The banquet had finally come to an end.
Most of the guests had already left, and the once-busy hall had slowly begun to quiet down.
But Seo-ma had no intention of leaving.
She was sitting comfortably in her chair, holding a glass in her hand and looking far too pleased with herself.
Kim Hana stared at her.
“Seo-ma.”
“Hm?”
“You’re drunk.”
Seo-ma immediately straightened.
“I’m not drunk.”
Hana raised an eyebrow.
“You just tried to sit on the armrest.”
Seo-ma looked down.
Sure enough, she was sitting halfway on the armrest instead of the actual chair.
She quickly moved.
“That proves nothing.”
Hana sighed.
“Come on.
We’re leaving.”
“But I haven’t finished—”
“Seo-ma.”
“Fine.”
Seo-ma stood up.
She took one step.
Then stopped.
Hana watched her carefully.
Seo-ma turned around.
“Why is the floor moving?”
Hana closed her eyes.
“Because you’re drunk.”
“That’s ridiculous.”
Seo-ma pointed accusingly at the floor.
“Someone should fix that.”
Hana couldn’t help laughing.
“Come on.”
She slipped Seo-ma’s arm over her shoulder and helped her toward the exit.
“I can walk by myself.”
“Of course you can.”
“I’m serious.”
“Sure.”
“I am.”
“You’re leaning on me.”
Seo-ma looked down.
“Oh.”
Hana shook her head.
“Exactly.”
A short while later, Hana personally drove Seo-ma to the Lee family mansion.
She wasn’t about to let her best friend take a taxi home alone in that condition.
When the car finally stopped in front of the mansion, Seo-ma slowly opened her eyes.
“Are we home?”
“No.”
Seo-ma blinked.
“Then where are we?”
“Your house.”
“Oh.”
She paused.
“That’s basically the same thing.”
Hana sighed.
“Come on.”
The moment they entered the mansion, several staff members immediately approached them.
“Miss Seo-ma.”
They quickly noticed Seo-ma leaning against Hana.
One of the staff members looked concerned.
“Is the young lady alright?”
“She’s drunk.”
Seo-ma immediately protested.
“I am not.”
Hana glanced at her.
Seo-ma thought about it.
“…Maybe a little.”
Hana shook her head.
“Help me get her upstairs.”
“Yes, Miss.”
The staff members immediately assisted Hana.
Together, they carefully brought Seo-ma to her bedroom.
Seo-ma collapsed onto the bed.
“Ah…”
She hugged the pillow.
“Finally.”
Hana stared at her.
“You’re going to sleep.”
Seo-ma opened one eye.
“Are you staying?”
“No.”
“Why?”
“Because you’re going to be fine.”
Seo-ma frowned.
“You’re abandoning me.”
“You’re being dramatic.”
“Best friends don’t abandon each other.”
“You have five staff members downstairs.”
Seo-ma looked toward the door.
Then back at Hana.
“Still.”
Hana laughed softly.
“Go to sleep.”
She gently pulled the blanket over her.
Just as Hana was about to leave, one of the staff members appeared at the doorway.
“Miss Hana.”
Hana turned.
“Yes?”
“Young Master Lee is currently in his study.”
Hana nodded.
“Alright.
Please tell him I stopped by.”
“Of course.”
Hana glanced back at Seo-ma.
Her best friend was already half asleep.
“Make sure she drinks some water when she wakes up.”
“Yes, Miss.”
Hana left the room.
A short while later, Hana stood in front of a mirror.
She was still wearing the elegant gown from the banquet.
It was beautiful.
But it wasn’t exactly something she wanted to walk around in at night.
She opened the small bag she had brought with her.
Fortunately, she had packed a change of clothes.
A few minutes later, Hana stepped out of the room wearing a comfortable pair of black trousers and a soft cream-colored sweater.
The outfit was simple and practical.
Something she could easily move around in.
Her long hair was loosely tied back, and she slipped on a pair of comfortable sneakers.
She looked at herself one last time.
“Much better.”
Hana picked up her phone and ordered a taxi.
She was about to leave when she caught sight of herself in the mirror again.
Her fingers gently touched her cheek.
The skin was still red.
The slap from her father had left a very visible mark.
Hana stared at her reflection.
Her expression remained calm.
But her eyes became slightly colder.
She didn’t want to think about it anymore.
She picked up her bag.
“I’ll deal with that tomorrow.”
Then she left.
The taxi ride toward the Kim family mansion was quiet.
