At his father's call, Min Jun appeared in the drawing room. Hearing his father's sharp voice, he knew the discussion had reached a serious stage. But upon entering, Min Jun's gaze fell directly on Alia. He was momentarily stunned by Alia's exquisite nobility and personality, but he composed himself and looked at his father.
Min Jun: (Turning to his father) "Father, why did you call me? Why was my presence suddenly needed in the middle of the discussion?"
Min Jun's father, with a subtle smile looking at Viktor and Alia, placed a hand on Min Jun's shoulder.
Min Jun's father: "The reason I called you is that Viktor and his family are somewhat skeptical of our hospitality. Have you explained the significance of the Dragon Family's 'Union Ring' that you put on Elena's finger? I want you to admit before everyone how prepared you are to protect the honor of this ring."
Min Jun stole a glance at Alia, whose eyes clearly showed anxiety for her daughter and a sense of hatred for Min Jun. Min Jun then looked directly into Viktor's eyes and answered.
Min Jun: "What I have done is according to the rules of the Dragon Family. Elena is mine now. And I have the power to protect the honor of this relationship."
Viktor's jaw tightened. Inside the room, a strange psychological war was unfolding among the four people where on one side was the pride of power, and on the other, the game of beauty and forbidden attraction. Alia's discomfort was growing as she realized that both this father and son could become a major threat to their family. Viktor's patience finally snapped. Hearing Min Jun's arrogance, he stood up abruptly from the sofa, a murderous nobility flashing in his eyes.
Viktor: (Exploding in rage) "What did you say? Just because you saved my daughter once, did you think you could do whatever you want? Who gave you the audacity to play with Petrov blood? That ring doesn't give you the right to rule over my daughter without my permission!"
The atmosphere in the room turned volatile instantly. Right then, Min Jun's father stepped in, pretending to calm the situation with a mysterious smile. He looked at his son and then turned back to Viktor.
Min Jun's father: "Calm down, Viktor. There's no point in being angry with him. He's been stubborn like this since childhood. Actually, ever since his mother passed away, he has completely changed. This hardness in his character was built from that time."
He paused and took a deep breath, as if revealing a profound truth.
Min Jun's father: "I have a second wife in the house, but Min Jun doesn't care about her at all. He cannot tolerate her orders or even her presence. He only follows his own rules. His behavior toward Elena probably stems from that loneliness and stubbornness. However, I promise you, this contract will be honorable for both our families."
Alia stood aside, listening in surprise. She realized that behind Min Jun's cruel behavior lay a deep family wound. The death of his mother and the distance from his stepmother had perhaps made him more reckless and power-hungry.
But Viktor was not one to back down. He pointed a warning finger at Min Jun.
Viktor: "Don't try to justify ruining my daughter's present with the stories of your past. Even if there is no mother, I am here. Remember, I will take the account of every single drop of Elena's tears with your blood if you cross your limits." Alia's heart pounded against her ribs as she felt the cold tiles of the wall against her back. The irony was suffocating—standing here, held captive by the same man who had marked her daughter.
As they stood there, the reflection in the mirror told a startling story. Because Alia had become a mother at such a young age and possessed the timeless grace of the Petrov lineage, she and Min Jun appeared almost the same age. In the dim light of the washroom, they didn't look like an older woman and a young man; they looked like two contemporaries caught in a dangerous, forbidden tension.
Min Jun's grip was firm, his palm covering her mouth completely, silencing her protests. He leaned in closer, his voice a dark, melodic whisper against her ear.
Min Jun: "Shh... Don't struggle, Alia. You are far too elegant to be making a scene in a place like this. My father was staring at you out there, but I noticed something he didn't. You have the eyes of a survivor, not just a Queen."
He let his gaze wander over her face, noting the defiance still burning in her eyes despite the fear.
Min Jun: "Viktor thinks he is the only one who can protect you. But here in Seoul, under the shadow of the Dragon Family, titles mean nothing. You and I... we are more alike than you think. Perhaps even closer in spirit than you are to that husband of yours."
Alia felt a shiver of pure dread. Min Jun wasn't just being cruel; he was being provocative. He was using their similar age and the physical proximity to insult her dignity and challenge Viktor's authority at the same time.
She tried to push him away, but his strength was absolute. He slowly began to move his hand from her mouth, his fingers lingering on her chin, forcing her to look directly into his dark, cold eyes.
Min Jun: "Remember this feeling, Alia. The next time you look at me across that negotiation table, remember that I am the only one who knows how fast your heart beats when you're truly afraid."
With a final, lingering look at her waist the same spot his father had admired he stepped back, a mocking smile playing on his lips, and vanished through the door as silently as he had entered, leaving Alia trembling in the silence. Alia stood there frozen, her chest heaving as she took shallow breaths, struggling to find enough air. Min Jun's sudden and audacious behavior had shaken her to the core.
