The ballroom was awash in gold light and champagne laughter. LJ Group's logo shimmered on a vast backdrop, and the city's elite mingled beneath chandeliers like living jewels.
Hye-rin walked beside Joon-hyuk, her crimson gown drawing every eye. For once, she didn't shrink from the attention.
She stood tall, her hand looped through his arm like the role she was born to play.
Joon-hyuk's expression was as unreadable as ever, but his grip on her hand tightened when flashbulbs flickered.
He leaned down slightly. "Smile. The media loves sincerity."
She smiled—but not for the cameras. For herself.
As the event flowed on, foreign clients from the U.S. shook hands with Joon-hyuk, praising LJ Group's expansion. She watched him work the room—charming, fluent, effortlessly confident.
Then, a familiar voice stopped her heart.
"Hye-rin."
Choi Min-jae stood a few feet away, dressed in sleek black, a glass of champagne in hand. His usual playful demeanor was gone—replaced by quiet surprise, maybe even awe.
"You look…" he began, his voice lower than usual. He caught himself, offering a polite smile. "Beautiful. Congratulations."
Her cheeks warmed. "Thank you, Mr. Choi."
He chuckled softly. "Min-jae, please. We're not in a boardroom tonight."
She smiled at that—and for a brief second, their eyes lingered too long.
Across the room, Joon-hyuk noticed. His jaw tensed as he turned back to the investors, expression cooling.
When the speeches began, Min-jae leaned closer to whisper, "Your article on the new battery project—it's brilliant work."
"Really?" she said, surprised. "You read it?"
"I make it a point to know who's changing the industry," he said simply.
And when Joon-hyuk's gaze cut across the crowd again, Min-jae calmly raised his glass in silent acknowledgment.
A quiet challenge passed between them—one man too composed, the other too aware.