The warm water rippled around Kim Seo-yeon as she leaned back in the freestanding bathtub, her sharp eyes closed against the gentle steam that enveloped her. Her hair, expertly pinned up, kept it from the water's embrace, allowing her to sink into the moment. The steam rose in soft tendrils, clouding the enormous bathroom's mirrors and dulling the cold edge of the world outside—a world filled with expectations and pressures that felt miles away.
Seo-yeon inhaled deeply, the faint scent of lavender wafting through the air, calming her frayed nerves as she attempted to push the day's frustrations aside. Yet, her mind refused to still, racing through the tangled web of strategies and conflicts that defined her life.
Her thoughts drifted back to her parents—her mother's gentle smile that could light up the darkest room and her father's unwavering determination, a force that had once felt invincible. She could still remember the warmth of their hands, the quiet moments when her father would explain his grand vision for the family company, his voice a blend of ambition and hope.
But those memories always led to the crash. The phone call that shattered her world, echoing in her mind like a cruel joke. The bitter tears of her grandmother, her voice trembling as she read aloud the will that left Seo-yeon, an eleven-year-old girl, as the sole heir to a crumbling empire—a burden too heavy for small shoulders.
Her grandfather's words from that time still echoed in her mind, a haunting reminder:
"This family isn't built on dreams, child. It's built on survival. If you don't learn that, they'll tear you apart before you're grown."
And tear they tried. Her uncles, aunts, cousins—all vying for a piece of the pie that was shrinking faster than anyone could stop it. Her grandmother had fought tooth and nail to keep the vultures at bay, a lioness protecting her cub. But even she couldn't hold back the tide. By the time Seo-yeon was old enough to take the reins, there was almost nothing left to save.
Present
Her fingers trailed along the water's surface, creating small ripples that mirrored her restless thoughts as she recalled today's events. Jason Park was not what she expected. He was sharper, more competent, and less pliable than she had hoped—a formidable opponent in a game she had thought she could control. She frowned, the weight of this new complication pressing down on her.
And then there was the family. Their constant scheming and incompetence felt like an anchor tied around her ankles, pulling her under. Yet, despite their failures, they still demanded more power, more influence, as if their very existence entitled them to it.
Seo-yeon exhaled sharply, her breath disturbing the steam around her. If her grandfather hadn't stabilized things back then, she might have to endure another family council—a prospect she loathed, a gathering that would only reopen old wounds and stir the pot of animosity.
When Seo-yeon finally emerged from the bathroom, her silk robe tied tightly around her, she found her fourth aunt, Kim Ji-eun, and her uncle, Kim Dong-wook, waiting for her in the sitting area of her bedroom. Both were seated on the plush armchairs, their expressions serious but respectful, as if they were preparing to deliver news that could alter the course of their lives.
Seo-yeon raised an eyebrow, her curiosity piqued. "I wasn't expecting company. Should I assume this is important?"
Ji-eun smiled softly, her posture relaxed yet alert. "Important enough to interrupt your evening, yes."
Dong-wook leaned forward, his elbows resting on his knees, the weight of the family's future evident in his expression. "We need to talk about the family situation, Seo-yeon. After what happened earlier, it's clear some of them are becoming restless again."
Seo-yeon sighed, walking to the vanity, beginning to untangle her damp hair. "Restless is putting it mildly. They're desperate. And desperation makes people dangerous."
Ji-eun nodded, her eyes reflecting understanding. "Desperate and entitled. You'd think they'd have learned their lesson after what happened ten years ago."
Seo-yeon scoffed, her tone cutting. "They didn't learn then, and they won't learn now. They still believe they can gamble their way out of trouble with short-term gains and flashy projects."
Dong-wook's expression darkened, a storm brewing behind his calm facade. "And yet they have the audacity to demand more power. If your grandmother hadn't intervened back then, the company would've been torn apart. Min-jun's mismanagement, Ji-hoon's failures, and Yoon-hee's frivolities nearly drove us into bankruptcy."
Ji-eun added, her voice a sharp whisper, "Don't forget Min-seo. She may not have actively mismanaged anything, but her constant lobbying to get her husband and son into positions they weren't qualified for cost us dearly."
Seo-yeon turned to face them, her arms crossed in defiance. "And now they want to use this engagement to reposition themselves. It's no coincidence they're suddenly interested in planning the party."
Dong-wook leaned back, his tone firm as he laid out their strategy. "We need to be clear about one thing: no matter what they try, they cannot regain the power they've lost. This company barely survived the first time. If they gain even an inch, they'll drag us down again."
Ji-eun nodded in agreement, her gaze unwavering. "Agreed. But we also can't afford to alienate them completely. They still hold shares, and if they band together, they could make things difficult at the next shareholder meeting."
Seo-yeon's eyes narrowed, a fierce determination igniting within her. "Then we play the game smarter. Let them feel important, give them just enough influence to keep them placated. But when it comes to actual decision-making, we keep them out. They've already proven they can't be trusted with real power."
Dong-wook smiled faintly, a glimmer of pride in his eyes. "That's the Seo-yeon I know. Ruthless but pragmatic."
Ji-eun's expression softened, a warmth radiating from her. "You've done well, Seo-yeon. Better than anyone expected. But this fight isn't over. You're carrying a heavy burden, and you don't have to do it alone. Dong-wook and I are here to support you."
