The ballroom shimmered beneath chandeliers shaped like frozen constellations, each crystal catching the golden light as if the stars themselves had agreed to attend. Soft jazz curled through the air, blending with the low hum of elite conversations. Silver trays glided between clusters of people, carrying glasses that glowed like liquid amber.
This was not just a party. It was an arena of the world's sharpest minds, the top one percent gathered in one place, American tycoons in tailored navy, Korean powerhouses with diamond confidence, high-ranking heirs with their parents' ambition stitched into their suits. Every group radiates influence the way fireplaces radiate heat.
All of it hosted by Alex Harries, America's spined-of-steel millionaire, a man who'd built empires, burned competitors, and now arrived in Korea looking for new allies to expand his kingdom.
And into this world walked Suho and Hauen.
Their entrance pulled eyes like gravity.
Suho, in a midnight suit that framed him like it had been poured over him. No trace of the fragile months he'd survived. He looked every bit the heir of Mirae: steady steps, calm presence, quiet charm. And Hauen beside him, wrapped in elegance he had personally chosen, her dress catching the light in soft ripples, her jewelry delicate but striking, her hair styled in a way that framed her glow. She looked like his masterpiece, his pride, the muse a man like him would treasure.
A soft ripple moved through the room as people noticed him. Some were surprised. Some were happy. Some were simply stunned.
"What a surprise. Look who we have here," a gentleman said, stepping forward with a smile that held both disbelief and joy.
Suho bowed politely.
A woman behind the man gasped, hand flying to her lips before she surged toward Suho and wrapped him in a gentle hug.
"Oh my god, Suho, darling… this is such a pleasant surprise," she breathed, pulling back to examine his face. "What a miracle, darling."
Suho's smile softened, warm but modest. "A miracle woven with love, trust, dedication, and a great deal of hard work."
The lady's eyes sparkled knowingly. "Oh? So all credit goes to your lady, hmm?" she teased.
His ears reddened instantly. He lowered his head, shy, and squeezed Hauen's hand.
Hauen bit back a smile. Her thumb brushed his knuckles.
"Nice to meet you, darling," the woman said as she hugged Hauen warmly.
"Nice to meet you too," Hauen replied, gentle and polite.
The woman clicked her tongue playfully. "By the way, you two are practically celebrities after that highway proposal, you know?"
Suho exhaled, almost dramatically. "Ohh.. please… not that again," he muttered, which only made the woman and nearby guests laugh.
Even Hauen couldn't hide her chuckle.
"Come," the lady said, looping her arm around Suho's, dragging the couple toward the center of the ballroom. "Let me introduce you to some important people. They should know who you are. They know your grandfather."
Suho followed her with an easy, quiet confidence, never once letting go of Hauen's hand. His fingers remained laced with hers as if the world could watch him fall apart without her touch.
They stepped deeper into the hall, toward the cluster of high-profile guests whose presence commanded the room.
And Hauen, by his side, felt Suho's subtle pride, the silent statement in the way he held her close.
The closer they moved to the center of the hall, the more the noise softened into distinct voices, measured, confident, almost melodic with years of experience. This was where the truly influential people sat, holding conversations that shaped industries without ever raising their voices.
The lady guiding them stopped in front of a small circle of five: Alex Harries, the party host, grey at the temples but sharp in the eyes, an American CEO, one lady in her mid-30s who is a Korean-American business strategist, a Korean chaebol heir, and a poised woman with elegance carved into every gesture.
They looked up as Suho approached. "Everyone," the lady announced lightly, "I brought a surprise."
A few brows rose. Then recognition dawned.
"This is Kim Suho," the woman announced with polished ease, "One of the heirs of the Kim Empire in Korea. Grandson of Chairman Kim. And currently, the head of Mirae Cosmetics, one of the leading beauty brands in the country."
Her voice carried the kind of reverence usually reserved for royalty.
"Well," one of the American men chuckled, extending his hands, "Nice to meet you, Young man."
Suho smiled. Shaking his hands, "Nice to meet you."
"Recovery suits you, Mr. Kim," the Korean business strategist commented, her tone thoughtful. "You look stronger."
Suho smiled, "I had good reasons to recover well," he said.
The lady smiled. "And this? Your wife?" she asked.
The chaebol heir's eyes drifted toward Hauen, curiosity softening into approval. "Yeah.. we heard you got married."
Suho straightened slightly, pride slipping through the calm façade. "Yes. This is Kim Hauen, my lovely wife."
Hauen bowed politely. "It's a pleasure to meet you all."
A simple line, but sincere, steady. Natural.
"Lovely to meet you," the strategist said warmly, shaking her hand.
"What a refined presence," one of the older men murmured to the lady beside him, not bothering to lower his tone. "She fits him well."
Hauen blinked, cheeks warming, but she kept her composure. Suho coughed softly, flustered but pleased.
"You two make quite the pair," the strategist added, eyes kind rather than assessing.
"Thank you," Suho said. His voice was gentle. Almost careful.
"Well, how's Mirae doing now?" the strategist asked, swirling her wine, tone calculated but casual. "I had my eye on it, honestly. But after your accident… everything shifted."
Suho's smile flickered, brief as a passing light. "Yeah," he said, leaning back slightly. "Things slowed down. Mirae stayed steady, but we're just getting back on the track again."
The strategist nodded, lips curving knowingly. "Still… the brand wasn't hit as hard as it could've been. I had considered buying some stakes. But with all that chaos, I dropped the idea. I'm guessing that opportunity isn't open anymore."
