The lounge buzzed with quiet laughter and the clinking of crystal glasses. Warm amber lights bounced off polished wood, giving the room a soft, expensive glow. Joon-hyuk entered, the perfect image of composure in a dark tailored suit.
"Mr. Lee!" Mr. Philip, the tall, silver-haired head of Greenline Motors, stood to greet him, a glass of red wine in hand. "We were just talking about you. Your company's solar battery development is the most exciting thing in the industry right now."
Joon-hyuk gave a polite nod, his expression steady. "I appreciate that, Mr. Philip. LJ Group has been fortunate to work with a very dedicated team."
"Nonsense," another investor chimed in, grinning. "It's your leadership that's made it possible. Young, sharp, and driven — it's no wonder your competitors can't keep up."
Joon-hyuk's lips curved faintly. "We simply believe in progress that lasts."
The investors laughed, clearly charmed. Someone offered him a drink, but he declined, hands in his pockets. He wasn't in the mood for small talk. His gaze drifted toward the wide windows, where he could see the terrace below.
A flicker of color caught his eye — red and beige. Hye-rin.
She was walking across the courtyard with Se-hee, both of them laughing about something, Se-hee's hands waving dramatically as she spoke. The sight shouldn't have meant anything. Yet, somehow, it did.
"Something on your mind, Mr. Lee?" Mr. Philip asked, following his gaze with a knowing smile.
Joon-hyuk blinked, his mask sliding neatly back into place. "Just admiring the view."
---
Outside, Se-hee was tugging Hye-rin toward the resort café.
"Come on, you can't just stay cooped up. You're engaged to a billionaire — act like it for once!"
Hye-rin laughed, trying to hush her friend. "Stop saying it like that. People will stare."
"Let them," Se-hee said with a grin. "You should get used to being admired."
They stepped into a small café nearby, the scent of roasted coffee and honey bread wrapping around them like comfort. And just as Hye-rin was about to sit—
"Miss Kang?"
She turned. Standing there, looking effortlessly relaxed in a gray suit, was Choi Min-jae.
Her breath caught. "Mr. Choi… you're here too?"
He smiled faintly. "Business never sleeps. But seeing you here—that's a surprise I don't mind."
Upstairs, from the lounge window, a pair of dark eyes lingered far too long on the same scene.