The conference room was a frozen sea of glass and grey marble.
Mira stepped inside, portfolio clutched tightly in her hands. Ares Han stood by the far wall, hands in his pockets, his back half-turned to her.
For a moment, he didn't speak. The silence dragged long enough to feel deliberate.
"Sit," he finally said, without turning.
She obeyed, setting the portfolio neatly on the table before her. Her palms were damp, but her face stayed calm.
Ares approached slowly, each step measured.
"You found something you shouldn't have," he said, voice low.
Mira kept her posture straight. "I don't know what you mean."
Ares leaned down slightly, placing his hands on the table. His face was inches from hers now close enough that she could feel the faint brush of his breath.
"You're not a very good liar," he said.
Her heart hammered in her chest, but Mira met his gaze without flinching.If he suspected her now.... everything would be over.
"I'm not here to cause trouble," she said quietly.
Ares studied her for a long, unbearable moment. His eyes were dark and unreadable.
Then, to her shock, he leaned back, crossing his arms.
"No," he said almost to himself. "You're here for something else."
The room buzzed with unspoken tension.
Before she could reply, the door swung open and Jae Min stepped in, carrying a laptop under one arm.
His presence immediately shifted the energy in the room. Lighter. Easier to breathe.
"You grilling her already?" Jae Min asked with a grin.
Ares straightened, cold mask slipping back into place. "Just making sure she's ready for the real work."
Jae Min set the laptop down and shot Mira a quick smile a quiet reassurance.
Mira's chest eased slightly, the invisible weight lifting just enough for her to breathe again.
The meeting turned to business. Discussions about the Kim account. Negotiations. Future expansion.
Mira took notes mechanically, her mind half-listening, half-strategizing.
When it ended, Ares dismissed them both curtly.
As they exited into the hallway, Jae Min fell into step beside her.
"Don't mind him," he said under his breath. "He likes to think he can read people. He usually can't."
Mira allowed herself a small laugh quiet, real.
Jae Min glanced sideways at her, his hand brushing lightly against hers as they walked. A casual accident or maybe not.
She didn't pull away.
"You did good in there," he said, his voice low and warm.
"Thanks," she replied softly.
They reached the elevators, the golden light pooling around them.
For a second, it felt like the world narrowed down to just this small space the low hum of the building, the faint scent of his cologne, the easy smile he reserved only for her.
The elevator doors opened with a soft chime.
Before Mira could step inside, Jae Min caught her wrist gently stopping her.
"Mira," he said, his voice dropping. "Be careful around Ares."
Something in his eyes something serious, something protective made her chest tighten.
"I will," she said, barely a whisper.
His fingers slid away reluctantly, and she stepped into the elevator alone.
As the doors closed, Mira let herself exhale.
Jae Min's warmth lingered on her skin.
And yet deep inside her a different heat stirred.The heat of the silent war she had just declared.Against Ares Han.Against his father.Against the empire that had stolen everything from her.
The game was only just beginning.And she would have to be very, very careful...Not just with her enemies.
But with the ones who might dare to care for her.