CHAPTER 21: Terms of Engagement

Min-ho was reviewing merger contracts when Hana barged into his office.

No knocking.No permission.

He looked up, irritation flashing in his eyes—until he saw her face.

She was different tonight.Dressed not as the girl he rescued, but as the woman who was about to make demands.

"Sit down, Min-ho," Hana said coldly.

Min-ho arched an eyebrow but obeyed.

She threw a contract onto his desk.

"A marriage contract," she announced.

Min-ho leaned back, smirking."So, you've finally decided to accept?"

"Not exactly," Hana corrected."I'm setting the rules."

His smirk faded.

"You get your trophy wife," she continued, her voice steady."But I get my freedom within this cage."

Min-ho scanned the document.

Clause 1: She would control her father's inheritance, separate from the Kang conglomerate.Clause 2: The marriage would be in name only—no intimacy without consent.Clause 3: After three years, she could walk away with everything she brought into the marriage.

He looked up, stunned.

"You've thought this through."

Hana crossed her arms."You're not the only one who knows how to play dirty, Min-ho."

For a heartbeat, he said nothing.

Then—A chuckle escaped his lips.

"You're more dangerous than I thought, Seo Hana."

"Do we have a deal?" she asked, extending her hand.

Min-ho studied her carefully.

She wasn't the broken girl anymore.She was fire. Steel. A queen in the making.

He took her hand, their grip tight, electric.

"Deal," he said.

But as their eyes locked, they both knew...This game had only just begun.

And neither of them would come out of it the same.