Note: Thank you to all my readers who have been voting and commenting!! Your support means the world to me ❤️

I hope you guys enjoy!!~~

Show some love;; comment and vote! :: ★
(It really motivates me !!)

┏━°⌜ 𝐓𝐖𝐈𝐒𝐓𝐄𝐃 𝐋𝐎𝐕𝐄 ⌟°━┓
⚜️
┗━°⌜    𝙨𝙩𝙞𝙡𝙡𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝𝙠𝙤𝙤𝙠_ ⌟°━┛

▃▃▃▃▃▃▃

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀.　　　　　　　　　　⠀⠀⠀✦ ⠀ ⠀　　　　　　　　　　　　　　⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀* ⠀⠀⠀.　　　　　　　　　　. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀✦⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀.　　　　　　　　　　　　　.　　　ﾟ .　　　　　　　　　　　　　. 　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　✦ 　　　　　,　　　　　　　.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
　　　　　　*　　　　　　　　　　　.
.　　　　　　　　　　　　　. 　　✦⠀　   　　　,　　　　　　　　　*
　　　　　⠀　　　　⠀　　,
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀.　　　　　 　　⠀　　　⠀.　
　　˚　　　⠀　⠀  　　,　　　　　　.
　　　　　　　　　　　　　.
　　　　　　*⠀　　⠀  　　　　　⠀✦⠀　
　　　　　　*　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　.
　　　　.　　　　.　　　⠀
　　　　　　　　　　　.
　　　　　　　
　　　˚　　　　　　　　ﾟ　　　　　.
　.⠀　　⠀‍⠀‍⠀‍⠀‍⠀‍⠀‍⠀‍⠀‍⠀‍⠀‍⠀,
　　　*　　⠀.
　　　　　.　　　　　　　　　　⠀✦
　˚　　　　　　　　　　　　　　*
.⠀ 　　　　　　　　　　.　　　　　　　　.
　　　　　✦⠀　   　　　,　　    　　　　　　　　.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀.　　　　　　　　　　⠀⠀⠀✦ ⠀ ⠀　　　　　　　　　　　　　　⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀* ⠀⠀⠀.　　　　　　　　　　. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀✦⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀.　　　　　　　　　　　　　.　　　ﾟ .　　　　　　　　　　　　　. 　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　✦ 　　　　　,　　　　　　　.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
　　　　　　*　　　　　　　　　　　.
.　　　　　　　　　　　　　. 　　✦⠀　   　　　,　　　　　　　　　*
　　　　　⠀　　　　⠀　　,
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀.　　　　　 　　⠀　　　⠀.　
　　˚　　　⠀　⠀  　　,　　　　　　.
　　　　　　　　　　　　　.
　　　　　　*⠀　　⠀  　　　　　⠀✦⠀　
　　　　　　*　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　.
　　　　.　　　　.　　　
　　　　　　　　　　　.
　　　　　　　
　　　˚　　　　　　　　ﾟ　　　　　.
　.⠀　⠀‍⠀‍⠀‍⠀‍⠀‍⠀‍⠀‍⠀‍⠀‍⠀‍⠀,
　　　　　✦⠀　   　　　,

•

•

•

Jia's PoV

As they arrived at the venue for the charity gala, Jia could feel her heart thudding in her chest. Jaehyun's sleek, black sports car glided to a halt in front of the grand entrance of the hotel. The car was an extravagant, low-slung beast of a machine that purred quietly as it came to a stop, drawing the attention of a few guests as they waited in line to enter. The headlights cut through the evening like a spotlight, illuminating the opulent red carpet that led up to the grand marble staircase of the hotel.

Jia adjusted her dress nervously, the fabric flowing like liquid silk against her skin as she stepped out of the car. Jaehyun was already out on his side, handing the keys to the valet without a second glance, completely at ease in this world of wealth and influence. He moved with the same casual arrogance she'd come to expect, every gesture dripping with the confidence of a man who knew he belonged here.

