The Chairman's Story:
Years ago, Daehan Motors was founded by two brothers—Jang Dae-Seok (Jae Hyun's father) and Jang Kyung-Min (the Chairman). Where Dae-Seok was the visionary who believed in innovation and building a reputable empire, Kyung-Min was the strategist ,cunning, power-hungry, and unafraid to bend the rules for profit.
As the company rose to prominence, Dae-Seok began to notice irregularities in the finances. Missing funds. Secret shipments. Foreign transactions with no clear records. When he investigated, he discovered that Kyung-Min had been using Daehan Motors as a front for drug trafficking and illegal child transportation networks under the guise of international charity programs.
Disgusted and enraged, Dae-Seok forced his brother out of the company. But Kyung-Min didn't go quietly. He vowed revenge claiming that Daehan Motors was just as much his legacy and accusing Dae-Seok of betrayal.
But what Dae-Seok didn't know was that Kyung-Min was already one step ahead.
Kyung-Min went underground, creating shell corporations, proxies, and dirty partnerships to secretly buy back shares of Daehan Motors. While he no longer had an official title, he retained significant influence, operating in the shadows. His reach spread like rot—hidden but deeply rooted.
Years later, when Ji Hoon (Jae Hyun's older brother) discovered the dark dealings within the company, he began working with investigative agents to expose them. But before he could go public, his car was sabotaged. The crash was staged to look like a tragic accident. Dae-Seok believed it… until now.
Now, Jae Hyun is asking questions too many. Just like Ji Hoon.
So Kyung-Min sets his trap.
For weeks, he'd watched Jae Hyun move too closely to the truth—digging where he shouldn't, asking questions that had been buried with blood. It was only a matter of time before the young heir uncovered everything—the rotting spine of Daehan Motors, the secrets that claimed Ji Hoon's life, and the ones that could easily claim his.
The Chairman had warned him. First, through shadows: the missing reports, the intercepted calls, and anonymous threats. Then through silence—contracts canceled, projects suddenly delayed, investors pulling out with no explanation.
But Jae Hyun didn't listen. He didn't stop. He was his father's son, and worse—he had Ji Hoon's fire.
So Kyung-min set a trap.
The Genesis sedan, parked where it always was in the basement lot of his apartment's private garage. Unmoved, untouched. It was a symbol of routine, of safety. Jae Hyun had driven it every day for the past six months. He slid into the driver's seat that morning, briefcase tossed onto the passenger side, earbuds in, classical music low in the background. Everything felt normal.
He started the engine.
Nothing beeped. No alerts. No blinking red lights.
The city still slept, just beginning to stir in the quiet hum of morning traffic. He turned onto the expressway heading south, passing the same buildings he passed every morning. The same curves. The same exits.
Until the downhill arc near Hanam Bridge.
That's when it happened.
He pressed the brake.
Nothing.
He pressed again, harder.
Still nothing.
His breath caught. A cold edge of fear sliced through his chest. The road ahead dipped. Cars blurred past. He gripped the wheel, his knuckles white. Again he slammed the brake. It dropped to the floor like dead weight.
"No," he muttered under his breath. "No, no "
He swerved, trying to downshift manually, trying to avoid the cluster of taxis in front of him. Horns screamed. Someone cursed. The Genesis fishtailed. The tires screamed against asphalt.
Then it hit.
The concrete barrier at the edge of the expressway took the brunt of the collision. Metal buckled. Glass exploded. The airbag launched forward, knocking the wind out of him. The world spun and tilted before jerking still.
Silence.
Smoke.
He blinked. Slowly. Blood ran down his forehead. His seatbelt cut into his chest. His hands were shaking. His phone a shattered mess beneath the crushed dashboard.
He was alive.
Barely.
But he understood now. This was no warning anymore. It was an execution attempt. Calculated. Precise. It meant only one thing:
"They weren't afraid to kill again".
________
Later That Night
In a dim-lit office on the outskirts of Seoul, a phone buzzed on a marble desk.
The Chairman, Kyung-min, didn't bother to pick it up.
Instead, he stared at the red dot blinking on the security monitor a live feed of Jae Hyun's totaled car.
"He got lucky," his aide said from the corner.
Kyung-min's jaw tightened.
"Luck runs out," he muttered coldly. "Just like his brother's did."
He leaned forward. "He's getting too close. I gave him time. Warnings. He's too much like his father arrogant. "Blind."
"What about the girl?" the aide asked.
A smirk curved his lips. "Let her keep distracting him. She'll be useful later. For now, make sure he knows one thing…"
The aide nodded. "That this was just the beginning."
_________
Tonia's time in Seoul was ticking fast. She had only planned for a week-long vacation a quick break from the chaos of managing her skincare business in Nigeria. Her boyfriend, Min-jun, had been helping her with deliveries and promotions in Seoul, so this was the perfect time for her to visit, recharge, and steal precious moments with him.
