The low hum of Seoul's city lights framed the scene as Detective Kim Namjoon arrived at the gated estate of Bang Si Hyuk, the chairman of Big Hit Entertainment. The tall iron gates, usually imposing and forbidding, hung open now, giving access to police cars and forensic teams milling around the grounds. It was an unusually still night, as though the city itself was aware of the monumental case that had fallen into Namjoon's hands.

Namjoon paused before entering the mansion, taking a deep breath as he surveyed the scene. He was meticulous and methodical in his work—qualities that had earned him his reputation—and he knew that this case would require every ounce of his skills and focus. A murder investigation was rare in the world of high-profile business elites, but something about this case whispered of hidden depths and complex motives.

As he stepped inside the grand entrance, the soft glow of ornate chandeliers lit the marble floors. The lavish interior—lined with polished wood and adorned with expensive artwork—contrasted sharply with the horror that had unfolded here. Namjoon's keen eyes took in every detail, looking for signs, clues, or anomalies that could shed light on the chairman's death.

Inside the mansion, the crime scene was cordoned off by yellow tape, and the living room was awash in artificial lighting from the police equipment. 

Forensic expert Lisa was already at the scene, examining Bang Si Hyuk's body, which lay slumped over a low coffee table. 

Namjoon took in the sight with a practiced, detached gaze. The chairman's body was eerily still, his face devoid of the energy and authority that had once characterized him. Blood had pooled on the expensive Persian rug beneath him, staining the intricate patterns in dark, congealed red.

"Detective Kim," Lisa greeted him, her expression calm but focused. She was dressed in a white forensic suit, her hands gloved as she examined the body for clues. Lisa was known for her sharp intellect and attention to detail, often teasing Namjoon about his less-than-perfect social skills.

"Lisa," Namjoon replied, nodding in acknowledgment. "What do we have so far?"

Lisa looked at him, her eyes sharp behind her glasses. "Cause of death appears to be multiple stab wounds to the chest and abdomen. From the look of it, the attack was brutal—no hesitation marks. Whoever did this wanted to make sure he didn't survive."

Namjoon knelt by the body, studying the pattern of the wounds. "Any sign of struggle?"

"Some defensive wounds on his forearms, which suggests he tried to shield himself at some point," Lisa said, gesturing to the cuts on Bang's arms. "But it doesn't look like he moved far from where he's lying now. Whoever attacked him must have caught him by surprise."

Namjoon's gaze moved around the room, noting the disarray of papers scattered on the table and the faint scent of expensive cologne mixed with the metallic tang of blood. The large windows overlooking the city were locked from the inside, and there were no signs of forced entry at the main door. It was as though Bang had willingly let his murderer in, only to meet his end at their hands.

Namjoon questioned, "Any leads yet?"

"Nothing concrete," Lisa replied, her gaze darting to Jackson, who was now surveying the room. "But the family dynamics are certainly intriguing."

~•~

The Detective made his way through the mansion, and he couldn't shake the feeling of tension that hung heavy in the air. This place had once been a symbol of wealth and power, a fortress built to protect the chairman's empire. But now, it was a crime scene, and the people within its walls were suspects in a murder case that would shake the foundation of Big Hit Entertainment.

Namjoon entered a smaller sitting room where the family had been gathered, each of them looking tense and uncomfortable. Jin, Bang's eldest son, sat with his arms crossed, his gaze fixed on the floor. He was in his late twenties, with sharp features and an athletic build that hinted at his family's physicality. His dark hair was neatly styled, but the tension in his jaw betrayed his anxiety. Jin had always been known by public to keep a level head, yet now he seemed fragile, as if he were teetering on the edge of control.

Beside him was Irene, Jin's wife, her expression unreadable as she sat with perfect posture, her eyes flickering with what could only be described as a subtle defiance. She was elegant, dressed in a tailored dress that hugged her form, but there was an air of calculation about her that made Namjoon uneasy. Her long, dark hair fell over her shoulders, framing a face that could easily be mistaken for serene but now carried the weight of anxiety.

Yeri, the daughter of one of Bang's associates, and the fiancée of his youngest son, sat apart from the others, her hands folded in her lap as she stared at the floor with a haunted expression. She had the kind of beauty that was understated yet striking, with soft features and dark, expressive eyes that seemed to hold a world of sorrow. Her long hair fell in loose waves, but it looked unkempt, as if she had been running her fingers through it in distress.

Roseanne entered the room next, her presence adding a different energy to the gathering. She was in her early twenties, with an air of quiet strength and resilience. Her wavy blonde hair fell just below her shoulders, and her keen brown eyes took in the scene with a mixture of empathy and determination. She wore a simple yet chic outfit that suited the somber occasion, but it was the small details—a silver necklace that sparkled subtly, a hint of color on her lips—that suggested she was trying to hold it together despite the circumstances. She took her place next to Yeri and squeezed her hand. 

