Engagement Discussion

Scene: Jason's Apartment, Morning 10:30 a.m

Jason sat at his desk, reviewing the notes from his earlier conversation with Ivan. The faint hum of the city outside was a distant backdrop to the quiet in his apartment. He was just about to dive into another set of emails when his phone buzzed on the desk.

The name Dante Reyes flashed on the screen. Jason smiled slightly—perfect timing.

He picked up the call. "Dante. Back from paradise already?"

Dante's familiar voice, warm with a tinge of sarcasm, came through the line. "Paradise? Try chaos. I swear, spending time with family reminds me why I left Americano in the first place. Anyway, I'm on my way back now. Thought I'd check in."

Jason leaned back in his chair. "Good to hear from you. How's the family?"

"Loud, overbearing, and exhausting," Dante said with a laugh. "But they're good. My mom's still asking when I'm going to settle down. I told her I'm already married to spreadsheets and financial statements."

Jason chuckled. "That sounds about right. We missed you over here, though. A lot's happened while you were gone."

There was a pause before Dante spoke again. "Yeah, I heard from Ivan. Something about you getting dragged into some marriage contract? Care to explain that one, Jason?"

Jason sighed, rubbing the bridge of his nose. "Long story short, my grandmother passed, and now I'm stuck in an engagement with Kim Seo-yeon of all people."

"Wait, the Kim Seo-yeon? The 'ice queen' from the Eastern States? The one running her family's empire with an iron fist?"

"The very same," Jason confirmed.

Dante let out a low whistle. "Man, you don't do things halfway, do you? So what's the plan? I assume this isn't just about playing house."

Jason's tone turned serious. "It's complicated. The contract doesn't let me live separately, so I'm considering moving everything—including the studio—to the Eastern States. Ivan's on board, but I wanted to get your thoughts."

Dante was silent for a moment, then said, "Relocating? That's a big ask, Jason. You're talking about uprooting an entire team. Not to mention, the Eastern States' market is... different."

"I know," Jason said. "But the logistics make it unavoidable. The contract is ironclad, and traveling back and forth isn't sustainable."

"Fair point," Dante admitted. "Still, we'll need to strategize. The Eastern States are more regulated, especially when it comes to business. And you know how they treat foreign ventures. We'll need a solid plan to keep everything running smoothly."

Jason nodded, even though Dante couldn't see him. "That's where you come in. If anyone can handle the financial and legal side, it's you."

Dante laughed. "Flattery will get you everywhere, Park. I'll start crunching the numbers as soon as I'm back. But what about Nebula Interactive? What's the latest there?"

Jason leaned forward, his voice steady. "The studio's doing well. Ivan's overseeing Steel Shadows, and the team's making good progress. We're also starting pre-production on a new project—a global trading platform inspired by something I thought up during college."

Dante caught on quickly. "Ah, the e-commerce idea. You've been talking about that for years. So we're finally doing it?"

Jason nodded. "It's the perfect time. The industry's fragmented, and there's no centralized platform for online sales. If we can pull this off, we'll dominate the market."

"I like it," Dante said, his tone thoughtful. "But it's going to take a lot of capital and coordination. We'll need to streamline logistics, secure partnerships, and figure out the distribution networks."

"Already working on it," Jason said. "I've been mapping out a strategy, but I'll need your input to refine it. Once you're back, we'll sit down and hammer out the details."

"Sounds like a plan," Dante said, his voice filled with renewed energy. "You know, I wasn't sure about this whole gaming business when we started. But now? It feels like we're on the cusp of something big."

Jason smiled. "That's because we are. And with the three of us working together, there's nothing we can't pull off."

Dante chuckled. "You always were the optimist, Jason. All right, I'll be back in a couple of days. Try not to get into too much trouble until then."

"No promises," Jason said with a grin. "Safe travels, Dante."

As the call ended, Jason set his phone down and stared at the screen in front of him. The challenges ahead were daunting, but with Ivan and Dante by his side, he felt confident they could face anything.

The future of Nebula Interactive—and this new e-commerce venture—depended on their next steps. And Jason was determined to make every move count.

Got it! Here's the revised scene with Jason feeling less passive, more in control, and with Seo-yeon's subtle attempts to manipulate him and retain her dominance. I'll also make sure her demeanor shifts depending on who she's interacting with, especially when dealing with those outside her immediate circle.

