The aroma of roasted chicken filled the air as Evan walked into the elegant dining room of his family's sprawling mansion. His mother, a picture of poised grace, was already seated at the head of the long mahogany table, a delicate smile gracing her lips. His father, a stern-faced man with an air of quiet authority, sat at the other end. His younger sister, Isabella, was perched on a chair, scrolling through her phone, her expression bored.
"Evan, you are finally here," his mother said, her voice warm. "Dinner's almost ready."
"Sorry I'm late," Evan replied, taking his seat. "Traffic was a nightmare."
"Nonsense," his father interjected. "You are always late. It's a bad habit you need to break, especially now."
Evan knew what his father was referring to. The pressure to marry one of the Ryu girls had been mounting for months, and his father never missed an opportunity to remind him of his "duty."
The Ryu family was one of the wealthiest in the city, their fortune built on a vast empire of technology and real estate. Evan's father, ever the pragmatist, saw the union as a strategic move, a way to solidify his family's position and gain access to the Ryu fortune.
"Speaking of which," his father continued, his gaze fixed on Evan, "I trust you haven't forgotten about your…obligations."
Evan sighed inwardly. Here we go again, he thought. The marriage lecture.
"No, Father," he said, his voice carefully neutral. "I haven't forgotten."
"Good," his father said. "Because it's time. You need to make haste and marry Noelle before someone else snatches her up."
Evan glanced at his sister, who was now watching the conversation with undisguised interest. Isabella had her own opinions on the matter, and she wasn't shy about sharing them. She was Ma-Ri's friend, so she obviously preferred to have her as her sister in-law.
"Honestly, Father," Isabella said, putting down her phone, "I still don't understand why you are insistent on Noelle. She is adopted. Ma-Ri is the true Ryu heiress. She's the obvious choice."
Their father waved a dismissive hand. "I don't care about bloodlines, Isabella. I care about the Ryu fortune. And we know that Noelle not only holds a higher share than Ma-Ri but she has also always been crazy about your brother."
Isabella rolled her eyes. "It's not that simple, Father. Ma-Ri is…well, she's Ma-Ri. She's practically a princess. Noelle is…different."
"Different how?" their father asked, his voice laced with curiosity.
"She is…less refined and vulgar," Isabella said, searching for the right words. "She's not like us and she would stain our lineage with her dirty orphan blood."
"Nonsense," their father scoffed. "Noelle is perfectly acceptable. She is beautiful, intelligent, and she knows how to play the game. Besides," he added, his eyes narrowing on Evan, "Evan is already engaged to her. It makes sense to proceed with the wedding."
Evan shifted uncomfortably in his seat. He was engaged to Noelle, it was true. But the engagement had been more of a strategic alliance than a love match. He did not even like Noelle, he just liked the fact that one of the best pop stars was in love with him. It was a huge ego boost.
Ma-Ri was the one who truly held his heart and he would have gone for her, if only it were a perfect world.
"Father," Evan said, his voice calm but firm, "I understand your concerns, but I will choose who I want to marry. It is my life."
His father's face flushed with anger. "Don't you dare talk to me like that, Evan! You will do as I say. This isn't about love, it's about securing our family's future."
"Our family is already secure, Father," Evan retorted. "We don't need the Ryu fortune to survive."
"Don't be naive, Evan," his father snapped. "Money is power. And the Ryu fortune is a key to unlocking even greater power. You need to think about the bigger picture."
"But i don't love her!" Evan said, his voice a little desperate.
His father blinked eyes similar with Evan's, "Love? Love?" He scoffed. "You don't have the luxury to love. You will do as I say and marry that girl!"
Their mother cleared her throat, trying to diffuse the tension. "Perhaps the smart thing to do is marry Noelle," she said gently and when Evan was about to interrupt, she raised a hand. "Then you can be with the one you truly love at the same time."
"But, that means Ma-Ri would be the mistress while that orphan would be his wife?" Isabella spat in outrage.
"Only temporarily." Their mother said cunningly, drawing their attention.
"What do you mean?" Evan asked.
"You get rid of her immediately you have been able to get a hold of her money." She finished with a sly smile on her face.
Isabella's face was brightened by a wide grin as she thought of what her mother had just proposed, it was perfect. It would serve two purposes, put Noelle in her place and get all of that money.
"That actually sounds like the perfect plan." Their father said approvingly.
"That sounds dangerous." Evan said hesitantly and his father narrowed his eyes.
"I don't want to hear any more excuses!" His father thundered. "You will make Areum your wife and Ma-Ri will be your mistress, when you have everything that belongs to Areum, you can kick her out and then live happily with Ma-Ri."
Evan kept quiet and looked down at the empty plate before him. Ma-aro would not like the idea of him marrying Noelle, but there was nothing else he could do.
Ma-Ri had assured him that a scandal so huge would wreck Noelle and his parents would not accept her as their daughter in-law. Unfortunately, Noelle had escaped unscathed. It seemed that he wove forced to marry her.
He thought back to seeing Noelle just that evening and how cold she had been towards him, it was unusual. The incident must have affected her because usually, she would listen to him and do whatever he asked. She had instead walked out on him like he was nothing.