Seo-ma and Kim Hana left the main boutique and headed toward another store inside Lumière Galleria.
The boutique was called Maison Belle.
It was one of the most popular luxury fashion boutiques in the mall, known for its elegant evening gowns and exclusive collections.
The moment they entered, a sales consultant immediately recognized Seo-ma.
“Hello, Miss Lee.”
She approached with a polite smile.
“What kind of dress are you looking for today?”
Seo-ma glanced at Kim Hana, who was standing beside her, scrolling through her smartphone with an expressionless face.
“Remember what we discussed over the phone?”
“Yes, Miss Lee.”
Seo-ma turned toward Hana.
“Hana, what kind of dress do you want?”
Hana didn’t even look up from her phone.
“Your call.”
Seo-ma’s lips curled into a mischievous smile.
“Okay.”
She leaned closer to the sales consultant and lowered her voice.
“Bring out the dresses.”
“Yes, Miss Lee.”
The sales consultant immediately turned and disappeared into the back of the boutique.
Seo-ma walked over to the waiting area and sat down on a comfortable gray velvet sofa.
She patted the seat beside her.
Hana sat down.
Seo-ma glanced at her.
“Are you sure you want me to choose your dress?”
Hana finally looked up from her phone.
“Yeah.”
She raised an eyebrow.
“Why are you looking at me like that?”
Seo-ma smiled.
“Okay.”
She leaned back against the sofa.
“Don’t regret it later.”
A soft chuckle escaped Hana’s lips.
“I won’t.”
She lowered her gaze back to her phone.
Seo-ma stared at her for a moment.
“What are you doing?”
“Nothing.”
“You’re smiling.”
“I’m not.”
“You are.”
Hana ignored her.
She continued scrolling through her phone, watching a funny clip from a Korean variety show.
Seo-ma shook her head.
“You’re impossible.”
A few minutes later, the sales consultant returned carrying several garment bags.
“Here you are, Miss Lee.”
Seo-ma stood immediately.
“Thank you.”
She walked over to Hana.
“Let’s go.”
The sales consultant blinked.
“Miss Lee?”
Seo-ma turned.
“Yes?”
“Is your friend not going to try the dresses on?”
She glanced at Hana.
“No.”
The consultant looked confused.
“But shouldn’t she at least check if they fit?”
Seo-ma smiled confidently.
“As long as you followed my instructions, they’ll be perfect.”
The consultant hesitated.
“Of course, Miss Lee.”
Seo-ma picked up the garment bags.
“Come on, Hana.”
Hana stood and followed her without another question.
The two girls soon left the boutique.
In the Parking Lot
After placing the dresses inside the trunk of Seo-ma’s pearl-white Mercedes-Benz S-Class, the two girls climbed into the car.
Seo-ma fastened her seat belt and looked at her best friend.
“You’re seriously not going to check the dress?”
Hana shook her head.
“No.”
“You don’t even want to see it?”
“No.”
Seo-ma stared at her.
“What if you hate it?”
“I won’t.”
“How do you know?”
Hana turned toward her.
“Because I trust you.”
Seo-ma froze.
For a moment, she didn’t say anything.
Then she quickly looked away.
“Well…”
She cleared her throat.
“That’s different.”
Hana smiled faintly.
Seo-ma started the engine.
“Should we head to your grandmother’s house?”
“Yeah.”
Hana looked out of the window.
“I think we should.”
“What about you?”
Seo-ma grinned.
“Of course I’m coming.”
She shifted the car into drive.
“I wouldn’t miss the drama for anything.”
Hana glanced at her.
“Seo-ma.”
“What?”
“Try not to cause trouble.”
Seo-ma looked offended.
“Me?”
She placed a hand dramatically over her heart.
“I never cause trouble.”
Hana raised an eyebrow.
“Right.”
Seo-ma laughed as she drove out of the parking lot.
Neither of them knew that tonight’s banquet would be far more dramatic than either of them expected.
Meanwhile — VIP Lounge
A quiet atmosphere filled the private VIP lounge.
Kang Tae-jin sat across from Director Choi, his expression cold and unreadable.
The CEO of Golden Horizon Jewelry wore a sharply tailored black suit.
His posture was relaxed, yet there was something intimidating about the way he sat.
Director Choi shifted nervously in his seat.
“President Kang…”
Tae-jin looked directly at him.
“What do you think?”
Director Choi swallowed.
“I believe the project has tremendous potential.”
Tae-jin’s eyes narrowed slightly.
“When does it start?”
“Soon, sir.”
“Give me a date.”
Director Choi’s expression changed.
“Sir, it’s…”
Before he could finish—
Tae-jin slowly stood.
The sudden movement caused Director Choi to flinch.
Tae-jin looked down at him.
“Don’t give me ‘soon.'”
His voice was calm.
Cold.
“Give me an exact date.”
Director Choi immediately straightened.
“Yes, President Kang.”
Tae-jin adjusted his cuff.
“I’ll wait.”
He turned and walked toward the door.
Director Choi watched him leave.
Only after the door closed did he finally release the breath he’d been holding.
That man…
Kang Tae-jin was truly terrifying.
Meanwhile…
Kim Hana and Seo-ma were already on their way to the Kim Family Mansion.
Neither of them knew…
That tonight’s banquet would bring together two people whose lives were about to change forever.
And Kim Hana certainly didn’t know…
That the cold, mysterious man she had just seen at Lumière Galleria…
Was about to become the center of a secret that would turn her entire world upside down.