Chapter 52

The private car park was empty when I arrived. My footsteps echoed faintly against the polished floor until I stopped in front of a sleek black car resting quietly under the light.

A Mercedes AMG SL 63.

I let out a quiet sigh, tilting my head slightly. “So… another car this time, huh?” I muttered under my breath. Yuna had so many that I’d long since lost count. Each one seemed to fit her perfectly. But whenever I saw them lined up one after another, I was reminded all over again just how absurdly wealthy my wife really was.

I leaned against the hood and tucked my hands into my pockets. Waiting. The silence felt heavy, but not suffocating.

Minutes later, the elevator chimed.

I straightened, turning just as the doors slid open. Yuna stepped out, long black coat draped over her like it belonged on a runway. Her stride was unhurried, graceful, commanding without effort. For a heartbeat, I just watched her. Even after everything, her presence still had a way of stealing the air from me.

Without wasting time, she pressed the key fob. The car lights blinked. “Get inside,” she said simply.

I slipped into the passenger seat as she settled behind the wheel. Her perfume lingered in the car, the familiar scent she always wore.

For a moment, the only sound was the low hum of the engine as it came to life. I glanced at her and offered a warm smile. “Good work today.”

Her eyes flicked toward me, and instead of replying right away, her hand lifted. Fingers brushed through my front hair, smoothing it gently before lingering against my temple. The gesture was unexpectedly soft.

“You too,” she said with a gentle smile.

Warmth bloomed in my chest. Then Yuna’s hand slid down, finding mine. Her fingers curled around firmly, holding me with a steady warmth.

I froze for a moment, heat rushing to my cheeks, before tightening my grip in return, hesitant at first, then steadier. Yuna was always bold with her affection, as if it were the most natural thing in the world. Maybe that was why I’d fallen for her in the first place. Without another word, the car moved and we left the building.

_______

Sera’s POV

The city stretched out before me in a sprawl of lights, glowing threads weaving through the dark. From my apartment window, the glass cold beneath my palm, everything looked distant, manageable, almost fragile—as if I could crush it all between my fingers if I wanted.

And yet… I couldn’t even quiet my own mind.

Sleep had abandoned me these past few nights. No matter how I tried, the silence of the room only dragged me deeper into thoughts I didn’t want. His face kept appearing. 

I shut my eyes, but it only made things worse. The image burned clearer—Haemin beside Yuna, her hands on him, her lips stealing what should have been mine to give. Each thought twisted tighter, leaving a sour taste on my tongue.

I let out a short, bitter laugh at myself. To think that I, Hwang Sera, heiress to one of the most powerful conglomerates in South Korea, the woman people bowed to, the woman others envied… had fallen this hard for someone ten years younger than me. It was so absurd it almost felt like a cruel joke.

And yet… here I was, unable to tear him from my heart.

My gaze shifted toward the glass wall before me. The face staring back at me was composed, elegant, flawless—as always. But behind that facade, I could see the truth: a woman burning with jealousy, unable to stand still.

Slowly, my lips curved into the faintest smile. I had already made up my mind.

So what if they were married? Yuna may have gotten to him first, but that didn’t mean she deserved him. Marriages could end. Divorce papers existed for a reason. What mattered was love, and I could give Haemin more of it than Yuna ever could. He deserved warmth, tenderness, and care—things I knew he received far too little of from her. If he became mine, I would make him the happiest man alive.

Just as the thought tightened in my chest, the phone in my hand buzzed, cutting through the storm inside me. My eyes flicked down to the screen.

Mina my assistant has calling.

I answered. “Yes?”

“Vice Chairman,” Mina’s voice came, efficient and careful as always. “Minister Jang has followed your instruction. The meeting with Nara Group will be pushed forward—two days from now.”

A faint smile tugged at my lips, though there was no warmth in it. “So, that old man still knows how to be useful. Good.”

“Would you like me to confirm your attendance formally?”

“Of course. Do it tonight.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

I sat back on the sofa, my eyes fixed on the city lights glittering against the night sky.

This merger didn’t need to happen actually—not now, and perhaps not at all. There was no urgency. But with every door to Haemin closed to me, with no way left to contact him directly, I realized there was only one path forward. To reach him, I would have to go through Yuna herself.

And so, this merger became my excuse.

The thought alone made my lips curl bitterly. To think that I had to lower my pride and approach Seo Yuna with a smile plastered on my face. To betray my own principles—all for the sake of one man. It was pathetic, and yet I couldn’t stop myself. 

