The banquet hall was filled with soft music and quiet conversations.
Guests moved between tables, enjoying the elegant evening while waiters carried trays of champagne and delicate appetizers.
Kim Hana, however, was no longer paying attention to the food.
She stood beside Seo-ma, both of them watching the center of the hall.
They were waiting.
Hana’s expression was calm.
Too calm.
Seo-ma leaned slightly closer.
“Are you sure everything is ready?”
Hana didn’t look at her.
“Did you get what I asked for?”
Seo-ma smiled.
“Of course.”
“The painting?”
Seo-ma nodded.
“Delivered exactly where you wanted it.”
Hana’s lips curved into the faintest smile.
“Good.”
Seo-ma studied her friend’s expression.
“You’re really going through with this?”
Hana finally turned toward her.
“Why wouldn’t I?”
Seo-ma’s smile widened.
“Nothing.”
She looked across the room.
“I just want to see Soo-min’s face.”
Hana’s expression remained completely indifferent.
“Be patient.”
Seo-ma blinked.
“You’re enjoying this.”
“No.”
“You’re smiling.”
“I’m not.”
“You are.”
Hana turned away.
“Seo-ma.”
“Fine, fine.”
Seo-ma raised both hands.
“I’ll stop.”
Hana looked toward the stage.
Tonight wasn’t about food.
It wasn’t about dancing.
It wasn’t even about Kang Tae-jin.
This was about Soo-min.
And Hana had no intention of letting her get away with everything she had done.
A few minutes later, the lights in the banquet hall softened.
The music faded.
Everyone turned toward the stage.
Mr.
Kim stepped forward and took the microphone.
“Everyone, may I have your attention, please?”
The conversations slowly died down.
Mr.
Kim smiled politely.
“Tonight is a special occasion for our family.
We are here to celebrate my mother’s seventy-ninth birthday.”
The guests applauded warmly.
Old Madam Kim smiled from her seat.
Mr.
Kim continued his speech, speaking about his mother’s kindness, strength, and the love she had given their family throughout the years.
When he finally finished, the room filled with applause.
Old Madam Kim’s eyes were slightly moist.
Her son stepped down from the stage.
The evening continued.
Then suddenly, one of the staff members approached Soo-min.
“Miss Kim.”
Soo-min turned around.
“Yes?”
The staff member leaned closer.
“Your gift has not arrived yet.”
Soo-min’s smile immediately disappeared.
“What?”
“We contacted the delivery service again, but they said there has been a delay.”
Soo-min’s heart sank.
“How long?”
“They couldn’t give us an exact time.”
Soo-min stared at the staff member in disbelief.
Tonight was supposed to be perfect.
She had spent a fortune choosing her grandmother’s gift.
She had even imagined the moment everyone would praise her.
And now…
It wasn’t here.
“Go check again.”
“Miss Kim—”
“I said go check again!”
The staff member quickly bowed.
“Yes, Miss Kim.”
He hurried away.
Soo-min took a deep breath.
She couldn’t let anyone notice her panic.
Unfortunately…
Someone had already noticed.
Kim Hana.
From across the room, Hana watched her quietly.
Seo-ma leaned toward her.
“Looks like someone is having a bad evening.”
Hana’s eyes remained on Soo-min.
“She’s fine.”
Seo-ma raised an eyebrow.
“Really?”
“She’s smiling.”
Seo-ma glanced at Soo-min.
“That smile looks like it’s being held together by glue.”
Hana almost laughed.
“Just wait.”
Not long afterward, a sudden movement near the entrance caught everyone’s attention.
Several staff members entered the hall.
One of them carefully carried a large, beautifully wrapped package.
The guests immediately began whispering.
“What is that?”
“It looks expensive.”
“Could it be a gift for Old Madam Kim?”
The staff members walked directly toward the Kim family.
Soo-min’s eyes widened.
Her heart began beating faster.
The package was placed carefully on a table.
A representative from the auction house stepped forward.
“Excuse me.”
Everyone turned toward him.
“This is the painting that was arranged to be presented to Old Madam Kim tonight.”
Soo-min stared at the painting.
Her confusion quickly turned into shock.