She, on the other hand, felt slightly out of place. The green satin dress she wore shimmered elegantly in the soft lighting, and she had to admit, she looked the part of someone who could mingle with the elite. But her nerves gnawed at her insides, knowing the stakes behind tonight's performance. The people inside were not just rich; they were powerful, connected, and dangerous. 'You got this babe, we've done this at least a hundred times so far— this should be light work'

Jaehyun moved towards her, his hand lightly brushing her back as he gave her an appraising look. "Nervous?" His voice was low, and his usual teasing tone was back, though there was a softness there she hadn't expected.

Jia shot him a sidelong glance. "Not even a little." She lied.

He smirked, clearly not believing her. "Good. Because we've got a part to play tonight." Then, without asking, he offered her his arm, his posture straightening as he shifted effortlessly into character. "We'll need to look the part, Ms. Ko."

She hesitated for a fraction of a second, unsure if she wanted to be seen on his arm, but it was part of the plan. Jia slid her hand into the crook of his arm, immediately feeling the warmth of his body through the cool fabric of his suit jacket. It was odd—standing there with him like this, playing the part of a glamorous couple, her pulse quickening as she adjusted to their sudden proximity.

"See?" he teased softly as they made their way up the marble stairs. "Not so hard. Just smile, nod, and pretend you belong here."

"I do belong here," she shot back quietly, her lips curling into a teasing smirk. "Didn't you say that you hardly appear at these sorts of events, it's you who should be worried about keeping up appearances."

He chuckled under his breath. "Touche."

As they reached the top of the stairs, the enormous double doors to the ballroom were flanked by two doormen in tuxedos, who pulled the doors open with a ceremonious gesture. Beyond the threshold was a sight that almost took her breath away.

The grand ballroom was nothing short of spectacular. Crystal chandeliers hung from the high, vaulted ceilings, casting a golden glow over the room. Massive marble pillars lined the edges of the hall, and intricate frescoes decorated the ceilings, depicting scenes of grandeur from another era. The walls were draped in deep, rich crimson curtains, adding a regal touch to the already lavish setting. In the centre of the room, a large circular dance floor was framed by tables draped in pristine white cloths, where guests were seated, sipping champagne and exchanging pleasantries.

The people were just as opulent as the venue. Women in shimmering gowns, adorned with jewels that glittered in the light, mingled with men in perfectly tailored tuxedos. The soft hum of polite conversation filled the air, punctuated by the occasional tinkling of laughter or the clinking of crystal glasses. Waiters moved about with silver trays, offering hors d'oeuvres and drinks to the guests.

"Quite the scene, isn't it?" Jaehyun whispered close to her ear as they stood at the entrance, surveying the room. His breath was warm against her skin, sending an involuntary shiver down her spine.

"Yeah," she murmured back, her eyes scanning the crowd. "Everyone looks like they've stepped out of a movie."

He glanced down at her with a half-smile. "Careful. Keep your head in the game."

Jia smoothed her expression, nodding slightly. "Don't worry about me," she said, her tone firm. "I'm focused."

"Good," he replied, his lips twitching into a grin. "But let's not forget we're here to have fun, too." His tone shifted, becoming more lighthearted as he pulled her a little closer, guiding her down the steps into the heart of the gala.

She raised an eyebrow at him. "Fun? Is that what you call this? Spying on corrupt politicians and trying not to get caught?"

"Well," he shrugged nonchalantly, "a little danger makes it interesting, doesn't it? Besides," he glanced around at the extravagant surroundings, "this is just another night in paradise for some of these people. You may as well enjoy it."

Jia couldn't help but snort at his relaxed attitude. "Of course. I forgot you were born into all of this."

"Don't hate me because I'm lucky," he teased, his eyes gleaming with amusement. "Now, let's put on our best smiles. We've got people to charm."

