The soft chime of Isla's alarm brought her back to reality. Sunlight streamed through the curtains of her sleek, minimalist apartment, casting long shadows across her bedroom. For a moment, she lay still, her eyes closed, attempting to push aside the lingering thoughts of the previous night.
The gala had been a success from a professional standpoint. She'd secured the interest of several key investors, and Mason had already lined up meetings for the next few weeks. On the surface, everything had gone according to plan.
But Jin Woo's words kept replaying in her mind.
"Maybe. But it's also what keeps you alone."
Isla sat up in bed, shaking off the thought. She didn't have time to entertain Jin Woo's provocations. She had work to do—deals to finalize, projects to lead. Her focus had always been her greatest strength, and she wasn't about to let Jin Woo distract her from that.
Pushing the covers aside, Isla swung her legs over the edge of the bed and stood, moving through her morning routine with practiced efficiency. As she dressed in her signature tailored suit, she mentally prepared herself for the day ahead.
But as she walked into her office later that morning, the tension in the air was palpable.
Mason was already waiting for her in the lobby, his face etched with worry. "Ms. Han, there's something you should know."
Isla raised an eyebrow. "What is it?"
Mason hesitated, glancing around as if unsure whether to continue. "It's about Kang Enterprises."
The name alone was enough to make Isla's stomach tighten. She clenched her jaw, pushing the rising frustration aside. "What about them?"
"They're moving aggressively," Mason said, his voice low. "They've started negotiations with one of our key partners—trying to undercut us on pricing."
Of course. Jin Woo wasn't just playing games at the gala; he was making moves behind the scenes. This was exactly the kind of underhanded tactic she'd come to expect from him.
Isla's eyes narrowed. "Set up a meeting with the partner. I'll handle it."
Mason nodded, already pulling out his phone. "Right away."
As Isla walked past him and into her office, she felt a surge of determination. Jin Woo thought he could outmaneuver her, but he had another thing coming. She wasn't about to let him sabotage her hard work.
---
Later that afternoon, Isla sat in a sleek conference room, facing the partner representative—a man named Mr. Park. His expression was neutral, but Isla could sense the uncertainty in the air.
"We've always had a strong relationship with your company, Ms. Han," Mr. Park began, his tone polite but guarded. "However, Kang Enterprises has presented a very competitive offer. It's hard to ignore."
Isla leaned forward slightly, her eyes never leaving his. "I understand the appeal of a lower price, Mr. Park. But let me remind you of the value we bring beyond just numbers. Our reputation for excellence, the seamless delivery of our services, and the strength of our collaboration have always set us apart."
Mr. Park shifted in his seat, clearly considering her words. "It's not just about the price," he admitted. "Kang Enterprises has been very persistent. They're offering a partnership that—"
Before he could finish, the door to the conference room opened, and Isla's heart nearly stopped.
There, standing in the doorway, was Jin Woo.
He wore his usual confident smirk, though his eyes gleamed with mischief. "I hope I'm not interrupting," he said, stepping into the room without waiting for an invitation.
Isla's jaw clenched, her mind racing. This was no coincidence. Jin Woo had planned this.
Mr. Park looked between them, clearly surprised. "Mr. Kang, I wasn't expecting you."
Jin Woo smiled, moving to stand next to Isla, though he didn't sit down. "I wanted to personally ensure that our offer was clear. Kang Enterprises values partnerships based on mutual trust and growth. We believe that working together, we can achieve greater heights."
Isla's hand tightened on the edge of the table. The audacity of this man—showing up unannounced to undermine her negotiations. But she wouldn't give him the satisfaction of seeing her flustered.
Keeping her voice calm, Isla turned to Mr. Park. "I believe we were in the middle of discussing the long-term benefits of our partnership. Kang Enterprises may offer lower prices, but we offer stability. You know what to expect from us. With them, you're taking a gamble."
Jin Woo's smirk didn't waver, but Isla could sense the competitive edge in his gaze. "A gamble can lead to greater rewards, Mr. Park," he countered smoothly. "Sometimes, you have to take a risk to reap the benefits."
The tension in the room was palpable as Mr. Park looked between them. Isla knew she couldn't afford to lose this deal, but Jin Woo was playing dirty, as always.
She took a deep breath, forcing herself to remain composed. "The choice is yours, Mr. Park. But I trust that you'll make the decision that benefits your company the most in the long run."
For a moment, silence hung in the air.
Finally, Mr. Park cleared his throat. "I appreciate both of your offers, and I'll need some time to discuss this with my team. I'll get back to you shortly."
Jin Woo extended his hand toward Mr. Park. "Of course. We look forward to hearing from you."
Isla followed suit, shaking Mr. Park's hand before turning toward Jin Woo, her expression neutral. But as soon as they were out of Mr. Park's earshot, she rounded on him.
"What the hell are you doing?" she hissed, her voice low but seething with anger.
Jin Woo raised an eyebrow, clearly amused by her reaction. "I'm simply doing my job, Isla. It's nothing personal."
"Nothing personal?" Isla's eyes flashed with anger. "You've been sabotaging my work at every turn. You crashed my meeting just to throw me off."
Jin Woo's smirk faltered for just a second before returning. "I'm just trying to keep things interesting."
"Interesting?" Isla stepped closer, her voice dangerously quiet. "This isn't a game, Jin Woo."
His eyes darkened, and for a moment, there was something more serious in his expression. "Isn't it? Everything's a game, Isla. You should know that by now."
Isla's breath caught in her throat. She hated the way he made her feel—always teetering on the edge between fury and something else, something more dangerous. She wanted to scream at him, to tell him to back off, but there was a part of her that couldn't deny the pull between them.
Before she could respond, Jin Woo took a step closer, his voice dropping lower. "You and I both know that this is more than just business."
Her heart raced, but she refused to back down. "I don't know what you think this is, but you're wrong."
Jin Woo's eyes bored into hers, the tension between them crackling like electricity. "We'll see."
Without another word, he turned and walked away, leaving Isla standing there, her emotions in turmoil.
---
Back in her office, Isla slammed her desk with frustration, the image of Jin Woo's smirk still fresh in her mind. He was insufferable, arrogant, and far too confident for his own good.
And yet, despite her anger, she couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to him than met the eye. Beneath the bravado and the games, there was something real—something that intrigued her, even if she didn't want to admit it.
But Isla Han didn't have time for distractions. She had a company to run, deals to secure, and a rival to defeat.
She wasn't about to let Jin Woo Kang get the best of her.
Not now.
Not ever.