She knew that painting.
It was the work of the legendary painter known only as Star.
The artist’s identity had never been publicly confirmed.
And the painting was worth an incredible amount of money.
Soo-min’s first thought was simple.
How did this get here?
Then another thought came.
Wait…
She looked around.
Everyone was staring at her.
A guest smiled.
“My goodness, Soo-min.”
“That’s an extraordinary gift.”
Another woman nodded.
“How thoughtful of you.”
Soo-min’s lips parted.
She should have explained.
She should have said the painting wasn’t hers.
But then she heard someone whisper behind her.
“I heard Soo-min spent a fortune looking for the perfect birthday gift.”
“She really knows how to honor her grandmother.”
“Unlike that other girl…”
The woman’s voice lowered.
Everyone knew who she meant.
Kim Hana.
Another guest quietly added,
“Well, Soo-min was raised by the Kim family.”
“Hana is only…”
The woman hesitated.
“Well, you know.”
A third guest finished the sentence.
“She’s the illegitimate daughter.”
The word spread through the small group.
Illegitimate.
Hana heard it.
Seo-ma heard it too.
Seo-ma’s expression immediately darkened.
But Hana remained calm.
The guests continued.
“At least Soo-min knows how to behave like a proper member of the Kim family.”
“She’s certainly more suitable for these social events.”
“Look at the gift she bought.
It must have cost a fortune.”
Soo-min’s fingers slowly curled into her palm.
She knew the painting wasn’t hers.
She knew it.
Yet…
She couldn’t bring herself to correct them.
Instead, she slowly smiled.
“Thank you.”
Seo-ma’s eyes widened.
She looked at Hana.
“She’s actually doing it.”
Hana didn’t answer.
Her gaze remained fixed on Soo-min.
Soo-min stepped closer to the painting.
“Grandma…”
She turned toward Old Madam Kim.
“I wanted to find something special for you.”
Old Madam Kim looked surprised.
“Soo-min.”
Her eyes moved toward the painting.
“This is…”
Soo-min smiled.
“I thought it would be worthy of you.”
The guests immediately began praising her.
“What a thoughtful granddaughter.”
“Old Madam Kim must be so proud.”
“She’s really grown up.”
“Perhaps the rumors about the Kim family were wrong.
She clearly knows how to honor her grandmother.”
Soo-min’s confidence slowly returned.
She had gotten away with it.
At least…
That’s what she thought.
Across the room, Hana’s expression remained unreadable.
Seo-ma whispered,
“Should I start laughing now or later?”
“Later.”
“Why?”
“Because we’re not finished.”
Seo-ma’s eyes lit up.
“Ah.”
She grinned.
“Right.”
Old Madam Kim was still admiring the painting when one of the staff members approached.
“Old Madam.”
She turned.
“Yes?”
“The gift presentation is ready.”
Old Madam Kim smiled.
“Wonderful.”
She looked around the room.
“Where is Hana?”
Hana heard her grandmother calling her name.
She calmly walked forward.
“Grandma?”
Old Madam Kim smiled.
“There you are.”
She reached for Hana’s hand.
“Come here, dear.”
Hana walked toward her.
The guests began looking at her.
Some of them whispered.
“That’s Kim Hana?”
“She’s the illegitimate daughter?”
“She doesn’t look like what I expected.”
“Look at her dress.”
“She’s certainly beautiful.”
Hana ignored every word.
“Now, it’s time for you to present your gift.”
The room became quiet.
Hana glanced toward the painting.
Then back at her grandmother.
She spoke calmly.
“Someone already presented my gift.”
Silence.
Absolute silence.
Old Madam Kim blinked.
“What?”
Hana’s expression didn’t change.
“I said someone already presented my gift.”
The room erupted into confused whispers.
Seo-ma immediately covered her mouth.
She knew exactly what was happening.
Soo-min froze.
Her face slowly drained of color.
No.
Her eyes moved toward Hana.
No, no, no.
Hana looked directly at her.
Not accusingly.
Not angrily.
Just calmly.
Soo-min’s heart began pounding.
That painting…
It can’t be.
She suddenly understood.
Kim Hana.
That cunning girl.
