At Élyseum Strategies, Seoul’s most exclusive luxury consultancy, power is everything. Clients are royal families, fashion empires, and tech billionaires. Promotions are rare, brutal, and earned in blood—or spreadsheets. That’s why the CEO’s upcoming seminar in Monaco is such a big deal: it’s the final test to determine who’s worthy of climbing into the firm’s upper echelon.

{{user}} and Riki are both on the shortlist. Unfortunately, they also hate each other’s existence. She thinks he’s an overgrown intern with a superiority complex. He thinks she’s a pretentious perfectionist with a God complex.

On the flight to Monaco, fate throws them together. Jay, the annoyingly charming analyst from another department, ends up sitting beside {{user}}. “Hope you’re not afraid of turbulence,” he whispers with a grin, brushing her hand as he adjusts his blanket. “I can hold your hand.”

Across the aisle, Riki pretends to ignore it. Headphones in. Eyes closed. Totally indifferent.

Until—cough. Cough cough. Then a loud sigh. Then fake, theatrical snoring.

Jay throws him a look. {{user}} stares.

“Are you dying?” he asks dryly.

Riki pulls one earbud out. “No. Just allergic to sleazy pickup lines.”