The ballroom of the Lotte Palace was a cathedral to money.Gold chandeliers dripped from soaring ceilings, marble floors gleamed under a thousand footsteps, and every laugh rang out brittle, hungry.Seoul's elite had gathered for the annual Korea Tech & Luxury Awards — the perfect place for gossip, backroom deals, and subtle territorial warfare.
Kang Jinhyuk stood near the open bar, a glass of blood-dark wine in hand.He looked bored, almost lazy — but inside, every sense was coiled tight.
Because tonight wasn't about business.Tonight was about revenge.
Across the ballroom, Park Doyoon held court like a fat smug cat.CEO of VegaSoft, Seoul's darling AI unicorn. He laughed too loudly, slapped shoulders too hard, preened under the attention of minor socialites who hoped proximity would rub off.
Beside him stood his wife, Seo Ahra.
Ahra was the sort of woman gossip columnists drooled over.Tall and graceful, with delicate features, always dressed in soft pastels that made her seem almost untouchable. She rarely spoke at these events, content to smile politely at Doyoon's side, hands folded neatly over a slim Dior clutch.
Jinhyuk watched her.Not the way most men did — eyes flitting to her soft curves, her long legs.He watched the way her smile slipped when no one was looking.The way she flinched, just slightly, when Doyoon squeezed her arm too hard while telling some joke.
Yura stood at Jinhyuk's side, perfect in a scarlet gown that hugged every inch of her.She leaned close, voice breathy.
"You're staring. Should I be jealous, Chairman Kang?"
Jinhyuk didn't look at her. His eyes were locked on Ahra.
"You should always be jealous. But tonight isn't about you."
Yura's smile wavered. Her hand tightened on his arm.
"She's just a housewife, you know. The press calls her Korea's Sleeping Beauty — barely posts, never interviews. Everyone says she's... delicate."
"Exactly."
He finally glanced at Yura. Smirked.
"And I want to see how fast delicate shatters."
The opportunity came faster than expected.An hour later, after speeches and toasts, the party thinned into tighter circles.Jinhyuk approached Park Doyoon with the perfect timing of a shark scenting blood.
"Doyoon-ssi," he drawled, extending a hand."It's been years. Glad to see VegaSoft thriving."
Doyoon turned, surprise flickering into thinly veiled condescension.But he covered it quickly, clasping Jinhyuk's hand with both of his.
"Chairman Kang! Rumor was you'd fled Seoul after... well."His laugh was just shy of nasty."But look at you now. Buying up entertainment agencies. Not your family's old playground, but I suppose even orphans have to eat."
Yura stiffened at Jinhyuk's side.Jinhyuk just smiled, cool and utterly unconcerned.
"True. But you'd be surprised what amusements you can find outside your old playground."
Then he turned to Ahra.
"Mrs. Park. It's been even longer."
Ahra blinked, startled. Up close, her beauty was painfully refined — soft brown eyes, delicate mouth, flawless pale skin that looked like it had never known harsh sunlight.She gave a tiny, practiced bow.
"Chairman Kang. It's lovely to meet you again."
Her voice was soft, gentle.But her eyes darted quickly to her husband — a nervous, birdlike check.
There it is, Jinhyuk thought.She's terrified of displeasing him.
Park Doyoon clapped Jinhyuk's shoulder.
"Be careful there, Kang. My wife's too innocent for your new world of scandalous starlets and media fires."
His words were joking, but there was an ugly curl to his lip.Ahra lowered her gaze, fingers tightening on her clutch.
Jinhyuk smiled — slow, sharp.
"Oh, I assure you, Doyoon-ssi, some treasures deserve more delicate handling. Though it's interesting you think your wife needs protecting from me."
Doyoon's grin faltered, just for a heartbeat.
The evening moved on.But later, as guests migrated to the rooftop terrace for fireworks, Jinhyuk found Ahra standing alone by the balustrade.Seoul spread out behind her like a sea of jewels. Her shoulders seemed too small for the heavy diamond necklace draped across her collarbones.
She jumped when he appeared beside her.
"Easy," he murmured."I won't bite. Unless asked."
Her soft laugh was automatic. A little too brittle.She tucked a stray hair behind her ear.
"I didn't expect you to be... kind."
Jinhyuk turned, leaning one hand on the stone ledge. His other hand traced the rim of his glass.
"Why wouldn't I be? I'm not the one who left bruises on your wrist."
Her eyes flew to his, shocked.She quickly tried to cover her hand with the clutch — but not before he saw faint marks, half-hidden by a bracelet.
"That's nothing. I—I'm clumsy—"
"Of course," Jinhyuk said softly."Everyone knows delicate things break easily."
Ahra's breath hitched. Her eyes darted back to the party, searching desperately for her husband.Jinhyuk just smiled.
"But sometimes, Mrs. Park... broken things can be the most exquisite of all."
She left soon after, almost running.But not before he saw the flush on her pale throat, the way her chest rose and fell too quickly.
Inside, Yura met him by the bar. Her expression was tight, eyes dark.
"Chairman. Why her? That woman's a— a porcelain doll. You'll destroy her."
Jinhyuk tilted his head, smirk cold.
"Exactly."
He touched Yura's cheek, thumb brushing her jaw. She leaned into it automatically, humiliated by how quickly she sought his approval.
"You were Seoul's scandal queen. I remade you. Now it's time for a new project."
His eyes glittered.
"Let's see how long it takes Korea's Sleeping Beauty to start begging for the kiss of a monster."