chapter 13:First meet,Last freedom

It was 10 in the morning when Sunghoon drove towards Nami Island. On the surface, it looked like any ordinary day, any ordinary trip. But inside Sunghoon's mind, nothing about today was ordinary.

This wasn't leisure.

This wasn't coincidence.

This was observation. Calculation. A step deeper into the trap he'd been setting.

Before leaving Seoul, he had ordered Daejun to send him the precise location of Hana's university trip. Every detail had been arranged. Every move accounted for. Daejun, acting flawlessly as her temporary teacher, blended in like he belonged there. Sunghoon, on the other hand, would move as a stranger. Just another visitor. A shadow among tourists.

When he arrived, Sunghoon stepped out of his black car dressed in his usual sharp simplicity dark coat, tall frame, cold aura. The wind carried whispers as soon as he passed. Eyes turned. People noticed. Some admired. Some feared. Some stared too long, wondering who he was.

He didn't care.

As he walked calmly along the island's scenic path, a group of female university students whispered boldly behind him. One girl had enough courage to approach.

"Hello… Can I Can I get your WeChat?"

He didn't even slow his stride. His cold gaze slid down to her.

"Do we know each other?"

The girl flushed in humiliation and hurried away without another word.

Sunghoon moved on, scanning the area, calm but razor-focused beneath his skin. His eyes landed on Daejun across the park, among the students. Their eyes met briefly. A small nod exchanged. No words needed. The message was clear.

Near the Ehwa University group, Hana stood with her classmates smiling, laughing lightly, holding her sketchbook like any other ordinary girl. On the surface, nothing seemed unusual. No trace of secrets. No trace of bloodlines.

But Sunghoon's eyes were trained. Nothing escaped them.

He walked over smoothly.

"Hi, Daejun."

Daejun turned with just the right amount of surprise, playing his role perfectly. "Oh… sir? What brings you here?"

Hana and her friends turned too, curious. Their teacher casually speaking to a stranger wasn't a common sight.

Sunghoon ignored the students entirely. His cold gaze never flickered. "Long time no see. So, teaching now?"

Daejun caught on immediately. This was Sunghoon's cover a casual conversation, nothing suspicious. "Yes. These are my students from Ehwa."

He introduced them briefly. "This is Hana, and these are her classmates."

The girls gave polite greetings. "Hello."

Sunghoon gave a faint nod. "Sunghoon."

No reaction from the others. But Hana her fingers tensed, just slightly. Not because of the name alone there were many men named Sunghoon.

But this wasn't just anyone.

Her clan had taught her well.

Kim Sunghoon. Uyama's future ruler. Cold. Dangerous. The man who had ruined Minji's life.

The moment she saw him face to face his cold stare, his sharp aura, his presence like a storm wrapped in black silk she knew. And yet, she hid it perfectly.

"I need to make a quick call." Her voice didn't tremble. Her mask didn't slip. She walked away calmly.

No one thought much of it. But Sunghoon's eyes never missed.

He followed her silently, steps soft as a predator's.

Outside, beneath a tree, Hana pulled out her phone, fingers moving fast across the screen. Before she could press call, a cold hand wrapped tightly around her wrist.

Her body froze.

His voice landed near her ear, colder than the rain. "Follow me."

She pulled back instantly. "Let go. I don't know you."

His grip only tightened. "Don't waste my time with useless lies."

Her glare cut sharp at him. "You're insane."

He didn't reply. He simply dragged her forward like a stray cat caught by the scruff.

His height shadowed her small frame as he pushed her toward the parking lot.

"Get in the car." His tone allowed no refusal.

"If you want to protect your little life, move."

Hana clenched her fists. Her pride burned. But she got in. She said nothing more.

Sunghoon drove without urgency, like nothing unusual was happening. His cold gaze remained ahead, the road stretching silent before them.

Inside the car, silence pressed between them like a blade unsheathed.

He didn't ask questions. He didn't demand answers. He wasn't here for words.

But Hana Hana sat quiet. Not crying. Not begging. Not asking who he was. That silence made something dark twist deeper inside Sunghoon. A girl from the Dragon Clan sitting beside him without fear.

Still, his face showed nothing.

Three hours later, the car pulled into the underground parking of his private apartment building in Seoul. High security. No eyes watching. No outsiders interfering.

He opened her door with a single word.

"Get out."

She obeyed without argument.