The Han family mansion was lit like a palace that evening.
Crystal chandeliers bathed the grand hall in gold. Classical music drifted softly through the air, mixing with laughter, clinking glasses, and shallow conversation. The celebration was Han group's 40th anniversary.
But Soo Ah wasn't listening.
She stood at the edge of the crowd, her posture straight, hands folded, face unreadable. A porcelain doll no one remembered owning.
People noticed her, but only in whispers.
> "That's the mute one, isn't it?"
"Still so strange. Beautiful, but eerie."
She didn't flinch. She was used to being looked at like a painting-something pretty but untouchable.
Her sister, in a scarlet gown, glowed in the center of it all-laughing, hugging relatives, charming guests like a queen. Their father beamed beside her, pride in every smile he gave her, in every introduction.
The moment Kang Ji ho Father of Kang
Joon Hyuk stepped into the grand hall, everything slowed.
He wasn't announced. He didn't need to be.He is the most powerful and rich business. He is the president of Crown Group. He come with his only son Kang Joon Hyuk.
Kang Joon Hyuk, dressed in a neat blazer and jeans-simple but unmistakably confident-stood beside his father. Though younger than the typical businessman, there was a sharpness in his gaze that made people pay attention.
Han Soo Ah's father cleared his throat, stepping forward.
"Mr. Kang, thank you for coming today," he said, voice polite but measured.
Joon Hyuk nodded, his eyes scanning the gathering until they landed on the two daughters standing nearby.
"This is my Younger daughter, Han Soo Ah," the father introduced, gesturing toward the girl in white, her posture calm, silent.
"And this is my elder daughter, Han Mira" he added, smiling warmly at the girl in a bright dress who returned the smile with practiced charm.
Joon Hyuk's father smiled slightly.
"Joon Hyuk is a university student, like your daughters, so I thought it was good for them to meet."
Joon Hyuk gave a slight nod but said nothing.
The words hung in the air, but Joon Hyuk's silence spoke louder.
His eyes locked on Soo Ah, unblinking.
The garden buzzed with the hum of polite conversations and clinking glasses, but amid the grandeur, a lighter note entered the scene.
From the entrance, a young man hurried in wearing a crisp white shirt and black vest-the uniform of the waitstaff. Except, something was off.
His sleeves were rolled up messily, and his tie was crooked. He was laughing quietly to himself, eyes sparkling with mischief.
This was Lee Min Joon, the kind-hearted son of a wealthy Lee family.
He had lost a bet with his friends earlier that day and, as a dare, had to work the party disguised as a waiter.
Soo Ah noticed him immediately, mistaking him for an actual waiter as he approached with a tray of drinks.
"Excuse me, miss," Min Joon said warmly, offering a glass of sparkling water.
Soo Ah blinked in surprise, not used to such gentle attention.
Lee Min Joon balanced the tray of drinks carefully, his messy uniform drawing more attention than he liked. He was enjoying the challenge-until the sharp voice cut through the air.
"You! Waiter!"
The party organizer, stern and quick-tempered, marched straight toward him.
"What is this? Your shirt's wrinkled, your tie's off-you think this is acceptable for a Han family event?"
Min Joon raised a hand, trying to keep his cool. "Ma'am, I can expl-"
"I don't want an explanation. Get off the floor right now before you embarrass us all."
Then-quiet footsteps.
Han Soo Ah stepped forward, calm and still like a shadow in the chaos. Without a word, she took out her phone and typed something quickly, then held the screen up to the woman:
> "Maybe he's new. That doesn't mean you should humiliate him in front of guests."
The organizer blinked, startled by the quiet defiance.
"He's clearly not trained-"
Soo Ah typed again, slower this time.
> "Kindness is more important than training."
Her eyes held steady, unblinking. The woman faltered, thrown off by the unexpected confrontation-from the mute daughter, of all people.
After a tense pause, the organizer gave a curt nod and stepped away.
Min Joon stared, wide-eyed. "You... saved me."
Soo Ah looked at him, unsure what to say-or type. She simply gave a tiny nod and turned to leave.
Soo Ah turned, slipping her phone into her pocket.
But the second she did, her breath caught.
He was standing there.
Kang Joon Hyuk.
Tall, silent, watching her like he'd been there the whole time.
He stood just a few feet away-hands in his pockets, eyes dark and unreadable. She hadn't heard him approach. No footsteps. No presence.
Just... him.
His gaze wasn't confused or curious.
Then Soo Ah's father called her.They both went to the party.
The garden lights dimmed. The laughter, music, and glitter of the night faded like smoke in the wind.
Guests had begun to leave. Servers cleared empty glasses. The flowers in Han Mira's hair had wilted slightly from the heat.
It was over.
Han Soo Ah stood quietly near the gate, waiting for her father to finish saying goodbye to their guests.
Nearby, Kang Min Jae, Joon Hyuk's father, shook hands with Soo Ah's father.
> "Thank you for the evening," he said warmly. "We'll stay in touch."
> "Of course. It was an honor to have you both."
Joon Hyuk stood just behind his father, hands in his pockets, eyes lingering on Soo Ah-but saying nothing.
Then, just like that, the two men walked toward their car-but Joon Hyuk didn't follow.
Soo Ah didn't notice until she turned.
And there he was-again.
Alone with her.
His face unreadable. His steps slow.
She took a half-step back, unsure, but didn't flee.
The garden was silent now. No one was watching.
He came closer. So close she could hear his breath.
Still, he said nothing.
Then, slowly-he reached out, cupped her face, and kissed her .
His fingers trembled slightly on her skin, but his lips were sure.
It wasn't sweet.
It wasn't cruel.
It was dangerous.
When he pulled away, Soo Ah stood frozen. Her heart pounded so loudly it hurt.
She looked up at him, hoping-fearing-he might say something.
But he didn't.
He just turned around... and walked away.
Not a single word.
Just silence.
Leaving her with a taste of him on her lips, a storm in her chest, and a question she couldn't ask.