Chapter 15: An Unexpected Engagement

Months had passed since the Pentagon Project ended, and Ji-Ah and Evelyn had gone back to their normal lives.

Ji-Ah was busier than ever, drowning in work to avoid the one thing she hated—her parents' endless matchmaking attempts.

She had dodged their efforts for years, but this time, she was out of excuses.

"This is the last time, Mom. Don't expect me to agree," she muttered as she got into the car with her parents.

They were heading to a grand family event, something Ji-Ah wasn't particularly interested in.

She barely knew most of her extended family, and she had no clue why they were suddenly gathering like this.

Her parents were acting suspiciously calm.

Meanwhile, Evelyn was just as clueless.

She wasn't close with her family, so when they suddenly insisted on her attending a big event, she almost refused.

But something in her mother's voice had felt off—like she was hiding something.

So, out of curiosity, she agreed.

She walked into the grand hall, glancing around at the sea of unfamiliar faces.

The atmosphere was too formal, too forced.

Evelyn narrowed her eyes. What the hell is going on?

Then came the announcement.

The host of the event—some distant uncle Evelyn barely recognized—clinked his glass, smiling proudly.

"Tonight, we are gathered to celebrate the union of two families," he announced.

Ji-Ah, who had been half-listening, perked up. Wait, what?

Evelyn stiffened. Whose union?

The man continued, "We are proud to announce the engagement of our beloved Evelyn and Ji-Ah!"

Silence.

Ji-Ah's jaw dropped. Evelyn?!

Ji-Ah immediately turned to find Evelyn— but she was nowhere to be seen.

Did she run away?!

Her confusion quickly turned into anger.

She stormed toward her parents, voice low but sharp. "What is this? Am I marrying a woman? Are you serious?!"

Her mother sighed, but her father looked away, tense.

"We had no choice," her mother admitted. "Evelyn's parents reached out and asked for your hand."

Ji-Ah stared at her, disbelief turning to fury.

"And you said yes?! Without even telling me?"

Her father clenched his jaw. "You know their influence. We didn't have a choice. They can do anything, and we didn't want to get hurt because of it."

Ji-Ah could feel the room spinning. This was ridiculous.

Meanwhile, Evelyn had stormed out.

She found her parents in a separate room, away from the guests.

Slamming the door shut, she faced them, shaking with anger.

"What the hell is this?" she hissed. "You just announced my engagement without even telling me?"

Her mother stayed silent.

Her father, however, smiled as if he had done nothing wrong.

"This is what's best for you," he said smoothly. "For our family."

Evelyn clenched her fists. "Best for me? You expect me to marry someone I don't even—"

"Unless you want to leave this family, you will do as we say."

Her father's tone was final.

Evelyn froze.

That was the real threat.

Her parents weren't just pressuring her—they were giving her an ultimatum.

And just like that, she knew she had no choice.

Both of them were trapped.

And neither of them were happy about it.