As the discussion dragged on, Jason's thoughts drifted to the people in the room.
His father, Park Joon-Soo: A man more concerned with appearances and duty than any genuine connection. Jason had long stopped expecting any warmth or support from him.
His stepmother, Park Soo-Jin: Cold, calculating, and ever ready to remind Jason of his place as the illegitimate son. She had always been the first to scold or belittle him, her words cutting deeper than any physical punishment.
His stepbrother, Park Min-Ho: Arrogant and cruel, Min-Ho had taken every opportunity to assert his dominance over Jason when they were younger. The physical abuse had stopped after Jason left, but the emotional scars lingered.
His half-sister, Park Na-Rae: Spoiled and viscous in her words. Pampered beyond and by everyone in the family, giving her everything she wanted. Which should in her personal and attitude towards everyone who she deemed lesser in her eyes.
In the expansive study of the Park mansion, facing his father, Park Joon-Soo, and the family lawyer. The atmosphere was heavy with unspoken tension. Though Jason maintained a neutral expression, his sharp gaze didn't miss the condescending looks his stepmother, Soo-Jin, occasionally cast his way. Na-Rae, seated next to her mother, toyed with her bracelet, her curiosity evident as her eyes darted to Jason.
For someone who rarely made herself known during Jason's youth, Na-Rae was clearly intrigued. "So, oppa," she began, her tone light but with an edge of mockery, "you've been living quite the free life in the Western States. What's it like out there? It must be a big change coming back... here."
Jason met her gaze, his expression unreadable. "It's different," he said curtly, refusing to rise to her bait. Continuing to read the marriage alliance contract scrutinizing it.
Na-Rae smirked, leaning back in her chair. "I bet it is. But I suppose Father's call changes everything. You must be eager to... help the family, right?"
Her mother, Soo-Jin, subtly elbowed Na-Rae, a silent warning to temper her tone. Jason noted the interaction but remained quiet, his indifference making Na-Rae's attempts to needle him fall flat.
The lawyer cleared his throat, breaking the awkward silence. "Returning to the matter at hand," he said, adjusting his glasses, "the marriage contract is clear. Should Jason refuse, the penalties stipulated within the revised agreement would apply to both him and the Park family. These are non-negotiable, as per your late grandmother's final wishes."
Jason barely reacted, but Na-Rae leaned forward, her eyes narrowing. "Wait, penalties for him too? What kind of penalties?" she asked, her curiosity sharpening.
The lawyer hesitated before responding. "Severe monetary fines and legal actions that could result in asset freezes. Not to mention, it could impact Mr. Jason's ability to establish his own ventures in the Western States."
Jason's fist tightened imperceptibly, though he quickly masked it. "So, it's not just the family's reputation at stake. It's my freedom," he muttered, almost to himself.
Na-Rae tilted her head, a sly smile playing on her lips. "Interesting. Oppa, you've always been such a quiet one. I never thought you'd end up in such a... pivotal role for the family. It must feel good to finally be needed."
Jason's eyes flicked to hers, cold and unyielding. "Not really," he said flatly.
Na-Rae laughed softly, her amusement at his response evident. Her tone was light, but Jason could see the underlying entitlement in her gaze—the same privilege she had always enjoyed while he endured the family's disdain in silence.
Jason's only positive memory of this household was of Mrs. Choi, the old maid who had cared for him when no one else did. Her gentle words and quiet support had been the sole comfort in an otherwise hostile environment. He wondered if she was still around.
Jason set the documents down, his gaze steady. "So, let me get this straight. Either I marry some stranger to save the family's reputation, or I lose my inheritance and potentially face a lawsuit?"
The lawyer nodded. "That is correct."
Jason smirked, leaning back in his chair. "Well, when you put it like that, how could I possibly say no?"
Min-Ho scoffed. "Always the martyr, aren't you?"
Jason ignored him, turning to his father. "I'll play along for now, but don't expect me to be your puppet. I have my own life, and I don't intend to sacrifice it for this family's games."
Park Joon-Soo's jaw tightened, but he said nothing, his silence an acknowledgment of Jason's defiance.