Suho understood what she was doing. He tilted his head, expression charming but unreadable. "Well… maybe the opportunity hasn't disappeared."
The woman leaned back in interest. "That already sounds promising."
Suho's smile deepened. "But what does Mirae get in return?" he asked, voice like silk over steel.
She smirked. "You sound like you're looking for something big, Mr. Kim?"
"Maybe," he answered with an easy shrug.
The strategist placed her wine glass down, eyes sharp. "That could be risky for you. After everything that happened last year, I'm not sure Mirae's current graph supports the next step you're hinting at. If not, definitely, you had some good opportunities."
Suho nodded once. "I get what you mean. But I'm back now. It won't take long before Mirae gains its pace again."
Alex Harries cut in with a small mocking scoff. "Americans prefer current results, Mr. Kim. You should prove it with numbers before jumping to any major decisions."
Suho looked at Alex, catching that thin thread of mockery woven into the man's tone. Even the strategist beside him lifted a shoulder, as if silently agreeing that Alex was pushing it.
Before Suho could respond, a soft voice slipped into the conversation.
"I think you should look into the history of the leader behind the brand rather than only the current numbers, Mr. Alex," Hauen cut in gently, offering Alex a gentle smile.
Alex turned to her with a raised brow. She didn't waver.
Hauen smiled, calm, thoughtful. "Forgive me for interrupting. I'm only trying to help you avoid missing a genuinely good opportunity."
Suho pressed his lips, already knowing his Hauenie was about to enlighten this man.
"Can you please elaborate, Mrs. Kim?" Alex asked, leaning back.
Hauen smiled and gently held Suho's hand. "Just look at Mirae's graph from the day it launched, and then its growth after my husband took over. You'll understand," she said.
Alex chuckled. "So you're telling me I should invest in your husband rather than the brand?"
"Absolutely," Hauen replied. "Brands don't build themselves. There's always a strong leader behind them. And my husband is one of them. He has proved that more than once. That's why I said you should check the history before making a decision, not just the present numbers."
Alex nodded slowly, realization dawning, still not convinced. "Fair enough. But what about incidents like… what happened with him? Leaders are going to change."
Hauen smiled, warm but unwavering. "I agree. Everyone faces trials. That's how things work, right? Even you'll eventually step down from your empire someday. The question is how someone handles what tries to break them. It's the same with my husband. Yes, he went through something terrible," she said softly, yet firm, "But look at him now. He fought through it and came back stronger. That shows discipline, determination, ambition… everything a good leader needs. That's the kind of leadership worth investing in."
She said it gently, but every word landed with the weight of calm truth. Even Alex felt it settle in, his expression shifting from doubt to consideration.
"Well… that seems logical," he admitted.
Hauen smiled, warm and confident. "So… how about taking a chance with Mirae?"
"I'll definitely look into it, Mrs. Kim," Alex said, smiling.
The strategist beside him smiled, clearly impressed. Even the Korean chaebols were watching her with new interest.
The strategist wiggled her eyebrows at Suho in playful acknowledgment.
Suho only shrugged, a small victorious curl at the corner of his lips, the look of a man quietly bursting with pride in his wife.
And the conversation flowed easily. They asked Suho about his health and work. He answered simply, confidently, without trying to prove anything.
Alex ended up having a surprisingly good conversation with both Hauen and Suho. The more he spoke with them, the more he realized how much he liked this couple. There was something about the way they stood together, the way one finished what the other started, the quiet but unmistakable loyalty pulsing between them.
People around them could sense it too. It felt like a fortress built out of trust and understanding, a wall so solid that no one else could slip through it. Only the two of them existed within that space, holding it, holding each other.
And Alex found himself respecting that far more than he expected. And as Haraboji trusted them, they happened to make some really good connections in that ball.
Later, they were sitting near the bar counter, sipping light drinks, and Suho's gaze hadn't left her even for a breath. He was smiling like a love–drunk fool, eyes wrapped around her like she was the only warm light in the room.
"Stop staring, Teddy," she murmured, raising her glass.
Suho's smile deepened. "I can't. My Hauenie just stole my heart again. You keep making me fall for you like it's the first time."
She narrowed her eyes playfully. "Are you drunk, Teddy?"
He leaned closer, voice low and intoxicating. "Absolutely. On my beautiful and brilliant wife."
The comment tugged a smile out of her, and before she could respond, he stole a quick peck from her lips, utterly unbothered by the people milling around them.
"Behave, husband… this is not our penthouse," she whispered, a soft laugh slipping out.
He rested his elbow against the bar, still watching her. "I liked the way you spoke to Mr. Alex," he said. "You never fail to save me."
She looked at him, warmth softening her expression. "Even if I didn't speak, you still would've convinced him. I know my husband."
He chuckled, eyes crinkling. "Maybe. But I still like it when you speak."
She shook her head, amused, just as he leaned in to kiss her cheek again, making her smile despite herself.
"Okay, fine. Stay here, Teddy. I need to use the washroom," she said, standing up.
"Come fast. I can't live without my Hauenie," he said dramatically.
She laughed, walking away, and he watched her disappear into the crowd, still grinning like a man who had everything he ever wanted.
But then a slurred voice tore into the moment, slicing the warm air around him.
"You seem really happy with your contract wife, baby..."
Suho froze. He knew that voice. The past slammed into him like a cold wave, shattering the happiness that had wrapped around his chest only seconds ago.