THE STREET KING

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1. The Line Between Life and Death

Hye-jin's breath was ragged, her wrists raw from the rope biting into her skin. The cold warehouse reeked of gasoline, and the dim overhead light flickered, casting eerie shadows on the concrete walls.

Cha Mirae stood in front of her, the edge of a gleaming knife tracing along her jawline.

"Jinwoo will come for me," Hye-jin spat, her voice steady despite the fire in her veins.

Mirae smirked. "Of course, he will. That's why you're still alive." She twirled the knife between her fingers. "You see, men like Jinwoo… they act tough, but they always have a weakness. You?" She leaned in, whispering, "You're his."

Hye-jin met Mirae's gaze with defiance. "If you think I'm afraid of dying, you don't know me at all."

Mirae chuckled. "Oh, I know you. I know how much blood you've spilled for Jinwoo. How much you've sacrificed. And now…" She pressed the blade to Hye-jin's collarbone, just enough to draw a thin line of blood.

"You're going to be the reason he loses everything."

Hye-jin clenched her teeth. Not if I can help it.

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2. War Plans

Jinwoo slammed his fist against the table, the wood cracking beneath the force.

"She wants my empire?" His voice was low, venomous. "Fine. She can try to take it. But I'll burn the whole city before I let that happen."

Jisoo lit a cigarette, exhaling slowly. "She's testing you. She knows you won't give up everything for one person."

Jinwoo's glare was sharp. "She's wrong."

Jisoo scoffed. "I get it. Hye-jin's important. But if you walk into this without a plan, you're dead, and she still gets what she wants."

Jinwoo took a breath, forcing himself to think. "Then we make her believe she's already won."

Jisoo arched a brow. "You're gonna give her the streets?"

Jinwoo's lips curled into a dangerous smirk. "No. I'm going to let her think she has them. Just long enough to rip everything away from her."

Jisoo exhaled. "That's the Jinwoo I know."

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3. The Trade – Or The Trap?

The meeting spot was set—a desolate shipyard on the outskirts of the city. Midnight.

Jinwoo arrived alone. Or at least, that's what Mirae would believe.

She stood in the center, Hye-jin at her feet, bound and gagged.

Jinwoo's blood boiled at the sight. She was hurt.

Mirae smirked. "Right on time."

Jinwoo kept his expression neutral. "You wanted my empire? You can have it."

Mirae tilted her head. "Just like that?"

Jinwoo shrugged. "You made your point. Hye-jin's worth more to me than all of this."

Mirae's eyes narrowed. She didn't trust how easily he was giving in. "Then kneel."

Jisoo's words echoed in Jinwoo's mind: She's testing you.

So he did it. He knelt.

Mirae's smirk widened. "And just like that, the king falls."

Jinwoo's voice was cold. "Not quite."

A single gunshot rang out.

One of Mirae's men collapsed, blood pooling beneath him.

Then another.

And another.

Before Mirae could react, gunfire erupted from the shadows. Jinwoo's men, hidden in the darkness, ambushed them with ruthless precision.

Jinwoo lunged forward, his blade flashing as he cut down the guard closest to Hye-jin.

Mirae's eyes widened in rage. "You planned this—"

Jinwoo didn't let her finish. He punched her across the face, sending her staggering back.

"You made one mistake, Mirae," Jinwoo growled, grabbing her by the collar. "You thought I would ever kneel to you."

Mirae spat blood, smiling. "Then you're a fool."

Jinwoo barely had time to react before she plunged a hidden blade into his side.

Pain exploded through him, but he didn't let go.

Mirae leaned in, whispering, "This war isn't over."

Jinwoo's grip tightened. "It is for you."

With a violent motion, he drove his own knife into her stomach.

Mirae gasped, her body going limp as he let her fall.

Hye-jin, now freed, stumbled to his side. "Jinwoo—"

He turned to her, his vision blurring from the blood loss. "It's done."

Hye-jin caught him as he staggered. "No. It's just beginning."

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End of Chapter 44