The Grand Crescent Hotel's private dining room exuded quiet sophistication. Soft candlelight reflected off polished surfaces, and the faint scent of fresh roses mingled with the aroma of the chef's carefully prepared dishes. Seo-yeon had chosen this setting deliberately—intimate but formal enough to maintain an air of professionalism.
Jason arrived precisely on time, his posture relaxed but his mind alert. He knew Seo-yeon well enough by now to recognize her penchant for control. Dinner wasn't just dinner. This was another calculated move.
Seo-yeon was already seated, her phone placed neatly on the table beside a glass of wine. She looked up as he approached, her smile warm but just short of genuine. "You're punctual. That's good. I hate waiting."
Jason pulled out a chair and sat, meeting her gaze evenly. "I figured keeping you waiting wouldn't make a great impression." His tone was neutral, but his words carried a subtle edge. He wasn't here to play games, though he knew Seo-yeon would.
A waiter appeared, pouring him a glass of wine and taking their orders. Seo-yeon waited until they were alone again to speak.
"Thank you for agreeing to this," she began, her voice smooth and practiced. "I thought it would be better to have this conversation in private. The others can be... distracting."
Jason leaned back slightly, folding his arms. "And what conversation is that, exactly?"
Seo-yeon set down her wine glass, her expression shifting to something softer—an attempt to appear approachable. "Once we're married, we'll need to decide where we're going to live. The contract is clear: we can't live separately, and traveling back and forth between continents isn't sustainable."
Jason's jaw tightened imperceptibly. He knew this was coming, but hearing her say it still irritated him. "I assumed you'd already made up your mind about that."
Seo-yeon chuckled lightly, a sound that could almost be mistaken for genuine amusement. "I have my preferences, yes. But I wanted to hear your thoughts first. Consider it... courtesy."
Jason gave her a long look, trying to gauge her sincerity. "You don't strike me as someone who leaves these decisions up to others."
Her smile widened, just a fraction. "True. But this arrangement requires some level of cooperation. I have my work here, my responsibilities to the Kim Group. Relocating to the Western States isn't an option for me."
Jason nodded slowly, expecting as much. "And for me, uprooting my business and moving it here isn't exactly convenient either. I have thirty employees, projects underway—"
"You have options," she interrupted smoothly. "The Eastern States offer plenty of opportunities. And your business partner, Ivan, is already familiar with the region. Moving here could be a strategic advantage."
Jason frowned. "Strategic for who? Me, or you?"
Seo-yeon's gaze sharpened, but her voice remained calm. "Both of us, ideally. But let's not pretend this isn't about fulfilling the contract. Whether we like it or not, we're tied to this arrangement. And making it work requires compromise."
Jason leaned forward slightly, his eyes narrowing. "Compromise. That's an interesting word coming from you. I've seen how you operate, Seo-yeon. You're used to getting your way."
Seo-yeon's smile didn't waver, but her tone took on a slight edge. "And you're used to resisting authority, aren't you? But this isn't about winning or losing. This is about what's practical. And practicality suggests that you move here."
Jason said nothing for a moment, letting her words hang in the air. She was pushing him, testing his boundaries. But he wasn't about to back down.
"You're forgetting something," he said finally. "My business isn't just a hobby. It's a growing company, and moving it isn't as simple as packing a suitcase."
Seo-yeon's eyes softened, but Jason knew better than to trust the gesture. "I understand that. And I'm willing to help make the transition smoother. The Kim Group has resources, connections—things that could benefit your company."
"And what's the price for that help?" Jason asked, his tone sharp.
Seo-yeon tilted her head, studying him. "The price is simple. We work together, as a team. I don't interfere with your business, and you don't interfere with mine. But we present a united front. To our families, to the public, to everyone who's watching."
Jason exhaled slowly, leaning back in his chair. He wasn't sure if he admired her determination or resented it. Probably both.
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As their food arrived, Seo-yeon shifted the tone of the conversation. Her voice became softer, almost conversational. "You know, Jason, we're not as different as you think. You're ambitious, driven. So am I. That's why this arrangement can work. We both understand what it means to build something from the ground up."
Jason gave her a skeptical look. "Is that what this is? You trying to find common ground?"
She smiled, taking a sip of her wine. "Maybe. Or maybe I'm just trying to make this easier for both of us. We're stuck with each other for the next three years. Might as well make it bearable."
There it was again—that subtle push, the hint of vulnerability designed to draw him in. Jason wasn't falling for it.
"Bearable," he repeated, his tone dry. "That's one way to put it."
Seo-yeon chuckled softly. "Think about it, Jason. Moving here isn't just about the contract. It's about positioning yourself—and your business—for the future. The Kim Group can be an ally, not an obstacle."
