CHAPTER 24: Blood in the Water
It started with a leak.
A falsified report circulated online, claiming that Hana Seo had embezzled billions from the Seo Group to buy her place in the Kang family.
The media pounced like sharks.Hashtags trended overnight.#Gold Digger Hana#Kang Scandal Queen
Hana sat alone in the PR war room, her face plastered across every screen—villainized, ridiculed, dissected.
The Kang family remained silent.
Except Min-ho.
He stormed into the room, phone in hand.
"What the hell is this, Hana?" His eyes blazed.
"My welcome gift from your family, I suppose," she answered calmly.
Min-ho slammed his phone on the table.
"You should have seen this coming."
Hana rose from her seat, their faces inches apart.
"I did," she said, steel in her voice."But I didn't expect you to hesitate, Min-ho."
He stiffened.
"Are you accusing me of—"
"I'm telling you to pick a side," Hana cut him off."Your family... or me."
For once, Min-ho had no words.
The next day, the scandal hit its peak.
Protestors gathered outside Kang Tower, demanding Hana's resignation.
Inside the boardroom, Uncle Kang Dae-jung smirked as he prepared to call an emergency vote to strip Hana of her position.
But as the cameras flashed, a shocking sight unfolded.
Kang Min-ho walked in—flanked by lawyers.
He stood beside Hana, placed a firm hand on her back, and faced the press.
"My wife is innocent," he announced coldly."And anyone who dares to accuse her will face the full wrath of Kang Conglomerate and our legal team."
Gasps filled the room.
Min-ho handed the press irrefutable proof that the reports were forged—by his own uncle.
The tables turned.
The headlines shifted.
"Kang Heir Declares War on His Own Blood for Love?""Seo Hana, the Queen Who Fights Back."
In the shadows, Min-ho whispered to Hana.
"I told you I don't protect people, Seo Hana.But maybe… I'll make an exception for you."
Hana's lips curved.
"Careful, Min-ho.You might just lose yourself."
They both knew the war wasn't over.
But tonight—they won the battle.
Together.