Min Jun, standing in the corner, didn't turn toward her. He was simply staring at the ring on his hand—the ring that symbolized the heritage and power of the Dragon Family. A cruel and satisfied smile played on his lips. He knew he hadn't just marked Elena, but had successfully struck at the very pride of the Petrov family.
Min Jun: (Rotating the ring on his finger, whispering) "Beautiful ring, isn't it Alia? It binds people for a lifetime. I've bound your daughter with this, but for you, I have a different kind of shackle."
Alia looked in the mirror, trying to compose herself. Tears threatened to fall, but she knew that tears in the eyes of Viktor's Queen meant defeat. She could feel Min Jun's laughter and his shameless gaze.
Alia: (Clearing her throat, trying to be firm) "You are making a huge mistake, Min Jun. If Viktor finds out, there won't be a trace of the Dragon Family left in Seoul."
Min Jun glanced at Alia while laughing. There was no fear in his eyes, only a frantic sense of triumph.
Min Jun: "Viktor won't find out. Because you won't tell him. Your nobility won't allow you to speak of this humiliation. And you know, I do exactly what I say."
As he walked out of the room, he maintained that mysterious smile. Alia stood alone in the silent washroom, trembling. She felt that this Korean city was far darker and more dangerous than her familiar world in Moscow. Min Jun's laughter echoed in her ears like an ominous omen. Alia's suppressed nobility finally erupted like a volcano. Min Jun's shameless laughter and arrogant gaze had snapped the last thread of her patience. Stepping forward, she looked directly into his eyes and gave him a chilling warning in an ice-cold voice.
Alia: "Get out of my sight, Min Jun! Don't make the mistake of thinking I am weak like Elena. I can do things beyond your imagination. I am the Russian Queen who knows how to stain her hands with blood if necessary. I will create a situation that could lead to your very death!"
Even after hearing these terrifying words, there wasn't a trace of fear in Min Jun. Instead, he began to laugh with even more contempt. That laughter was toxic, making Alia feel even more insulted.
Min Jun: "Death? To a Mafia Lord like me, death is a gift, Alia. But death at your hands..."
Before he could finish his sentence, a resounding crack echoed through the room. Alia, with all her strength, delivered a hard slap across Min Jun's face. The blow was so forceful that Min Jun's head snapped to the side, and his devilish grin vanished instantly.
A pin-drop silence descended upon the washroom. The red mark of Alia's fingers was clearly visible on Min Jun's fair cheek. He slowly turned his face back. The contempt in his eyes was gone, replaced by a terrifying fire of vengeance.
Alia was panting, her hand trembling with rage. She knew that this single slap hadn't just struck Min Jun; it was a direct declaration of war against the pride of the Dragon Family.
Min Jun: (Voice now bone-chillingly calm) "You have crossed your limit, Alia. As the Queen of Moscow, you have touched a dragon on Seoul's soil today. The price for this slap will be very high."
Alia did not back down. She adjusted her shawl and stood tall with her head held high.
Alia: "I won't pay the price, Min Jun. You will. Now, get out!"
Min Jun touched the red mark on his cheek once and walked out of the room without a word. But the way he left made it clear that he would not forget this humiliation easily. As Alia returned, her entire body went numb. She saw Viktor standing perfectly still, his gaze as hard as stone. Alia realized that even if Viktor didn't know everything, he had sensed something. At that moment, with a devious smile, Min Jun began to reveal all the hidden truths under the guise of business interests.
Every word from Min Jun pierced Alia like an arrow. As Min Jun disclosed their family identity, the ground slipped from beneath Alia's feet. She discovered that her ex-boyfriend Anashia, with whom she once had a deep relationship, was none other than the eldest son of the Dragon Mafia! Anashia and his brothers were the heirs to this dark world.
Viktor didn't know this truth. Hearing that Alia's past was so deeply intertwined with the Dragon Mafia left him utterly shocked. His eyes held a mixture of surprise and suspicion.
But the most terrifying revelation was yet to come. Alia knew that Anashia had a second brother. She remembered that her eldest daughter (Elena's older sister) had been married into a mysterious family. Alia knew her eldest daughter was very happy, but she never knew that the family was actually this Dragon Mafia! In other words, Alia's eldest son-in-law was Anashia's middle brother.
Alia realized she had unknowingly handed both her daughters over to this dangerous Dragon family. While the eldest daughter was happy, Elena's future was now uncertain. And the ultimate truth was Min Jun is the youngest of the three brothers.
Viktor: (In a very low and dangerous voice) "Alia... does this mean your past and our children's future are all trapped in this Dragon's den? Did you know this beforehand?"
