The banquet had officially begun.
Outside the Kim Family Mansion, a long line of cars stretched along the driveway.
Luxury vehicles arrived one after another, their polished bodies reflecting the warm lights illuminating the entrance.
Among them were expensive sports cars, elegant sedans, and even a few ordinary vehicles belonging to guests who had simply come to celebrate Old Madam Kim’s seventy-ninth birthday.
Inside the mansion, the atmosphere was lively.
Guests chatted with one another while servants moved around carrying trays of drinks and appetizers.
And among the crowd…
Soo-min was shining.
Literally.
She stood near a group of young ladies, looking radiant in the lavender satin evening gown she had chosen earlier that afternoon.
The elegant off-the-shoulder neckline framed her collarbone beautifully, while delicate silver embroidery shimmered across the fitted bodice.
The long skirt flowed gracefully around her legs whenever she moved.
Her chestnut-brown hair had been styled into soft waves that fell elegantly over her shoulders.
She looked every bit like the daughter of a wealthy family.
And she knew it.
“Soo-min!”
One of the girls smiled.
“What’s your secret?
You look absolutely radiant tonight!”
Soo-min touched her hair modestly.
“Really?”
She smiled sweetly.
“Well…”
She lowered her voice playfully.
“I can’t tell you.”
The girls laughed.
“You have to tell us!”
Soo-min giggled.
“Maybe another time.”
A few young men nearby couldn’t help but glance in her direction.
Soo-min noticed.
Of course she did.
She smiled a little wider.
Everything was going perfectly.
Until—
Ara, one of Soo-min’s friends, suddenly looked around.
“Wait…”
She leaned closer.
“Don’t tell me your sister, Kim Hana, is actually attending tonight.”
The conversation immediately quieted.
Someone else looked confused.
“Kim Hana?”
Another girl frowned.
“Isn’t she the illegitimate daughter of the Kim family?”
Soo-min’s smile disappeared for half a second.
But she quickly recovered.
Ara, however, seemed to notice the sudden interest in the conversation.
She smiled.
“Yes.”
She lowered her voice as if she were about to reveal a huge secret.
“She’s the illegitimate daughter.”
The girls exchanged curious looks.
“I heard she doesn’t even live with the Kim family,” another girl said.
Ara nodded.
“Exactly.”
She glanced around before continuing.
“The Kim family raised her, but I’ve heard she’s not even grateful for everything they’ve done for her.”
“What?”
One of the girls looked shocked.
“She’s ungrateful?”
Ara nodded.
“That’s what I’ve heard.”
Another girl frowned.
“Then why would she even come to a banquet like this?”
“Exactly.”
Ara crossed her arms.
“I heard Old Madam Kim personally insisted that she attend.”
The girls exchanged glances.
“Seriously?”
Ara smiled.
“Apparently.”
Someone scoffed.
“Maybe she just wants to pretend she’s part of the Kim family.”
“That’s probably it.”
“She’s probably trying to fit in with everyone.”
The girls laughed softly.
Soo-min remained silent.
She was enjoying every second of it.
Because the more they talked about Hana…
The worse Hana looked.
And Soo-min hadn’t even needed to say anything herself.
Almost.
A quiet voice suddenly spoke from the side.
“That’s enough.”
Everyone turned.
Hwang Ji-ah stood among them.
Soo-min’s eyes briefly met hers.
Ji-ah’s expression remained calm.
But she didn’t say anything else.
Soo-min smiled.
“Ji-ah…”
“What?”
Ji-ah looked at her.
“Nothing.”
Soo-min’s smile widened.
“I’m just surprised you’re defending her.”
Ji-ah’s expression changed slightly.
“I’m not defending anyone.”
“Of course.”
Soo-min turned away.
But the faint smile on her lips remained.
Upstairs
Far away from the crowd…
Kim Hana and Seo-ma were standing in a quiet sitting area on the third floor of the Kim Family Mansion, tucked behind a private reading room.