Hana rested her head against the window.
The events of the evening kept replaying in her mind.
The painting.
Soo-min’s humiliation.
Her father’s reaction.
The slap.
She sighed.
She was exhausted.
Halfway through the journey, Hana suddenly remembered something.
“Excuse me.”
The driver looked at her through the rearview mirror.
“Yes, miss?”
“Could you stop at the next store?” Find the original chapter at g.com.
“Of course.”
The taxi stopped near a small convenience store.
Hana stepped out and quickly purchased a tube of ointment.
After paying, she returned to the taxi.
But then she looked at the distance remaining on the map.
She frowned.
“Actually…”
She looked at the driver.
“Could you let me out here?”
The driver looked confused.
“Here?”
“Yes.”
“Are you sure?”
Hana nodded.
“I’d like to walk for a little while.”
The driver hesitated.
But Hana had already paid.
She stepped out of the taxi.
The cool night air brushed against her face.
Hana started walking.
She wasn’t in a hurry.
She just needed some time to clear her head.
The Kim family mansion was still some distance away.
But she didn’t mind.
Walking helped her think.
Or, more accurately…
It helped her stop thinking.
She took the ointment from her bag and glanced at it.
“I’ll put this on when I get home.”
Hana continued down the quiet street.
She had no idea that the night was about to take a very unexpected turn.
Meanwhile…
Kang Tae-jin was driving alone.
He had personally driven himself away from the banquet.
His grandmother had wanted to stay longer after the chaos surrounding the birthday gifts.
But Tae-jin had eventually convinced her to leave.
He had promised to stay behind for a little while and make sure everything was settled.
Only then had Old Madam Kang finally agreed to go home.
Now, Tae-jin was alone.
Or at least…
He thought he was.
As he drove through a quieter part of the city, several men suddenly appeared.
Tae-jin’s eyes narrowed.
One man stepped directly into the road.
Tae-jin stopped the car.
Another man approached the driver’s side.
He tried to open the door.
Locked.
The man pulled harder.
Tae-jin calmly looked at him.
Then he opened the door.
The sudden movement caught the man off guard.
Tae-jin kicked the door outward.
The impact sent the man stumbling backward.
Tae-jin stepped out.
Three more men appeared.
The atmosphere instantly changed.
Tae-jin studied them.
Two were holding weapons.
One carried a metal rod.
Another held a baseball bat.
A third had a dagger.
The others were empty-handed.
But they were different.
Their movements were controlled.
Their eyes were sharp.
They were clearly experienced fighters.
Tae-jin immediately understood.
These men weren’t here to scare him.
They had come prepared.
One of the empty-handed men attacked first.
Tae-jin blocked the punch.
Another came from the side.
Tae-jin twisted away.
The man’s fist missed him by inches.
Tae-jin countered with a quick strike.
The attacker staggered backward.
Another man rushed forward.
The fight quickly became chaotic.
Tae-jin was skilled.
Very skilled.
But there were too many of them.
And they were coordinated.
He blocked one attack.
Dodged another.
Then—
Pain suddenly exploded through his shoulder.
Tae-jin’s body jerked.
He looked down.
A sharp weapon had struck him.
Blood began staining his shirt.
His expression became cold.
He immediately kicked the attacker away.
The man stumbled backward.
Tae-jin didn’t wait.
He turned and ran.
“Get him!”
The men immediately chased after him.
Tae-jin moved quickly through the streets.
His shoulder was bleeding.
His breathing became heavier.
But he refused to slow down.
Behind him, the attackers continued their pursuit.
One of them suddenly received a phone call.
He answered.
“Yes?”
“Is it done?”
“Almost.”
A pause.
“I want him crippled.”
The call ended.
The man put his phone away.
“Keep moving!”
They continued chasing Tae-jin.
Hana was walking quietly down the street when she suddenly heard footsteps.
Fast footsteps.
She turned her head.
Nothing.
Hana frowned.
Then—
BAM!
Someone suddenly collided with her.
Hana stumbled backward.
Before she could fall, a strong arm wrapped around her waist and steadied her.
Her face collided with a solid chest.
Hana froze.
For a moment, she didn’t move.
Then she slowly looked up.
Kang Tae-jin.
Her eyes widened.
“You?”
Tae-jin stared down at her.
His face was unusually pale.
His normally perfect black suit was stained with blood.
Hana’s eyes immediately moved toward his shoulder.
“You’re bleeding.”
