The scene changes to the gym, where Jang Han-seo was working out. He laid down to do inclined bench press. He struggles to do one rep, Vincenzo saw the opportunity and helped him put the bar off.

"What are you doing there?" Cha-young asked Vincenzo.

Even though Vincenzo had a pretty good idea of what his future self was up to, he didn't bother answering Cha-young. He just kept watching the screen.

"Watch it. It's heavy. You should be careful," Vincenzo says and Han-seo gets up and takes off his ear pods.

"Aren't you Mr. Jang Han-seo?" Vincenzo says and pretends to be surprised.

Even Han-seok and Myung-hee could tell exactly what Vincenzo was up to.

"Yes," Han-seo replies, he moves forward to take the weights off the bar but Vincenzo beats him to it.

"No, let me do that for you. This is incredible. Amazing. I am a huge fan of yours," Vincenzo says with a big smile on his face trying to flatter Han-seo which he seems to be successful in.

"He is trying to test me whether or not I am the real chairman, his future has his doubts as well," Han-seo answered Cha-young instead of Vincenzo.

Cha-young was about to ask another question, but her thoughts froze. "Aren't you Vittorio's friend? Then why isn't your future self just simply telling the truth instead of beating around the bush?"

Before Han-seo could respond, a cold voice interrupted, cutting through the tension in the air.

"Because I must have asked him to do so."

The sudden voice of Vittorio caught them all off guard. It felt strange to hear him speak after so long, especially after the silence that had enveloped him. They had grown used to the younger, more vocal version of him, always teasing and bickering during their watch of the future. But now, they didn't expect him to say anything at all, considering the internal chaos he was grappling with.

Cha-young opened her mouth to ask why, but then hesitated, deciding against it. She knew that pressing further would only lead to more unanswered questions. Whatever the reason, Destiny would eventually reveal it in its own time, so, she kept quiet.

"Can I get a handshake?" He asks in excitement putting his hand forward.

"Sure," Han-seo responds with a smile.

"Thank you," Vincenzo says shaking his hand. He takes out a water bottle from his pocket and offers Han-seo.

"Here, have this."

"Thanks," Han-seo takes the water bottle and drinks from it.

"Sure," Vincenzo follows him. "You workout here. In one of your interviews, you said nothing is impossible for Babel. I became a fan after reading how daring your corporate philosophy is," Vincenzo says acting like a die hard fan by going on flowering Han-seo with praises, "Sorry about that," He apologized as he hit the bench accidently with his fist in excitement.

Cha-young couldn't help but chuckle quietly at the sight. It was hard to imagine someone like Vincenzo, with his sharp suits and cold demeanor, acting like a total fanboy. The whole scene seemed so out of place — a mafia boss gushing over corporate philosophy like a teenager at a concert. It was amusing, though, and it even made a few of the others in the theatre crack smiles. It was moments like these that reminded them there was a human side to everyone, even someone as intimidating as Vincenzo.

"Innovation and business go hand in hand," Han-seo says handing over the water bottle to Vincenzo.

"Creative destruction. Innovation is the driving force of economic growth. Were you influenced by George Soros?" Vincenzo quotes Schumpeter but intentionally asked this to test Han-seo's knowledge.

A few people in the theatre looked confused, not quite getting what Vincenzo was up to. But some of the others picked up on it quickly, realizing Vincenzo was testing Han-seo with those quotes. It wasn't just casual conversation — he was seeing if Han-seo actually understood the big ideas he liked to throw around.

"What?" Han-seo acted as if he didn't understand, "Soros, I have so much respect for him," Han-seo continued to act.

A few people in the theatre couldn't help but chuckle at Han-seo's acting, knowing full well he was playing dumb. His performance was so convincing, though, that if they didn't already know the truth, they might've believed him. It was impressive how easily he slipped into the role, fooling everyone around him. Even those who were aware couldn't deny his skills — it was a masterclass in deception.

"I knew it. When I studied your investments in subsidiaries, you seemed flexible in dealing with them. You were influenced by Joseph Schumpeter?" Vincenzo asks again to test Han-seo.

"Right. Joseph... That's right. I read his books. You know a lot," Han-seo says appearing clueless as fuck.

"Gosh... You are so smart," Vincenzo says and follows Han-seo who got up to take rest of the weights off the bar. "Oh right, yesterday... Let me help you," He says taking the weight from Han-seo's hand.

Everyone in the theater couldn't help but be impressed by how good both Vincenzo and Han-seo were at acting. It was obvious they were both pros, but Han-seo's ability to fool someone as sharp as the mafia consigliere was on a whole other level.

