The Seoul skies had darkened, but the real storm brewed inside the Lee estate. Hena stood by the massive glass window, staring into the courtyard. Her instincts had been on high alert for days, and tonight, her suspicion finally solidified into clarity.
Someone close to her—someone inside her trusted circle—was leaking information to Madam Seo.
Everything from her private discussions with Jun-ho, to the secret legal counsel meetings, somehow made it to Madam Seo's side before she could act. Plans failed before they even began. Documents went missing. And recently, Madam Seo seemed a step ahead in every move Hena made. There was no denying it now.
Jun-ho leaned against the doorway, arms crossed, watching her.
"You're thinking the same thing I am," Hena said without turning to face him.
Jun-ho nodded, stepping closer. "There's a mole. And they're close—possibly one of your staff. A bodyguard. A maid. Maybe even one of your assistants."
Hena's jaw clenched. "I trusted them."
Jun-ho exhaled. "Trust is a luxury we can't afford now."
Silence fell between them for a moment. Then, Jun-ho's expression sharpened. "We can flush them out. Plant false information. Let them carry it back to Madam Seo—and when she makes her next move, we'll know who the traitor is."
Hena turned to him, her eyes narrowing thoughtfully. "You mean... bait."
Jun-ho nodded. "Yes. Something small, believable. Something Madam Seo wouldn't resist acting on. We'll feed it to the entire staff—but only through specific channels. See where the leak happens. Then we'll catch them red-handed."
Hena thought it over. It was risky, but it could work. "I'll write a fake message tonight. Something about transferring legal ownership of the estate to my name. Let's see how fast it gets to her."
—
By morning, the message was crafted: a forged legal draft naming Hena as the new heir to all Seo family properties—dated and set for execution the following Friday. Hena handed it discreetly to three members of her staff in different ways: one through a printed draft accidentally left on a desk, one in a conversation with her assistant, and one via a bodyguard who overheard a staged phone call.
The trap was set.
Jun-ho monitored every movement, every communication line, quietly watching for any unusual activity. By the next evening, they had their answer.
Hena was walking through the hallway when Jun-ho intercepted her.
"It's the bodyguard—Han Min-kyu," he whispered urgently. "He made a call this morning, using an encrypted line. The moment he left your room after guarding it, Madam Seo's lawyer filed a sudden petition challenging your estate claim—one based on the exact false document we crafted."
Hena's heart sank. Han Min-kyu. He'd been with her since the beginning. She remembered when he shielded her during the media chaos. When he handed her a handkerchief during the first court appearance. And all along, he'd been the leak.
Jun-ho placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "He'll be arrested by tonight. The police already have the wiretap report. You did good, Hena."
But it didn't feel good. It felt like betrayal wrapped in confirmation.
—
Later that evening, the staff gathered in the grand room, pretending nothing had changed. Hena entered with quiet authority, followed by Jun-ho and a few police officers in plain clothes.
"Han Min-kyu," she said calmly, "you are under arrest for breach of confidentiality, conspiracy, and aiding a criminal investigation against Madam Seo."
The room fell into shocked silence.
Min-kyu stood slowly, his expression unreadable. "You don't understand. I was just—"
"I understand perfectly," Hena cut in coldly. "You fed Madam Seo every plan, every weakness you could find. And now, you'll answer for it."
He was escorted away without resistance.
—
Back in her room, Hena stood once more at her window. The betrayal stung, but her resolve had never been stronger.
"We're getting close," Jun-ho said quietly behind her. "She's desperate. That move proves it."
Hena nodded. "Let her get desperate. The more unstable she becomes, the easier she'll fall."
But just as she thought the day was over, her phone buzzed.
A message from Claire: "We need to talk. It's about Madam Seo. Urgent."
Hena stared at the screen.
Enemies weren't just among them—they were multiplying.
And the final war hadn't even begun.