Dan reached her building. She opened the door and stepped outside. Before going in, she paused for a moment, inhaling deeply and exhaling softly, as if grounding herself for what lay ahead.
As Dan stepped into the living room, the familiar scent of polished wood and her mother's faint perfume wrapped around her. Her parents were already there, seated with quiet expectation. Her mother's eyes lit up the moment they met hers.
"I thought you'd be late," her mother said, though the corners of her mouth betrayed amusement more than irritation.
"You told me to be early," Dan replied, her voice careful, practiced. She forced a small smile, but her mind was already elsewhere, circling the weight of the evening ahead.
"Dan, get ready. They'll be here any minute," her father added, his voice calm but firm, carrying that unmistakable tone that made hesitation impossible.
Dan nodded, the motion almost automatic. She could feel the tension in her chest—a mixture of anticipation, duty, and something else she didn't want to name. Her fingers flexed slightly at her sides, and she inhaled slowly, steadying herself.
Her mother rose, moving toward the kitchen, leaving Dan and her father alone for a brief moment. "Remember, tonight isn't just a dinner," he said softly, almost a whisper. "It's a meeting of families. Be yourself… but be careful."
"Okay, Dad," she murmured, her voice steady despite the storm in her chest.
Dan quietly slipped upstairs to her room, the soft click of her heels against the polished floor barely audible. Once inside, she moved to freshen up, letting the cool water wash away the lingering traces of the day. Her reflection in the mirror stared back at her, calm yet alert, as she prepared for the evening ahead.
She chose a black silk dress that fell gracefully to her knees, sleeveless and elegant, accentuating her figure without being flashy. Her hair cascaded freely over her shoulders, soft waves catching the light with each movement. A swipe of red lipstick added a bold contrast, perfectly complementing the sophistication of her ensemble, while a pair of delicate pearl earrings completed the look, subtle yet timeless.
Meanwhile, in the living room, her parents exchanged a quiet glance, the weight of unspoken thoughts lingering in the air.
"She'll be hurt if she ever finds out," her mother murmured, her voice low, almost trembling with concern.
Her father reached out, placing a reassuring hand over hers. "Don't worry. I've already spoken to the Hwangs. They won't let Dan find out," he said firmly, the calm in his voice meant to soothe both her mother—and perhaps himself.
A brief silence followed, filled only by the soft ticking of the wall clock, each second reminding them of the delicate balance they were trying to maintain.
The servant bowed slightly as he stepped forward.
"Chairman, Mr. Hwang and his family are here."
"Alright," Dan's father replied calmly. "Please show them in."
The servant nodded and left.
A brief silence followed. Dan's mother smoothed the front of her elegant, modern silk dress, adjusting it unconsciously as if to steady her nerves. Her posture was poised, refined—every bit the image of a woman accustomed to high-society gatherings. Dan's father straightened his suit jacket, his expression composed, though a trace of gravity lingered in his eyes.
Footsteps echoed from the corridor, measured and polite. Low voices followed—formal, restrained, unmistakably practiced. The air in the living room shifted, anticipation settling heavily as the Hwang family approached.
Moments later, they arrived.
Mr. Hwang stepped into the living room first, followed by his wife and their son. The atmosphere shifted instantly—formal, composed, deliberate.
Mr. Hwang and Mr. Seo exchanged respectful bows, their movements practiced and dignified. "It's been a while," Mr. Hwang said warmly.
"Welcome," Mr. Seo replied, returning the gesture.
Mrs. Hwang and Mrs. Seo followed suit, greeting each other with gentle smiles and polite bows, the kind reserved for families of equal standing. Jihoon bowed as well, his expression calm and courteous, embodying the refinement expected of him.
As they settled in, Mr. Seo's gaze flickered briefly toward the entrance, as if expecting someone else to appear. A slight crease formed between his brows.
"Where is your elder son?" he asked casually, though the question carried quiet weight.
Mr. Hwang smiled, unbothered. "He'll be a little late. You know how it is—he's been busy," he said. "Ever since he became the president of Hwang E-Commerce, his schedule has been relentless these days."
Mr. Seo nodded slowly, understanding settling in.
Mrs. Seo stepped forward with a composed smile, gesturing toward the seating area.
"Please, have a seat," she said warmly. "We've prepared everything."
The families moved toward the living room sofas, settling into their places with practiced ease. Tea was served soon after, the porcelain cups placed carefully on the table by the servants. The faint aroma of brewed tea filled the room, adding a sense of calm to the otherwise delicate atmosphere.
Polite conversation followed—light exchanges about health, travel, and business—each word chosen carefully, as was customary in such meetings. Laughter surfaced occasionally, soft and restrained, but beneath it lay the unspoken purpose of the gathering.
Mrs. Seo glanced briefly toward the staircase, then back at their guests. "Dan will be joining us shortly," she said. "She was just getting ready."
Mr. Hwang nodded, his expression approving. "Of course. There's no rush."
Mr. Seo turned his attention toward Jihoon, his expression courteous yet observant.
"So, Jihoon," he began, lifting his teacup slightly, "how is Hwang Electronics doing these days?"
Jihoon straightened subtly, setting his cup down before answering. "It's doing well, sir," he replied calmly. "We've recently expanded into new international markets, and the response has been positive. We're focusing a lot on innovation and long-term stability."
Mr. Seo nodded, clearly pleased. "That's good to hear. Growth with stability is important—especially in times like these."
"Yes, sir," Jihoon said with a respectful bow of his head.
Mr. Hwang exchanged a brief glance with his wife, a faint smile appearing on his face. Jihoon's composed response reflected exactly what they had raised him to be.
The conversation flowed on smoothly, yet beneath the surface, anticipation quietly built—because the most important introduction of the evening had yet to happen.