WINTER SECRETS

The Racial Squad sat around the dimly lit dining table, the atmosphere thick with anticipation, as if they were holding a high-stakes conference. At the center of it all was Carrie, shoulders squared like a CEO about to lay down an aggressive business strategy. Her fingers threaded through her hair as she exhaled sharply, frustration evident in her eyes.

"Are we getting anywhere with this?" she demanded, her voice laced with impatience.

Jae-wook leaned back, a smirk curling at his lips. "I told you the enthusiasm would die the second you started overthinking. And here we are—haven't even scratched the surface."

Carrie shot him a glare. "I never said I lost my enthusiasm." She straightened, her eyes sharp with determination. "Here's what we know—Na-eun isn't just some high-level business mogul. She deals with the top one percent—presidents, senators, corporate sharks. She moves with too much power. Taking her down? That's near impossible."

"So what's the strategy?" Leo asked, his tone brimming with anticipation.

Carrie's lips twitched into a sly smile. "Ever wonder why Na-eun hasn't hit the top ranks despite her empire?"

A pause. The gears in their heads started turning.

"She's careful," she continued, "too careful. Someone in her position should be at the pinnacle without question. That means she's either manipulating the system or hiding something. And if she's hiding something… she's scared of exposure."

"Damn! That's actually brilliant," Ava blurted out, jaw slack in realization.

Carrie tapped her temple knowingly. "Think about it. What if Jae-wook is just one of her victims? What if she's done this a hundred times over? You don't build an empire like hers without blood money."

Leo whistled low. "How the hell did you piece all this together so fast?"

Carrie shrugged, but there was a dangerous glint in her eyes. "It's less impressive when you know how long I've been on this case. Ever since Jae-wook pointed a gun at my head, accusing me of working with Na-eun, my curiosity has been greater than my ego."

"Holy—!" Leo clapped dramatically. "I respect that level of crazy."

Jae-wook, for the first time, looked genuinely intrigued. "So… what's your move?"

Carrie folded her arms. "I don't have a full-blown plan yet, but we need to change tactics. Instead of fighting her in the corporate world, we expose her from the shadows."

Ava's eyes narrowed. "Change tactics how?"

Carrie leaned in. "MapleSeoul has been trying to surpass TechCom for years now. But no breakthrough products. That's suspicious in itself. If we can't take her down through business, we hunt her down through her crimes."

Leo frowned. "But we don't even know if she's a criminal."

Carrie scoffed. "I don't need evidence to know that woman's hands are dirty."

Jae-wook exhaled, his jaw tightening. "I know for a fact that she's got skeletons in her closet, but exposing them is risky. Too risky."

Carrie's lips curled into a smirk. "You want the extraordinary? Then you have to risk the unusual."

Jae-wook studied her for a moment before standing. "Fine. I have a meeting at 11 a.m. That's our first move."

Carrie raised an eyebrow. "You're bringing me to the board meeting?"

He tilted his head. "That's the easiest way to introduce a new bodyguard without raising suspicion."

"But it's only 9 a.m.!" Ava pointed at the clock.

Jae-wook flashed a smirk. "Which means we're going shopping. Carrie needs a full makeover—because she's going in disguised as a man."

The room fell silent for a split second before Ava squealed. "THIS. IS. AMAZING. Leo, we need to apply for undercover jobs immediately. I wanted some drama in my life, and I just got the premium version!"

Leo shook his head in disbelief. "I can't believe it. Jae-wook actually accepted our help. Carrie, you're something else."

Carrie smirked. "Of course, I am. Now, if you'll excuse me—I have a disguise to perfect." She bolted out of the room, leaving an electrified silence in her wake.

This was just the beginning.

Minutes later, Carrie and Jae-wook sat in the backseat of the car, the air between them so thick with tension it could be bottled and sold as an energy drink. Mr. Jin drove in silence, his expression calm—like a man who had long accepted his fate of chauffeuring two ticking time bombs.

But, of course, Carrie wasn't one to let silence linger for too long. She let out a loud, exaggerated sigh.

"I can't believe I'm in this car. I swore to myself I'd never sit in it. Not even for a minute."

Jae-wook, who hadn't so much as glanced at her, finally spoke—his tone as dry as sandpaper. "The mall isn't far. You can walk."

Carrie rolled her eyes so hard she nearly saw her past life. Clicking her tongue, she turned to Mr. Jin. "How long have you been working for this loon?"

Mr. Jin, ever the composed one, chuckled. "Almost six years, I guess."

Carrie gasped dramatically, her eyes wide with disbelief. "SIX YEARS?! AND YOU HAVEN'T QUIT? You deserve an award. No, a medal. Wait—do you blink twice for help?"

Mr. Jin just smiled knowingly. "You just have to understand what he likes and what he doesn't, Ms. Evans."

Carrie scoffed. "What is he, some kind of god? He struts around like a peacock but doesn't even have the looks to back it up—so he settled for the appearance of a turkey."

Jae-wook finally lifted his gaze, his expression unreadable. "I can still hear you two."

Carrie gasped mockingly, pressing a hand to her chest. "Oh no! I thought you were dead for a moment. My deepest condolences, boss."

Jae-wook pinched the bridge of his nose. "She's so annoying."

Before Carrie could land another jab, Mr. Jin smoothly pulled over.

"We're here."

Carrie grinned, unbuckling her seatbelt. "Great. Now let's go turn me into a suspiciously handsome man, I bet I'd be getting all the ladies"

Jae-wook groaned "this was going to be a long day".