The Kang and Yoo families sat together in the lavish dining hall of the Kang mansion, the mood festive but with an undertone of tension. Both fathers, Chairman Kang Tae-hyun and Chairman Yoo Hyun-soo, exchanged glances, their smiles not quite reaching their eyes. The announcement of Kang Min-jae and Yoo Seo-jin's re-engagement had brought relief to the families, but the circumstances surrounding it left an uncomfortable air hanging over the room.
Min-jae sat at the far end of the table, his expression calm, almost indifferent, as if he were an observer rather than the subject of the celebration. Seo-jin sat beside him, her hands clasped tightly in her lap, her face carefully neutral.
"Well," Chairman Yoo began, raising his glass, "it's good to see that the past misunderstandings have been resolved. This union will bring our families closer and ensure a prosperous future for both groups."
Chairman Kang nodded, smiling broadly. "Indeed. This partnership is exactly what we need to strengthen our global standing."
Min-jae didn't react. Instead, he leaned back in his chair, his sharp gaze sweeping the room. Finally, he spoke, his voice calm and measured. "Before we celebrate too much, I think it's important to address the terms of this engagement."
The room fell silent, all eyes turning to him.
"What terms?" Chairman Yoo asked, frowning slightly.
Min-jae reached into his briefcase, pulling out a copy of the signed contract. He placed it on the table, sliding it toward the two chairmen. "These terms," he said simply.
Chairman Kang's brow furrowed as he skimmed the document. Chairman Yoo's expression turned from confusion to disbelief, his eyes narrowing as he read each clause. By the time they reached the end, both men were visibly unsettled.
"This… this is outrageous," Chairman Yoo sputtered. He turned to Seo-jin. "You agreed to this?"
Seo-jin's cheeks flushed, but she said nothing, her gaze fixed on the table.
Chairman Kang's voice was sharp. "Min-jae, what is the meaning of this? These conditions are... extreme."
Min-jae's lips curled into a faint smile. "Extreme? Perhaps. But they're already notarized and legally binding." He folded his arms, his tone unwavering. "If this engagement is so important to both families, then you'll proceed under these terms. Otherwise, feel free to call it off."
The room was silent, the weight of his words hanging heavy in the air.
Chairman Yoo glared at Min-jae. "You think you can dictate terms to us? Do you realize what you're doing?"
Min-jae met his gaze without flinching. "I know exactly what I'm doing, Chairman Yoo. This is my life, and if you want me to be part of this arrangement, it will be on my terms. Otherwise, I'm happy to walk away."
Chairman Kang's expression was a mix of shock and frustration. He had expected resistance from Min-jae, but this level of manipulation was far beyond anything he had anticipated. This wasn't the naive, overweight boy who had once shirked responsibility and chased after Seo-jin like a lovesick fool. This was a man who had transformed himself into a calculating force, one who couldn't be controlled.
Seo-jin's mother, sitting quietly until now, finally spoke. "But these terms... they're so cold, Min-jae. Is this really how you want to start a marriage?"
Min-jae's gaze flicked to her, his expression unreadable. "This isn't a marriage. It's a business arrangement. Let's not pretend otherwise."
Chairman Yoo clenched his fists, his voice rising. "You're playing a dangerous game, Min-jae. Do you think you'll gain anything by antagonizing us?"
Min-jae smiled faintly, a chilling calm in his demeanor. "I've already gained what I wanted. The terms are signed, sealed, and notarized. Whether you proceed or not is entirely up to you."
Chairman Kang finally spoke, his voice low but firm. "Min-jae, this level of defiance... I didn't raise you to be like this."
Min-jae's eyes met his father's, cold and unyielding. "No, you didn't. I raised myself to be like this."
The tension in the room was palpable, but in the end, neither chairman could argue. The stakes were too high, and the benefits of the union were too significant to let personal grievances get in the way.
Chairman Yoo sighed heavily, his expression a mix of anger and resignation. "Fine. We'll proceed with the engagement."
Chairman Kang nodded reluctantly. "As will we."
Min-jae leaned back in his chair, his faint smile returning. "Excellent. I'll leave the details to the families, then."
As the discussion turned to plans for the engagement ceremony, Min-jae remained silent, his presence commanding despite his lack of participation. Both fathers exchanged uneasy glances, internally shaken by how far Min-jae had come—and how far removed he was from the boy they once knew.
As the evening wound down, Seo-jin glanced at Min-jae, her expression conflicted. She had thought she knew him, but the man sitting beside her now was a stranger, one she couldn't predict or control.
For the first time in her life, she felt afraid.