Ji-a sat quietly at the Kang family table, her eyes glued to Na-ri and Jin Woo, who stood just a little too close for her liking. Something about the way Jin Woo looked at Na-ri made her chest tighten with jealousy. But she quickly brushed it off, pretending not to care.
Na-ri excused herself and walked toward the stage. The gala had officially begun, and as the host and Kang family's face for the evening, she had to take charge.
She stepped onto the stage with calm grace. The spotlight shone on her, and the hall slowly quieted. She smiled and began, "Good evening, everyone. Thank you all for coming tonight to celebrate the 70th anniversary of Empire Group. It's truly an honor to have you all here."
Her voice was soft yet confident.
"To begin the night, we have something special—" she paused, "—a performance to set the tone."
The curtains on the side drew back, and a young woman in a black gown walked to the center with a cello. As she began to play, the rich, deep notes filled the hall. It was calm, emotional, and full of depth. The music tugged gently at the heart. Some guests closed their eyes, letting the melody wash over them.
But behind her smile, Na-ri's fingers trembled. Watching the performance made her chest ache. For a brief second, her mind slipped into the past—flashes of a pink tutu, her parents' proud faces, and the sound of sirens after the accident.
She snapped herself out of it.
She wouldn't break. Not tonight.
When the performance ended, applause filled the hall. Na-ri returned to the stage. She made a few light jokes, causing laughter from the guests. Everyone smiled and clapped—everyone except Ji-a and her mother, who sat with stiff faces, their smiles frozen in irritation. Tae Joon, seated at the far left, looked like he was still in shock, his hands holding onto his glass tightly.
Na-ri moved on, her voice proud and elegant. "Now, the man who built this legacy into what it is today—please welcome the main character of this night, my grandfather, Chairman Kang Hyun Bin."
Applause echoed as Chairman Kang slowly stood up and joined her on stage. Na-ri gave him a warm hug before stepping aside.
From the Kang family table, Ji-a watched with narrowed eyes. But she wasn't the only one watching Na-ri. Jin Woo hadn't taken his eyes off her since the beginning. Ji-a leaned toward her mother and whispered bitterly, "Why is he staring at her like that?"
Her mother didn't answer but gave a side glance full of curiosity and slight irritation.
Chairman Kang began his speech, welcoming everyone. He spoke proudly of Empire Group's roots, how his own grandfather had started it, and how it nearly collapsed during the war. His voice carried a deep pride. The room was quiet, the guests listening with respect.
As the chairman raised his glass to begin a toast, Ji-a scooted closer to Na-ri.
"Don't you think you're being a little much tonight?" she whispered with a fake smile. "This is a business gala, not your birthday. Why are you acting like some red-carpet celebrity?"
Na-ri smiled back without looking at her. She clapped as her grandfather neared the end of his speech. "Aww... Ji-a, are you that scared I'll steal your spotlight?"
Ji-a's eyes flared.
Na-ri turned her head slightly, leaned closer, and whispered in Ji-a's ear—her voice calm but chilling.
"You don't need to be scared now. This is just the beginning. I'm going to let you feel what it's like... having everything stolen from you. Just watch."
She clinked her glass against Ji-a's and gave her a devilish wink before rising from her seat.
Ji-a stared at her, stunned. What was Na-ri talking about? What did she steal?
Na-ri returned to the stage and smiled sweetly. "Can we have one more round of applause for Chairman Kang?"
The audience clapped again.
She lifted her glass. "Now, before we continue with the evening, there's something else I'd like to toast about... something special."
She looked toward the crowd. "Jin Woo... come up."
The room fell silent for a second.
Jin Woo stood up from his seat and walked up the stage slowly, confidently. His black suit shimmered under the lights. The audience started whispering. Ji-a blinked. Tae Joon looked lost, still seated, holding his drink. Mina and Jin Ho exchanged quick glances. Even Na-ri's grandfather and great-aunt looked confused—but curious.
Once Jin Woo stood beside her, Na-ri turned to the crowd.
"I'm happy to announce our engagement."
The hall gasped.
For a moment, it felt like time froze. Then, the sound of polite applause started from the older guests. Chairman Kang looked stunned, but seeing the smile on Na-ri's face, he clapped too. The Han family joined in with stiff expressions, pretending to be pleased.
But at the Kang family table...
Tae Joon's hand dropped the champagne glass. Ji-a looked like she had just been slapped. Mi-na leaned forward, whispering something to Jin Ho, who stared with wide eyes. Even Minji was shocked and confused.
Na-ri raised her glass high and clinked it with Jin Woo's.
She sipped the champagne slowly, a confident smirk playing on her lips. Her eyes scanned the room, taking in every shocked and miserable face.
She was enjoying every second of it.