She spent most of her time with Min Jun. From the moment they reunited, it was as if Seoul faded into the background. Their chemistry was undeniable laughter echoing in parks, whispered conversations at the cinema, hands entwined under neon city lights. They were lovebirds in their own world, creating snapshots of joy before Tonia had to return to Nigeria.
Min Jun, ever thoughtful, helped her with her skincare business even from Seoul, ensuring orders were delivered back home on schedule. It was clear—Tonia didn't just come to support Zoey; she came to catch a breath of love before diving back into her business hustle.
But for Zoey, the loneliness slowly crept in.
She wandered the streets of Seoul, clutching her phone like a lifeline, scrolling through messages to Lonely Tiger that remained unanswered. Days passed still no word. The silence was louder than the city's noise.
She missed her parents, her siblings, even the chaos of Owerri . But most of all, she missed the connection she felt when chatting with Jae Hyun before the silence.
With Tonia constantly out with Min Jun, and Lonely Tiger ghosting her, Zoey found unexpected comfort in Yeon-Ah.
Yeon-Ah showed up with that signature smile and unwavering warmth. She took Zoey out for tteokbokki and spicy ramen, introduced her to hidden local boutiques, and shared secrets about the city's quiet alleys and loud night markets. Slowly, day by day, their friendship grew. Yeon-Ah became her anchor in Seoul.
They laughed over awkward translations, tried on ridiculous sunglasses at roadside shops, and even got matching phone charms one evening on a whim. To Zoey, Yeon-Ah was the sister she didn't know she needed in this foreign city.
Still, deep down, she wished things had been different. She missed the late-night talks with Tonia, missed laughing over cheap ramen in pajamas. But most of all, she missed him, the man behind the username. The man who felt like her destiny but was now a distant echo in the digital wind.
But what Zoey didn't know was that behind every laugh, every compliment, Yeon-Ah was studying her mentally recording her likes, her triggers, her dreams.
The growing friendship was sweet and sincere… at least from Zoey's side.
And in the shadows, the Chairman was pleased. The net was being woven. But the trap wouldn't be sprung not yet.
_______
While Zoey explored Seoul with cautious hope, unaware of the eyes silently watching her, another woman lurked at the edge of Jae Hyun's world desperate to stay in the spotlight.
Kyu-Hee.
The ex-girlfriend who refused to let go.
Day after day, her messages floodedJae Hyun's inbox. Heart emojis. Nostalgic photos. Desperate pleads. She edited old pictures to look recent, posting them on her socials with captions like "My forever, no matter what they say." Hashtags trailed behind like claws: #PowerCouple #StillHisGirl #JaeAndKyu.
She even went as far as showing up at his apartment building, brushing past security with that K-drama actress charm, only to beg for "one last chance." But her intentions weren't hidden for long.
What Kyu-Hee really wanted wasn't love.
It was status. Power. Fame.
She wanted Jae Hyun's name beside hers so brands would notice again. So invitations would flood in. So the spotlight would shift back to her and not the rising authors or fresh faces stealing attention.
And then came her boldest move yet: a proposal.
Not of love, but of partnership.
She offered him a "deal." They didn't have to be real, just believable. Appearances, public photos, mutual endorsements just enough to make the world think they were back together. In return, she'd use the fake relationship to revive her crumbling influencing career.
But when Jae Hyun heard her pitch, his blood boiled.
The audacity.
His jaw clenched. "You think I'm some trophy to boost your followers?" he snapped, eyes cold. "You're not the woman I once knew. Maybe you never were."
He didn't raise his voice, but his silence after cut deeper than any scream.
Kyu-Hee tried to smile, to laugh it off, but he turned his back physically and emotionally. And for the first time, she realized he meant it.
She was out.
But even as she left, bitter and burning with rejection, she wasn't ready to disappear.
Meanwhile, Jae Hyun sat alone, fists curled tight as memories of Zoey filled his mind. Her soft voice, her curious eyes, her unfiltered honesty. She didn't want him for fame or flash just the real him.
And it killed him that he had to stay away.
Because while one woman fought for public attention, the other unknowingly walked into danger. And all he could do was watch from afar helpless, haunted, and hiding a love he didn't know how to protect.
_______
The warm morning sun filtered through the glass windows of Incheon International Airport, casting long shadows across the polished floor. Tonia stood with her suitcase, arms crossed as she faced Zoey. Her smile was there—but a little too forced, a little too tight.
"I'm so sorry I didn't get to spend as much time with you," Tonia said quietly. "I know this trip was important for both of us, but I…" She glanced away, her voice softening. "I got carried away with Min Jun."
Zoey gave a small smile, her hands folded over the strap of her bag. "It's okay. You deserved a break. And besides…" She hesitated, then added with a bit more cheer, "Yeon-Ah was with me. She really helped me adjust and made things easier."
Tonia nodded slowly, the smile fading from her lips. "Yeah. Yeon-Ah." The name left her mouth with a trace of resistance.
