The mood in the grand office of Chairman Yoo was tense. His fingers drummed on the mahogany desk, each tap reverberating through the silent room. The luxurious space, usually an emblem of Yoo Group's power, now felt suffocating, the weight of his anger palpable.
Yoo Group, one of the largest conglomerates in South Korea, was a towering force in business. The chairman had always prided himself on controlling every aspect of his empire, ensuring that the company's name stood as a symbol of power, prestige, and influence. But today, the one thing he couldn't control was the resentment bubbling inside him, directed squarely at his daughter, Yoo Seo-jin.
Seo-jin, who had once been the perfect daughter and heir to the family legacy, now stood before him, her face pale with the weight of her father's gaze. She had hoped to avoid this confrontation, but the news had come crashing down like an avalanche—Min-jae, the man she had rejected, had become one of the most influential figures in the world. The American government fought to keep him from reclaiming his South Korean citizenship, a testament to how valuable he had become. South Korea had bent its laws to retain him, and now, Min-jae had a Nobel Prize to his name. It was a shockwave that had hit everyone in the business world, shaking the very foundations of power.
But more shocking was the realization that Min-jae was no longer the lazy, entitled playboy she had dismissed so easily. He was a force to be reckoned with—an unstoppable tide of intellect, discipline, and ambition. And it was she who had turned her back on him.
"You—" Chairman Yoo's voice was low, controlled but seething with fury. "You let him slip through your fingers, Seo-jin. That man could have been the key to not only your future, but to Yoo Group's legacy."
Seo-jin stood frozen, unable to meet her father's gaze. She had never seen him like this before. His wrath, usually tempered by his sense of control, now seemed to have no bounds.
"I… I had my reasons, Father," Seo-jin tried, her voice shaking. "Min-jae wasn't the person I thought he could be. I didn't want to tie myself to someone who wasn't capable of understanding the responsibilities of this world."
Chairman Yoo's lips curled into a sneer. "Your reasons?" He stood up abruptly, causing the chair to scrape loudly across the floor. "You were too blinded by your pride, Seo-jin. You couldn't see the potential in him because you were too busy judging his past. Now look at him. A Nobel Prize laureate, an influential researcher, a business giant, and a force that even the governments of two countries fight over. What do you have to show for your arrogance?"
Seo-jin's stomach churned. She had seen the news—Min-jae's name plastered across every major news outlet, his face now synonymous with success. His transformation, from the irresponsible, overweight heir to the ruthless, disciplined leader, was something that no one could ignore. His achievements were now beyond her reach, beyond anyone's.
"I never expected him to change so much," Seo-jin whispered, her voice breaking. "He was nothing like this when I knew him. He's… different."
"Of course he's different," Chairman Yoo spat, his eyes narrowing. "You pushed him away, Seo-jin. You rejected him when he was at his lowest, and now look at him. Now, even the South Korean government has to beg him to take back his citizenship. He's worth more than any of us could have imagined. And what did you do? You threw it all away because of your petty, misplaced pride."
Seo-jin's eyes filled with tears, but she refused to let them fall. She had always prided herself on being strong, on making decisions that were rational and in the best interest of her family. But now, standing in front of her father, the weight of her decision crushed her.
"Father, I… I didn't know…" she started, but her words faltered under the crushing weight of reality.
"You didn't know," her father echoed, his voice dripping with disdain. "You didn't know, and now we all have to live with the consequences. Do you think Min-jae will ever look at you the same way again? Do you think he'll care that you made the mistake of a lifetime?"
Seo-jin felt the sting of his words deep in her chest. She had always believed in her ability to control situations, to manipulate them to her favor. But Min-jae's rise had shattered that illusion. She had underestimated him in the worst way possible.
"You'll fix this," Chairman Yoo demanded, his tone final. "I don't care how you do it, but you will. This marriage can still be salvaged, Seo-jin. Min-jae is far too valuable to let go, and you are going to do whatever it takes to make this right."
Seo-jin opened her mouth to protest, but her father raised a hand to silence her. "Don't argue with me. The Kang Group is a threat to our business. We need to control the future of the industry, and that means you need to fix your mistake and secure that marriage. Get him back—do whatever it takes. You owe it to this family, to me, and to yourself."
Seo-jin nodded, her heart heavy with the weight of her father's demand. She didn't know how she could undo what had already been done. Min-jae had become a legend—one she could no longer reach. And yet, her father's words rang in her ears, igniting a fire of determination she had never felt before.
It wasn't over. She would make things right. She had to.
As Chairman Yoo turned away, his rage simmering down into cold calculation, Seo-jin remained standing in the room, her mind racing. Could she really win Min-jae back? Would he even consider her after everything she had done?
But one thing was certain: the game had changed, and this time, she wasn't going to let Min-jae slip away. Not again.