It was one of the few places in the mansion where guests rarely went.
Perfect for hiding.
Seo-ma stood in front of a large mirror, adjusting her earrings.
She was dressed in a midnight-black velvet dress with delicate silver detailing around the waist.
The dress was elegant without being overly flashy.
Her long dark hair was swept into a loose, polished ponytail, while a pair of silver earrings completed her look.
Seo-ma glanced down at herself.
“Okay.”
She nodded approvingly.
“I look amazing.”
Hana looked at her.
“You’ve been staring at yourself for five minutes.”
“Because I’m appreciating the view.”
Hana rolled her eyes.
“Of course you are.”
Seo-ma suddenly glanced toward the staircase.
Through the railing, they could see part of the banquet hall below.
Her eyes widened.
“Oh my gosh.”
Hana walked closer.
“What?”
Seo-ma pointed discreetly toward the crowd.
“Look at them.”
Hana glanced down.
Seo-ma shook her head.
“So clueless.”
Hana raised an eyebrow.
“About what?”
Seo-ma gave her a look.
“Everything.”
She leaned closer.
“They’re all standing down there gossiping about you while you’re upstairs looking like you’re about to walk onto the cover of a luxury fashion magazine.”
Hana glanced down at her own dress.
Her sapphire-blue dress looked even more striking beneath the warm lights of the mansion.
The simple elegance of the dress perfectly complemented her fair skin.
Hana remained calm.
“Let them talk.”
Seo-ma stared at her.
“You’re way too calm.”
“I’ve had years of practice.”
Seo-ma snorted.
“Fair point.”
She looked down again.
Then suddenly—
Her eyes landed on someone.
“Wait.”
Hana turned.
“What?”
Seo-ma pointed subtly toward the banquet hall.
Hana followed her gaze.
There she was.
Hwang Ji-ah.
Standing among the other girls.
Hana watched her for a moment.
Seo-ma narrowed her eyes.
“I’ve always had a strange feeling about that girl.”
Hana glanced at her.
“What kind of strange feeling?”
Seo-ma thought for a moment.
“Like…”
She tilted her head.
“If a snake learned how to smile politely.”
Hana stared at her.
Seo-ma shrugged.
“What?
It’s just a feeling.”
A small smile tugged at Hana’s lips.
“You’re unbelievable.”
“I know.”
Seo-ma looked down at the crowd again.
Then her expression became serious.
“Anyway…”
Kim Hana turned back to seo-ma.
“Did you get what I told you?”
Seo-ma nodded.
“Yeah.”
Kim Hana smiled.
“Good.”
She adjusted her dress.
“Don’t worry.”
“I’ve got everything covered.”
Hana looked at her best friend.
“Are you sure?”
Seo-ma’s smile slowly widened.
“Hana…”
She leaned closer.
“Trust me.”
Hana stared at her for a moment.
Then she smiled.
“I do.”
Seo-ma grinned.
“Perfect.”
She glanced toward the staircase.
“Now…”
She reached for Hana’s hand.
“Let’s give them something to talk about.”
Hana raised an eyebrow.
“Seo-ma.”
“What?”
“Don’t make a scene.”
Seo-ma placed a hand over her heart.
“Me?”
She looked completely innocent.
“I would never.”
Hana gave her a skeptical look.
Seo-ma smiled.
Then—
A sudden announcement echoed through the banquet hall.
“Everyone…”
The conversations below slowly died down.
Guests turned toward the grand staircase.
Old Madam Kim’s eyes lifted toward the upper floor.
Soo-min looked up.
Ara looked up.
Ji-ah looked up.
And Seo-ma’s smile became even wider.
She squeezed Hana’s hand.
“Ready?”
Hana took one quiet breath.
Then she looked toward the staircase.
“Let’s go.”
And for the first time that evening…
The entire banquet hall was about to see Kim Hana.
But they weren’t prepared for what they were about to witness.
Because the girl they had spent the entire evening judging…
Was nothing like the person they had imagined.