Closer Than This...(vsoo)

75.

"Product launch preparations," Jisoo said with a small smile. "But everything's on track. How about you? You look... tense."

Taehyung hesitated for a moment before deciding to be honest. "Taehwan's made his move. He's investing in Yuri's company."

Jisoo's brow furrowed. "Yuri? Why?"

"Because it benefits him," Taehyung replied simply. "And because he knows it'll put pressure on us."

Jisoo reached across the table, placing her hand over his. "We'll handle it, Taehyung. Like we always do."

Her unwavering confidence in him brought a faint smile to his lips. "You make it sound so simple."

"It's not simple," she admitted, "but we've faced worse. Together."

Taehyung leaned back in his chair, the tension in his shoulders refusing to ease. Jisoo sat across from him, her sharp eyes fixed on him, a quiet determination in her expression.

"Taehyung," she began gently, "I think it's time we dig deeper into Yuri. Something about her sudden rise feels... off."

He tilted his head, intrigued by her suggestion. "You think there's more to it than her just being ambitious?"

Jisoo nodded. "It's not just ambition. The way she's built herself up, the connections she's made...it feels too calculated, too perfect. People don't rise like that without some help or..."

"Without stepping on others," Taehyung finished, his voice grim.

She met his gaze, her confidence unwavering. "Exactly. We need to find out who helped her, what resources she tapped into, and if there's anything she's hiding. Whatever it is, it might give us an edge."

Taehyung studied her for a moment, the fire in her eyes making him feel lighter despite the weight of the situation. "Alright," he said with a faint smile, "let's do it. Together."

The clock struck midnight as Jisoo and Taehyung spread files, laptops, and notebooks across the coffee table in their living room. Jisoo had changed into comfortable loungewear, her hair tied back, while Taehyung remained in his dress shirt, though he'd loosened his tie and rolled up his sleeves.

Jisoo leaned over her laptop, typing furiously. "Yuri left Korea ten years ago. She went to the U.S., worked for a mid-level tech company for a few years, and then suddenly disappeared off the radar for about two years."

"Disappeared?" Taehyung asked, raising an eyebrow as he leaned closer.

"Yeah," Jisoo said, scrolling through her screen. "No mention of her during that time. Then, out of nowhere, she reappears, launching her first startup with significant backing from an unnamed investor."

Taehyung frowned. "It's not easy to get a mystery investor to fund a new business. Whoever it was must have seen major potential or had their own agenda."

Jisoo glanced at him, her lips curving into a teasing smile. "Impressed by her resourcefulness, are you?"

Taehyung smirked, leaning back on the couch. "Not as impressed as I am by my wife's detective skills."

Jisoo rolled her eyes, but a faint blush dusted her cheeks. "Focus, Mr. CEO."

He chuckled softly, picking up his phone. "Alright. I'll reach out to some contacts in the States, see if they can dig up anything on Yuri's silent years and her so-called investor."

As he sent a message, Jisoo tapped her pen against the notebook in her lap. "She's good at playing the long game, isn't she? Building alliances, positioning herself strategically... She reminds me of someone."

Taehyung looked up, a curious glint in his eyes. "Oh? And who's that?"

"You," Jisoo said simply, meeting his gaze.

For a moment, Taehyung was speechless. Then he laughed, the sound low and rich. "I should be flattered, but the comparison doesn't sit right with me."

"She might have ambition, but she doesn't have your integrity," Jisoo added, her voice softening. "That's what sets you apart, Taehyung."

He looked at her, his expression unreadable for a moment, before he leaned forward and brushed a stray strand of hair from her face. "You're too good to me, Jisoo."

"And you're not used to people being good to you," she teased, her lips quirking.

"Touché," he replied, his smile lingering as he returned his focus to the files.

By the early hours of the morning, they had pieced together more fragments of Yuri's puzzle.

"It looks like she might have ties to a European conglomerate," Jisoo said, yawning but still alert. "But I can't find a direct link."

Taehyung rubbed his temple, his mind racing. "We need more than speculation. Let's keep digging tomorrow. For now, you need rest."

"And you don't?" she shot back, raising an eyebrow.

"I'll rest when we've figured this out," he said, his tone playful but determined.

Jisoo shook her head, smiling. "Stubborn as ever. Fine, but don't overdo it."

As she stood to stretch, Taehyung grabbed her hand, stopping her. She turned to him, her expression questioning.

"Thank you," he said simply, his voice warm. "For being here, for always standing by me."

Jisoo smiled, leaning down to press a soft kiss to his forehead. "We're in this together, Taehyung. Always."

As she headed to their bedroom, Taehyung watched her go, his heart feeling lighter despite the weight of the night's revelations.

Whatever challenges Yuri and Taehwan threw their way, he knew one thing for certain...he and Jisoo were stronger together.