"I saw the about the fire at Babel Pharmaceuticals yesterday. How could that happen? I am so sorry." Vincenzo asks.

"It was just a minor accident," Han-seo replies clearly looking uninterested to talk about that topic. He goes and again lays down to do his reps.

"By the way..." Vincenzo says as he lays down on the bar, clearly annoying Han-seo, "I am not sure if I should say this. I read in the tabloid that it was actually arson," He continued making Han-seo gasp shockingly.

"Who said that? Don't believe what you read in tabloids," Han-seo replied clearly looking offended.

"I guess you don't know about these tabloids, Sometimes, they are right," Vincenzo countered.

"Hey-"

"By the way," Vincenzo stops and looks around to see if anyone is listening or not and whispers with a grin, "I own Babel Pharmaceuticals' shares."

"Leave," Han-seo says in anger getting up from the bench. "Please, Please go if you are done. I need to work out."

"Right. Sorry I got in the way. Then, I will go and sell my shares of Babel. They are worth nothing. Awful," Vincenzo says getting up to leave.

Han-seok was seething with frustration, cursing himself for not realizing sooner how his little brother had been playing the game all along. He'd been pretending to be this innocent, naive puppet, harmless and weak, making it impossible for Han-seok to see him as a threat. But now that his true colors were exposed, Han-seok was more than ready to break him again—shatter whatever illusion his brother had built. He couldn't wait to turn Han-seo into the bitch he pretends to be.

"Hey-" Vincenzo stops and turns back to take the water bottle.

"This is mine," He says and walks away from there. "You are not the boss," Vincenzo concludes and drinks water.

Vincenzo can't help but acknowledge the Han-seo's skills—he was clearly impressed. But the fact that his brother's future self hadn't come clean yet was eating at him. Cha-young, too, watched the scene unfold with wide eyes. She couldn't believe how easily Vincenzo had been played.

The camera turns back at Han-seo who sat back at the bench and smiled shaking his head.

"Aish, both of these Cassano brothers are the same," Han-seo said with a sigh.

He took out of his spare phone and messaged Vittorio.

'Your brother dropped by. Don't worry I did as you asked. He knows I am not the chairman.'

And Vittorio was, in fact, right. His future self had specifically told Han-seo not to spill the truth directly to Vincenzo. Instead, the plan was to let Vincenzo believe he'd uncovered everything on his own—served neatly on a silver platter, with just enough clues to make it feel like a personal victory.

FLASHBACK (The previous night)

After Vittorio finished talking with his elder brother and Hong Cha-young, he dialed Han-seo's number. The scene shifts to Han-seo's apartment, where his phone buzzed the moment Vittorio's name flashed on the screen. Without hesitation, he picked up.

"Your Majesty, how did you remember this lowly servant of yours?" Han-seo teased, a smirk playing on his lips.

"Do I need a reason to call you, dumbo?" Vittorio shot back without missing a beat. "Anyway, did you like my little surprise?"

"Loved it. My brother tried so damn hard to act unaffected, but you guys definitely shook things up. His precious Babel is bleeding."

Their playful banter brought a breath of fresh air amidst all the tension—it was light, witty, and a rare glimpse of something genuine in the middle of chaos. The audience couldn't help but smile at the unexpected warmth between the two. But of course, not everyone was enjoying the moment. One very obvious person in the room sat stiffly, practically burning with jealousy, clearly unable to stand how close Han-seo and Vittorio had become.

Hmm." Vittorio hummed in thought. "But I know him. He'll patch up the damage soon. The best time to land a real blow is when the iron is still hot."

"You could've asked me to help," Han-seo said, his tone turning serious. "A heads-up wouldn't have hurt."

"Then it wouldn't have been a surprise. Plus, I don't want you directly involved in this mess. If your bastard brother catches even a whiff of it, I'm not risking your life."

That scene hit differently to Han-seo. For once, the teasing faded, and what was left was raw concern. It showed just how deeply Vittorio cared—not just for the mission, but for him as a person.

There was a pause. A quiet 'hmm' from the other end. Something felt off.

"Why don't you let me kill him already?" Vittorio asked, his voice steady but laced with a dangerous edge.

Damn. That one hurt more than he expected.

Han-seok felt something drop in his chest the moment Vittorio said it—calm, cold, like he wasn't even talking about a person, but just... getting rid of a problem. And the worst part? He meant it. No hesitation, no heat—just steady, controlled rage.

