"Power wears many faces. Some wear it like armor. Others, like perfume."
𧿠Back to the Empire
The following morning, the city resumed its endless hum â a rhythm that had long matched the beat of Claire Han Mira's heels on her marble office floor.
She stepped into HanCore's towering headquarters like a returning queen, her black coat fluttering behind her like a cape. Her signature matte lipstick â a red reserved only for women who bled elegance â cut through the pale morning like a statement. Sleek, all-black attire clung to her like a second skin, modest but sharp, modern yet timeless. With not a single hair out of place, she was the embodiment of pristine intimidation.
The whispers trailed behind her like perfume.
"She's back."
"She disappeared for a day. Wonder where she went."
"Probably flew out to Paris and came back in time to fire someone."
She didn't even blink.
Pushing open the double doors of her top-floor office, Claire threw her bag onto the desk and turned toward the floor-to-ceiling window. The Seoul skyline sprawled out before her â a kingdom she had clawed her way into.
A knock interrupted her thoughts.
"Come in."
A middle-aged man in a brown blazer peeked in. "Director Yoo from logistics."
Claire raised a brow. "You look nervous, Director Yoo. If this is about the merger files, I already reviewed them."
"N-No, CEO Han," he stammered. "It's about the supplier change. We⊠we might be facing a breach."
Claire leaned forward slowly, her tone velvet laced with blade. "Did I approve a breach?"
He swallowed. "No, ma'am."
"Then fix it," she said smoothly, tilting her head slightly. "Before I have to replace a director I actually liked."
"Yes, ma'am."
"Dismissed."
He bowed so fast he almost tripped over his own feet on the way out.
Moments later, Jisoo peeked her head in with a worried look, holding an iPad.
"The board meeting is in twenty minutes."
Claire waved her off. "I'll be down in ten. Cancel my noon shoot with Elite. Shift it to next week."
"Got it." Jisoo gave her a quick glance. "You okay?"
Claire gave a smirk. "More than okay. Just ready to destroy someone's ego."
đč Boardroom Warfare
By the time she entered the glass conference room, the members were already seated â and so was the CEO of Shin Group, Jaden Shin.
Young, lean, and dressed like he woke up in a Tom Ford catalog, Jaden rose with a flirtatious smirk. "CEO Han. A vision as always. I was starting to think you ghosted me."
Claire gave him a cold once-over. "And I thought you'd bring something more useful than charm to a business meeting."
He grinned. "Touché. Though if it helps, I came bearing good news."
"Unless that news is a 20% investment increase, I'm not impressed."
Jaden leaned back in his seat. "Feisty. I like it."
Claire's eyes narrowed. "Do you flirt with every CEO you meet?"
"Only the dangerous ones."
She leaned forward, her voice low and deadly. "Then be careful, Mr. Shin. Because some fires aren't worth lighting."
The room went quiet.
Jisoo, standing in the corner, blinked rapidly.
Jaden chuckled to break the tension. "Understood. Business, then."
Claire smiled coolly. "Finally."
â Meanwhile at CafĂ© Mirah
The soft jazz hum filled the air as the siblings worked the floor of their newly opened café, "Café Mirah." Leo wore a plain grey shirt, sleeves rolled up, hair slightly disheveled. Jiwon stood by the counter with her apron on, counting receipts.
That's when the shrill voice of a woman pierced the air.
"This coffee is disgusting! Do you call this artisanal?"
The lady, dressed in flashy designer labels head-to-toe, slammed the cup on the counter. Its contents splashed across the table â and onto Leo's arm.
Leo flinched, pulling his arm back instinctively, burning heat searing his skin.
"Hey!" Jiwon was already storming over. "What the hell is your problem?"
The woman scoffed. "You peasants think you can run a café? Laughable."
Jiwon's eyes flared. "Right, because wearing overpriced sunglasses gives you a palate?"
"Excuse meâ?"
"Shut it," Jiwon snapped. "You just poured scalding liquid on my brother. He's not some servant. He's the co-owner."
The woman raised her chin. "I'll sue this entire place."
Jiwon crossed her arms. "Do it. I'll counter-sue for assault. And trust me â I'll enjoy it."
The woman looked stunned.
Leo, meanwhile, wiped his arm with a towel, wincing. "Jiwon, don'tâ"
"No," she said, grabbing the first-aid kit. "Let me."
She dabbed ointment onto his burn gently.
"You didn't have to yell," he muttered.
"She touched you," Jiwon said flatly. "No one gets to hurt you while I'm around."
Leo softened, letting her care for the wound.
Across the café, murmurs floated again. This time, admiration tinged them.
đŒ Back at HanCore
Claire returned to her office after the board meeting, her mind racing. Jaden had been more annoying than useful, but there was something else⊠a strange flutter behind his words. A hint of intentional provocation.
She needed answers â and more importantly, a new strategy.
Her phone buzzed.
Unknown Number: "Your mother's condition isn't what they told you."
Her heart stilled.
She narrowed her eyes, rereading the message. And then her phone rang.
The hospital.
She picked up. "Yes?"
"Ms. Han⊠I think you should come. Something has⊠changed."