Soo-min’s eyes widened.
She planned this.
But how?
How had Hana gotten the painting?
How had she known?
Soo-min couldn’t understand it.
Old Madam Kim looked confused.
“Hana, what do you mean?”
Hana opened her mouth.
But before she could speak, Soo-min suddenly stepped forward.
“Sister Hana…”
Her voice trembled slightly.
“Why are you saying something like that?”
Hana looked at her.
“Why?”
Soo-min forced a smile.
“That painting is my gift to Grandma.”
The room became even quieter.
Hana stared at her.
For the first time that evening, the corner of her lips lifted.
“Is that so?”
Soo-min’s heart nearly stopped.
“Of course.”
Hana nodded slowly.
“Then I suppose congratulations are in order.”
Soo-min stared at her.
“What?”
Hana turned toward the guests.
“Congratulations, Soo-min.”
The guests immediately began whispering again.
“What’s going on?”
“Why is Hana saying congratulations?”
“Didn’t Soo-min just say it was her gift?”
One of the guests frowned.
“Then why did Hana say someone already presented her gift?”
Soo-min’s panic grew.
“Sister Hana, I don’t understand what you’re trying to do.”
Hana looked at her calmly.
“Neither do I.”
“What?”
Hana shrugged.
“You said it’s your gift.”
“Yes!”
Soo-min answered too quickly.
Hana’s eyes narrowed slightly.
“Then it must be.”
Soo-min stared at her.
Something was wrong.
Very wrong.
But before she could think further—
Mr.
Kim suddenly stepped forward.
“Hana!”
Everyone turned toward him.
His expression was furious.
“What exactly are you trying to do?”
Hana looked at her father.
“Nothing.”
“Then why are you standing here claiming that Soo-min’s gift belongs to you?”
“I didn’t say that.”
“You just said someone presented your gift!”
Hana remained calm.
“I did.”
Mr.
Kim’s anger grew.
“Then stop causing trouble!”
Hana opened her mouth.
“Father—”
The next moment—
A sharp slap landed across her cheek.
The entire hall went silent.
Hana’s head turned slightly from the impact.
She didn’t move.
She didn’t cry.
She didn’t even look surprised.
The pain was nothing compared to what she had experienced before.
But Seo-ma—
Seo-ma was furious.
She immediately stepped forward.
“How dare you!”
Mr.
Kim turned toward her.
“Seo-ma—”
“No.”
Seo-ma’s voice was cold.
“You don’t get to hit her and then pretend nothing happened.”
“She’s my daughter.”
“Then you should know better than to raise your hand against her.”
The guests stared in shock.
Seo-ma took one step closer.
“If you ever raise your hand to Hana again…”
Her eyes hardened.
“…I’ll make sure you regret it.”
Hana finally reached out and grabbed Seo-ma’s arm.
“Seo-ma.”
“But Hana—”
“Stop.”
Seo-ma looked at her.
Hana’s expression was calm.
“I can handle it.”
Seo-ma clenched her jaw.
She hated it.
But she stepped back.
Mr.
Kim looked toward Hana.
“Apologize to your sister.”
Hana stared at him.
Then she slowly turned toward Soo-min.
Soo-min was trembling.
Hana smiled.
“Why don’t you tell them the truth?”
Soo-min’s face went pale.
“What truth?”
“The painting.”
“I already told you.
It’s my gift.”
Hana nodded.
“Then let’s find out.”
She pulled out her phone.
The guests watched in confusion.
Soo-min’s heart began racing.
“What are you doing?”
Hana didn’t answer.
Her fingers moved across her phone.
Seo-ma watched quietly.
She knew what Hana was doing.
Hana wasn’t just a skilled hacker.
She knew how to find information people thought they had hidden.
Within seconds, Hana found what she needed.
She turned the screen toward her father.
“Father.”
Mr.
Kim frowned.
“What?”
“Ask the auction house.”
“The auction house?”
“Yes.”
Hana’s voice remained calm.
“Ask them who purchased the painting.”
Soo-min’s eyes widened.
Hana continued.
“And ask them when the payment was made.”
Soo-min’s breathing became uneven.
“That’s unnecessary.”
