The fireworks burst like blooming flowers as the clock struck midnight. The sound echoed across the night sky, interrupting the moment between Ingrid Mikage and Bae Sik Gong, who were just inches away from sharing a kiss.
Ingrid blinked, her gaze drawn upward as vibrant colors painted the darkness above them.
"Fireworks... I haven't seen them in a while," she murmured softly, her voice almost lost beneath the crackling sounds.
Bae Sik Gong leaned in closer, his eyes fixed on hers. "Let's keep going," he whispered, his breath warm against her skin.
But Ingrid gently placed her index finger on his lips, stopping him. The touch was soft, yet firm.
She took a step back, her expression thoughtful as she turned her head toward the glowing sky.
"No... I was thinking about this all wrong," she said quietly, her tone filled with realization.
The fireworks reflected in her eyes—bursts of red, gold, and violet shimmering like fleeting dreams.
A soft breeze brushed through her hair, carrying the faint scent of smoke and the hum of celebration in the distance.
"Let's be like those fireworks," she continued, her voice steady now, "and go off with a boom."
She stepped forward, closing the space between them, and placed a tender kiss on Bae Sik Gong's forehead.
Her hand lingered against his cheek for a moment before she drew back with a faint smile.
"This is it for today," she said, turning away slowly, her figure illuminated by the fading glow of the last firework.
Beside her, Bae Sik Gong watched silently as the sky dimmed back to darkness—only the memory of color and her warmth left lingering in the cool midnight air.
At the same time, back in Rae Yoorin's apartment, she blurted out suddenly,
"I like you, Shan."
The words escaped before she could stop them. Her eyes widened.
Crud! I told him I like him!
She thought frantically, her heart still racing from their intense moment together. Trying to cover her embarrassment, she spoke again, her tone shaky.
"Say... what I said just now."
Shan blinked, looking at her with mild confusion. "Hmm? About what?"
Rae Yoorin stared at him, thinking he hadn't heard her properly.
"You! You didn't hear what I said?!" she scoffed, half frustrated and half relieved.
Shan rubbed the back of his neck, a teasing smile forming. "No, I didn't. I couldn't hear anything because of the fireworks outside."
Rae Yoorin's face flushed bright red. She threw a pillow at him and muttered,
"Stupid!"
"Eh?" Shan tilted his head, grinning.
Moments later, they sat side by side on the couch, each holding a can of beer.
The television light flickered faintly against their faces as the sound of fireworks rumbled through the window.
Rae Yoorin glanced outside, her eyes reflecting the colorful bursts.
"Do you know how much it costs to do this kind of show?" she asked, taking a sip.
Shan leaned back, relaxed. "Probably a hundred thousand or so."
"Hmph! If they've got that much money, they should just give it to me."
Shan turned to her with a smirk. "Most girls would say it's pretty. You know—normal girls."
Rae Yoorin arched a brow. "Normal girls, huh? Girls with no worries?"
For a moment, neither spoke. The light from the fireworks painted their faces in shifting colors—red, gold, and silver.
Rae Yoorin's smile faded slightly as her mind wandered.
She remembered how she had stolen Shan Wolf's phone and handed it to Gong Jun San, the Vice President's assistant at Won Group.
"Ah! Hey, did you report your missing phone yet?" she asked quickly, trying to sound casual.
"Nope," Shan replied, taking another sip.
"Asshole, you better make a report," she said, trying to hide her nervousness behind a playful tone.
Shan gave her a curious look. "What's with you? Why are you so worried about my phone?"
Rae Yoorin forced a small laugh, brushing her hair behind her ear. "Well... because some of my old photos are probably in there."
Shan chuckled, leaning closer. "Ehehe, relax. I'm not that stupid."
Rae Yoorin turned away, pretending to be annoyed, but her heart skipped a beat when he laughed again—loud and carefree—just as another firework bloomed outside their window.
Later, in a private gym owned by Jen Heo Won, Gong Jun San walked in and immediately heard faint moans echoing from the training room.
He paused, then knocked on the door before opening it.
"Ah, you're here. Come in," said Jen Heo Won, dressed in tight, revealing gym wear.
She was in the middle of a workout that closely resembled horseback riding, her body moving in steady rhythm as sweat glistened on her skin.
"Ah, you brought Shan Wolf's phone. Finally," she said, catching her breath between movements. "Rae Yoorin really likes to take her sweet time."
She finished a few more reps before stopping, grabbing a towel to wipe the sweat from her neck.
"What are you looking at?" she teased with a faint smirk. "It's part of my weekly routine, Jun San."
"Sorry, ma'am," Gong Jun San replied, bowing slightly.
"Meh, it's just you. Nothing much," Jen said dismissively, tossing the towel aside.
Without hesitation, she peeled off her workout clothes one by one and walked toward the indoor onsen behind a glass wall.
Steam rolled out as she slipped into the hot water with a soft sigh of relief.
"All this trouble for Shan Wolf's handphone," she murmured, resting her arms along the edge of the pool.
"Get a good hacker for this. We're about to turn the tables on those two— and on Eva Kim, my dearest stepsister— for good."
Her lips curved into a cold, knowing smile. By those two, she meant Shan Wolf and Ingrid Mikage.
As Jen Heo Won sank deeper into the water, the rising steam cloaked her like a queen in her lair.
Her eyes glimmered with quiet satisfaction— the look of someone who knew she was about to change the game.
She was, in her own way, the villain who enjoyed every step of her victory.
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Chapter 55 — End.