POV: Male Lead (CEO)
The city skyline stretched beyond the glass walls of his office, bathed in the golden hues of sunset. From the top floor of the towering skyscraper, Ahn Min-jae observed the world below—moving, bustling, alive. But he felt nothing.
People called him many things—ruthless, arrogant, emotionless. He preferred it that way. Emotions were a weakness. Attachments led to pain. He had learned that the hard way.
Min-jae loosened his tie, a subtle sigh escaping his lips as he leaned back in his chair. His heart throbbed—a dull ache, a reminder of his cursed condition. A congenital heart disease. It had always been there, lurking in the background, a silent predator waiting to strike.
But Min-jae never let it define him. He was not weak. He had built his empire with his own hands, turned a small family business into a billion-dollar corporation. Ahn Enterprises was untouchable. And so was he.
A knock at the door pulled him from his thoughts.
"Come in." His voice was cold, controlled.
His assistant, Park Do-yun, entered, holding a tablet. "Sir, the final report for the hospital acquisition is ready. Also, your father called again. He—"
"I told you I have nothing to say to him." Min-jae's tone darkened, a storm brewing behind his sharp eyes.
Do-yun hesitated before nodding. "Understood."
Min-jae's father, Chairman Ahn Sung-hoon, was a man he had stopped acknowledging years ago. A father in name, but never in action. After his mother's death, Sung-hoon had buried himself in business, ignoring the son who had desperately needed him.
Min-jae had stopped needing anyone a long time ago.
His assistant continued, "One more thing. There's a new intern at Seoul Medical Center, and Dr. Jung mentioned she'll be part of the surgical team for your upcoming checkup."
Min-jae raised an eyebrow. "Why would I care?"
Do-yun smirked. "Because, for the first time, a doctor isn't trembling at the thought of meeting you. She actually sounded...excited."
Min-jae scoffed. Another foolish doctor thinking they could 'save' him. He had seen their type before—full of hope, believing in miracles. He had no patience for such delusions.
"Cancel the checkup."
"You know Dr. Jung won't allow that. Your heart condition isn't something you can keep ignoring, sir."
Min-jae clenched his jaw. He hated hospitals. The sterile smell, the beeping machines, the memories of his mother lying lifeless on the operating table.
He closed his eyes briefly, forcing the memory away.
"Fine. But I don't want some intern anywhere near me."
Do-yun chuckled. "I don't think she'll take no for an answer."
Min-jae's eyes narrowed. Whoever this intern was, she would soon learn that Ahn Min-jae never let anyone close.
Not to his business. Not to his heart.
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