Chapter 1

The giant screen in the lobby of Hanseong Group displayed Han So-yeon's face just as the elevator doors opened.

It wasn't the promotional video that usually played every morning, nor was it a speech announcing the launch of a new product. Instead, it showed a segment from an entertainment news broadcast plastered with sensational headlines:

"Hanseong Heiress Betrayed One Day Before Her Engagement."

"Cha Min-jae Caught with Rising Actress."

"Is Hanseong's Merger at Risk?"

Several employees who had been standing in front of the screen immediately stepped aside when they saw So-yeon approaching. Someone hurriedly muted the television, while another bowed their head so quickly that the folder in their hands nearly slipped to the floor.

Not a single person dared to greet her.

So-yeon continued walking, the heels of her shoes clicking rhythmically against the marble floor. She stopped directly in front of the screen, stared at her own face for a few seconds, then picked up the remote from the reception desk.

Click.

The screen went dark.

"If you want to watch gossip," she said calmly without turning around, "save it for your break."

She returned the remote to its place with deliberate care. Only after the elevator doors closed behind her did the whispers begin again.

---

The thirty-second-floor conference room was already filled with the board of directors. The atmosphere inside was even colder than the air-conditioning that had been running since early morning.

Han Mi-sook sat at the head of the long table. Her cream-colored suit was immaculate, as was the faint smile on her face that never quite conveyed any warmth.

"So-yeon."

Her daughter pulled out a chair and sat down without haste.

"The merger is only six weeks away."

"I know."

"Stock prices have fallen by 2.3 percent since the news broke."

So-yeon opened the folder in front of her. "It can still be recovered."

"Investors don't buy possibilities."

Silence settled over the room. Several directors exchanged glances, hoping the meeting would soon return to business reports. Instead, Han Mi-sook interlaced her fingers.

"You should have been more careful when choosing a partner."

The words came out lightly, yet they were enough to make one of the directors choke on his coffee.

So-yeon closed the folder she hadn't even had a chance to examine. "He's the one who cheated."

"The media doesn't care."

"Then the media is the problem."

"Your family's reputation is the problem."

Their gazes met across the table. Neither raised her voice, and neither resorted to shouting. Somehow, their composure only made the room feel more suffocating.

One of the secretaries entered carrying a tablet. "Vice President Lee has arrived."

Han Mi-sook nodded. "Send him in."

The subject changed as quickly as the door opened, as though someone's personal life were nothing more than another item on an ordinary meeting agenda.

---

Meanwhile, on the other side of Seoul, the sharp crack of a golf club striking a ball broke the morning air. The white ball soared across the practice range.

Kang Ji-hoon didn't even turn to watch it land. He had already picked up another ball.

His second swing.

Straight.

Precise.

"Thirty-two years old."

The deep voice came from behind him. Ji-hoon lowered his club without changing his expression.

"Grandfather."

Kang Dong-hyun approached slowly, accompanied by a black wooden cane that seemed to serve more as a tool of intimidation than as support for his body.

"You still have time to play golf."

"My meeting starts at nine."

"Having time now doesn't guarantee you'll still have a position later."

Ji-hoon handed his club to the staff member waiting nearby. "Is there something you want to discuss?"

"You know what it is."

"About my birthday?"

"About your inheritance."

They began walking side by side. The expanse of green grass looked peaceful, a stark contrast to their conversation.

"I've already told you," Ji-hoon said. "I have no intention of getting married."

"You said the same thing five years ago."

"My answer hasn't changed."

Kang Dong-hyun stopped walking. His gaze remained sharp despite the years that had turned his hair white.

"If you're still unmarried by your birthday, the position of CEO at Mirain Hotel will go to Tae-min."

Ji-hoon slipped both hands into his pockets. "Tae-min isn't capable of handling it."

"Then prove you're more qualified."

"By getting married?"

"By showing that you're capable of protecting the family name."

Ji-hoon offered no reply. A black sedan was already waiting in front of the clubhouse. His personal secretary opened the rear door.

Before getting in, Kang Dong-hyun spoke quietly.

"A business can be inherited by someone intelligent." He paused briefly. "But a family can only be passed down to someone willing to build it."

The car door closed, leaving Ji-hoon standing alone beneath the morning sun.

---

By noon, the lobby of Mirain Hotel was bustling with foreign guests who had just arrived. Ji-hoon walked past them without slowing down. Every employee who crossed his path immediately straightened their posture.

"Good afternoon, Director Kang."

He acknowledged them with a brief nod. Outside his office, Secretary Kim was already waiting.

"There are three partnership proposals."

"Put them on my desk."

"And..." The secretary hesitated.

Ji-hoon stopped opening the door. "What is it?"

"Your grandfather sent someone."

"Who?"

"No." Secretary Kim shook his head slightly. "I mean... something."

A medium-sized gift box sat on Ji-hoon's desk. Its red ribbon was far too conspicuous for a room dominated by shades of gray.

Ji-hoon lifted the lid. Inside was a baby photo album. On the first page, a single sentence had been written:

"Your training to become a father starts here."

He slowly closed the album. Secretary Kim chose to stare at the ceiling.

"Throw it in storage."

"Understood."

"What if he sends a baby stroller tomorrow?"

"Should I store that too?"

"No." Ji-hoon straightened his tie. "Sell it."

Secretary Kim bit his lip to keep from laughing.

---

Evening was approaching when Oh Na-ri barged into So-yeon's apartment without knocking.

"I brought fried chicken!"

There was no answer. She followed a trail of scattered clothes across the floor into the living room. A laptop was still running, the television was replaying the morning's news, and three coffee cups with different amounts of liquid sat on the dining table. A flower vase had been knocked over, while a cooking pot had somehow ended up on the sofa.

Na-ri let out a long sigh.

"Your home has reached a whole new level."

So-yeon emerged from the kitchen wearing an apron decorated with a cartoon bear.

"I'm experimenting."

"What exploded?"

"Nothing yet."

She had barely finished speaking when a small popping sound came from inside the oven. They stared at each other. Na-ri slowly pointed toward the kitchen.

"Does that count as nothing?"

A few minutes later, they sat on the balcony, each holding a box of fried chicken. A thin trail of smoke was still escaping from the kitchen while So-yeon opened a can of soda.

"If you want to laugh, go ahead."

"I absolutely do." Na-ri burst into laughter, her shoulders shaking. "Did you see today's news?"

"About my ex?"

"About the entire country."

So-yeon took a bite of fried chicken without commenting. Na-ri tilted her head.

"He must regret it."

"Regret what?"

"Letting go of a woman as beautiful as you."

"Maybe he regrets what happened to Hanseong's stock prices."

Na-ri clicked her tongue. "You're still joking."

"If I start crying too, he'll get a bonus."

So-yeon's phone vibrated on the table. Her mother's name appeared on the screen. She wiped her greasy fingers with a tissue before answering.

"Yes?"

Han Mi-sook's voice was as flat as ever.

"Keep tomorrow evening free."

"Is there a meeting?"

"No."

"Hm?"

"There's someone you need to meet."

The call ended without further explanation. Na-ri raised an eyebrow.

"A blind date?"

So-yeon shrugged. "Could be an investor."

"Or a chaebol heir."

"That sounds exhausting."

She casually set her phone down. Beyond the balcony, the Seoul sky was beginning to turn orange.

Neither of them noticed that, at almost the same moment, Kang Dong-hyun was closing a folder containing Han So-yeon's profile. In the upper-right corner of the first page, a note had been written in black ink:

"The most suitable candidate to become Kang Ji-hoon's wife."

And the following evening, two people who had absolutely no intention of getting married would be forced to sit at the same table.