Seo-yeon allowed a rare moment of vulnerability to flicker across her face before nodding. "Thank you. Both of you. But make no mistake—this is my fight. And I won't let this family drag us down again."
Her voice turned cold, her gaze steely like polished granite. "If they think they can outmaneuver me, they're welcome to try. But they'll soon learn that I've inherited more than my father's name—I've inherited his resolve. And I'll do whatever it takes to protect what's mine."
The Dining Table
The grand dining room was dimly lit, with only the golden glow of the chandelier illuminating the polished mahogany table, each reflection telling its own story of family politics. The faint clinking of glasses and the soft rustle of fabric accompanied Kim Seo-yeon as she took her seat at the head of the table, a throne of sorts in the kingdom of her family's legacy. Her uncle, Kim Dong-wook, sat to her left, his sharp eyes scanning a folder of documents he'd brought with him, the tension palpable in the air.
To her right was her fourth aunt, Kim Ji-eun, a poised and elegant woman with an air of calm authority. Despite the late hour, Ji-eun's posture was immaculate, her gaze steady as she sipped tea from a delicate porcelain cup, the steam curling like whispered secrets.
Seo-yeon folded her hands on the table, her expression cool and composed. "I assume this isn't a casual family gathering."
Dong-wook set the folder down and adjusted his glasses, the weight of unspoken truths heavy in the air. "It never is with this family, Seo-yeon. You know that as well as I do."
Ji-eun leaned slightly forward, her voice calm but firm, as if she were laying out a battlefield strategy. "I was at the Grand Crescent earlier today. Min-seo was there, entertaining some of the smaller shareholders. From what I overheard, she's trying to rally support for Min-jun. Again."
Dong-wook sighed, his tone exasperated but tinged with a hint of amusement. "Of course she is. They never stop scheming, even when it's clear they're playing a losing game. Min-jun has been irrelevant for years, yet his wife insists on trying to prop him up like he's still a viable leader."
Seo-yeon's lips curved into a faint smirk, a flicker of amusement in the midst of tension. "And what of Ji-hoon? Surely he hasn't come up with another ridiculous venture to squander their remaining resources?"
Dong-wook chuckled dryly, shaking his head. "Not yet, though it's only a matter of time. His latest idea involves some kind of 'exclusive luxury club' to target celebrities and elites. He thinks it'll bring prestige to the family name. It's laughable."
Ji-eun added, her lips thinned into a line of disapproval, "Yoon-hee's no better. She's still throwing lavish parties at the company's expense, using the profits from her fashion store as her personal bank account. The only reason that store hasn't collapsed is her husband's intervention."
Dong-wook leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms, his eyes narrowing as he surveyed the room, weighing the stakes. "They think I'm blind to all of this. But I've been keeping track. Every underhanded deal, every ill-conceived plan—they all pass through my office eventually."
Seo-yeon raised an eyebrow, her curiosity piqued. "And you haven't shut them down?"
Dong-wook shrugged, the weight of responsibility evident in his demeanor. "I have, but there's only so much I can do without exposing myself. If I start openly challenging them, it could destabilize the fragile balance we've managed to maintain. For now, it's better to let them think they still have a chance while keeping their actual power limited."
Ji-eun nodded in agreement, her gaze unwavering. "It's a delicate dance. One misstep, and they'll pounce. That's why we need to stay ahead of them, Seo-yeon. They'll use any opportunity to undermine you."
Seo-yeon tapped her fingers against the table, her expression unreadable, calculating the risk. "Grandfather made the right choice when he transferred control of their shares to you, Dong-wook. If they had even a fraction of the power they once did, this company would already be in ruins."
Dong-wook's gaze hardened, resolve etched into his features. "I'll continue to hold the line, but you need to be prepared. They're desperate, and desperation makes them reckless. With the engagement party coming up, they'll use it as a platform to regain relevance. They'll try to charm the Parks, curry favor with shareholders, and position themselves as indispensable to the company's future."
Ji-eun's lips thinned, a shadow crossing her face. "And let's not forget the wildcard in all of this—Jason. He's not as easy to manipulate as they might hope, which means they'll have to adjust their strategies. That unpredictability makes him both an asset and a potential liability."
Seo-yeon's eyes narrowed, a fierce determination igniting within her. "Jason is my problem, not theirs. If they think they can use him to gain leverage over me, they'll be sorely disappointed. As for the engagement party, let them scheme all they want. They'll find no cracks in my armor."
Dong-wook gave a small nod of approval, a glimmer of pride shining through. "Good. Stay vigilant, Seo-yeon. This isn't just about the company—it's about the future of the family. Grandfather entrusted you with this responsibility because he saw in you what he never saw in the others: the ability to lead."
Ji-eun reached out, placing a hand on Seo-yeon's arm, a gesture of solidarity. "We'll support you, no matter what. But remember, this isn't just your fight. You're not alone in this."
Seo-yeon allowed a brief moment of gratitude to cross her face before it was replaced by her usual steely resolve. "I know. And I won't let grandfather down—or this family, no matter how much they test me."
As the conversation ended, Seo-yeon rose from her seat, her mind already working through the strategies she would need to employ in the days to come. The weight of her responsibilities was heavy, but she bore it with the strength and determination that had brought her this far—and would carry her further still.