They wove through the crowd together, arms still linked, their presence drawing attention from several guests as they passed by. Jia couldn't tell if the looks they received were out of admiration or suspicion, but either way, they were being noticed. Exactly what they needed.

As they neared a group of men standing near the back of the ballroom, Jia recognized one or two from the list of politicians she had been studying. They were middle-aged, well-dressed, and looked like they belonged in this world of power and privilege. But behind their polite smiles and perfectly pressed suits, she could sense the darker undercurrents—the secrets they were hiding, the ties they had to the Han Church.

"You see them?" Jaehyun murmured, his lips barely moving as he nodded subtly in their direction.

"Yeah," Jia whispered back. "I recognise a few. This is it. We need to get close."

"Leave that to me," he said smoothly, flashing her a cocky grin before turning his full attention to the crowd ahead.

Jia, despite her earlier nerves, felt a small surge of confidence. With Jaehyun by her side, playing the part of the charming, wealthy businessman, they just might be able to pull this off. She straightened her shoulders, falling into step with him as they prepared to make their move.

Jaehyun guided Jia smoothly toward the group of men standing near the back of the ballroom. He adjusted his posture slightly, adopting the character of a man completely at ease in these kinds of circles. His confidence was palpable, every movement precise, exuding an air of authority and charm. He gave her arm a reassuring squeeze as they approached, silently signalling for her to play along, to trust him.

The men in the group were deep in conversation, holding their glasses of expensive champagne with practised ease. Jia quickly recognised two of them—Chairman Kang, a senior politician who was heavily rumoured to have ties to the Han Church, and Assemblyman Jang, another familiar name from her list. There were two other men she didn't recognise as quickly, both older, heavyset, and impeccably dressed in tailored suits. They looked like they had been in power for so long they had forgotten what it felt like not to be.

Jaehyun's approach was seamless. He let out a low, casual laugh as he neared the group, catching their attention as though he had been a part of the conversation all along.

"Gentlemen," he said with a warm, welcoming tone. "Mind if I join the party?"

Chairman Kang turned first, his eyes narrowing slightly before recognition dawned, and a smile spread across his weathered face. "Ah, Mr. Jung," he greeted, extending a hand. "We were just talking about how dull these events can be without the right company."

Jaehyun grinned easily, shaking the chairman's hand. "Well, I'm glad I could offer some relief then. This sort of event does have a way of blending together after a while."

The men chuckled, nodding in agreement. One of the older men, who Jia suspected was a CEO of some corporate conglomerate, took a long sip of his drink before speaking.

"Used to be, back in the day, these galas were the highlight of the social calendar," he said, his voice gravelly. "But these days, it's all business. No one knows how to have a good time anymore."

Jia felt her skin crawl. It wasn't the words so much as the tone, the thinly veiled arrogance and sense of entitlement these men exuded. Jaehyun, however, slipped into the conversation with effortless ease, his charm disarming and fluid.

"Times have changed, I suppose," Jaehyun said, tilting his head slightly. "Though, I have to say, the company tonight isn't too bad." His gaze flickered to Jia briefly, and the men followed, their eyes finally landing on her.

"Oh, and who do we have here?" Assemblyman Jang asked, his tone immediately shifting to something more condescending. His gaze raked over her in a way that made Jia's stomach churn. "This your date, Mr. Jung?"

Jaehyun smiled lightly, slipping his arm a little tighter around Jia's waist, making it clear she was with him. "This is Areum Ko," he said, introducing her smoothly. "A very talented woman with an eye for marketing. I'd say I'm lucky to have her by my side tonight."

The men's eyes lingered on her for a moment longer, and Jia forced herself to smile politely, though it took everything in her to do so.

"Marketing, huh?" Chairman Kang said, his voice dripping with scepticism. "Seems like the industry's changed a lot since our days. Back then, women knew their place."