Tae-jin released her.
“Run.”
Hana blinked.
“What?”
“Run.”
Before Hana could respond, she heard footsteps approaching.
She turned.
Several men were coming toward them.
Hana’s eyes narrowed.
One had a metal rod.
One held a baseball bat.
Another had a dagger.
The remaining men were empty-handed.
But their movements immediately told Hana something.
The empty-handed ones were the real fighters.
They were moving quickly and efficiently.
Hana looked at Tae-jin.
Then at the attackers.
Then back at Tae-jin.
“So…”
She paused.
“You’re in trouble.”
Tae-jin gave her a cold look.
“Run.”
Hana stared at him.
“You’re very good at giving orders.”
His expression darkened.
“Kim Hana.”
Her eyes widened slightly.
He knew her name?
Before she could ask—
One of the attackers charged.
Tae-jin immediately moved.
The fight began again.
Hana stepped backward.
She wasn’t stupid.
She knew Tae-jin was the target.
Not her.
And honestly…
She had no reason to get involved.
Hana looked at her bracelet.
Her fingers brushed against it.
Hmm.
Why should I help him?
Her blood was precious.
She really didn’t want to end up in a hospital because of some stranger’s problem.
Then one of the attackers raised his weapon.
He was aiming at Tae-jin.
Hana’s eyes sharpened.
“Seriously?”
She pressed her bracelet.
Click.
A tiny needle shot forward.
The attacker suddenly froze.
A moment later, he collapsed.
Hana’s eyes widened slightly.
“One.”
She quickly pressed it again.
Click.
The second needle flew forward.
Another attacker fell unconscious.
Hana stared at her bracelet.
“…And that’s it?”
She pressed it again.
Nothing happened.
Hana’s eyes widened.
“You’ve got to be kidding me.”
Two needles.
That was all.
She barely had time to react.
The attacker with the dagger suddenly charged toward her.
Hana stepped aside.
The dagger missed.
She grabbed the man’s wrist and twisted.
The weapon fell from his hand.
Hana quickly struck him.
The man stumbled backward and fell.
She stared at him.
“Stay down.”
Unfortunately…
She didn’t notice the other attacker approaching.
The man holding the baseball bat.
He swung.
Hana turned.
Too late.
She raised her hand instinctively.
The bat struck her hand with tremendous force.
Pain shot through her fingers.
“Ah!”
Hana cried out.
Her hand went numb.
The bracelet remained intact.
But her wrist hurt badly.
Tae-jin’s head immediately snapped in her direction.
His eyes changed.
He had heard her cry.
“Hana!”
The distraction lasted only a second.
But it was enough.
The baseball bat came swinging again.
This time, Tae-jin moved.
He struck the attacker hard enough to knock him off balance.
But before Tae-jin could reach Hana—
The man recovered.
He swung the bat again.
BAM!
The weapon struck Hana’s head.
Hana’s vision instantly blurred.
Her knees gave way.
She fell heavily to the ground.
“Hana!”
Tae-jin’s expression turned frighteningly cold.
The attacker barely had time to react.
Tae-jin grabbed his arm.
The man’s eyes widened.
“Wait—”
Tae-jin twisted.
A sharp crack echoed through the street.
The man screamed and dropped the baseball bat.
Tae-jin released him.
The attacker collapsed, clutching his injured arm.
Tae-jin immediately turned toward Hana.
She was lying motionless on the ground.
“Hana.”
No response.
Tae-jin crouched beside her.
He carefully checked her condition.
She was breathing.
But she had lost consciousness.
His eyes shifted toward the remaining attackers.
The men had already begun retreating.
One of them managed to escape into the darkness.
Tae-jin didn’t chase him.
Not now.
His attention returned to the unconscious woman lying in front of him.
He looked at her face.
Then at the blood still staining his own shoulder.
Then at the two unconscious men nearby.
His eyes narrowed.
Something about tonight didn’t make sense.
Why had Kim Hana been here?
And why…
Had she risked herself to help him?
Tae-jin looked down at her.
His expression remained cold.
But for the first time that night…
He was genuinely confused.
And somewhere in the darkness…
The man who had ordered the attack was waiting for news.
But one thing was certain.
The attack had failed.
And Kang Tae-jin was no longer the only person caught in the middle of it.
Because Kim Hana had just become an unexpected witness.
And the men responsible for the attack had no idea…
That the woman they had accidentally dragged into their mess was far more dangerous than she appeared.