I was certain Yuna already saw through my intentions, but what could she possibly do if I pulled favors from someone in power? With Minister Jang himself acting as mediator, a man who owed me more than one favor in the past, she would have no choice but to play along.

That had been the original plan.

But this morning changed everything. The moment I received the news that Yuna had made Haemin her assistant, something inside me snapped. The fact that Yuna had sacrificed Haemin’s future without hesitation, as though his life and dreams meant nothing. It amazed me, really—how selfish she could be.

Was it his choice? No. There was no way, right? Haemin didn’t seem like the type to throw everything away so easily. This was her doing.

My eyes narrowed, lingering on the skyline outside the glass wall. Slowly, I drew a breath and let it settle in my chest.

It was time to revise my strategy.

–– Two days later ––

[Live footage cuts to: Ministry grounds – Exterior | Park Sunho Reporting]

Park Sunho (Reporter, KBT TV):

“This is Park Sunho, reporting live from the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy in downtown Seoul. As you can see behind me, the atmosphere here is tense yet charged with anticipation.

For the first time in history, two of Korea’s most powerful conglomerates—Nara Group and Daehan Group—are holding an official meeting under the government’s watchful eye. The atmosphere at the ministerial building is electric, with both business leaders and political figures in attendance.”

[The camera cut to footage of the grand exterior: rows of black sedans lined up before the marble steps, a sea of reporters pressed against barricades, microphones raised high.]

[Seo Yuna stepping out of her car in a tailored black suit, her expression sharp and unreadable. Flashbulbs exploded as she walked past reporters, flanked by aides. Moments later, another car arrived—Hwang Sera, equally poised, dressed in a tailored navy blue suit. Surrounded by her own aides, her presence commanding as she greeted officials with a faint smile.]

Park Sunho:

“Both heiresses, Seo Yuna of Nara Group and Hwang Sera of Daehan Group, are leading their respective delegations today. Industry experts note the rare significance of this moment—two young, ambitious female leaders at the forefront of a deal that could redefine the future of Korea’s trade and infrastructure.

While the details of the discussion remain confidential, sources close to the ministry have confirmed that today’s agenda includes the groundwork for a potential multi-sector collaboration in logistics, transport infrastructure, and regional expansion.”

[Cut to camera shot of tight security detail and official press zone.]

Park Sunho:

“Security is at its highest, with media access heavily restricted. Only select press from business networks have been granted limited viewing privileges inside the hall. This level of coordination reflecting the gravity of today’s negotiations.”]

⸻

[Studio Desk – Anchor Han Ji-eun]

Han Ji-eun:

“Thank you, Sunho. We also have our business affairs reporter Lee Soojin stationed inside the press corridor of the ministry building. Let’s hear what she’s seeing.”

⸻

[Interior Ministry Building – Press Holding Room | Lee Soojin Reporting]

[Footage shows press badges, nameplates of Nara and Daehan on long tables behind closed doors. Buzz of whispered conversation. Soojin speaks directly to camera.]

Lee Soojin (Reporter, KBT Business):

“This is Lee Soojin, reporting for KBT Business Live, inside the press corridor just meters away from the main conference hall.

As of now, both delegations are seated behind closed door. According to the ministry, the government will not mediate negotiations directly, but Minister Jang Hyun-soo will oversee today’s proceedings as a neutral facilitator.”

[Soojin glances at her notes, then back to camera.]

“Industry analysts are calling this meeting a ‘defining moment’ in chaebol diplomacy. With Nara Group’s dominance in urban development and Daehan Group’s control over logistics and maritime infrastructure, any joint movement between the two could have enormous implications—not just economically, but politically as well.”

⸻

[Split Screen – Studio + Park Sunho Outside]

Han Ji-eun:

“Sunho, before we go—what’s the reaction on the ground so far?”

Park Sunho:

“There’s cautious optimism, Ji-eun. Some believe this could be the start of a powerful merger, while others worry about the consolidation of too much power between two families.

Though no final merger has been signed, today’s talks will set the tone for all negotiations moving forward. All eyes, both domestic and international, remain fixed on Seoul.”

⸻

[Cut back to Studio]

Han Ji-eun:

“Thank you, both. We will continue to bring you updates as the story develops. Stay with KBT News for full coverage. We now return to regular programming.”