[In the world of business, you quickly realize that trust is a debt you can't afford to pay. You look across the table and see partners who are just waiting for you to blink so they can take what's yours. Even when you go home, the faces don't change. You realize that "family" is just a title, and it doesn't mean anything if there's a contract on the line. You don't take risks, and you don't make exceptions. In this life, you either protect your position, or you lose everything to the people who were supposed to love you. That is the only rule you need to remember.]
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THE HAN FAMILY MANSION stood as a brilliant white beacon against the lush greenery of the Seoul neighbourhood of Hannam-dong, its facade composed of polished limestone that seemed to catch and hold the morning sun. Unlike its jagged, modern neighbors, the house was designed with soft, neoclassical curves and wide, inviting arched windows framed in slender cream-colored steel. A low wall of ivory brick hugged the perimeter, topped with wrought-iron railings that allowed a clear view of the vibrant life within the estate.
The front garden was a sprawling expanse of emerald lawn, bordered by dense clusters of hydrangeas in shades of periwinkle and snow. At its center, a tiered marble fountain bubbled softly, sending a gentle mist over the beds of white lilies and manicured boxwood hedges. A stone path, made of sun-warmed pebbles, wound through the grass toward a grand entrance framed by corinthian inspired columns.
Vines of climbing jasmine trailed up the columns of the main entrance, scenting the air with a delicate, honeyed sweetness. The driveway was paved in light sandstone, sweeping in a graceful curve toward a dark oak door that stood flanked by oversized ceramic planters overflowing with ferns. Everything about the exterior was bright and airy, a quiet, sun-drenched estate nestled high above the city.
The sound of the swivel of the main gate paired with the crunch of gravel beneath tires signaled the arrival of a car at the grand estate. A sleek black Rolls Royce, its surface gleaming like polished obsidian, glided smoothly up the winding driveway. The soft purr of the engine grew louder, the faded into silence as the car came to a stop before the manor's imposing entrance where a small group of uniformed maids stood, heads delicately bowed and hands clasped in front of them.
As the driver's door swung open, a chauffeur appeared, impeccably attired in a crisp black uniform. With a slight bow, he opened the rear passenger door.
"Welcome home Miss Han!" The maids echoed as the person inside the car stepped out.
A young woman, radiant with beauty, stepped out onto the driveway. Dressed in a cropped cream tweed blazer with high-waisted, wide-leg black trousers, paired with a pair of diamond earrings and her jet black hair in a low ponytail down her back, she looked exceptionally classy and elegant.
In the soft, airy light of the morning, she possessed a beauty that felt both timeless and meticulously composed. Her face was a study in delicate proportions, anchored by deep mahogany brown eyes. She looked like a woman who knew her own worth, every movement commanded attention and admiration.
"..." Some maids dared a peek at this powerful looking woman.
Han Seoyoon.
The formidable first granddaughter of Chairman Han Myungsoo of the Shindong Group. She was the daughter of Chairman Han's second son who had passed away when Seoyoon was just ten years old. Her mother had followed two years later and Han Seoyoon was left alone in the poisonous den that was her greedy family.
Home?
Seoyoon couldn't help but scoff at the words. She had not considered this place a home since she was a child. It was just a prison with fancy architecture.
"Are they all here?" Seoyoon took a side glance at a maid who got startled and mumbled a hasty "Yes miss."
Nodding sharply, Seoyoon swept a glance around the mansion. It had been around eight years since she had last stepped foot in the Han family mansion. This place held a lot of memories, more bad than good, memories that came crawling back the moment she smelled the sickeningly familiar scent of roses.
If she had her own way, she wouldn't have come back here, but life had a way of throwing people into the most uncomfortable positions.
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"Han Seoyoon." A young lady with short black hair and wearing a figure hugging beige dress stepped in front of Seoyoon no sooner than she entered the foyer.
It was Seoyoon's younger cousin. Han Minyoung, the only daughter of Seoyoon's uncle, Chairman Han's first son.
"..." Not bothering to reply, Seoyoon made to walk around her but Mingyoung quickly raised a hand in front of her.
"Where do you think you're going to? Huh? You finally decide to show your face around here when grandpa is on his deathbed!" Mingyoung tsked disdainfully. "Such an unfillial granddaughter. You're probably here for an inheritance right? Well let me tell you now Seoyoon, you're not getting a dime!"
Seoyoon raised a brow at her and brushed off her hand.
"It seems you've only grown deluded over the years. What makes you think I need anything from this family?"
Han Mingyoung stilled and bit her bottom lip.
It was undeniably true. Han Seoyoon had taken up her mother's family's small shop and turned it into the world renowned Haneul Beauty, a luxury cosmetics brand.
Everyone had marvelled at how a young lady could achieve such success in such a short period of time and while the Han family had tried to capitalize on her name, Seoyoon had cut them off.
"W-Well, what are you doing here then?!" Mingyoung stuttered. "Since you're so high and mighty, why do you need to come here if not to scramble for the inheritance too?! You act all untouchable but in reality you're nothing but a beggar."
"Han Mingyoung." Seoyoon took a menacing step towards her cousin, making her falter and take a step backwards. "If you don't have anything sensible to say, you should just shut it. You're wasting oxygen."
Mingyoung's eyes went wide as Seoyoon pushed past her and went up the stairs. Whirling around, she shrieked in anger.
"Han Seoyoon!"
Ignoring the crazed shout behind her, Seoyoon made her way towards the room where everyone would be gathered in.
The chairman's bedroom.
"!"
The doors were roughly slammed open, startling the occupants inside who all turned to look at whoever dared to slam open the door of Han Myungsoo's bedroom.
"Hello family." Han Seoyoon stood at the doorway like a vengeful spirit.