Jason met her gaze, his expression unreadable. "I'll think about it."
The plates of the main course had been cleared away, replaced with a delicate dessert of chocolate mousse and fresh berries. Seo-yeon picked up her fork, her movements graceful and deliberate. Jason couldn't help but notice the ease with which she carried herself—poised, elegant, but also undeniably calculating.
She broke the silence first. "You know, Jason, you've been rather quiet. I can't tell if you're just a man of few words or if you're trying to figure me out."
Jason smirked faintly, taking a sip of water. "A bit of both, maybe. You're not exactly an open book, Seo-yeon."
She raised a brow, amusement flickering in her eyes. "And you think you are? You've been practically unreadable since I met you. It's... intriguing."
Jason chuckled lightly, setting his glass down. "Intriguing, huh? That's one way to describe it. I'd say we're both playing our cards close to the chest."
Seo-yeon nodded, acknowledging the point. "True. But that's not necessarily a bad thing. It means we're careful, thoughtful. We don't rush into things without considering the consequences."
"Or," Jason countered, "it means we're both stubborn and unwilling to show our hands until we absolutely have to."
She laughed softly, the sound genuine but measured. "Fair enough. But tell me, Jason, what drives you? I understand your business is important to you, but there has to be more to it than that."
Jason paused for a moment, considering her question. He wasn't used to talking about himself in these terms, especially with someone like Seo-yeon. "It's not just about the business," he admitted. "It's about creating something that lasts. Something that makes an impact. I want to build things people will remember."
Seo-yeon tilted her head slightly, studying him. "Ambitious. I can respect that. But what about the people you work with? Your partners, your employees—are they just a means to an end, or do you see them as part of the legacy you're building?"
Jason's gaze sharpened, and his tone turned firm. "I'd never treat the people I work with like tools. Ivan, Dante, my team—they're the reason the business is where it is today. I couldn't have done it without them."
Seo-yeon nodded thoughtfully. "Loyalty. That's a good trait to have. But it can also be a weakness if you're not careful. Not everyone you trust will have your best interests at heart."
Jason leaned back slightly, his eyes narrowing. "Speaking from experience?"
Her smile tightened, just a bit. "Let's just say I've learned to be cautious. The corporate world isn't kind, Jason. You either learn to protect yourself, or you get swallowed whole."
Jason decided to turn the question back on her. "And what about you, Seo-yeon? What drives you? Is it all about the Kim Group, or is there more to it than that?"
Seo-yeon hesitated for a fraction of a second—an almost imperceptible pause before she answered. "The Kim Group is my responsibility. It's been my entire life since I was old enough to understand what was at stake. Everything I do is to ensure its survival."
Her voice was calm, but Jason caught the faintest edge of something beneath her words—pride, perhaps, or even a hint of vulnerability.
"So it's not just about power, then," Jason said, watching her carefully. "You actually care about the company."
Seo-yeon's eyes flickered with amusement. "Of course I care. But let's not romanticize it. Caring doesn't mean I'm sentimental. The Kim Group is a legacy, and it's my job to protect it. Emotions only get in the way of making tough decisions."
Jason nodded slowly, filing that information away. Seo-yeon was pragmatic to a fault—focused, unyielding, but not entirely heartless.
As the conversation continued, they found themselves discussing broader topics—business strategies, the challenges of leadership, and the complexities of balancing ambition with personal life.
"To be honest," Jason admitted at one point, "I never expected to find myself in a situation like this. Marriage was never part of the plan. At least, not like this."
Seo-yeon arched a brow. "And what was your plan, then? Build your empire, retire early, and live a quiet life?"
Jason shrugged, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "Something like that. I just didn't think I'd have to navigate a corporate chess game to get there."
Seo-yeon chuckled softly. "Welcome to my world, Jason. If you're not playing the game, you're losing it. And trust me, I don't lose."
Jason met her gaze, a challenge glinting in his eyes. "Neither do I."
By the time dinner ended, the atmosphere between them had shifted slightly. The tension was still there, but it was tempered by a growing mutual respect.
Seo-yeon stood, smoothing her dress as she prepared to leave. "This was... enlightening," she said, her tone carrying a hint of amusement. "I think we might actually be able to make this work."
Jason rose as well, his expression neutral but his mind racing. "We'll see."
As Seo-yeon walked away, her heels clicking softly against the polished floor, Jason couldn't help but wonder what her next move would be. She was a formidable opponent, no doubt about it. But he wasn't about to let her get the upper hand.
For now, though, he had to admit—this engagement was shaping up to be far more interesting than he'd anticipated.