened the door.
"I want my room cleaned," he said calmly, then walked past him and headed downstairs.
The living room was already lit. Mr. Adam stood near the window, his coat still in his hand.
"Dad," Williams greeted.
Mr. Adam turned, surprise flickering across his face before softening.
"You're back already?"
"You didn't even call me to pick you up from the airport," Williams said lightly, dropping onto the couch.
Mr. Adam sighed. "You've been busy enough. I didn't want to disturb you."
Then his gaze shifted__ careful, and thoughtful.
"I heard about the meeting in Germany," he said. "Secretary Kim told me everything. You handled it well… better than I expected."
Williams met his eyes. "I didn't want to disappoint you dad."
For a moment, Mr. Adam simply studied his son, then nodded.
"You didn't."
Silence settled between them, before Mr Adam said "Come let's have dinner."
Williams stood.
They walked toward the dining room together, side by side___ the distance between them smaller than it had been in years.