chapter 2 : A marriage proposal I didn't order

The sun was already high in the sky by the time Han Jihyun finally stumbled downstairs. Dressed in silk pajamas, hair a mess, he plopped lazily onto the dining chair as if he owned the house which, in his mind, he did.

"Breakfast," he said casually, ignoring the obvious fact it was already lunchtime.

Mrs. Han glared from across the table, her expression unreadable but her tone sharp.

"Breakfast? Do you even know what time it is? Normal people call this lunch. Do you even remember what normal people are, Jihyun?"

Jihyun yawned, stretching his arms. "I'm not normal. I'm rich."

"You're pathetic." His mother's words cut sharper than her butter knife. "Look at your brother Minjoon. Do you ever see him wasting his life drinking and sleeping until noon? He's already back from meetings, working hard like a proper Alpha. You? You live like some prince in exile."

But Jihyun only smiled while picking at his food with childlike boredom. "Hyung is Hyung. I'm me. Where is Dad and Hyung anyway? Shouldn't they be here too?"

At that, Mrs. Han nearly lost her composure. "They've been working since morning! They have real responsibilities. Unlike you, who wakes up to demand breakfast when the day's already over!"

Still, Jihyun ate like none of it concerned him. "Tsk. Why so serious?"

(Evening came.)

Jihyun returned home after wandering around with his friends,tossing his jacket carelessly onto the couch. His family was already seated at the grand dining table. The atmosphere was suffocatingly cold.

Halfway through the meal, Chairman Han finally spoke.

"The partnership deal with Kang Group is finalized."

Jihyun raised an eyebrow. "Another business deal? Dad, you're seriously still working to feed my lavish lifestyle? I should thank you."

His father's gaze sharpened. "You will be paying it back. In full."

"What?" Jihyun blinked.

Minjoon, without lifting his gaze from his meal, answered flatly.

"You're getting married."

Silence.

"What?!" Jihyun's voice cracked like glass. "Me? Married? Why? I don't want to! Hyung is single too! Why not him first?!"

Minjoon let out a quiet scoff. "Because I'm not the one ruining this family's reputation every night."

Mrs. Han placed down her cup with finality. "Enough, Jihyun. The decision is made."

"You can't force me"

"Oh, but we can." Chairman Han's words were cold, final. "Your brother cleaned up your scandals too many times. Your debts are hidden because of me. If you refuse this marriage, I'll expose every ounce of dirt you've left behind. You'll lose your precious reputation, your social circle, and every single luxury you live for."

Jihyun's heart sank. "You're blackmailing me?"

"No. I'm parenting you, at last." His father's cold tone left no room for argument. "You either marry Kang Taewon, or you ruin yourself with your own hands."

Minjoon added without looking up, "Be grateful it's Kang Taewon. At least he's patient."

Jihyun's lips trembled. "I can't believe this"

"Oh, you better start believing. The wedding is in two weeks.

Huh dad !

Chairman Han added,

"We're visiting the Kang family tomorrow. Don't embarrass me. Kang Taewon's father is my best friend. If you so much as try to ruin my reputation there, I'll cut off your pocket money for the entire month, block every one of your credit cards, and sell those precious cars you love so much."

Jihyun's lips trembled. "I can't believe this"

"Oh, you better start believing. The wedding is in two weeks."