The air was suffocating.
When Jun-ho arrived at the place where Natali was being held, he was greeted with mockery. The words thrown at him were sharpened with calculated cruelty. Between laughter and scornful glances, one of the captors spoke:
— So, the great Jun-ho came to save his wife? How pathetic. A man who can't satisfy or protect his own woman thinks he can lead an empire? Look at her… the living proof of your weakness.
— Where is Natali? — His voice was firm.
Jun-ho couldn't tell how long she had been there, and deep down, he wasn't even sure if she was still alive.
But the insults continued. They had a purpose, to plant a seed of doubt in him, a shadow of incompetence that would linger among the members of Goden and in his own mind. Every word seemed carefully chosen to erode his confidence, destabilize his reputation, and discredit him in front of everyone.
