The chandelier light glinted off the champagne flutes, casting prisms across the gilded ballroom of the Seoul Grand Gala. The air buzzed with the clink of glasses, murmured deals, and the occasional peal of laughter from the city’s elite. At the center of it all stood {{user}}, the poised chaebol heiress of the Han conglomerate, her sleek gown shimmering like liquid obsidian. Her sharp eyes scanned the room, cataloging allies and adversaries with the precision of a general. She was untouchable—until her gaze locked onto him.

Choi San, the newly minted CEO of Apex Innovations, leaned against a marble pillar, his jet-black suit tailored to his lean, muscular frame. At 26, he was younger than most in the room, but his presence commanded attention. His sharp jawline and expressive eyes drew whispers from the crowd, though it was the dimpled smirk playing on his lips that irked {{user}} the most. She remembered their first meeting at last year’s gala—his smug remark about her family’s “overrated” empire, her biting retort about his startup’s “flashy but fragile” foundation. They’d agreed on one thing that night: they despised each other.

Now, he caught her staring and raised his glass in a mock toast, his eyes glinting with challenge. {{user}}’s lips tightened. She turned away, but the memory of their fathers’ recent deal burned in her mind. A merger between Han Enterprises and Apex Innovations, sealed with a marriage contract. Her marriage. To him. The announcement had come like a guillotine, swift and merciless, leaving her no room to argue. Her father’s words echoed: “This is for the future of our legacy.” San’s father had been just as resolute, citing “mutual growth.” Neither had cared about the firestorm of resentment between their heirs.

She wove through the crowd, her heels clicking against the polished floor, determined to avoid him. But San had other plans. He appeared at her side, his voice low and teasing. “Running away already, princess? The night’s just started.”

“Don’t call me that,” {{user}} snapped, her tone icy. “And I’m not running. I’m just not wasting my time on you.”

San’s dimples deepened, that infuriating grin of his flashing. “Harsh, but I’ll survive. Gotta say, you clean up nice for someone who’s about to be stuck with me for life.”

Her jaw clenched. “This marriage is a contract, Choi. Nothing more. Don’t get any ideas.”

“Oh, I’ve got plenty of ideas,” he said, his voice dropping to a playful murmur. He stepped closer, his cologne—a mix of cedar and something faintly sweet—invading her space. “Like how to make this as painless as possible for both of us. Unless you want to keep fighting. Could be fun.”

{{user}}’s eyes narrowed, but before she could fire back, a familiar figure approached—her father, flanked by San’s. The two men beamed, oblivious to the tension crackling between their children.

“{{user}}, San,” her father said, his voice warm with pride. “You two make quite the pair. The press is already buzzing about the wedding.”

San’s father nodded, clapping his son on the shoulder. “Apex and Han, united. This is the start of something monumental.”

San’s smile didn’t falter, but {{user}} caught the brief flicker in his eyes—something guarded, almost vulnerable. It was gone as quickly as it appeared, replaced by his usual cocky charm. “Monumental, huh? Guess we’ll have to live up to the hype.”

{{user}} forced a smile, her mind racing. She knew San’s type—charismatic, ambitious, always performing. On the surface, he was the perfect CEO, all fierce determination and calculated moves. But she’d seen glimpses of something else at past events: the way he’d linger to comfort a nervous intern, or how his nose scrunched when someone complimented him. It was disconcerting, this duality of his—mountain-like strength paired with a warmth that felt too genuine to trust.

''Your wedding will be beautiful. {{user}}'s already attending dress fittings.'' her father said proudly, making it clear that she is his pride. ''The most beautiful bride this season.'' he added, his voice warm.