At that moment, Jungkook entered, his demeanor dull. He was tall and fit, with striking features that conveyed both youth and depth. His hair was dark and slightly tousled, adding to the impression of someone who had been lost in thought. His expressive eyes appeared dimmed by grief. He stood quietly for a moment, absorbing the tension in the room before finally speaking.

"I just spoke to the police," he said, his voice low and heavy. "They're gathering evidence, but it's going to take time."

"Time?" Irene scoffed, her voice sharp. "How much time do we have? We need answers now."

"Let them do their job, Irene," Jungkook replied, his frustration evident. "Rushing them won't help. We need to stay calm."

Namjoon cleared his throat, drawing their attention. "Thank you all for your cooperation. I know this is a difficult time, but I need to ask you a few questions to help with the investigation."

Jin looked up, his expression guarded. "We're aware of that, Detective. We'll do whatever is necessary to find out who did this."

Namjoon nodded, studying Jin's face for any hint of insincerity. "Mr. Bang, as Bang Si Hyuk's eldest son, you must have been quite close to him. Did you notice anything unusual in his behavior recently? Anything that might suggest he was under threat?"

Jin hesitated, his gaze flickering to Irene before he answered. "He was... stressed. Running a company as large as Big Hit is no small feat, and he had a lot on his plate. But as far as I know, he wasn't in any immediate danger."

Irene's gaze sharpened slightly, but she said nothing. Namjoon turned his attention to her. "Mrs. Bang, did you notice anything out of the ordinary?"

Irene lifted her chin, her voice cool and controlled. "Bang Si Hyuk was a private man. He didn't share his burdens easily, especially with family members who were not directly involved in his work. We respected his privacy."

Namjoon noted the slight edge in her tone, filing it away for later. There was tension here, subtle but palpable, and he intended to find out what was behind it.

Finally, he turned to Yeri, whose quiet presence had intrigued him. "Miss Yeri, you were close to Bang Si Hyuk, correct? He was a mentor to you?"

Yeri looked up, her eyes wide and wary. "Yes, he... he helped me a lot when I first joined the company. He was like a father figure to me." Her voice trembled slightly, and she looked away, her hands tightening in her lap.

Namjoon watched her closely, sensing that there was more to her story than she was letting on. But now was not the time to push; he needed to establish trust if he was going to get any useful information from her.

He took a deep breath, trying to encourage a more focused conversation. "Let's list everyone who had a motive. If we work together, we might uncover something."

Jin straightened slightly, finally looking up from the floor. "There were competitors—rivals who felt threatened by him. Yang Hyun Suk, for one. He always seemed envious of our family's influence in the industry."

Irene nodded in agreement. "And Choi Sung Hyun. He never liked Bang, always thought he was too reckless in his dealings."

Yeri's brow furrowed as she considered this. "But they wouldn't just kill him... would they?"

"Desperation makes people do terrible things," Jungkook replied, crossing his arms tightly. "But we have to be careful. If we start accusing people without proof, it could backfire on us."

Namjoon focused on Jin. "Can you tell me about your father's typical routines? Did he have any habits that seemed unusual?"

Jin sighed, his fingers tapping against his knee. "He had a schedule he stuck to. Meetings, calls... You know how it is in the business world."

"Did he ever mention any threats or conflicts within the family?" Namjoon asked.

"No. He kept a lot to himself," Jin replied, his tone evasive. "That was just how he was."

Namjoon nodded. He turned to Bang's youngest son, "Jungkook, what about you? What was your relationship like with your father?"

Jungkook flinched at the question, his hands balling into fists. "It was complicated," he muttered, his voice barely above a whisper.

"Did he involve you in business decisions?" Namjoon pressed gently.

"No, he didn't," Jungkook shot back, his voice rising. "He didn't think I was capable of handling it." He looked away, the tension radiating off him.

"Did you see him act differently in the days before his death?" Namjoon asked, trying to draw him out.

Jungkook's expression hardened. "I didn't notice anything. I... I was busy," he said curtly, shutting down the conversation.

Namjoon couldn't help but notice how Roseanne hadn't actively engaged in the conversation, her body language closed off as if she were deliberately keeping herself detached from the family drama unfolding around her. It struck him as strange; while everyone else was offering bits and pieces of their experiences, Roseanne had become a quiet observer, her arms crossed tightly over her chest as if shielding herself from the tension in the room.

"Thank you, everyone," Namjoon concluded, sensing the tension in the room. "I may need to ask more questions later, but for now, that's all."

As the family members exchanged glances filled with unspoken words, Namjoon knew this investigation was only beginning, and he would need to dig deeper into the secrets hidden within the Bang family.

After wrapping up the initial round of questioning, Namjoon's mind was already spinning with possibilities. There were pieces missing from this puzzle, but he was determined to find them, no matter how deeply buried they might be.

With that, Namjoon stepped out of the room, his mind racing with questions. Who stood to gain from Bang Si Hyuk's death? What secrets lay hidden beneath the surface of this seemingly perfect family? As he walked back toward the crime scene, he knew that this investigation was just beginning.

~•~