Hana looked at her.
“Why?”
Soo-min couldn’t answer.
One of the auction house representatives stepped forward.
“Actually…”
Everyone turned toward him.
The man looked uncomfortable.
“There seems to be some confusion.”
Soo-min’s face became ghostly pale.
The representative continued.
“The painting was not purchased by Miss Soo-min.”
A wave of shock swept through the hall.
“What?”
“Then who bought it?”
“Wasn’t it Soo-min’s gift?”
The representative shook his head.
“No.”
Soo-min’s lips trembled.
“That’s impossible.”
The representative looked at her.
“The payment was made anonymously.”
Hana’s eyes remained calm.
“But the delivery instructions…”
She paused.
“Those were arranged for this banquet.”
The representative nodded.
“Yes.”
“And the gift was addressed to Old Madam Kim?”
“Correct.”
The guests immediately began whispering.
Hana looked toward Soo-min.
“Then I have one question.”
Soo-min stared at her.
“What?”
“If you bought the painting…”
Hana tilted her head.
“Why hasn’t your actual gift arrived yet?”
Silence.
Soo-min couldn’t speak.
Her mind went blank.
Then one guest suddenly spoke.
“Wait.”
“Didn’t Soo-min’s gift arrive late?”
Another guest frowned.
“Yes.”
“I heard the delivery was delayed.”
Soo-min’s face turned completely white.
Hana calmly continued.
“So…”
She looked around the room.
“Who exactly gave Grandma the painting?”
No one answered.
The representative finally spoke.
“The person who arranged for the painting to be presented tonight.”
Hana nodded.
“Exactly.”
Then, in her panic, she made the mistake Hana had been waiting for.
“I knew it wasn’t mine!”
The room fell silent.
Soo-min froze.
Her eyes widened.
She had said it.
Everyone had heard her.
Hana slowly turned toward her.
Soo-min’s breathing stopped.
“I…”
Hana’s voice was quiet.
“You knew?”
Soo-min immediately panicked.
“No!”
“You just said you knew.”
“I didn’t mean—”
“You knew the painting wasn’t yours.”
Hana’s voice remained completely calm.
“Yet you allowed everyone here to believe you bought it.”
Soo-min’s eyes filled with panic.
“I didn’t!”
“You accepted their congratulations.”
“I was confused!”
“You told Grandma it was your gift.”
“I…”
Soo-min couldn’t answer.
The whispers began again.
This time, they weren’t kind.
“She lied?”
“She actually took credit for someone else’s gift?”
“After everything she said about Hana?”
“That’s unbelievable.”
“She was even letting everyone insult Hana while she stood there accepting praise.”
Soo-min looked around desperately.
“Wait!”
She turned toward Hana.
“This is your fault!”
Hana blinked.
“My fault?”
“You planned this!”
Soo-min’s voice rose.
“You knew this would happen!”
Hana smiled faintly.
“Did I?”
“You did this to embarrass me!”
“Interesting.”
Hana tilted her head.
“Then perhaps you should explain why you accepted the praise.”
Soo-min froze.
Hana stepped closer.
“I didn’t force you to claim the painting.”
The room became silent again.
Hana’s gaze remained steady.
“I didn’t force you to lie.”
She paused.
“And I certainly didn’t force you to let everyone insult me while you stood there smiling.”
Soo-min’s face burned with humiliation.
She couldn’t answer.
Because Hana was right.
Across the room, Kang Tae-jin remained seated beside his grandmother.
He hadn’t said a word.
His expression was calm.
Unsurprised.
From the moment the painting had been presented, he had noticed something.
Soo-min’s reaction.
Hana’s reaction.
They were completely different.
Soo-min had looked shocked when the painting appeared.
Hana hadn’t.
Soo-min had immediately accepted the praise.
Hana had simply watched.
Tae-jin had known then.
The painting wasn’t Soo-min’s.
And Hana…
She had something to do with it.
He glanced toward her.
Hana was standing in the center of the chaos, completely composed.
Tae-jin’s eyes narrowed slightly.
Interesting.
Old Madam Kang noticed his expression.
“What is it?”
“Nothing.”
