đź–¤ Episode 17: Chains and Freedom đź–¤
 Screen 1: Father's Threat
The room was silent except for the ticking clock.
Tim stood there, staring at his father's stern, wrinkled face.
"Dad… why are you always like this with me?" His voice trembled but his eyes didn't move away.
His father scoffed coldly.
"You're the one who wants to chase after that man. I've told you a hundred times, he's not who you think he is."
Tim clenched his fists.
"What do you mean… what are you hiding? Why don't you want me to know him?"
His father's eyes darkened.
"If I see you investigating him one more time…"
He paused, glaring down at his own son.
"I will send you far away from this country. Somewhere you can never come back."
Tim bit his lip, tears threatening to fall.
His father turned to his guards.
"Lock him in his room. Make sure he can't leave. Take his phone."
Two bodyguards grabbed Tim roughly, dragging him to his room. He didn't fight back – his mind was already racing.
 Screen 2: The Secret Room
Click.
The heavy lock turned behind him. Alone in his room, Tim wiped his tears away, eyes suddenly sharp.
He moved to the back of his walk-in closet, pressed a hidden button, and a secret panel slid open.
Inside was a dim room, filled with:
Maps and documents
Photos connected by red threads
Screens showing CCTV footage
And in the center, one pinned photo of Yan.
Tim touched the photo softly, whispering under his breath.
> "I will find out what you did to me. I'll never forget."
 Screen 3: Desperate Call
Tim pulled out his second hidden phone. Hands trembling, he called William.
"William, please… you have to get me out."
On the other side, William's voice was serious and low.
"No way. Don't you remember last time your dad almost killed me for helping you? Do you want me to die?"
Tim closed his eyes, his voice breaking.
"Please… if you're really my best friend, then set me free. Just this once."
Silence.
Then William sighed deeply.
"Wait. Let me think of an idea."
 Screen 4: The Rescue
After what felt like forever, there was a gentle knock at Tim's door.
"Lunch time, sir," came a beautiful woman's voice, soft and polite.
Tim turned away. "I don't want to eat."
"Please, sir… just look at today's lunch."
He froze. That voice… it wasn't a woman.
His eyes widened. "William?"
He slammed the door shut behind her and whispered harshly.
"Where are the bodyguards?"
William pulled off his wig and smirked.
"Sleeping. Permanently or temporarily, who knows."
Tim peeked out into the hall. Two bodyguards lay unconscious.
He whispered, tears brimming, "You're the best, you idiot."
 Screen 5: The Escape
William pulled out another waiter uniform from the food trolley.
"Quick, wear this."
Tim hurriedly changed, pulling the hat low over his eyes.
They stepped out, pushing the lunch cart.
They walked fast, almost reaching the mansion gate.
But suddenly—
"HEY! WHO ARE YOU TWO?!"
Bodyguards pointed, shouting. Guns raised.
William grabbed Tim's hand, whispering urgently, "Run."
They bolted down the corridor, skirts flaring, hats flying off. The guards chased after them, boots thundering against marble.
They reached the driveway, their car in sight—
But standing in front of it were more guards, fully armed and
waiting.
Tim's heart sank.
William turned to him, eyes burning with fierce resolve.
> "No matter what happens… keep running."