The preparations for the comeback were going smoothly. It was definitely difficult, but the process wasn't as chaotic as that of their last album.

If you asked June, then he would answer it was going TOO smoothly.

It was a calm Thursday evening. They had already recorded their title track and had learned its choreography. Somehow, even though the comeback was still more than a month away, EVE was already set to perform it on the big stage.

June sat next to Jisung and nudged his shoulder.

"Do you want to tell them about your song now?" he asked.

Jisung pursed his lips and shook his head. "Not right now," he said. "I feel like it's still too early. Have you already written the lyrics?"

June shook his head. "Nothing seems to fit."

Jisung smiled. "Then, it's really too early. We still have some time. Maybe we can ask them to add it as the last song to the album."

June nodded, respecting Jisung's wishes. It was his song, after all.

They continued their practice; however, the peace was soon disrupted when someone came into the room.

"Hunky men?" Jay asked as soon as he saw the two individuals. The members of EVE stopped practicing as they were graced by the presence of police officers.

"Good evening," one of them said.

Jay frowned. "May we help you?"

They showed their badge and went to where June was. "We have a search warrant against Mr. Choi Joon Ho. We ask you to please join us at the police station."

June's eyebrows furrowed while the others turned to each other with wide eyes.

"A search warrant?" Jay exclaimed. "What for?"

"Criminal charges that we cannot disclose," the police officer said. "However, Mr. Choi Joon Ho needs to accompany us to the station."

All hell broke loose.

"Criminal charges?" Casper exclaimed-the loudest the others had heard him speak. "That's impossible."

"What kind of crime did June even do? He's been with us ever since!" Jaeyong defended.

"This cannot be. There must be a mistake," Jisung shakily said.

The others continued to defend him. Meanwhile, June finally realized what was happening. "I see," he muttered. "It has started."

He knew it would come to this. He just didn't think it would happen so swiftly.

June had been working hard for their comeback, not wanting to slack or have any distractions. However, the time has finally come.

June was aware that his career was in jeopardy the moment Lei became the CEO of Azure. It was just a matter of time.

He raised both wrists without any complaint.

"I will come with you," he said.

The members of EVE turned to him with wide eyes.

"Are you insane?" Akira asked. "Why would you go with them?"

June sighed. "It's a search warrant. It's protected by law. I will cooperate, but that doesn't mean I am admitting to whatever they charged me with."

Jay massaged the bridge of his nose.

The police nodded and placed some handcuffs on June. The others continued to protest, with Casper even holding onto June's wrist.

"You can't go," he exasperatedly said, his hold tightening with every word.

June pursed his lips and looked at his teammates. They all appeared to be in distress. His heart ached with what he saw.

He failed to protect it-their smiles.

However, he also knew it would be even more painful as time passed by. So, he needed to do this for now.

"I'll be fine," he said. "You take care of yourselves, alright?"

Jisung sniffed, not being able to handle his emotions. "W-why does it feel like you're saying goodbye?"

"I'm not," June chuckled.

The others were bewildered with how he could still smile in such a situation.

However, then again, that was June for them-their strongest center.

His words didn't appease them, so June pursed his lips.

"Do you guys trust me?" he asked.

The question took them aback, even Jay.

"Why are you even-"

"Just answer it," June said. "Do you trust me?"

"I do," Jisung said despite his shakiness.

The others followed suit, all looking at June with trusting eyes.

"Then, that's good," June smiled. "Continue trusting in me like you do now. Even if it gets

too difficult, just always remember-we will continue to be EVE, alright?"

"Now, that really sounds like parting words," Jay muttered.

June clicked his tongue and shook his head. "Let's go," he said.

"I'll see you guys soon," he said to the boys before they left the practice room.

With that, they went out of the company. Fortunately, it was past office hours, so there weren't any staff around anymore-just those working overtime. However, even then, news spread like wildfire.

They made it to the police car at the parking lot and sped away, with June looking out of the window. Jay patted his shoulder and looked him in the eyes as if silently asking-'are you

okay?'

June pursed his lips and remained silent, also not knowing how to feel.

Lei, who was currently at the topmost floor with Dan, looked outside the window. In front of them was none other than Phoenix Entertainment, a few blocks away but towering above

every building in the area.

"There it is," he smiled. "My new empire."

With that, he glanced at the ground, where he saw the police car speeding away. He couldn't help it; laughter bubbled up his chest, and the dark office was soon filled with the chilling

sound.

Dan, who felt chills run down his spine, tried to join in with the laughter, but it just sounded like a pig getting slaughtered.

Lei glared at him, so he quickly pursed his lips and directed his gaze back to the ground.

Lei sighed and shook his head, crossing his arms in front of his chest.

"It has finally started," he muttered, a small, sick smile playing on his lips.

"For so long, I have played your game. Now, it's your turn to become the pawn."

"So long, June."

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