LUMEN safe house. Evening.
Soorin sat in the kitchen. Alone. Tea going cold in front of her.
Haejin had been in his room for three hours. Wouldn't come out. Wouldn't answer when anyone knocked.
The other members were scattered. Doyun in the gym. Minjae on the phone with his family. Taekyung in front of his laptop. Jisoo watching TV with the sound off.
Nobody knew what to say.
Manager Park entered. Looked exhausted.
"Any word from Mr. Hayes?" Soorin asked.
"Injunction is being filed. Should be approved within the hour."
"So Truth Unveiled can't publish?"
"Not without facing legal consequences. But—"
"But what?"
"They're investigating anyway. Quietly. If they can verify everything independently, they might publish regardless."
"How long will that take?"
"Weeks. Maybe months."
Soorin felt something loosen in her chest. "So there's time. Time to figure out how to tell Haejin properly."
Manager Park shook his head. "Mr. Hayes doesn't want him told. Ever."
"That's insane."
