Kim Mi-young froze in her spot, her eyes widening as Ha-Na approached. A cold dread gripped her heart, each beat like a hammer against her ribs. Has Ha-Na overheard their earlier conversation? How much did she even know?
Ha-Na's demeanor seemed light, but there was an unmistakable chill in the air, as if a shadow had passed over the room. "You look like you've seen a ghost," she remarked, her voice a soft, mocking lilt, as she gracefully took the seat beside Mi-young.
The tension between them was almost suffocating. Mi-young struggled to maintain her composure, her mind racing for a plausible explanation. Ha-Na's eyes sparkled with a dangerous mix of amusement. "So, care to elaborate? What else am I capable of?" she inquired, her tone deceptively casual.
Ha-Na observed Mi-young's frantic movements, looking for things that could potentially harm her. Spotting a wine glass nearby, she moved it aside, as if it could shield her from the oncoming storm.
With a subtle chuckle, Ha-Na remarked, "Aren't we past these childish games?" Her tone dripped with irony. She knew if this had been her younger self, she might have done as Mi-young expected. But she had learned to navigate such situations with more finesse.
Though tempted to indulge in the drama, Ha-Na reminded herself of her purpose for being there. Tonight wasn't about creating an uproar by throwing drinks at her friend because she was smack talking her.
However, that didn't mean she wouldn't let Mi-young off the hook. Despite their past friendship, Mi-young's role in damaging her's reputation over the years demanded action.
Ha-Na knew that in the business world, reputation was everything. Besides, if she let Mi-young's actions slide, it would signal she really had fallen out of favor in the eyes of her family, particularly her grandfather. So she had to take action to quash the rumors.
Mi-young, sensing the gravity of the situation, attempted to deflect with a forced smile. "What games? I was just thirsty," she stammered, hastily gulping down her wine in a desperate bid to regain control of the conversation.
The tension around the table was palpable. To Min-ju, it was a betrayal for Mi-young to contribute to Ha-Na's tarnished reputation, adding fuel to the fire of rumors.
Se-mi, sensing the delicate power dynamics at play, chose to remain a silent observer rather than risk upsetting the Kang family's youngest miss.
Mi-young, feeling cornered, attempted to seek assistance from Se-mi, but the latter remained unmoved, further tightening the pressure on Mi-young.
Ha-Na, keenly aware of Mi-young's facade, chose not to escalate the confrontation. Instead, she asserted her authority by subtly leveraging her familial influence. "Let me save you the trouble. I've heard about your father's interest in renewing dealings with Ihwa Fashion. Perhaps I could have a word with my grandfather," she proposed, her tone carrying a clear hint of warning.
Although Ha-Na's grandfather typically kept personal conflicts separate from business matters, the mere suggestion of leveraging her family ties was enough to convey a clear message.
Mi-young's eyes widened as the implication sank in. She knew her stepfather wouldn't support her if she made a significant misstep, and the repercussions could extend to her mother, potentially leading to a divorce, which they couldn't afford at the moment.
"Ha-Na, I was merely relaying what I had heard. Don't misunderstand, we are friends," Mi-young hastily interjected, attempting to placate Ha-Na.
Ha-Na couldn't fathom how someone claiming to be a friend would actively contribute to spreading rumors and scandal. She recognized such individuals were not truly her friends.
"Merely?" Ha-Na retorted, her tone dripping with sarcasm. "If it's just, then I suppose I have a talent for casting you as the protagonist in our next party. Oh, my apologies! By then, your family might be facing bankruptcy, and you won't receive any invitations to our high society gatherings."
Caught off guard by Ha-Na's biting words, Mi-young struggled to find a response. "Ha-Na, I... I didn't mean..." she stammered, her voice trailing off as she searched for an explanation.
Realizing the potential consequences of crossing Ha-Na, Mi-young quickly attempted to backtrack, offering apologies and assurances.
"Ha-Na, I am sorry. I didn't realize my actions would upset you. This won't happen again," she said, her voice laced with sincerity as she lowered her head in apology.
Ha-Na, seeing Mi-young's genuine remorse, decided to let her off the hook. After all, Mi-young wasn't even her enemy, so why torment her emotionally?
"Since we are friends, I guess I can let you off. But let me advise you, even if I am rotting in hell, I am still Kang Ha-Na. So, I hope you never forget that," she cautioned with a smile.
Well, she is not wrong. Ha-Na still carried the Kang name and remained on the household register. She saw no reason not to leverage this fact to her advantage, even if it meant they abandoned her.
Ha-Na found it ironic that the family that could protect her was also the one that could be a danger to her. As she pondered her family dynamics, she became aware of the eager faces watching her since she entered the room. Smiling, she thought it's time to meet those familiar faces.
Reaching for a macaron, Ha-Na extended it towards Mi-young with a gentle gesture. "So, how about something sweet to put the bitter feelings aside?" she suggested, her tone softening.
Mi-young hesitated for a moment before accepting the offering, reluctantly taking a bite.
After having a casual chat for few more minutes, Ha-Na stood up from her seat.
"Let's catch up later," she gracefully excused herself, effortlessly capturing a champagne flute from a passing waiter. With her target in sight, she glided towards the table with poised elegance, where another drama is getting brewed.
"Look at that brat! She still has no manners, not greeting the elders of the family as soon as she arrives." Ha Jun-hee, sister of Ha Joon-Jae, displayed clear disrespect with her disdainful words.
