CHAPTER 20: The Deal of a Lifetime

Hana sat across from Madam Kang in the vast, cold dining hall of Kang Mansion.

The woman who once smiled at her like a surrogate mother now wore a mask of steel.

"I waited for you to regain your strength, Hana," Madam Kang said softly, pouring tea."But the time has come to repay your mother's debt."

Hana froze.

"My… mother's debt?"

Madam Kang slid an envelope across the table.

Inside was the letter.

Her mother's handwriting.

"Hana, if you ever read this, it means I failed to protect you... You will find safety in the Kang family. Trust them. Marry into their bloodline. Only then will you be untouchable..."

Hana's hands trembled.

"You knew," she whispered, betrayal thick in her throat.

Madam Kang's expression softened—for a moment.

"I promised your mother. And you know better than anyone, promises are power."

Hana stood abruptly.

"You want me to marry Min-ho? For what? To be your pawn?"

"To survive, Hana," Madam Kang replied, her voice sharp as glass."You've seen what the world does to girls like you."

Hana's heart battled her pride.

Min-ho.The man who broke her, saved her, confused her.

Could she marry him?

Would it protect her... or destroy her?

"Don't think too long," Madam Kang warned."There are vultures already circling your inheritance. If you hesitate, they'll strip you bare."

That night, Hana stared at the city from her bedroom window.

Marry Kang Min-ho?Become the queen of a kingdom built on blood and betrayal?

It sounded like a nightmare.

But maybe...It was the only way to survive.

And to win.