"That's not true," Minho denied quietly. However, the manager didn't say anything.
Instead, he bent down and grabbed Minho's chair's arms, forcing him to look at Jakob instead of the floor.
"Lee Know, do you know the song iSpy? Seen the Kingdom video of it?" he questioned. Minho shook his head.
"It's a video choreographed, rehearsed, and performed without you. It's one of the most streamed videos from Kingdom's practices, and many of your current practices. Wanna know why?" Jakob waited for Minho to meet his gaze.
To his shock, Minho shook his head, "No."
"No?" Jakob's face relaxed slightly, "Because you already know. Because the members looked happiest and performed best in that video. In that video,  they were able to showcase their skills around people equally matched physically and socially. Do you think it's a coincidence that Woojin came in the second you guys began to look bad?"
Minho's face hardened as he turned his gaze away.
"He fits better. Visually, vocally, socially—he fits. His only scandal ever was showing support for this group even after leaving. The members love him and show it without any awkwardness. That's why he's here," Jakob insisted, standing up to leave, "But go ahead. Don't believe me. I get paid the same whether—,"
"What?" Minho caved, his defeated tone causing Jakob to pause.
"What do you suggest I do?"
~~~~~
"Shit—," Chan clenched his chest as an actor jumped out at him during the final stretch. He shook his head, continuing to the foyer as he turned to his camera frustratedly, "Cut that out please."
Woojin snickered while he glanced around the mansion, though he couldn't see much considering they'd been put in the dark halfway through the mission. He managed to find a flashlight, which Chan had promptly taken just like their clue to the code to get out.
"You're looking a little pale. You good?" Woojin asked, before adding, "Oh, fearless leader?"
Chan ignored him, pissed at the realization that they were the first ones done and would have to wait for the other teams.
"You can't be broody and angry while screaming like a little girl every time something jumps out," Woojin informed, still not swaying Chan's stoicism, "It's unbecoming."
There was a beat of silence, then Woojin continued, "Where the hell is everyone else?"
Chan propped himself up against the front door, making sure no one could come up and scare him from behind. He crossed his arms, doing his best to tune the former man out.
"Seriously? You're still doing the whole silent treatment?" Woojin asked, simply talking to fill the silence, "Every member can say something to me but the supposed leader. Or, supposed ex best friend."
Chan's bit the inside of his cheek.
"This whole thing is bullshit. I don't know why I'm here," Woojin sighed, before turning to the camera to mock Chan, "Editors, cut that out please."
Then he scoffed, "Does it not embarrass you to act like shit when you're supposed to be the leader of the group? I don't even know what the hell you're mad at; I should be mad at you."
"I never heard a damn thing from my supposed 'best friend' the second I left! Everything about you was fake. You just run around he pretending to care, pretending to be a good leader, when you're just a piece of shit! I accepted this job for closure, thinking that maybe you'd apologize, and I could finally understand—,"
"I'd apologize?" Chan's jaw dropped in shock, "You wanted me to apologize?!"
"Yes! Or at least explain why you suddenly cut me out of your life with no explanation," Woojin demanded, "How could you say you supposedly care about me then throw me away like trash?"
"Throw you away? You left!" Chan raised his voice, neither of them noticing the members filing in, "You left in the middle of the night and didn't tell me anything! I called you, texted you, texted your parents—I cried for you. I swore on everything that you'd never—,"
Chan's voice cracked as he looked down, his finger still pointed at Woojin accusingly. The few members that had gathered glanced at each other worriedly, but no one spoke up. 
"—that you'd never leave me," Chan finished while holding Woojin's gaze, before hiding his face in his arms to wipe his eyes.
"Bang Chan," Woojin took a step forward, only for Chan to step back, "You know why I left—,"
"Actually, I don't know why you left," Chan crossed his arms, before gesturing for Woojin to continue, "Please, go on. Tell me everything you couldn't then."
"I told you everything already. I stayed up late writing to you because I knew you wouldn't take it well in person!"
"Writing to me?" Confusion laced Chan's voice.
Minho, who'd stopped at the top of the stairs upon recognizing their voices, immediately stepped back behind the wall, straining to hear their voices.
"Yes! In that letter I gave Lee Know. I guess the one you couldn't be bothered to read!" Woojin snapped, but Chan was only left more confused.
"What? Lee Know never gave me any letter."
Woojin scoffed, "Bullshit. He text me on my new number to let me know you'd read it."
Minho sucked in a breath for the umpteenth time that night, like the heart attack he'd been given by the haunted house wasn't enough.
"T-That's not true. What did it say?" Chan questioned, making Woojin raise his eyebrows in shock.
"Seriously? You don't know?" Woojin shit-faced him, before scoffing in disbelief as he shook his head, "Either you're lying, or that asshole really doesn't like you."
"What?"
"Lee Know's not an asshole," Han stepped in, unaware that he was listening, but very aware that it was one of his greatest worries.
"I can't believe this," Woojin scoffed running a hand over his face as he turned to see all the members together, "Well, go on, where is he? Where's the man of the hour?"
Minho's breath caught in his throat as he slowly turned to stand.
"I'm sure it's just a misunderstanding," Seungmin spoke up.
"Who the hell leaves a letter over something so important anyway?" Jeongin pointed out, only to be nudged harshly by Changbin.
"Let's just ask him."
Minho felt his heart clench as he turned again, thousands of thoughts of panic ripping through his head. He took a step, then another.
Then ran as fast as he his feet could take him.