Perun knew Lukman well enough by now.
He wasn't a good man—far from it—but neither was he completely rotten. He lived in the gray, surviving on bad choices and worse consequences. Still, this situation was spiraling out of control.
Perun crossed his arms and said firmly,
"From now on, you do exactly what I say. No overthinking. No schemes. This mess is already too deep."
Lukman looked up at him.
"And tell me one thing," Perun continued, his eyes narrowing. "That bounty on Melody… was that your doing?"
Lukman shook his head immediately.
"No. Why would I do something that stupid? I've done many bad things, yes—but this? Even I was shocked when I heard about it. If they wanted revenge, they could've put the bounty on my brother. Why her?"
Perun frowned.
"That's exactly what's strange. We'll think about it later."
At that moment, Rumi entered the room quietly, carrying another bowl of warm soup. She placed it near Lukman's bed.
Lukman carefully took the bowl with his uninjured hand.
"Thank you," he said softly.
Elsewhere In a Huge Mansion
In a massive, dimly lit house, Alfred sat beside Caeson, who had a thick bandage wrapped around his head. The air was heavy with irritation and unfinished business.
Junwell entered the hall while speaking into a landline.
"Do it quickly," he said coldly, then cut the call.
He sighed, rubbing his temples."There's too much work piling up."His eyes shifted to Caeson.
"And what happened to you?" Junwell scoffed. "Looks like someone kicked your ass."
Alfred answered instead.
"Yes. A nobody humiliated him. He couldn't win—even with a gun and several men backing him up."
Junwell's gaze sharpened."Where did you go? I never ordered you to act."
Caeson snapped back, irritated,"I don't follow anyone's orders."Then he continued, calmer but bitter,
"I went after Lukman Cooper. The man who tried to invade our territory by hiring Horris Forn."
Junwell raised an eyebrow."And he did this to you?"
Caeson smirked bitterly."No. I got intel after you announced that bounty—ten thousand dollars on that girl. Everyone was excited. One of my men fed me his location."
"So I took seven volunteers, armed them, and went there. I caught Lukman. Just when I was about to make him surrender, I realized the whole family was present."
He clenched his fist.
"That a bodyguard was guarding the girl. He knocked out four of my men by himself. Inside the house, I finally captured them all."
Caeson's jaw tightened.
"But then… someone appeared. One punch. That's all it took. I blacked out."
"When I woke up, everyone was already down. I was about to fire but this bastard," he glared at Alfred, "dragged me into the car and ran."
Alfred spoke calmly,"You couldn't defeat him. I saw everything. That man dodged bullets at close range."
Caeson snarled."Then why didn't you jump in?"
I can't say that we exactly can won or not and this was not necessary "Because even if we won," Alfred replied, "the cost would've been too high. So I took you and left."
Caeson paused."One thing—why were you even there?"
Alfred avoided his eyes."That's not your concern."
Junwell raised his hand."Enough. We'll deal with that later."
He leaned forward."I got important information about the bounty girl."
Caeson nodded.
"She was there. She's connected to Lukman."Alfred added,"He's telling the truth at least this time."
Junwell smiled faintly.
Morning — Back at Perun's Place
Morning light filled the room.
Perun said to Vaelor,"You can go home. You have your own work."
Vaelor shook his head."I can't just leave."
Perun sighed."I'm not a child. If you stay, you won't understand what's really happening in this case."
Vaelor nodded slowly."Fine. It's hectic anyway. I've done what you asked. I convinced Melody."
He left.
Moments later, Melody entered the room. She ignored Lukman completely and walked straight to Perun.
"As my cousin said," she spoke calmly, "you also want me to keep everything a secret from my family."
Perun replied,
"You don't understand everything yet. Once we're home, we'll discuss it properly."
"There's no need," Melody said firmly. "I'm leaving now."
Perun frowned, wondering what Vaelor had told her to make her decide so suddenly.
Lukman opened his mouth to stop her but after a pause, he said quietly,
"This is best for you."
Perun knew the truth. With a bounty on her head, distance was the safest option.
"I already spoke to my dad," Melody said. "Give me your number. I'll call when I reach."
Confused but trusting her, Perun handed her a slip of paper with his number written on it.
"When are you leaving?" he asked.
"Now. The driver is waiting."She smiled faintly."Goodbye."And she left.
Perun stared at the exit."I feel bad for her," he said. "Ever since I became her bodyguard, she's been dragged into trouble."
His eyes turned sharply to Lukman.
Lukman lowered his head."It's because of me."
"Well," Perun sighed, "now my one and only job has gone far away."
Lukman thought for a moment, then spoke."Then… work for me."
Perun smirked."Nah. I'm bored of bodyguard work."
Lukman raised an eyebrow."nah, my secretary."
Silence hung in the room.Perun stared at him."…You're kidding."