Jia's grip on Jaehyun's arm tightened instinctively, her blood boiling at the casual misogyny. The smile on her face was frozen, her teeth clenched behind her lips as she fought the urge to say something. But she knew she couldn't—this was a delicate operation, and losing her cool in front of these men would compromise everything. She had to stay in character, had to play the part, no matter how disgusting the conversation got.

The CEO joined in, his deep, booming laugh making her skin crawl. "Exactly! Back in the day, women would be at home, not at these events trying to talk business. You wouldn't catch them making the decisions we make today."

Jaehyun must have felt her nails digging into his arm, because he let out a soft chuckle, glancing down at her with amusement before turning back to the men. "Well, times are changing," he said smoothly. "Women like Areum here are the future, and if you ask me, we could all stand to learn a thing or two from them."

The men gave Jaehyun a patronising smile, clearly not taking his words seriously. Assemblyman Jang raised his glass, giving a mocking toast. "To progress," he said, his tone dripping with sarcasm.

"To progress," Jaehyun echoed, raising his own glass with a playful glint in his eye, as if playing along with their ridiculousness. His hand slid over Jia's, subtly loosening her grip on his arm. She released the tension in her fingers, comprehending she had been gripping him far too hard.

He glanced down at her, his lips curving into a knowing smile. "Easy there, tiger," he whispered under his breath, his voice teasing. "I know they're infuriating, but try not to break my arm."

Jia forced herself to laugh softly, playing it off like it was nothing, though she was seething inside. She smiled tightly at the men, nodding as though she agreed with everything they had said, when really, she wanted nothing more than to walk away. But she had to stay focused. These men were important, and as much as she hated it, she had to get close to them.

"So, Ms. Ko," Chairman Kang said, turning his attention fully to her now. "What's it like working in marketing these days? I imagine it's a bit different from what we're used to."

Jia swallowed the anger bubbling up inside her and put on her best professional smile. "It's challenging," she said, her voice calm and measured. "But I enjoy it. It's a constantly evolving field, and there's always something new to learn."

The men nodded, clearly uninterested in her response. They weren't here to have a real conversation with her—they were here to size her up, to make her feel small. And that only made her more determined not to let them see how much they got under her skin.

Jaehyun, however, seemed to be enjoying himself. He smiled at her, his gaze lingering for a moment longer than necessary, as if silently telling her to keep up the good work. His amusement was evident in the way his lips twitched whenever she responded, like he was watching some kind of performance.

"She's brilliant, really," Jaehyun added, his tone smooth and effortless. "I'm lucky to have her on my team."

Jia shot him a quick, sideways glance, unsure if he was just playing the role or genuinely enjoying watching her squirm. Either way, she was grateful when one of the other men diverted the conversation back to business, talking about stocks and investments—topics she didn't need to participate in.

As they continued talking, Jia found herself observing more than engaging. She could feel the weight of the night pressing on her, the game they were playing becoming more dangerous with each passing moment. But she had to keep her cool. These men were linked to Ryu Han's cult, and getting close to them was her only way in.

Jaehyun, ever the smooth operator, kept the conversation flowing effortlessly, charming the men with his quick wit and easy confidence. She had to admit, he was good at this—better than she expected. He had them eating out of the palm of his hand, and for a moment, Jia almost forgot what side he was on.

But as the night went on, she reminded herself of the stakes, of the danger that lurked behind every smile and laugh. This wasn't just a game. It was a matter of life and death.

The conversation between Jaehyun and the men flowed effortlessly, shifting from stocks and investments to more private matters, the kind of discussions that were only held in such exclusive circles. Their glasses of champagne were refilled more times than Jia could keep track of, and she found herself silently observing, biding her time. Despite their earlier comments, these men clearly trusted Jaehyun—or rather, the persona he had built for himself.

She remained close to his side, playing the part of the dutiful companion, smiling politely at their jokes, even when her stomach churned at their arrogance. But she kept her emotions in check, knowing that she couldn't afford to lose her composure.

