INSIGHT INTO THE CHAPTER

"Dr. Haneul, the newly appointed head of trauma, was no stranger to the visceral realities of blood and chaos. Yet, nothing could have prepared her for the enigmatic stranger who stumbled into her life, a gunshot wound hidden beneath his jacket and a plea for clandestine aid on his lips. It was a moment that made her question just how perilous the streets of her city had become."

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The theatre doors swung shut with a definitive thud, signaling the end of another grueling surgery. Weary but victorious, Haneul made her way to the reception desk, the weight of consecutive surgeries bearing down on her shoulders.

These relentless surgeries are a test of endurance. A conversation with the Chief is overdue; surely, there's another surgeon capable of sharing this burden.

"Dr. Haneul!" The voice snapped her from her reverie.

Slumping against the counter, she turned to find Ella, her colleague and confidante, extending a lifeline in the form of a steaming cup of coffee.

"No offense, but you look like the aftermath of a storm. When did you last sleep?" Ella inquired; concern etched in her features.

"It feels like an eternity ago!" Haneul replied, exhaustion lacing her words.

Ella's gaze flickered, a dance of uncertainty, before settling on a patient file. "Yeah..." she trailed off, her eyes betraying a hint of alarm.

"What's wrong, Ella?" Haneul pressed, sensing the unease.

"Nothing!" Ella stammered, a poor facade of calm.

Haneul's eyes narrowed. "What are you hiding, Ella?"

Ella hesitated, then whispered, "Have you heard of the Jeons?"

A flicker of recognition sparked in Haneul's mind. The Jeons... why does that name stir a sense of familiarity?

"They're the shadow rulers of this city, the mafia family that holds the reins," Ella confided.

"Mafia family? You jest, surely?" Haneul's skepticism was palpable.

But Ella was earnest. "It's no joke. They're rumored to be expanding their empire, and whispers suggest it's all in preparation for a new leader."

"And who might this emerging don be?" Haneul inquired, a mix of curiosity and dread filling her.

Ella leaned in, her voice dropping to a hush. "Jungkook Jeon. He is both dangerous and attractive. Well... That's what people say."

Haneul's brow furrowed. "Attractive or not, he's a criminal, Ella."

Ella's laughter was a light note in the heavy air. "Imagine the thrill, the excitement of being with a mysterious Mafia prince. It's a dream for a lot of people."

Haneul shook her head, unconvinced. "Trouble is all I can see in this."

"That's the fun of it, isn't it? The allure of peril," Ella mused, a twinkle in her eye.

As they bantered, a presence loomed at the hospital entrance. The doors parted, and a current of charged air swept through the lobby. Dr. Haneul's gaze lifted, locking with a pair of eyes that commanded the space with their intensity.

In that moment, she was unaware that the man before her was Jungkook Jeon.

"Good evening, ladies," he greeted, his voice a smooth baritone.

Beneath the harsh hospital lights, Haneul noted the pallor of his skin and the way his hand was pressed firmly against his abdomen, concealed by his jacket.

Ella tensed, her body language shifting as the man leaned casually against the desk.

"Could you point me to the nearest restroom?" he inquired, his gaze fixed on Haneul.

"Proceed down this corridor and take a left. The restroom is the second door to your right," she directed.

"Much obliged, doctor," he replied, offering a nod before striding away.

A chill traced Haneul's spine as he cast a final glance over his shoulder.

Ella's voice broke through her thoughts. "You should seize the moment, get his number, perhaps more."

"Ella!" Haneul chided, a flush creeping up her cheeks.

"What? He was quite the sight, and he seemed taken with you," Ella teased.

Haneul admitted, "He was... somewhat charming. But there was an intensity in his gaze that was... flustering."

"Intriguing, you mean?" Ella prodded.

"I guess maybe," Haneul admitted.

Ella's laughter faded as Haneul's attention returned to the man in black. But as he reached the corridor's end, he turned right, not left.

That wasn't the direction to the restroom.

"Wait here, Ella. I'll return shortly," Haneul said, a sense of foreboding creeping in.

"Don't joke around without protection and remember, safety first!" Ella called after her, a playful edge to her voice.

Haneul rolled her eyes and set off in pursuit of the mysterious man.

The corridor grew darker with each step, shadows clinging to the walls. Her heart raced as she was suddenly pulled into the stairwell, pinned against the cold concrete by a firm hand.

"Looking for someone?" a voice whispered, his breath warm against her ear.

"You..." Haneul began, only to be silenced by his hand over her mouth.

"Shh," he cautioned, his finger pressed to his lips.

As he leaned in, the unmistakable shape of a weapon pressed against her side.

Is this it? Is he going to end me here?

He seemed to read her thoughts. "Stay quiet, and we'll have no problems, okay?"

Haneul nodded, and he slowly released her, his hand trailing down her neck.

"What do you want?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

"I could ask you the same. You're clearly not here for the restroom. So, what's your game?" she retorted, a hint of amusement in her tone.

Haneul's eyes widened as she noticed the blood seeping through his shirt. "You're injured!"

He gave a nonchalant shrug. "Caught me searching for a first aid. Am I in trouble, Doc? Or should I just stick to band-aids and hope for the best?"

"If you don't release me, you will be," she countered, her voice steady despite the fear.

His gaze intensified, a smirk playing at the corners of his mouth. "You've got fire, Doctor. I respect that. Are you always this... fierce?"

"Are we going to stand here exchanging banter, or do you plan to let me tend to that wound?" she challenged.

He stepped back, allowing her space. Haneul knelt and carefully peeled back the torn fabric, revealing the bullet wound.

"You've been shot," she stated, the gravity of the situation settling in.

TO BE CONTINUED...