Vittorio actually wanted him dead.

Han-seok forced himself to keep a straight face, to brush it off like it didn't sting, but deep down it messed with him. He was used to enemies threatening his life—not lover.

"Wouldn't that be too easy of a death for him?" Han-seo replied nonchalantly.

And just when Han-seok thought he couldn't possibly hate his little brother more than he already did... Han-seo went ahead and proved him wrong.

That smug look, that fake innocence, the way he wormed his way into Vittorio's trust—it made Han-seok's blood boil.

"Well, that's true." Vittorio agreed, but his instincts kicked in. Something about Han-seo's voice—subtle, yet unmistakably strained—set off alarms in his head.

"Han-seo?"

"Hmm?"

"Did that bastard try to take it out on you?" Vittorio's voice was calm—too calm. A warning in itself.

The room went a little quiet at that. Vittorio didn't yell, but the cold edge in his voice said enough. He didn't need Han-seo to explain—he could already tell something was wrong just by the way he spoke.

People were honestly surprised by how close the two are. No big gestures, just that quiet, unshakable bond where one could read the other without a word.

Han-seo hesitated for a fraction of a second. He shouldn't have been surprised. Vittorio always saw through him.

A few soft smiles spread through the theater as Han-seo's expression shifted. That tiny pause, followed by his smile—it said everything. Even after all the chaos, Vittorio still understood him better than anyone else.

"He tried to strangle me to death," Han-seo admitted bluntly. There was no use lying. Vittorio would know. He always did.

Silence.

Then—

"That's it. That fucker isn't gonna live anymore." Vittorio's voice dropped into something cold, seething. His last strand of patience had snapped.

"Vittorio, relax! I'm fine. Nothing happened," Han-seo said quickly. "He knows I'm useful to him. That's the only reason he won't kill me—yet. But listen, you can't kill him now. Not before we tear him down completely."

Vittorio didn't respond. His breathing was sharp, uneven.

"He needs to feel it, Vittorio. That despair. That helplessness. The same way he made me feel. I want him to watch as we burn Babel to the ground, piece by piece. The only thing he truly loves—his life's work—reduced to ashes before his eyes. And he can't die before that."

A few people in the theater shifted uncomfortably in their seats.

That switch in Han-seo's tone? Bone-chilling.

It wasn't the usual angry outburst or manic rage—they'd come to expect that from Han-seok. But Han-seo's cold, calculated fury was on another level. The quiet intensity in his words, the calm with which he talked about burning everything down, made him even scarier.

Han-seo's voice had turned dark, and for a moment, even Vittorio felt the weight of his words.

"I. WON'T. LET. HIM."

"I'd love to see you try, little brother. Let's see who gets to kill who first," Han-seok said.

"Why not, hyung?" Han-seo shot back in the same tone, making it clear he wasn't scared of him anymore.

Vittorio took a slow breath, forcing himself to rein in his anger. Han-seo was right. Killing Han-seok now would be merciful. And that bastard didn't deserve mercy.

"Fine. As you wish," Vittorio finally said, his tone colder now, more controlled. "This just gives me more motivation to crush Babel even faster."

Then, something clicked in his mind—he had almost forgotten the real reason for the call.

"Oh, right. I forgot to mention—my brother is onto something. He'll probably approach you tomorrow, disguised. Your job is simple: plant some doubt. Make him question whether you're the real chairman of Babel."

Most of the tenants exchanged confused looks, brows furrowed. They couldn't quite figure out Vittorio's angle—why go through all this instead of just telling Vincenzo the truth? What was he really planning?

Han-seo frowned slightly.

"Why not just tell your brother the truth outright? Why make him chase it?"

Vittorio chuckled, the sound void of warmth. "Let's just say... I'm evening the score. Hyung played his little games in the past, so it's only fair he gets a taste of his own medicine. Besides, does it really matter whether he hears the truth from me or digs it out himself?"

Vincenzo's eyes widened in realization. "You're still holding a grudge over that? I did it to protect you—and that was ages ago."

Vittorio tilted his head slightly, his tone calm but firm. "I didn't need your protection then, and I don't need it now. As for grudges... what's so wrong with settling a few scores?"

Vincenzo blinked, taken aback by the bluntness.

"You're cruel, Vittorio." Han-seo shook his head with a slight smirk. "Fine. Consider it done. Your brother will know the truth soon enough."

"Thanks, dumbo. We'll talk later—hyung is calling me."

"Okay. Take care, V." Han-seo's voice softened just a little.

"You too." Vittorio ended the call. 

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