Finding solace after the meeting, Jason wandered through the estate, his steps instinctively leading him to the servants' quarters. He found Mrs. Choi in the garden, tending to the flowers as she always had.
Her face lit up when she saw him. "Gabriel! You've come back."
Jason's hardened expression softened for the first time that day. "It's good to see you, Mrs. Choi."
She wiped her hands on her apron and approached him, her eyes full of warmth. "You've grown into a fine young man. Your mother would be proud."
Jason looked away, his voice quiet. "I'm not so sure about that."
Mrs. Choi placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. "Don't let them break you, Gabriel. You've always been stronger than you think."
For the first time since arriving, Jason felt a flicker of peace. "Thanks, Mrs. Choi. That means more than you know."
Jason sat on the small wooden bench in the estate garden, the late afternoon sun casting a warm glow over the neatly trimmed hedges and blooming flowers. Mrs. Choi, the old maid who had cared for him in his youth, sat beside him, her hands resting in her lap. She looked much the same—her gray-streaked hair tied in a neat bun, her kind eyes filled with the same warmth that had been his only comfort in this cold house.
"So, you've come back," she said, her voice gentle but laced with concern. "But not by choice, I assume."
Jason leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. He stared at the garden, his expression unreadable. "Not by choice," he admitted. "The family summoned me back. Some ridiculous marriage proposal tied to an old contract my grandmother made before she died."
Mrs. Choi sighed, shaking her head. "They never cared about what you wanted, Gabriel. And now they're roping you into this?"
Jason's lips twisted into a bitter smile. "It's worse than that. The terms of the contract don't just bind my father's family; they bind me personally. If I refuse, I face severe penalties—lawsuits, financial ruin, and the loss of any claim to my mother's inheritance. The Parks made sure I couldn't walk away without losing everything."
Mrs. Choi frowned deeply, her hands tightening in her lap. "That's cruel, even for them. Your mother fought so hard to secure your future."
Jason nodded, his voice softening. "I know. That's the only reason I'm even considering this. She worked herself to death to get me that stake in the family estate, and I can't let it go to waste."
Mrs. Choi placed a comforting hand on Jason's arm. "What have you been doing all these years, Gabriel? Tell me about your life in the Western States."
Jason's features softened as he spoke. "I left the moment I turned eighteen. I went to university and studied engineering. After that, I worked with a friend—Ivan Volkov. We started a small game studio, just the two of us. It was doing well enough that we were planning to expand into an online store."
Mrs. Choi smiled faintly. "That sounds like a good life. Free from all of this."
"It was," Jason said, his tone wistful. "We had plans. Big ones. But now..." He gestured vaguely at the estate. "I'm back here, stuck playing by their rules again."
"Not entirely," Mrs. Choi said, her voice firm. "You've always been different, Gabriel. Stronger than they think. If anyone can turn this situation to their advantage, it's you."
Jason chuckled dryly. "I appreciate the vote of confidence, but this isn't a game I wanted to play. Still, I'm not going to let them break me. If I have to marry someone to keep my freedom and secure my future, so be it."
There was a pause as they both sat in silence, the sounds of birds chirping filling the air. Jason's thoughts drifted back to his childhood.
"You know," he said quietly, "you were the only person in this house who ever treated me like a human being. Everyone else—my stepmother, Min-Ho—they made it clear I wasn't welcome. My father barely acknowledged me, and Na-Rae... Well, she was too young to understand."
Mrs. Choi's eyes grew misty, but she held her composure. "I remember. I saw how they treated you. It broke my heart, Gabriel. But you never let them see you cry. Even as a boy, you had that strength in you."
Jason shook his head. "I didn't feel strong. I felt trapped. The only thing that kept me going was knowing I'd get out one day." He sighed. "And now I'm back."
Mrs. Choi turned to face him fully, her expression serious. "What about this woman they're marrying you to? Do you know anything about her?"
Jason shrugged. "Not much. She's from the Kim family. They're in a tough spot financially, so this is as much a business move for them as it is for us. From what I've heard, she's... cold, ambitious. A lot like everyone here."
"And you?" Mrs. Choi asked gently.
Jason met her gaze, his voice steady. "I'll do what I have to. This isn't about love or family—it's about survival. If marrying her helps me keep my independence and protect what little my mother left me, then I'll do it."
