Chapter Thirty-Nine
A Father's Warning
The morning after the gala, Seoul woke to a storm of headlines.
Screens across the city flashed the same images over and over again:
Seo Yuna standing confidently on stage.
Kang Jihoon walking beside her.
The financial allegations spreading like wildfire across news outlets.
But the image that caught the public's attention most was simpler.
A photograph of them leaving the gala together.
Side by side.
Unapologetic.
Inside Lumière Atelier, the atmosphere was tense again.
Hana rushed into Yuna's office holding several printed reports.
"The press is split," she said, dropping them onto the desk.
Yuna looked up from her laptop.
"How bad?"
"Some outlets are defending you. Others are pushing the scandal narrative harder than before."
Yuna skimmed one article calmly.
"Chairman Han is desperate."
Hana crossed her arms.
"And Jihoon?"
Yuna paused.
"He hasn't called yet."
Before Hana could respond, the office intercom buzzed.
"Director Seo," the receptionist said carefully, "there's someone here requesting to meet you."
"Who?"
The receptionist hesitated.
"He says his name is Kang Daeho."
Hana's eyes widened immediately.
"Jihoon's father?"
Yuna leaned back slowly in her chair.
"That didn't take long."
The Meeting
The private meeting room inside Lumière Atelier felt colder than usual.
When Yuna entered, Kang Daeho was already standing near the window.
He was older than Jihoon but carried the same commanding presence. His posture was rigid, his expression unreadable.
Power seemed to follow him naturally.
Yuna approached calmly.
"Chairman Kang."
He turned slowly.
"Director Seo."
His voice was polite, but there was steel beneath it.
"Thank you for agreeing to meet me."
Yuna sat across from him.
"I assume this isn't a social visit."
Daeho didn't smile.
"No."
A quiet silence filled the room before he spoke again.
"I'll be direct."
Yuna nodded.
"I appreciate that."
Daeho clasped his hands behind his back.
"My son has always been ambitious. Disciplined. Focused."
Yuna listened without interrupting.
"But recently," he continued, "his priorities appear… distracted."
Yuna raised an eyebrow slightly.
"You believe that distraction is me."
"Yes."
His bluntness did not surprise her.
Yuna leaned back calmly.
"Your son is capable of making his own decisions."
"That may be true."
Daeho's gaze hardened slightly.
"But those decisions affect far more than himself."
Yuna folded her arms.
"And you think I'm a threat."
Daeho stepped closer to the table.
"I think you are a complication."
Yuna smiled faintly.
"Those are different things."
Daeho ignored the remark.
"My family has spent decades building political influence. My son is expected to carry that legacy forward."
"And you believe I will ruin that future."
"Yes."
The room fell silent for a moment.
Then Yuna spoke quietly.
"You came here to warn me."
Daeho nodded once.
"End your relationship with Jihoon."
Yuna didn't react immediately.
"Or?"
Daeho's voice remained calm, but the message was unmistakable.
"Or you will face consequences far greater than media scandals."
Yuna met his gaze directly.
For the first time since the conversation began, her expression hardened slightly.
"With respect, Chairman Kang… I've been facing consequences since I built this company."
Daeho studied her carefully.
"You are intelligent. Talented. Influential in your own industry."
He paused.
"But politics is not fashion."
Yuna stood slowly.
"And power is not limited to politics."
The two of them faced each other across the table, neither backing down.
Finally Daeho spoke again.
"If you truly care about my son… you will step away before this destroys him."
Yuna's voice was calm.
"That decision belongs to Jihoon."
Daeho's eyes narrowed slightly.
"That answer may cost you dearly."
Yuna didn't flinch.
"I've paid higher prices before."
For a long moment, neither of them spoke.
Then Daeho picked up his coat.
"Consider my warning carefully."
As he walked toward the door, he paused briefly.
"My son believes you are strong."
He glanced back at her.
"Let's see if he's right."
Then he left.
Aftermath
A few minutes later, Hana rushed into the room.
"Well?"
Yuna exhaled slowly.
"He asked me to leave Jihoon."
Hana groaned.
"I knew it."
Yuna walked to the window, staring out at the city.
"He believes I'll destroy Jihoon's future."
"And will you?"
Yuna was silent for a moment.
Then she said quietly,
"That depends on Jihoon."
Evening
Later that night, Jihoon arrived at Lumière Atelier.
The moment he stepped into Yuna's office, he could tell something had happened.
"You look serious."
Yuna glanced up from her desk.
"Your father visited today."
Jihoon froze.
"He what?"
Yuna stood slowly.
"He warned me to stay away from you."
Jihoon ran a hand through his hair in frustration.
"I'm sorry. I didn't know he would come."
"He believes I'll ruin your future."
Jihoon sighed.
"He's not the only one who thinks that."
Yuna stepped closer.
"And what do you think?"
Jihoon looked directly into her eyes.
"I think my future started the moment I met you."
For a moment, Yuna didn't respond.
Then she smiled softly.
"That might be the most reckless thing you've ever said."
Jihoon stepped closer.
"Probably."
Yuna studied him carefully.
"Your father won't stop."
"I know."
"Chairman Han won't stop either."
"I know that too."
Yuna folded her arms.
"So what now?"
Jihoon smiled slightly.
"Now we prepare for the real fight."
He reached for her hand.
"And this time…"
He pulled her closer gently.
"We win."
Outside, the lights of Seoul stretched endlessly into the night.
Two powerful men had declared war against them.
But neither Yuna nor Jihoon looked ready to surrender.
Not now.
Not ever.