Sighing, Marco said, "Tiffany wasn't lying. She and Yeri used to be classmates. Maybe she really did latch onto a powerful benefactor."
"No matter what, she's nothing without that benefactor," Tiffany spat. Then, schemingly: "Young Master Lin, doesn't your brother have ties with Young Master Jie? Why don't we ask him for help? Teach that Yeri bitch a lesson. Are you really going to let her off after she slapped you? Even if she's backed by someone powerful, I doubt he's stronger than Young Master Jie."
Young Master Lin's jaw tightened. It was the first time a woman had ever raised her hand to him and it burned.
One of the men with two escorts sneered, "No matter how alluring a woman is, she's still just another toy. When it comes to business interests, I doubt her backer will offend Young Master Jie just to protect her."
Their conversation oozed with vindictive glee.
---
Meanwhile, Yeri returned to their private room, only to be lightly scolded by her mother for taking too long.
Yeri smiled sheepishly. "I got lost."
Master Keir chuckled good-naturedly while chatting with the Zhi couple.
"This establishment is rather large," he said. "So many hallways, it's easy to lose your way. I should apologize instead. My son was delayed on the road."
Yeri tilted her head. Shin Keir? Delayed?
Did he change his mind about the engagement?
She finally checked her phone and saw several messages from him.
[Did you get there safely?]
[Everything okay?]
[Flat tire. Will be there soon.]
She could already picture his dark, grumpy expression and couldn't help but smile.
"Is the food to your liking?" Mother Zhi asked, mistaking her expression for satisfaction.
Yeri coughed lightly and nodded. "Yeah. It's delicious."
"My daughter is a bit willful and spoiled," Father Zhi added with a chuckle. "We're surprised Shin indulged her so easily especially after their first meeting at her birthday banquet."
Yeri nearly dropped her spoon. "Dad, what do you mean?"
Master Keir laughed softly. "My son may seem distant, but when he likes someone, he's very indulgent."
Though he noticed the small inconsistency, it seemed Master Zhi thought the two first met at her birthday, but Shin had clearly met Yeri earlier. He remembered Butler Hong had reported it himself, and it was for that reason he moved to stay at Shin's villa.
Still, Master Keir, wisely, didn't expose them.
---
Outside, Shin Keir finally arrived.
Rows of men in black lined up at the entrance, heads bowed in silent greeting.
Secretary Yun was sweating bullets as he parked the car. Of all days to get a flat tire this was the worst. The backup vehicle had been delayed, and his boss's face was so dark it could frighten thunder back into the sky.
Rig, who had escorted Yeri earlier, hurriedly opened the door.
"Boss, Miss Zhi arrived safely as instructed, forty-five minutes ago."
Shin gave a short nod. "Hmm."
"Master Keir and the young lady's parents are already here as well," Rig added quickly.
Meril, standing nearby, said nothing but sweat traced the back of his neck.
As always, Shin's arrival caused a quiet stir. Many of the guests who had heard rumors of his attendance peeked out of their rooms, hoping to greet him.
But Shin had no time for anyone. He was there for one reason only.
Coincidentally, Young Master Lin was among those watching from afar.
In the upper class, building ties with the mafia was almost expected: for power, for protection, for access. The Lin family had entrusted him to approach Hexion, hoping to form a connection.
Yet, no matter how often he came, he had never gotten close to Shin Keir.
This time was no different. Dozens of Hexion members flanked Shin's path, preventing anyone from approaching. Young Master Lin could only watch in frustration as the infamous man walked by, radiating effortless authority.
"Was that Shin Keir?" one of the escort girls whispered.
"I think he's overrated," Tiffany muttered, clutching Marco's arm possessively. "Brother Marco looks better than him."
She didn't notice the derisive smirks around her.
Marco barely heard her. His gaze was locked on Shin, impressed, intimidated, and burning with envy.
To have the world in your hands… to make people move with just a glance. He wanted that.
He had once tried to join Hexion, but their recruitment was like an enigma, unpredictable and silent. Everyone gave him different answers, as if the organization itself were testing those who dared to knock.
It was as if one had to solve a riddle just to find the door.
---
Shin entered the room, a faint trace of sweat on his forehead.
Master Keir frowned, his voice carrying mild reprimand. "You're finally here. How could you be so late at such an important time?"
Shin didn't argue. He quietly took his seat across from Yeri before speaking. "I apologize. We had an unexpected delay on the road."
"It's alright. Some situations are unpredictable," Madam Zhi said with a kind smile, waving it off.
The waiter began serving the food already ordered. Yeri focused on her plate, more than happy to avoid the center of attention.
"We've already discussed the engagement banquet," Master Keir began, tone formal. "It will be held five months from now, after Yeri graduates. What do you think?"
