**Chapter 7: The Price of Defiance**

As they walked through the mansion, the air seemed to thicken with tension, heavy with unspoken threats. Hyunjin's senses were on high alert, his eyes scanning their surroundings, searching for any clue about where Bangchan was leading him. They passed by the grand ballroom, the library, and the music room, each door they approached and then left behind, fueling Hyunjin's growing unease. Finally, they stopped in front of a large wooden door, adorned with intricate carvings of dragons and serpents. Bangchan pushed the door open, revealing a room that seemed frozen in time. The walls were lined with old bookshelves, stretching all the way to the ceiling, and the air was thick with dust. In the center of the room, a large, ornate desk sat atop a plush, crimson rug. Behind the desk, a massive window looked out onto a perfectly manicured garden, its beauty a stark contrast to the tension building inside Hyunjin. "Welcome to my office," Bangchan said, his voice low and husky, as he gestured for Hyunjin to approach the desk. Hyunjin's eyes roamed the room, taking in the various artifacts and trinkets on display. There were ancient vases, priceless artwork, and strange, exotic relics that seemed to hold secrets of their own. He felt like he was walking into a different world, one where the rules were different, and the stakes were higher. Bangchan sat down behind his desk, his eyes never leaving Hyunjin's face. "I've been thinking about our conversation earlier," he said, his voice dripping with calculation. "And I've come to the realization that perhaps, I haven't been clear enough about my expectations." Hyunjin stood before the desk, his feet shoulder-width apart, his eyes locked on Bangchan's. He could feel the weight of Bangchan's gaze, like a physical force, pressing down on him. "I think it's time we made a little wager," Bangchan said, a sly smile spreading across his face. "A wager that will not only clarify my expectations but also provide...motivation for you to perform at your best." Hyunjin's eyes narrowed, his mind racing with possibilities. What kind of wager could Bangchan possibly propose that would change the dynamics of their relationship so dramatically? Bangchan leaned back in his chair, steepling his fingers together. "Here's the proposal: if you can complete a task I set for you, within a certain timeframe, I'll not only forgive your recent transgressions but also grant you a significant increase in pay and a more...lenient approach to our working relationship." Hyunjin's curiosity was piqued, but he was also wary. He had a feeling that Bangchan's task would be no ordinary task, and that the stakes would be much higher than he could ever imagine. "But," Bangchan continued, his eyes glinting with amusement, "if you fail...then you'll have to accept certain...consequences." Hyunjin's heart skipped a beat as he met Bangchan's gaze. He knew that he was standing at a crossroads, and that the choices he made from this moment on would change his life forever.