She had never liked Ha-Na. To her, Ha-Na was a self-centered person who disregarded the importance of patriarchal reign in the family, always having her opinion and sticking to it. She thought her brother would have a hard time if he married Ha-Na, whose strong personality and firm beliefs frequently clashed with Jun-hee's own views.
When Ha Joon-jae chose the demure Ae-ra over the supposedly selfish Ha-Na, Jun-hee felt relieved. She no longer held back her true feelings and finally let her disdain show.
"No matter how well one's upbringing is, if it's not in the blood, what can anyone do? That's why they say roots matter," remarked Jang Bo-ra, Ae-ra's cousin from her mother's side.
Ae-ra swiftly stepped in to defend Ha-Na, assuming her role as the protective elder sister. "Let's give her some time to settle. We all know how shy she is; it's been a long time since we all met, after all," Ae-ra calmly interjected, sipping her orange juice and offering a reassuring smile as she held Joon-jae's hand.
"Shy? Don't give me that. She's probably just embarrassed because she doesn't have a date," Bo-ra retorted, aiming to gain Ae-ra's favor.
Dismissing the talk about Ha-Na, Ae-ra elegantly redirected the dialogue towards herself, effortlessly gaining the spotlight.
"She must have felt a bit overwhelmed joining us. Let's shift our focus elsewhere," Ae-ra suggested, and Jun-hee quickly caught on to the cue."
"You truly have a heart of gold, Ae-ra, defending her despite what happened between you and Joon-jae three years ago. Joon-jae is fortunate to have you as his future wife. You're such an understanding and lovely woman," Jun-hee praised, accentuating Ae-ra's virtues and bringing a smile to her face.
"Then I suppose snatching my fiancé was just another one of her many admirable qualities," Ha-Na proclaimed, her tone unwavering and poised.
A hush fell over the gathering, the weight of her words hanging in the air. Bo-ra's eyes flashed with irritation as she retorted sharply, "Yah! Are you here to stir up trouble as soon as you arrive?"
Ae-ra's serene demeanor wavered, a flicker of unease crossing her features, while Joon-jae shifted uncomfortably, a silent admission of his culpability.
Ha-Na settled into a chair while replying, "Of course not. I'm simply here to reconnect with distant family and my dear cousin," she replied, her tone cool and collected.
Jun-hee's disdainful scoff echoed through the room, "Brat, we all know what you're like. Don't give us that nonsense."
With a mischievous grin, Ha-Na delivered her jab, "You're quite perceptive, sister-in-law. I wouldn't be here if not for my dear brother-in-law—or should I say, ex-fiancé? Now, how can I ignore the fact that he couldn't keep his eyes off me while I enjoyed my time with my friends." As the words sank in, all eyes turned to Joon-jae, while Ae-ra struggled to maintain her composure, her facade faltering for a moment.
"Ha-Na, you must be mistaken," Ae-ra interjected softly, her voice carrying a touch of disbelief and a hint of sadness.
Despite her defense, Ae-ra couldn't shake the simmering resentment. Even with their impending marriage and the future child they would share, it was evident that Joon-jae still held a place for Ha-Na in his heart, a fact that stirred a tumultuous mix of emotions within her.
Listening to Ae-ra, Jun-hee immediately interjected, observing her evident sadness, and believing Ha-Na was simply seeking attention
"Looks like you're still delusional like in the past. Why don't you just move on and bless my brother's new beginnings? What do you gain by upsetting your pregnant cousin as soon as you arrive?" Jun-hee retorted sharply, her words laced with thinly veiled disdain.
Ha-Na's eyes widened slightly. Pregnant? That's certainly news to her. This revelation only added to the intrigue of the unfolding drama, promising an even greater spectacle in the near future.
She smiled slyly as she glanced at the couple. "Of course, I understand. You two are made for each other, and I can't wait to see you both get married. Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to go meet my date," she said smoothly, excusing herself from the table.
With Ae-ra's and Joon-jae's attention finally captured, Ha-Na could sense their curiosity about her mysterious date, their eyes tracing her movements as she navigated through the crowd.
Her heart pounded with a mix of excitement and anxiety. Every step she took served as a reminder of why she had to tread this game so carefully. Ha-Na wasn't just aiming to prove her worth to her family; she needed to reclaim her pride, her rightful place in their world.
She didn't have to search long to find the crown jewel of the Wang dynasty, exuding charisma like it was his birthright.
At the right time, he seemed to return to Korea just like her, becoming her potential ally. Moving towards him, Ha-Na felt the weight of her future hanging in the balance.
But why him? Wang Hyun-Jin was the only man who could shield her from her family's wrath, capable of hurting Joon-jae's male ego, turning his inferiority complex. He was also Kang Ae-Ra's unrequited love, making him the perfect pawn in her game.
Also, despite his icy exterior, Hyun-Jin harbored a soft spot for Ha-Na dating back to their high school days, which might be because of her close friendship with his niece. This unique bond added an intriguing layer to their connection, one that Ha-Na aimed to leverage to her advantage, increasing her chances of success by choosing him.
She had planned meticulously, but her success now relied on his cooperation. Beyond anticipation, nervousness gripped her, uncertainty clouding her thoughts.
As she reached him, she heard his soft voice speaking on the phone in the corner. However, she is not patient enough to wait until he ended his call.
"Excuse me," she murmured softly, her hand reaching out tentatively to touch his shoulder. As he turned, their eyes met. Without a word, she rose onto her toes, drawing closer until their breaths mingled, and in an instant, their lips collided in a passionate, electrifying kiss.
The kiss was a calculated risk, but she needed to make a statement.