Three days after signing the contract, Han Serin's world became a stage under the spotlight.
It began with a small gossip column online:
"Young CEO Kang Jaehyun spotted with Do Kyungmin's ex-fiancée—business meeting or something more?"
But Seoul breathes in rumors. Within hours, the story spread like wildfire—forums, entertainment sites, even prime-time news.Blurry photos appeared: Serin leaving the Jaehyun Group building with a calm face; Jaehyun standing beside his black car—two figures too composed to be mere business partners.
In her apartment, Serin stared at her buzzing phone.Headlines filled the screen, each message echoing the same question: "Are you in a relationship with Kang Jaehyun?"She watched the screen for a moment, then pressed the silent mode without hesitation.
Meanwhile, on the 38th floor of Jaehyun Group's headquarters, an emergency meeting was in motion.Public relations staff exchanged frantic words."The article hit number one trending! TV networks are picking it up for morning coverage!""The public's asking if this is a publicity stunt from our company!"
Kang Jaehyun sat still, tapping his pen lightly against the dark wooden table."Calm down," he said finally. His voice was soft, yet sliced through the chaos like a blade."Let them write whatever they want. Just make sure no one touches one thing—the wedding date."
A staff member hesitated. "But, Mr. Kang… if we don't issue a statement—"Jaehyun raised his hand, cutting him off."Statements keep rumors alive. Silence makes them guess. And guessing… is the most subtle form of control."
The room fell silent. In business, that line sounded like strategy; for Jaehyun, it was survival philosophy.
That evening, Serin wasn't thinking about strategies.She sat on her sofa, watching the orange glow of sunset reflected on her window.A message appeared on her screen—from an unsaved number she instantly recognized.
Do Kyungmin:"So this is how you get revenge? By marrying my rival?"
Serin read it once, then smiled faintly.Her fingers moved slowly across the screen.
"No, Kyungmin. This is how I make sure you understand—I don't play by your rules anymore."
She pressed send and set the phone down.Outside, paparazzi gathered beneath her building. Camera flashes pierced through the curtains, artificial stars competing with the night sky.
Elsewhere, Jaehyun stood on his office balcony, watching the Han River glimmer beneath the city lights.He knew the storm wouldn't pass easily—but for the first time, he felt a strange calm.Because someone had chosen to stand beside him… even if their reasons were as jagged as his own.