Ji-ah couldn’t stop staring at Kim Hana.
Her eyes followed Hana as she moved through the banquet hall, surrounded by people who had suddenly become interested in her.
Why does Kim Hana get all the attention?
They had been friends for years.
At school.
At social events.
Everywhere they went, Ji-ah had always been beside Hana.
Yet somehow…
It was always Hana who attracted attention.
Even tonight.
The moment Hana stepped into the banquet hall, everyone’s eyes had immediately turned toward her.
Ji-ah clenched her fingers.
She didn’t understand it.
She had spent years trying to become someone people noticed.
And yet Hana had done it without even trying.
As Ji-ah continued watching her, someone suddenly approached her.
“Soo-min.”
Ji-ah turned.
Soo-min stood beside her, holding a glass of sparkling wine.
Her expression was sweet.
Almost friendly.
“Ji-ah, are you okay?”
Ji-ah blinked.
“Why?”
Soo-min tilted her head.
“You seemed a little upset when Hana came downstairs.”
Ji-ah immediately put on her usual innocent expression.
“Me?”
She smiled softly.
“No, it’s nothing.
I’m fine.”
Soo-min studied her face.
Then she smiled.
“I understand.”
Ji-ah’s expression froze slightly.
Soo-min took a small sip from her glass.
“It must feel strange…”
She paused.
“Seeing someone you’ve known for so long suddenly become the center of attention everywhere you go.”
Ji-ah’s eyes flickered.
Soo-min noticed.
Of course she did.
But she pretended not to.
Ji-ah looked down at her glass.
“Sometimes…”
She hesitated.
“I feel like people only notice me when I’m standing beside Hana.”
Soo-min’s lips curled into a faint smile.
“Really?”
Ji-ah nodded.
Soo-min moved slightly closer.
“Well…”
She lowered her voice.
“I understand how you feel.”
Ji-ah looked up.
Soo-min continued.
“People always seem to compare us to someone else.”
She glanced toward Hana.
“Especially when that person suddenly becomes everyone’s favorite.”
Ji-ah followed her gaze.
Her eyes landed on Hana.
Hana was standing beside Seo-ma and Li-won, listening to something they were saying.
She looked completely relaxed.
Completely unaware of the jealousy directed toward her.
Ji-ah’s fingers tightened around her glass.
Soo-min noticed.
Then she smiled.
“I could be your friend.”
Ji-ah’s head immediately turned.
“What?”
Soo-min looked at her innocently.
“I said I could be your friend.”
Ji-ah stared at her.
“Really?”
Soo-min nodded.
“Why not?”
A smile slowly appeared on Ji-ah’s face.
Seo-ma Lee.
A girl from the respected Lee family.
Someone with an excellent reputation.
Someone who was clearly on Hana’s side. Visit g.com for the full chapter.
If Soo-min became her friend…
Maybe things would finally change.
Maybe she could finally step out of Hana’s shadow.
“Of course.”
Ji-ah smiled.
“I’d love that.”
Soo-min smiled back.
But behind her sweet expression was something entirely different.
She had found exactly what she was looking for.
A weakness.
Someone who was already jealous of Hana.
Someone who only needed a little encouragement.
Soo-min leaned closer.
“Why don’t you go welcome Hana properly?”
Ji-ah blinked.
“Me?”
“Of course.”
Soo-min smiled affectionately.
“You’re her friend, after all.”
Ji-ah looked toward Hana.
Then back at Soo-min.
“Okay.”
Soo-min gave her an encouraging smile.
“Go ahead.”
Ji-ah nodded.
“I will.”
Soo-min watched her walk away.
The moment Ji-ah was out of earshot, Soo-min’s smile slowly disappeared.
Perfect.
She had barely needed to do anything.
Ji-ah was already jealous.
All Soo-min had to do was give her a little push.
She turned away.
Tonight was going to be interesting.
Meanwhile…
Kim Hana stood beside Seo-ma and Li-won.
Old Madam Kim was holding Hana’s hand affectionately.
“Hana, when did you arrive?”
Hana smiled.
“Not long ago, Grandma.”
Li-won stepped closer.
Her eyes immediately lit up when she saw Hana.
“Sister Hana!”
Hana turned toward her.
Li-won smiled brightly.
“You both look amazing!”
Seo-ma immediately lifted her chin.
“I always look amazing.”
For a moment, everyone stared at her.
Then—
Hana laughed.
Li-won giggled.
Even Old Madam Kim couldn’t help but smile.
Seo-ma looked completely serious.
“What?”
Hana shook her head.
“Nothing.”
“Good.”
Seo-ma smiled proudly.
“Because I was just stating a fact.”
Hana laughed again.
“You’re impossible.”
“Thank you.”
“That wasn’t a compliment.”
“I’ll take it anyway.”
Li-won laughed.
The four of them stood together, enjoying the moment.
But across the room…
Soo-min was watching them.
Her eyes narrowed.
She quickly walked toward her mother.
Mrs.
Hee stood near the entrance of the banquet hall.
She looked radiant in an elegant white evening gown, with a luxurious white fur stole draped gracefully over her shoulders.
The moment Mrs.
Hee saw Hana, her expression changed.
Soo-min lowered her voice.
“Mom, I’m just as surprised as you are.”
Mrs.
Hee looked toward Hana.
Her eyes narrowed.
“Look at your sister.”
She glanced at Li-won, who was standing happily beside Hana.
“Anyone who didn’t know better would think she and Hana were real sisters.”
There was obvious irritation in her voice.
Soo-min looked at Li-won.
Li-won was smiling at Hana without a care in the world.
Mrs.
Hee’s expression hardened.
“Go over there.”
Soo-min looked at her.
“Now?”
“Yes.”
Mrs.
Hee’s voice became firm.
“Make sure Hana behaves herself tonight.”
Soo-min immediately sensed the anger in her mother’s voice.
“Okay, Mom.”
Then she looked around.
“Where’s Dad?”
“He’s at the entrance welcoming the guests.”
Mrs.
Hee adjusted the fur stole around her shoulders.
“I’m going to join him.”
She turned to leave.
Then stopped.
“And keep an eye on your sister.”
Soo-min nodded.
“I will.”
Mrs.
Hee gave her one final look before walking away.
Soo-min watched her mother disappear into the crowd.
A slow smile appeared on her lips.
“Mom…”
She whispered.
“Just wait.”
Her eyes moved toward Hana.
“I have a feeling tonight is going to be very interesting.”
But before Soo-min could move—
Someone stepped in front of her.
Ji-ah.
Soo-min’s smile immediately returned.
“Ji-ah.”
Ji-ah smiled sweetly.
“I was just about to go welcome Hana.”
Soo-min tilted her head.
“Really?”
“Yes.”
Ji-ah glanced toward Hana.
Then she lowered her voice.
“After all…”
She smiled.
“I’m her friend.”
Soo-min’s eyes gleamed with satisfaction.
“Of course you are.”
She gently touched Ji-ah’s arm.
“Go ahead.”
Ji-ah nodded.
Then she walked toward Hana.
Soo-min remained where she was.
Watching.
Waiting.
She had no idea exactly what Ji-ah would do.
But she knew one thing.
Jealous people were unpredictable.
And sometimes…
That made them very useful.
Across the room, Seo-ma noticed Ji-ah approaching.
Her playful expression disappeared.
She immediately moved a little closer to Hana.
Something about this didn’t feel right.
Seo-ma didn’t know what Soo-min had said to Ji-ah.
But she knew her best friend.
And she knew one thing for certain—
If anyone tried to hurt Kim Hana tonight…
They would have to get through her first.