The black Rolls-Royce Phantom climbed slowly up the winding mountain serpentine. The road leading to the Han family mansion, known as Starry Heights, seemed endless, like a metaphor for the road to power, powerful with lies and betrayal.
Choi Seong-Jae sat in the back seat, immersed in his thoughts. The city spread out below seemed toy-like, completely of its true power and chaos. There was silence in the cabin, where the scents of expensive leather and the tart perfume of Creed Aventus mingled, broken only by the quiet rustle of the tires on the asphalt.
He looked at his reflection in the dark glass. His white-purple hair, always styled in a deliberately careless style, seemed especially bright in the twilight. Scarlet eyes, as if two smoldering coals, lit up the darkness with latent rage and ambition.
An earring in the form of two thin silver chains, ending in transparent tips that looked like miniature daggers, swayed in her left ear. On her right ear was a new piece of jewelry, a dainty black silver raven clutching a small cabochon-cut ruby in its beak.
On his hands, instead of the previous abstract symbols, there were tattoos of his past. On his right arm was a stylized depiction of a heraldic shield with signs of heraldic lilies, the symbol of the Contarello Family, representing honor, loyalty, and power. On the left is a ferocious falcon, symbol of freedom, speed and his nickname in the "Family". The tattoos were done in a micro-realism technique.
The Brioni suit fit flawlessly, leading to his athletic physique. An expensive silk shirt from Charvet lurked beneath the jacket, and an Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar watch flaunted on his wrist, displaying accurate time, another resource that Son Jae valued above all else.
"This is all just a masquerade," Sung-Jae thought as he looked out the window. - "A game in which you have to follow the rules so that you can then break them in triumph."
The car stopped at the entrance of the Star Heights Mansion. The butler, dressed in a superior livery, opened the door almost gingerly. Sung Jae stepped out of the car like a predator entering a new territory.
The mansion was astonishing in its splendor. Huge crystal chandeliers flooded the light with marble fields, antique furniture and artwork creating an atmosphere of deliberate luxury. The scent of expensive perfumes and exquisite hors d'oeuvres lingered in the air.
The event brought together the entire color of the Korean elite: politicians, businessmen, showbiz stars and representatives of the most powerful chaebol families.
"They're all hypocrites," Sung-jae thought as he scanned the crowd with his gaze. - "Puppets dancing to someone else's tune. They think they own the world, but they're really just pawns in my game.
Sung Jae began to leisurely move around the hall, concluding with brief greetings and handshakes with influential people. He had a knack for settling in, saying what they wanted to hear from him, and giving the impression that he was genuinely interested in their affairs.
"Mr. Choi, good to see you," the gray-haired politician said as he shook his hand. - "Your company has gotten impressive results. We highly appreciate your cooperation."
"Thank you, Mr. Park," Song Jae replied with a slight smile. - "I hope we can continue to count on your support."
"We've heard about your... unconventional business practices," the Choi businessman remarked, squinting his eyes. - "I hope it doesn't affect our cooperation."
"Don't worry," Sung-jae assured him. - "I always put my partners' interests above everything else."
Passing by a group of young third-generation Chaebols, Sun Jae heard a snippet of their conversation.
"Look, it's Choi Sungjae," one of the girls whispered. - "They say he's connected to the mafia. What a bad guy!"
"He's too dangerous," the young man replied. - "We'd better stay away from him."
"But he's very handsome," added the other girl. - "And he has such a stylish outfit. And that look... Brrr... He's got all my pussy flowing.
Sung-Jae paid no attention to the whispers and stares. He was looking for the main target of the evening, Lee Seo Yeon.
Soon, he saw her. She was standing alone on the balcony, with a glass of champagne in her hand. She was wearing a fiery black Givenchy dress that emphasized her slender figure.
- Lee So Yeon:
o Position: Sole heiress of the media conglomerate SEM Entertainment, under her father's reliable.
o Status: One of the most powerful and desirable women in Korea.
o Character: Intelligent, independent, reserved, and perceptive. She dislikes idle talk and superficial relationships. She is only interested in people who have more to offer than money and power.
o Appearance: Tall, slender, with long black hair and a piercing look in her gray eyes. Possesses a flawless appearance and makeup.
"She's an enigma," Sung Jae thought to himself. - "Cold, aloof, and very attractive."
Lee So Yeon, as if sensing the gaze on her, turned back and looked at Sung Jae. There was no surprise or interest in her eyes, only mild curiosity.
'He's not like those pompous peacocks,' Seo Yeon thought to himself as he assessed his gaze.
Lee Seo Yeon took a sip of champagne and slowly made her way towards Choi Sung Jae, pondering what to say.
"Mr. Choi," she said in a quiet voice, stopping a few steps away from him. - "Aren't you bored here?"
Sung-jae shrugged, "Boredom is a very faint thing. I always find something to occupy myself with."
Lee So Yeon tilted her head slightly as if studying him, "You're not like other people I've met. What makes you special?"
"I don't strive to be special," Sungjae replied, looking her straight in the eyes. - "I just do what I have to do."
"Really?" - Siem asked Lee Seo Yeon in surprise.
Seo Yeon moved closer and whispered in his ear: "Are you playing with me? Well then, I accept your game."
Stepping back a little, she pulled away from Choi Sung Jae. "Enjoy a wonderful evening Mr. Choi-san, I'm sure we'll meet again."
Sungjae looked around the room, then glanced at Seo Yeon, watching her receding back with interest.
"Well, if fate wants to bring us together, I won't stop it, but for now, we should do everything I came here to do."
He continues on his way, expressing smiles and words of greeting. He knew exactly what he wanted and how to achieve it. After all, he is Choi Sung-Jae, the gray cardinal of Seoul's criminal world.
And in this world of masks, secrets, and ambitions, the game had just begun.