Chapter 5

That morning, the conference room on the top floor of the Mirain Hotel had been prepared before the sun had fully risen. The curtains were drawn open, revealing the silhouette of the Han River beneath a thin veil of mist. At the center of the room, a long table held only two black folders, two pens, and a glass of water at each seat.

There were no flowers. No decorations.

The place looked more like a negotiation room than somewhere that would determine the future of two families.

Kang Ji-hoon arrived first. He read through the contract for the second time, his fingers stopping at a clause concerning their life together, where several sentences had been marked with a black pen.

Exactly ten minutes later, the door opened.

Han So-yeon stepped inside, dressed in an ivory-white suit. Her hair fell loosely over her shoulders, with only part of it pinned back. In her hand was another folder filled with small yellow notes.

"Sorry to keep you waiting."

"I just arrived."

So-yeon took the seat across from him. Neither of them reached for the contract immediately, and the silence was only broken when the door creaked open again.

Kang Dong-hyun and Han Mi-sook entered with their respective legal teams. Behind them, several secretaries began preparing additional documents.

One of the lawyers stood up.

"If both parties have agreed to the terms of the agreement, we will proceed with the signing."

Ji-hoon raised his hand.

"There is a revision."

Every head turned toward him.

"I would like to add one condition."

The lawyer nodded. "Go ahead."

Ji-hoon glanced at So-yeon for a moment.

"Neither party may use this marriage to interfere with the operational decisions of Mirain Hotel."

Kang Dong-hyun did not respond immediately. A few seconds later, he gave a slow nod.

"Agreed."

The lawyer promptly noted the amendment.

Now it was So-yeon's turn.

"I have a condition, too."

Han Mi-sook set down her teacup. "Regarding what?"

"The marketing division of Hanseong will remain under my responsibility."

"That won't change."

"Not just for now." So-yeon pushed her folder slightly forward. "For the entire duration of the contract."

The room fell silent again. Han Mi-sook studied her daughter for a long moment before responding.

"Fine."

The final amendment was added. The lawyer replaced the revised pages, and now only one step remained.

Ji-hoon picked up his pen. However, before its tip could touch the paper, So-yeon's phone vibrated.

The name on the screen made her eyebrows lift slightly.

Cha Min-jae.

She declined the call immediately. A few seconds later, a message arrived.

If you sign that contract, you'll regret it. There's something you don't know about the Kang family.

So-yeon locked her phone without replying. Ji-hoon noticed the movement briefly before returning his attention to the contract.

"Problem?"

"None of your business."

"Good."

"Because it isn't."

For the first time since they had met, their exchange sounded so casual that one of the lawyers nearly smiled.

Finally, the pen moved.

Kang Ji-hoon's signature filled the bottom of the page.

Several pairs of eyes immediately shifted toward So-yeon. She read the final line one more time before signing her name with a firm stroke.

There was no applause. No congratulations.

The only sounds were the rustling of contract pages and the company seal being pressed onto the paper.

It was done.

Kang Dong-hyun stood first.

"Starting today, you are husband and wife in the eyes of the public."

Han Mi-sook added, "The press conference will be held tomorrow morning."

So-yeon turned sharply toward her. "Tomorrow?"

"The media invitations have already been sent."

She closed her eyes for a moment, then released a quiet breath.

Ji-hoon closed his contract folder.

"That means we get to work."

So-yeon glanced at him. "You think this is a job?"

"Wasn't that the point from the beginning?"

His answer made her shake her head slightly.

As everyone began leaving the conference room, Secretary Kim rushed in, clutching a tablet.

"The reporters have gathered outside the hotel, Director."

Ji-hoon stopped walking.

"Why?"

"Someone leaked the schedule for today's meeting."

The tablet displayed a live broadcast. Dozens of reporters crowded the entrance of the Mirain Hotel, their microphones and cameras filling the lobby. On the screen, a black car had just pulled up in front of the gathering.

The door opened.

Cha Min-jae stepped out in a dark suit, carrying a small velvet box in his hand.

He walked straight toward the hotel entrance, followed by an endless succession of flashing camera lights.