Scene: The Grand Crescent Hotel – Meeting Room

The Grand Crescent Hotel stood tall and imposing, a gleaming reflection of the Kim Group's power and influence. Managed by Kim Ji-eun, the hotel was a testament to their wealth, and it was here that the engagement party was to be held. The grand ballroom would host not only family and friends but key business partners and high-profile guests from across the globe.

The Park family—Chairman Park Joon-Soo, his son Park Min-Ho, and his wife Soo-Jin, along with Jason—were seated across from the Kim family: Kim Seo-yeon, Kim Dong-wook, Kim Ji-eun, and Choi Eun-young.

Opening the discussion Min-ho, dressed in an immaculately tailored suit, cleared his throat, his voice smooth and authoritative. "We've gathered today to finalize the engagement party plans. The Grand Crescent is the ideal venue. Elegant, prestigious, and capable of handling all the necessary arrangements."

Jason let the words wash over him, his mind detached from the conversation as he leaned back in his chair. The endless parade of polite words and calculated suggestions didn't interest him. He wasn't here to discuss the party; he was here because it was part of his new reality. His role in this farce of an engagement had already been decided for him.

Seo-yeon caught Jason's eye for a brief moment, her gaze sharp but fleeting. Her lips curled into a smile, too perfect to be genuine. "Yes, the location is excellent," she said, her voice measured, all business. "It reflects the stature of both families."

She spoke to the others, but her attention lingered on Jason as she adjusted her posture, subtly leaning forward, drawing his gaze to her. It wasn't just her words; it was her presence. The way she held herself—flawless and commanding—was a silent message. She was in control, and she wanted him to know it.

Jason's lips barely curled upward. He wasn't fooled by the outward appearance of politeness. There was a game at play here, and he could feel her testing the waters, pushing him subtly. She wasn't here for him to like her, not really. She was playing a role, a carefully constructed one.

Ji-eun, with her effortless grace, spoke next, her voice a calm breeze compared to Seo-yeon's calculated presence. "I'll ensure everything is prepared. The staff is ready, and the atmosphere will be carefully curated to match the occasion."

Seo-yeon, still in tune with the power dynamics at play, responded with a soft, agreeable tone. "Perfect. We need to present a united front—both in business and in this engagement."

Jason's eyes narrowed slightly. He could see through the pretense. Seo-yeon wasn't just focusing on the event's success—she was trying to stir something in him. Something emotional. She was testing the waters for real feelings. Trying to manipulate him into a space where he felt compelled to act, to give her something.

She leaned just a bit too far forward, brushing a lock of her perfectly styled hair from her face, allowing her perfume to trail faintly in the air, a calculated move. It wasn't much, but it was enough to draw Jason's attention. She knew what she was doing—she wanted to seduce him into compliance.

But Jason wasn't some naive pawn. He knew her tactics. He knew what she wanted. And he wasn't about to fall for it.

Na-rae, having grown tired of the conversation, interrupted, her voice laced with a slight edge of irritation. "While we're all discussing logistics, can we at least make sure the event is enjoyable? I don't want a stiff, business-only affair."

Ji-eun chuckled softly, sensing the shift in tone. "Of course, Na-rae. The evening will be enjoyable, but we must maintain an air of sophistication. This is a high-profile event."

Soo-jin, always the strategist, added, "Yes, we want to celebrate, but let's also make sure the guests know this engagement is about more than just family—it's about influence, and our combined strength."

Jason let out a small, quiet sigh. More business talk, as expected. He wasn't surprised by the constant undertones of manipulation. Everyone in the room was positioning themselves. They weren't just concerned about the party; they were trying to cement their hold over him, over the future of the company, and over the future of the Park family's business empire.

Min-ho, who had been relatively quiet until now, finally spoke up, his voice smooth but firm. "We'll also need to finalize the guest list. Key clients, partners, and international associates will need to be present. This isn't just a celebration; it's a statement of what this engagement means for our business."

Seo-yeon nodded, her eyes gleaming with quiet approval. "Exactly. This is an opportunity to expand our networks, to solidify our positions in the global market. The Park family's reputation should be fully represented."