ʜᴀɴᴅꜱᴏᴍᴇ ᴅᴇᴠɪʟ || ᴋᴛʜ

Chapter 13 || Desire

The car drove through tall, iron gates and went towards a well-lit, three-story sprawling white structure.

Y/n had been to the Kims' ancestral home a couple of times during her childhood. It was a huge estate, several times bigger than her childhood home.

She wondered vaguely why Kim Tae-hyung chose not to live with his grandfather.

Whatever the reason might be, she was glad he didn't. She didn't think she could stomach having to live with two Kim men who hated her and wanted to make her life miserable.

When the car stopped in front of the mansion, a uniformed guard opened the car door and greeted her. "Welcome, madam."

By the time she got out and walked towards the entrance, Kim Tae-hyung was waiting for her to catch up with him in her high heels.

Yet another time she regretted leaving her shopping to someone else.

The huge marble fountain in front of the house remained the same as did the structure of the house. She knew the party would most likely be held inside. Unlike her parents' house, this house could easily hold hundreds of guests inside the large living room and adjoining rooms.

Dozens of armed, uniformed guards stood outside.

"Is my grandfather downstairs?" Kim Tae-hyung asked a man in a suit standing next to the armed guards.

"Yes, sir. He's inside."

They weren't the first ones to arrive. Men in business suits and in Tux, red-colored tie which were common among the politicians were conversing in the huge room. The lighting from several large crystal chandeliers wasn't too bright, adding to the ambience to the ongoing party. Soft, classical music filled the air from a live band performing right outside the party room in the garden area.

Y/n searched for her father, but she couldn't find him.

"Ah. The newlyweds," a woman with neatly styled grey hair exclaimed with a smile. "What a stunning couple you both make."

"Thank you, Judge Lee," Kim Tae-hyung replied before shaking hands with the woman's husband. "Mr. Lee."

A server with a tray of drinks approached them, but Y/n shook her head no for alcoholic drinks. She needed a clear head that night even though she'd rather get stone drunk to cope with her marriage.

After a brief conversation with the judge and her husband, Kim Tae-hyung excused himself. Y/n almost jumped when she felt his arm around her waist to lead her inside. Every step of the way, he was stopped and greeted. He introduced her to many people in the process, but the names and faces blurred in her mind.

The chief minister, the home minister, the police commissioner, several bureaucrats and businessmen along with their wives were introduced to her.

Her heart sank, and she felt rightfully embarrassed recalling how he was confident that no one would help her. The Kims more or less knew all the powerful players in the city who were probably on their payroll or eager to help in return for favors.

For the first time, she felt utterly alone and way out of her depth. This wasn't her world, and she had never wanted to be a part of such an overly privileged and powerful crowd who felt they were above the rest of the masses.

"The Kims have been controlling the lives and fortunes and the future of millions of people over the decades. Your mother wanted a taste of that and ended up killing my son."

Y/n didn't think her mother fell in love with a married man for the sake of wanting power. Her mother had always taught her to stand by what was right. There must have been some other reason for her mother to fall in love with Kim Tae-hee.