Alia lost the power to speak. She looked at Min Jun, who sat there like a grandmaster of a chess game, seeking revenge for the slap and his father's lustful gaze. The Petrov family of Moscow was now hopelessly entangled in the death-trap of these Seoul Dragons. Viktor's reaction took a sudden and strange turn in the stifling atmosphere of the drawing room. As a seasoned Mafia Lord, Viktor prioritized reality over emotion. He knew about Alia's past relationship with Anashia, but it didn't bother him because, in reality, Viktor and Anashia were very close friends. There was a secret respect and understanding between them.
Finishing his cigar, Viktor spoke in a calm voice, "I don't have time to dwell on the past. What happened, happened. Anashia is my friend, and now that I know we are becoming part of the same family, this enmity makes no sense. The marriage between Elena and Min Jun will happen; that is the final decision."
Min Jun's father smiled broadly at Viktor's proposal, wanting this political alliance to be even stronger. He nodded in agreement.
But at that very moment, just as the environment began to normalize, Min Jun looked at Alia and said something derogatory. The sting from that slap hadn't faded yet, and he wanted to settle the score by humiliating Alia in front of everyone.
Min Jun: (With a crooked smile, looking at Viktor) "The marriage will happen, Lord Viktor. But do you know how dangerous your wife is behind closed doors? Just a while ago, she slapped me in the washroom. Does a mother strike her daughter's future husband just for discipline, or because her own secret desires aren't being met? Perhaps your wife was trying to get a bit too personal with her ex-lover's younger brother."
A deathly silence fell over the room following Min Jun's filthy insinuation and foul words. Alia froze like stone in humiliation and rage. Min Jun had directly attacked her character, and he did it right in front of Viktor.
Viktor's eyes were no longer calm; they were now boiling with volcanic lava. Even Min Jun's father was stunned, knowing his son had finally crossed the line. Alia's patience completely snapped. She couldn't tolerate such a foul slander against her character in front of everyone. Before Min Jun could even finish, Alia lunged like a lioness and delivered another hard slap to Min Jun. The sound of the slap echoed through the entire drawing room.
Alia: (Screaming) "Liar! You are lying through your teeth! Being a son of the Dragon Family, how can you be so pathetic? Viktor, he cornered me in the washroom, covered my mouth, and tried to humiliate me. And now, to hide his own guilt, he is spinning filthy stories!"
At Alia's direct accusation, Min Jun's father could no longer remain silent. He realized his son hadn't just crossed a line but had invited war by insulting the Queen of the Petrov family. Standing up from the sofa, he forcefully slapped Min Jun.
Min Jun's father: (Roaring) "Enough! How dare you behave like this with Viktor's wife? You and Alia are the same age, but that doesn't mean you can act so insolently with her. She is our future relative, the pride of the Petrov family. You aren't just her daughter's future husband; you are like the friend of her elder brother. This audacity of yours has shamed the Dragon Family!"
Min Jun stood stunned. Being slapped by his father in front of everyone dealt a severe blow to his ego. Both sides of his face were now red and swollen—one side with Alia's handprint, the other with his father's.
Viktor then calmly rose from his chair, a murderous coldness in his eyes. Looking at Min Jun's father, he said, "If your son wasn't the brother of my friend, Seoul would have seen his blood today. The marriage discussion will continue, but Min Jun must first learn how to respect Mafia Queens."
A peak tension filled the room. Elena, watching from behind the door, trembled at the realization that the man she loved could be so cruel even toward her mother. As Viktor and Min Jun's father headed toward the library to sign some documents, the drawing room became deserted. Alia didn't want to stay there for another second; her skin crawled with disgust. She quickened her pace to leave the room.
Suddenly, like a shadow from the dark, Min Jun grabbed her from behind. Before Alia could react, his firm hands locked around her waist and arms. Alia struggled to break free, but Min Jun's strength was far superior.
Min Jun: (Whispering venomously against the nape of her neck) "That wasn't a good move, Alia. Making me get slapped in front of everyone? I'll break this pride of yours very soon."
Discarding all decency, Min Jun began making filthy and derogatory comments. He whispered crude insinuations into her ear, aiming to drag her nobility through the mud.
Min Jun: "Viktor doesn't know you, but I know how much thirst is hidden beneath this fire. Did you think I'd let you go just because you were my brother's lover? Now, you're becoming part of my assets."
Alia tried to scream, but Min Jun covered her mouth with one hand. In an act of pure depravity, he extended his tongue and licked her neck forcefully. Alia's entire body shuddered in revulsion, tears streaming down her face.
Min Jun: "Remember this taste. Elena is just the beginning; my real target is you. I will make the Queen of Moscow kneel on Seoul's soil."
Alia realized this boy wasn't just a Mafia member; he was a monster. Min Jun's distorted lust and vengeful nature had become a destructive omen for their entire family. Breaking free somehow, Alia stumbled and ran toward her room, leaving behind Min Jun's demonic laughter.