“You’ve been watching.”
Tae-jin looked at her.
“I haven’t.”
His grandmother gave him a knowing look.
“Of course you haven’t.”
Tae-jin’s expression became colder.
“Grandmother.”
She smiled innocently.
“I didn’t say anything.”
Tae-jin looked away.
He had no intention of getting involved.
At least…
Not yet.
Mrs.
Hee finally rushed forward.
“Soo-min!”
Soo-min turned toward her mother.
“Mom!”
Mrs.
Hee grabbed her daughter’s arm.
“Come with me.”
“But Mom—”
“Now.”
Soo-min looked back toward Hana.
Her eyes were filled with anger.
“This isn’t over.”
Hana stared at her.
“I wasn’t aware we were playing a game.”
Soo-min’s face twisted.
Mrs.
Hee immediately pulled her away.
As they disappeared up the staircase, the guests continued whispering.
The same people who had praised Soo-min moments earlier were now criticizing her.
The change was almost immediate.
Seo-ma leaned toward Hana.
“Wow.”
Hana looked at her.
“What?”
“Rich people really change sides quickly.”
Hana glanced around.
“Apparently.”
Seo-ma smiled.
“I like your plan.”
Hana’s lips curved slightly.
“Good.”
“You know what I like even more?”
“What?”
“The fact that you didn’t even have to do anything.”
Hana looked toward the staircase.
“Soo-min did it herself.”
Seo-ma grinned.
“Exactly.”
The banquet was effectively over.
The atmosphere had completely changed.
Guests began leaving one after another.
Old Madam Kim looked exhausted.
Hana walked toward her grandmother.
“Grandma.”
Old Madam Kim reached for her hand.
“Are you alright?”
Hana nodded.
“I’m fine.”
Her grandmother looked at her cheek.
Hana gently smiled.
“Really.”
Old Madam Kim sighed.
“I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be.”
Hana squeezed her hand.
“You didn’t do anything.”
Nearby, Old Madam Kang watched the scene carefully.
She leaned toward Tae-jin.
“I want to stay.”
Tae-jin looked at her.
“For what?”
“To see what happens next.”
“There’s nothing left to see.”
“Oh, please.”
Old Madam Kang’s eyes sparkled with amusement.
“I want to know what happens upstairs.”
“Grandmother.”
“What?”
“We’re leaving.”
“But—”
“I’ll stay.”
She looked at him.
“You?”
Tae-jin nodded.
“I’ll make sure everything is handled properly.”
Old Madam Kang’s eyes narrowed.
“You’re staying?”
“Yes.”
“Here?”
“Yes.”
She looked toward Hana.
Then back at Tae-jin.
A suspicious smile slowly appeared on her face.
Tae-jin immediately frowned.
“Don’t.”
“I haven’t said anything.”
“I know that look.”
His grandmother laughed.
“Fine.”
She stood.
“Let’s go.”
Tae-jin’s shoulders relaxed slightly.
As Old Madam Kang walked away, she suddenly turned back.
“Little Tae!”
Tae-jin’s expression instantly darkened.
“Grandmother.”
Old Madam Kang laughed.
“Don’t stay too late!”
Then she walked away.
Tae-jin stood there silently.
Hana, who had overheard the exchange, couldn’t help herself.
A small laugh escaped her lips.
Tae-jin’s head immediately turned toward her.
Their eyes met.
For a moment, neither spoke.
Hana quickly looked away.
But she was still smiling.
Tae-jin narrowed his eyes.
“What’s funny?”
Hana looked back at him.
“Nothing.”
“You’re laughing.”
“I’m not.”
“You are.”
Hana’s smile widened.
“Little Tae.”
Tae-jin’s expression immediately turned cold.
Hana’s smile disappeared.
For some reason…
She suddenly remembered what Seo-ma had told her.
He’s not someone people should casually offend.
Hana cleared her throat.
“I didn’t say anything.”
Tae-jin stared at her.
“Good.”
Hana nodded.
“Good.”
The two stood there in silence.
Neither of them knew it yet…
But this was the beginning of a very long battle.
One where neither of them was willing to surrender.
And neither of them had any idea…
Who would fall first.