Then, the tone of the conversation shifted subtly.

"It's all about influence," Chairman Kang said, his voice lowering a notch as he swirled his glass thoughtfully. "Not just in the markets or in government, but something bigger... more powerful. The kind of influence that can reshape the world."

Assemblyman Jang nodded in agreement, his eyes flickering with something darker, a hint of something that had been buried beneath layers of casual conversation. "Exactly. The old ways, the systems we've relied on for centuries... they're crumbling. It's time for a new world to rise from the ashes."

Jia's ears perked up at the phrase—a new world. It was subtle, almost casual, but the way they said it sent a chill down her spine. This was what she had been waiting for. It wasn't much, but it was a crack in the facade. These men were connected to something larger, something that went beyond simple business deals.

Jaehyun, ever composed, gave them a knowing smile, his gaze unreadable. "It's interesting you mention that," he said smoothly, his voice almost too calm. "A new world, huh? You'd think that would require something... radical to bring about."

Assemblyman Jang chuckled, though there was no real humour in it. "Radical changes call for radical measures," he said quietly, glancing around to ensure no one else was listening. "Only those with the foresight to embrace what's coming will be part of the new order."

Chairman Kang nodded, his expression hardening slightly. "Ryu Han... he has the vision. The rest of the world will soon follow."

Jia's heart skipped a beat at the mention of Ryu Han's name, her grip unconsciously tightening on Jaehyun's arm again. This was it. They were talking about the cult. The Han Church and Ryu Han's influence had clearly infiltrated these circles more deeply than she had anticipated. Her mind raced, trying to process the implications of what she was hearing, while simultaneously keeping her expression neutral.

Jaehyun glanced at her briefly, catching the tension in her posture before he chuckled softly, covering her slip-up with ease. "Don't tell me you're already feeling the pressure," he teased lightly, his voice smooth enough to convince the men that everything was perfectly normal.

Jia forced herself to relax, loosening her grip and flashing a quick, apologetic smile. "Just... a little tight in these shoes," she lied easily, playing off the moment with a light laugh.

The men chuckled, none of them suspecting a thing.

Chairman Kang leaned in closer to Jaehyun, his voice lowering to a conspiratorial whisper. "You seem to know your way around this kind of thing, Mr. Jung. There might be opportunities for someone like you... when the time comes."

Jaehyun's smile didn't falter, but his eyes gleamed with a dark, knowing glint. "Opportunities are what I live for," he replied smoothly, his voice just as quiet, yet full of intent.

"And you," he continued, nudging his champagne flute in Jia's direction. "We need more capable women to bear the Supreme Master's seed." All the other men around him grunted, agreeing and siding with Chairman Kang's words.

Jia blinked. 'What?'

It wasn't until Jaehyun had done the honour of discretely pinching her waist that she finally came to her senses. "Ah— right." She nodded, forcing a smile.  "I'm honoured you see me as capable." Her fingers wrapped around Jaehyun's, secretly pushing them away from her hip.

'These...'

The men exchanged glances, nodding slightly as though something unspoken had been agreed upon. They shifted the conversation back to safer topics—business, politics, the latest scandals circulating among the elite. But Jia knew they had just glimpsed the tip of something far more dangerous, far more sinister. She couldn't help but wonder how deep their ties to the Han Church really went—and how much influence Ryu Han held over them.

For now, they had to play their roles perfectly. She needed to know more before making her next move. But the pieces were falling into place, and the danger was becoming more real with every passing second.

Jaehyun, still playing the perfect host, led the conversation back to lighter topics, his charm disarming the men once again. But in the back of her mind, Jia couldn't stop thinking about the words that had just been exchanged—the new world, radical measures, Ryu Han.

She had to find a way to get closer to the heart of it all. But for now, all she could do was smile, laugh at the right moments, and pretend like she didn't just hear something that could change everything.

✄┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈

Vote Goal: 26 🎀