Mrs. Choi reached out and took his hand in hers. "You've grown into a fine young man, Gabriel. Your mother would be proud of you."
Jason's expression softened, and for the first time in a long while, he allowed himself to feel a small measure of comfort. "Thanks, Mrs. Choi. That means more than you know."
Got it! Here's the continuation of Kim Seo-yeon's storyline, transitioning smoothly from her previous scenes:
Kim Conglomerate Headquarters – Executive Suite
Kim Seo-yeon sat in her private office, the sprawling city skyline visible through the floor-to-ceiling windows. Her desk was immaculate, save for a neatly arranged stack of documents and her gold-plated pen set. She skimmed over a new report detailing the performance of the company's struggling entertainment sector. Despite her success in fashion and cosmetics, revitalizing the conglomerate's other divisions seemed like an unrelenting uphill battle.
Her assistant and childhood confidant, Choi Eun-Young, entered the room with her usual quiet efficiency, placing a steaming cup of tea on the desk. "The meeting with the creative directors for the entertainment division has been moved to tomorrow morning," Eun-Young informed her, taking a seat across from her.
Seo-yeon glanced up, her amber eyes cool and calculating. "Good. I need time to review the numbers again. Have you confirmed the contract details with the Park family?"
Eun-Young nodded. "Yes, the Parks' lawyer sent over the finalized agreement. It appears their son—Park Gabriel Jason—is indeed the chosen candidate. The terms remain unchanged: three years minimum before either party can dissolve the arrangement."
Seo-yeon sipped her tea, her expression unreadable. "What do we know about him?"
"Not much," Eun-Young admitted. "He's spent most of his time in the Western States. He was reportedly estranged from his family after turning eighteen, though he holds a 15% stake in their estate. Beyond that, he co-founded a small tech studio and seems to have been preparing to start an online business."
A faint smile tugged at the corners of Seo-yeon's lips—more out of amusement than genuine interest. "A tech entrepreneur, then. How quaint. And his personality?"
"There's little to go on," Eun-Young said, her tone cautious. "By most accounts, he's quiet, reserved, and kept his distance from the Park family. It's likely he has no interest in their politics or power struggles."
Seo-yeon set her cup down, her gaze sharpening. "Good. That makes him predictable. As long as he doesn't interfere with my plans, I don't care if he's a ghost."
Eun-Young hesitated before broaching the next subject. "And what of your own plans regarding this marriage, Seo-yeon? It's not as if you're particularly... enthusiastic about the arrangement."
Seo-yeon's expression remained detached. "I'm not. But the alliance with the Parks is a calculated necessity. Their influence in the entertainment industry is significant, and with our company's current struggles in that sector, we need the leverage. If marrying Park Gabriel Jason secures that leverage, so be it."
Eun-Young frowned, concern flickering across her face. "You've already carried the weight of this company on your own for years. Are you certain this is the right move?"
Seo-yeon's gaze softened—an almost imperceptible shift. "You're the only one allowed to question me like that," she said quietly. "But yes, I'm certain. My grandfather's health is failing, and my relatives are circling like vultures. This marriage gives me time to solidify my position. It's a means to an end."
Eun-Young leaned back, nodding slowly. "Understood. Just remember, I'm here if you need support."
Seo-yeon's lips curved into a rare, genuine smile. "I know. And for that, I'm grateful."
Late Evening. Seo-yeon returned to the Kim family mansion after a grueling day, the imposing structure standing as a testament to the family's legacy. The halls were quiet, the staff bustling about their duties as she made her way to the private study where her grandfather often spent his time before his hospitalization.
Sitting in the leather chair behind the desk, Seo-yeon allowed herself a moment of stillness. The weight of the day pressed down on her, but she quickly pushed it aside. Her gaze fell on an old photograph on the desk—a snapshot of her younger self with her parents and older brother.
The sound of footsteps broke her reverie. Eun-Young appeared in the doorway. "I thought you'd want to know: the Parks have confirmed Jason's return. It seems everything is proceeding as planned."
Seo-yeon turned the photograph face down, her expression hardening once more. "Good. Let's make sure we're ready for whatever comes next."