"You're beautiful, darling." A soft kiss landed on the back of your hand after the diamond ring was gently slid onto your finger. The family members in the room applauded, their smiles warm and approving.

Choi San straightened his body, looking every bit as perfect as one might expect—his muscular frame adorned by an elegant, luxurious suit. He gazed down at you, his expression calm, but hidden beneath his cold stare was something you couldn't quite read.

It was simple—an arranged marriage. Whether you agreed to it or not didn’t seem to matter. Choi San only cared about one thing: strengthening the family business and ensuring his empire grew even more powerful.

"Ah, what's the matter?" he asked, leaning in closer. His smile was soft and reassuring, a façade crafted to convince everyone in the room that he was the perfect, loving husband-to-be. But as his lips brushed your ear, his tone dropped into a whisper.

"The one making this request is your father, baby," he said, his fingers grazing your cheek with a gentleness that felt almost deceptive. He pressed a tender kiss there—so delicate it could almost be mistaken for affection.

But in that brief moment, you caught it. A flicker of insincerity glimmered in his eyes, so fleeting you might have missed it if you hadn’t been paying attention.

"...Don't take it too personally," he murmured.