Upon hearing five months, Shin frowned. "Why so long? We can hold the engagement banquet next week and the wedding once she graduates."
The room fell into stunned silence. Even Yeri looked up, completely appalled.
Does he think engagement banquets are some weekend trip to the amusement park?
Master Zhi cleared his throat. "A week is impossible. Yeri needs to focus on her studies, especially after missing over a week of classes. Unless…" He paused thoughtfully. "We keep the engagement small and private between the two families."
Yeri nodded quickly, about to agree when both father and son simultaneously said, "Impossible."
Yeri blinked. What kind of synchronized drama is this?
Master Keir sighed, turning to his son. "An engagement banquet requires meticulous preparation. You can't just rush it, Shin. What are you in such a hurry for? As a Keir, do you want to cheapen your own engagement? That would insult not only our family but Yeri as well."
Yeri: "…"
Honestly, she didn't mind. The quieter, the better. Less media, less stress.
Shin cleared his throat awkwardly. Of course, he didn't know these things took time. He had simply assumed that with enough money, he could expedite everything. He just wanted to marry her as soon as possible.
"I didn't mean it like that," he said finally, glancing at Yeri with a hint of guilt. "You can handle the arrangements however you want. Of course, I'll help you."
Yeri blinked. Help me? She's the last person he should rely on for that. She barely know what napkin fold means, let alone engagement planning.
Madam Zhi smiled knowingly, patting her daughter's hand. "Don't worry about it, dear. There will be engagement planners to guide you both."
After more discussion and with Shin's persistent insistence, the final agreement landed on three months instead of five.
Under the table, Yeri lightly kicked him, annoyed. It's not like she was trying to escape him, but could he at least pretend to wait for her graduation?
Shin smirked slightly, not at all remorseful. Without an official engagement, her parents would never allow them to live together and knowing Yeri, she'd refuse outright. But once things were official… well, what argument could she make then?
"By the way, Klaus," Master Keir said casually, "if you have the time, let's play golf at Sin Mille."
Yeri's eyes widened. She knew her father had always dreamed of playing there, but they lacked connections and the membership fees were astronomical something their family couldn't afford.
"Dad loves golf!" she piped up before thinking. "He's always wanted to join the Sin Mille Golf Club."
"Yeri," Master Zhi said in mild embarrassment, giving her a gentle warning look.
"Then consider it done," Shin said easily. "Father-in-law can go there anytime he wants." He turned to Yeri, his tone softening. "You should've told me about this sooner."
Master Zhi opened his mouth to politely refuse not wanting the Keirs to think they were already taking advantage but Master Keir beat him to it.
"Klaus, don't refuse," he said with a grin. "Otherwise, I'll feel guilty that my shameless son is sinking his claws into your innocent daughter."
Shin: "…" Is this old man implying about his age gap with Yeri?
The human Yeri might be younger than him, but as a succubus, she was several millennia his senior. If only they knew who the real ancient monster at the table was.
Yeri coughed, struggling not to laugh.
After both sides came to an agreement regarding the engagement banquet, the conversation drifted to lighter topics.
Shin casually mentioned the club area of the establishment, and Master Keir suggested that the Zhi couple check it out.
After all, they rarely had time for leisure, especially Master Zhi, who was often buried in company matters.
Master Zhi was about to refuse, but his wife insisted and even Yeri joined in. Both mother and daughter knew he seldom relaxed, so they nudged him to go.
Sighing in defeat, he eventually left with his wife and Master Keir.
Yeri chuckled, amused. From her observation, both her father and Master Keir had similarly rigid personalities, but her mother though rarely attending social banquets, had a natural talent for keeping conversations light and unawkward.
With only the two of them left in the private room, Yeri returned her attention to the food, deliberately ignoring Shin.
"I see you like the food. I wasn't wrong in choosing this place," Shin commented casually.
Yeri paused, eyeing him. "You own this place?"
"Hm. One of Hexion's businesses," Shin replied briefly.
Yeri tilted her head, curiosity flickering. "Does Hexion have a lot of… illegal dens and shady businesses?" Then she waved it off before he could answer.
"Never mind. I don't really care about that. I can overlook it since it involves me, but I don't want my parents coming here again."
Shin frowned slightly. "All of Hexion's operations are legal. We're not like those underground syndicates. Besides," he added, his tone softening, "in this establishment, I can ensure your family's safety."
Yeri rolled her eyes, remembering how the attendant earlier had practically tried to hand her over to Tiffany's group. She let out a sneer.
"It seems your idea of 'safety' is very different from your people's," she said pointedly.
Shin blinked, puzzled, about to ask what she meant when a knock sounded at the door.
An attendant stepped in and whispered something into Shin's ear.