Chapter 5: Cracks in the Armor.

Isla sat in her office, staring at her computer screen, though her mind was a million miles away. Her confrontation with Jin Woo earlier that day had left her shaken. She had expected a tough battle for the partnership, but the way he had shown up to undermine her so directly... it rattled her more than she wanted to admit.

The worst part wasn't even his tactics. It was the way he looked at her, the way he spoke—like he was inside her head, playing a game only he knew the rules to.

Her phone buzzed, snapping her out of her thoughts. Mason's name flashed across the screen.

"Ms. Han, you have a call on line two. Mr. Park," Mason said.

Isla's heart skipped a beat. Mr. Park—the partner from this morning. Her fingers hovered over the phone for a moment before she picked it up, composing herself.

"Mr. Park, it's good to hear from you," Isla said, her voice smooth and professional.

"Ms. Han, I've been thinking over the offer," Mr. Park's voice came through the line, measured and careful. "Both yours and Mr. Kang's. I have to admit, the decision hasn't been easy."

Isla's grip on the phone tightened. "I understand. It's a significant partnership, and I appreciate your careful consideration."

"After discussing it with my team, we've decided to proceed with Kang Enterprises," Mr. Park said, his tone regretful but firm.

The words hit her like a punch to the gut. She felt the blood drain from her face, though she kept her voice steady. "I see. May I ask what led to your decision?"

"It wasn't just about the price," Mr. Park explained. "Mr. Kang's vision for the future of our collaboration aligned closely with what we're looking for. I truly appreciate the work your company has done for us, Ms. Han, and I hope we can work together on future projects."

Isla managed to thank him before ending the call, but the disappointment was already seeping in. She had lost. Jin Woo had outplayed her, again.

As she sat back in her chair, her mind raced. How had he managed to sway Mr. Park? Was it his charm, his relentless pursuit, or something more? The question gnawed at her. She wasn't used to losing, especially not to him.

Her phone buzzed again. This time it was a text from Jin Woo.

Better luck next time, Isla.

The nerve. Isla's jaw clenched as she read the message. He was toying with her, pushing her buttons just to see how she'd react. But she refused to give him the satisfaction of knowing he'd rattled her.

---

The next day, Isla arrived at the office determined to put Jin Woo out of her mind. She had other deals to focus on, other partners to impress. Kang Enterprises might have won this round, but she wasn't about to let them get the upper hand again.

She spent the morning in meetings, strategizing with her team about their next steps. But despite her best efforts, thoughts of Jin Woo kept creeping in. Every time she imagined his smug face, her frustration grew. He was becoming more than just a professional rival—he was a thorn in her side, a constant reminder that she wasn't in control.

By lunchtime, Isla was wound tight, her frustration palpable. She decided to step out for a break, hoping some fresh air would clear her head. As she walked down the bustling city street, she tried to push the morning's events out of her mind.

But just as she was beginning to relax, her phone buzzed again. It was Jin Woo.

Lunch? I promise I won't gloat too much.

Isla stopped in her tracks, staring at the message in disbelief. The audacity of this man knew no bounds. Was he seriously inviting her to lunch after swooping in and stealing a deal right out from under her?

Her first instinct was to ignore him, to let the message sit unanswered. But a part of her—the competitive part—didn't want to back down. If he was trying to get under her skin, she wasn't going to let him.

With a sigh, she typed a quick reply.

Fine. But don't expect me to make it easy for you.

---

They met at a sleek, modern restaurant not far from both of their offices. When Isla arrived, Jin Woo was already seated, a playful smirk on his lips as he watched her approach.

"Isla," he greeted her, his tone warm but teasing. "I wasn't sure you'd show."

"I'm not one to back down from a challenge," she replied coolly, taking a seat across from him.

Jin Woo chuckled, leaning back in his chair. "That's what I like about you. You're always up for a fight."

Isla narrowed her eyes at him. "This isn't a fight, Jin Woo. This is business."

"Is it?" he asked, raising an eyebrow. "Because it feels a little more personal to me."

The comment made Isla pause. She didn't want to admit it, but he wasn't entirely wrong. Their rivalry had crossed the line from professional to something more—something neither of them seemed willing to acknowledge directly.

"I'm not here to play games with you," Isla said, her voice steady. "You won the deal. Congratulations. But don't think for a second that means you've beaten me."

Jin Woo's smirk softened into something more thoughtful. "I don't see this as a game, Isla. At least, not entirely. I respect you. More than anyone else I've gone up against."

She wasn't sure if it was the sincerity in his voice or the intensity in his gaze, but something about his words made her heart skip a beat. For a moment, the air between them shifted—no longer just sharp edges and competition, but something deeper, something more vulnerable.

Isla forced herself to look away, her mind racing. She couldn't afford to let her guard down around Jin Woo. Not when he was still her greatest rival.

"Respect doesn't mean much when you're constantly trying to undermine me," she said, her tone cold but controlled.

Jin Woo leaned forward, his expression more serious than she'd ever seen. "I'm not trying to undermine you, Isla. I'm trying to keep up with you."

The admission caught her off guard. For the first time, Isla saw a glimpse of the man behind the rival—the man who wasn't just playing games for the sake of winning, but because he saw her as a worthy opponent, someone he respected and maybe even admired.

But before she could respond, the waiter arrived with their meals, breaking the moment.

As they ate, the conversation shifted back to safer topics—work, business strategies, the challenges of their respective companies. But the tension between them lingered, an unspoken undercurrent that neither of them could ignore.

By the time lunch was over, Isla felt more confused than ever. Jin Woo wasn't just the cocky, arrogant man she had pegged him to be. There was more to him—depths she hadn't expected, vulnerabilities he kept hidden beneath the surface.

As they walked out of the restaurant together, Jin Woo turned to her, his expression unreadable. "I meant what I said, Isla. I respect you. And I'm not going to stop pushing you. But that doesn't mean I don't admire what you've accomplished."

Isla met his gaze, her heart pounding. "I don't need your admiration, Jin Woo. I need you to stay out of my way."

He chuckled softly. "I'll try. But no promises."

With that, he gave her a small, almost teasing smile before walking away, leaving Isla standing on the sidewalk, her mind spinning with everything that had just happened.

She didn't know what to make of Jin Woo anymore. He was still her rival, but he was becoming something more—something she wasn't sure how to handle.

But one thing was clear: the lines between them were blurring, and there was no going back.