In the cemetery,
While Reverend Father prayed and the attendees responded in kind, Minjae stood silently, staring blankly at her father's coffin—a coffin that would soon be covered in sand and gone forever.
Everything moved quickly. The service concluded, and guests began to leave, offering soft apologies as they passed. One by one, they left her alone in the quiet, empty cemetery.
The already dark clouds deepened, and the sky rumbled ominously, hinting at an impending storm. Yet Minjae didn't move.
This was her first time attending a funeral, her first time in a cemetery. She had refused to attend her grandfather's funeral years ago. Who could have predicted that i a few years time, she would attend her parents' funeral instead?
Raindrops began to fall, slow and scattered at first, before turning into a heavy downpour. Butler Jung, who had been waiting in the car park, hurried toward her, opening an umbrella and holding it above her head while allowing the rain to soak him instead.
Minjae didn't react. She remained where she was, unmoved, as though the world around her had frozen. She showed no concern for the butler silently enduring the rain on her behalf.
After a long while, Minjae finally stepped back and turned to leave. Butler Jung immediately pressed a button on the small device in his hand, signaling the driver to bring the car forward—to receive the young miss of the great Choi family.
Minjae lived by her own rules, always did as she pleased, she had never been the ideal daughter, least of all to her late father, Choi Han Sung. From a young age, she seemed to exist solely to defy him, seizing every opportunity to disappoint, to challenge, to prove that she would never fit into the mold he demanded. Where he expected obedience, she gave resistance. Where he demanded silence, she spoke too loudly.
Her mother, once firm and hopeful, had long been worn down by years of conflict. She no longer tried to correct Minjae, no longer raised her voice or offered guidance. Instead, she watched from the sidelines, helpless, as her youngest daughter grew sharper, more reckless, more unreachable with every passing year.
---
Once they arrived at the mansion, Minjae paid no attention to the water dripping from her soaked clothes. She stepped inside the vast estate and walked down the long hallway, ignoring every bow directed her way, maids, servants, even guests who had come to offer condolences. When some attempted to speak to her, she passed them without a glance, heading straight for her room.
She went directly into the bathroom and turned on the shower, letting hot water cascade over her as she stood beneath it for a long time. She didn't think. She didn't feel. Or at least, she tried not to. But memories slipped through anyway, unwanted, and relentless memories.
When she finished, she walked out, not bothering to dry herself or change. Drops of water traced slow paths down her skin and onto the marble floor, but she didn't notice, she Simply walked to the bed and lay down on the as she was. The sheets grew damp beneath her, yet she made no effort to move, as she pulled the blanket over herself, disappearing beneath it, as though trying to shut the world out entirely.
Just then, a soft knock on the door,
She didnt respond,
then came a voice following, an elderly woman's voice__ the head butler of the mansion madam kim.
"Young Miss, there are guests—"
"Dismiss them," Minjae replied flatly.
There was a brief pause. Madam Kim turned to the elderly man standing beside her, then faced the door again.
"Young Miss," she sighed, "your uncle… and the company—"
"I said dismiss them," Minjae said again.
Normally, she would have erupted at being asked twice, but now she was oddly calm. She didn't know what to make of her situation—the company she had fought so hard to control was suddenly at her doorstep, uninvited.
---
KBS NEWS
"Following the shocking accident that claimed the lives of the highly successful businessman Chairman Choi Han Sung and his wife Mrs. Lee Ye Jin, we are now live at the Choi family mansion, where the farewell celebration is to take place…"
SBS NEWS
"The farewell celebration is one of the Choi family's most well-known traditions, an event meant to honor a deceased family member. We are here live as the preparations continue…"
MBC NEWS
"The nation mourns a devastating loss as the Choi family suffers the deaths of two key figures—Chairman Choi Han Sung and his wife, Mrs. Lee Ye Jin. Their eldest daughter, Choi Min-Sol, remains in a deep coma with no guarantee of recovery."
The reporter paused briefly before continuing.
"This tragedy leaves the vast Choi empire—its companies, influence, and fortune—in the hands of their second daughter, Choi Minjae. Widely known as 'The Tigress of Great Korea' due to her violent reputation and controversial behavior, many are now questioning the future of the Choi Group under her leadership. What will become of the Choi legacy now that it rests in the hands of Choi Minjae?"
Across the nation, news channels covered the tragedy nonstop. Talk shows hosted endless discussions, speculating on the family's uncertain future.
MBS MORNING TALK SHOW
"Mr. Kang Ji-eun," the female host began, turning to her guest, "earlier you stated that the Choi family legacy is headed toward its downfall. Could you elaborate on what you meant by that?"
Kang Ji-eun, a journalist notorious for tackling controversial subjects—politics, powerful families, and national scandals—leaned back calmly. His reputation for cold logic and unsettling accuracy preceded him.
"As we all know," he began, "the Choi family is one of the oldest and most prominent families in Korea. Their wealth dates back hundreds of years, originating from their forefather, the great Choi Hyun-jae."
The host nodded, fully engaged.
"Over four hundred years ago," Kang continued, "Yang Jong-soo and Choi Hyun-jae, two of the wealthiest men of their time, founded what was then known as the Chains Organization, now recognized as CHNs Organization and Corporation."
He spoke steadily.
"This was after the war, when the nation was weak and vulnerable. An elite group of wealthy families joined forces to support the Country, providing food, weapons, resources, and even intelligence. Yang Jong-soo became the first head of the organization," Kang said. "His bloodline maintained control for generation, until Yang Tae-gon, the third head." He let out a faint scoff.
"A disaster. A drunkard. He squandered the organization's funds, abused his power, and nearly destroyed everything. Eventually, the other families united and removed him from power."
"The Gold Seat," the host interjected knowingly.
"Yes. The Gold Seat." Kang smiled.
"After Yang Tae-gon's removal, Choi Jung-min was voted in. From that moment on, the Choi family controlled the organization, and they did so successfully. Until now."
His expression darkened slightly.
"Before the previous Chairman passed, he willed the position of the next head to his grand daughter, Choi Minjae. However, the seat was taken by her older sister instead. Only recently did it come to light that Minjae herself had no knowledge she was the rightful heir. According to my sources," Kang added smoothly, "upon discovering the truth, Choi Minjae reportedly caused a violent confrontation and even wished death upon her own family."
A murmur rippled through the studio.
"Now tell me," Kang said, turning to the camera, "what do you think happens when an organization like CHNs falls into the hands of someone like that? Even her own father felt compelled to hide the will, simply to prevent the destruction of everything the Choi family built." He said,
"And let's not forget," he continued, his voice steady and assured, "the Organization is already facing external pressure, from the Blue House. It's clear they feel threatened by the power the Organization holds, its wealth, its connections, its information network, its stake in CHN's Corp, and more."
He leaned back slightly, confidence etched into every word.
"Do you really think the Organization would risk losing everything by placing it in the hands of the last Choi daughter?"
A brief pause.
"What do you think will happen to the Choi family name in the future?" he asked rhetorically. "It will fade into obscurity, just like the Yang family before them."
He spoke as though the future had already unfolded before his eyes.
Just then, the host lifted her hand to the earpiece nestled against her ear, her expression shifting as she listened. Kang Ji-eun leaned back in her seat, unbothered, already familiar with the silence that followed breaking news.
"Just in," the host announced, her brows knitting together, "the farewell gathering will no longer take place." She continued, her tone careful, "Choi Minjae has dismissed everyone, government officials and all other prominent guests currently present at the mansion."
"Why am I not surprised?" Kang Ji-eun remarked, a faint smirk curving her lips.