Zoey noticed it. "What? You don't like her?"
Tonia gave a half-hearted laugh. "I don't know… It's not that I don't like her. I just get weird vibes, you know? She's too perfect. Too present. Like she's always…watching."
Zoey frowned slightly. "She's just nice, Tonia."
"I know. And maybe I'm being paranoid. But just…" Tonia leaned in and hugged her. "Just be careful, okay? Not everyone who smiles at you means well."
Zoey hugged her tighter, comforted by the familiar scent of home. "I'll be fine. Promise."
But as Tonia pulled away and walked toward the gate, she glanced back one more time. Her eyes didn't hold jealousy—they held a warning.
And Zoey, left standing alone, couldn't quite shake the weight of it.
The airport lounge buzzed with soft murmurs and rolling luggage. Tonia leaned against the window, watching planes taxi on the runway. Her face was calm, but her mind spun with unease.
Min-jun handed her a cup of tea. "Your flight's boarding soon. Nervous?"
Tonia took the cup and sighed. "Not about flying. It's… Zoey."
Min-jun looked up, concern flickering in his eyes. "What about her?"
Tonia hesitated. "That girl—Yeon-Ah. The one she's always with now."
Min-jun straightened. "You don't like her?"
"She's… sweet. Too sweet," Tonia said, furrowing her brows. "I'm not saying she's done anything wrong. But something about her just doesn't sit right with me. She's always around Zoey. Always listening. Watching. It's almost like…"
Min-jun leaned closer. "Like she's studying her?"
Tonia nodded. "Exactly. The vibe is off. And Zoey's been too lonely since I got here. She clings to Yeon-Ah now. I know she misses LonelyTiger and all, but… I don't trust this new 'friend.' She got too close too fast."
Min-jun didn't brush it off. He looked thoughtful. "I'll keep an eye on her. And I'll tell someone who can look deeper."
Tonia smiled. "Good. Just don't let Zoey get hurt. She's already been through too much."
As they hugged goodbye, Tonia whispered, "I'll come back soon. I've got a feeling Seoul's not done with us yet."
Later that evening, in a quiet office lit by a single pendant lamp, Min-jun relayed the entire conversation to Jae Hyun.
Jae Hyun sat back in his chair, arms crossed. "You're saying this Yeon-Ah girl just showed up and inserted herself into Zoey's life?"
"Exactly. Tonia doesn't trust her."
Jae's jaw clenched slightly. "Neither do I, now."
He turned to the wall screen. "Pull up Yeon-Ah. Full background check. Family. Schools. Friends. Everything."
Within minutes, his elite tech team delivered a clean file.
Perfect records. A prestigious university. A bland job history. No flags.
"Too clean," Jae muttered.
Min-jun raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"
"I mean, no one lives this perfectly. People have flaws. Breakups. Old debt. Someone this polished either doesn't exist or doesn't want to be found."
He stood and paced. "We've been looking at a mirror. Not a person."
"What if it's a fake identity?"
Jae Hyun stopped cold.
He picked up his phone and called one of his private cyber trackers.
"Run a forensic trace on her ID. I want her original name. And I want to know who's pulling her strings."
____
Miles away, in a high-rise penthouse, Yeon-Ah stood barefoot in her silk robe, speaking quietly into a burner phone.
"She doesn't suspect a thing. I'm in."
A voice rasped through the speaker. "Good. Stay close. Observe everything. And don't let her slip away. We've waited long enough."
She hung up and turned to the mirror.
The name Yeon-Ah glimmered on her fake ID.
But that wasn't her real name.
_______
In the dim-lit study of a secluded villa perched on the edge of Seoul, the Chairman Kyung-min—sat behind a massive oak desk. The room was lined with shelves of old books, artifacts, and photos from Daehan Motors' early days. A glass of untouched whiskey shimmered beneath the golden desk lamp. Everything about the room whispered history… and secrets.
His phone buzzed once. Then again.
He picked up on the third ring, not saying a word.
A mechanical voice filtered through the encrypted line. "The kids are ready for transfer. Port 17. Midnight."
He didn't flinch. "Clean paperwork?"
"Yes, sir. They'll be marked as 'international volunteers.' No red flags."
He ended the call.
There were no names, no confirmations. Just codes. Port numbers. Timestamps. And silence.
Kyung-min leaned back in his chair, the shadows catching on his expressionless face. To the world, he was just a retired businessman ,quiet, forgotten. But beneath the surface, he controlled a labyrinth of illegal activity: trafficking, drugs, forged documents all masked beneath subsidiaries and shell companies. And Daehan Motors' reputation kept the public's eyes away from the blood on his hands.
He turned toward a locked cabinet, twisted the hidden key slot, and opened it. Inside were photos of Zoey, of Jae Hyun, of Ji Hoon. He slid Jae Hyun picture to the top. The boy was becoming a complication.
Just like Ji Hoon had been.
And complications were meant to be… dealt with.