Resurgence ~VKOOK~

Chapter 10: Masks Of Power And Facade

The soft hum of the car engine resonated through the opulent vehicle as Taehyung and Anna sat comfortably in the back seat. Their driver, Jungmin, maneuvered them expertly through the bustling streets of Seoul, heading toward one of the most exclusive hotels in the city, where a prestigious business event was taking place.

The moment they stepped out of the car and into the grand lobby of the hotel, the atmosphere shifted. All eyes turned toward them, and a wave of hushed admiration and envy washed through the crowd. Taehyung’s powerful aura demanded respect, while Anna’s beauty and poise drew envious stares from every direction.

“Mr. Kim, Mrs. Kim,” a voice called warmly, breaking the silence as Mr. Lee, one of Taehyung’s esteemed business colleagues, approached them with a welcoming smile. “It’s a pleasure to have you both here tonight.”

Anna’s eyes sparkled as she absorbed the attention and recognition directed towards them. Every glance of admiration for Taehyung and every envious look cast her way fed into her sense of pride and superiority. She clung to Taehyung’s arm, her posture straightening as she basked in the limelight, subtly flaunting their status and the power she held as his wife.

Taehyung noticed her behavior, and a flicker of irritation crossed his face. This wasn’t the first time she behaved like this, but tonight it seemed especially blatant. Sensing the need to create some distance, he offered a polite smile and inclined his head slightly toward Mr. Lee.

“If you’ll excuse me, I need to speak with some associates,” he said coolly, gently slipping his arm from Anna’s grasp before striding away.

As soon as he turned his back, Anna’s smile faltered momentarily. But with the eyes of the room still on her, she quickly replaced it with a look of confidence and superiority, lifting her chin slightly as if daring anyone to doubt her standing beside Taehyung.

Taehyung’s POV:

Taehyung wove his way through the crowd, his eyes scanning for the familiar faces of his closest allies. Spotting them gathered near the bar, he made his way over. Seeing Min Yoongi and Kim Namjoon felt like finding a safe harbor amidst the sea of shallow smiles and cold, calculating gazes.

The three had known each other since childhood. Their families ran in the same elite business circles—Taehyung’s parents being highly influential in finance, Namjoon’s father controlling one of the country’s largest electronics manufacturers, and Yoongi’s family owning an esteemed luxury clothing brand. The boys had met during their mothers’ tea parties and their fathers’ business dinners, often accompanying their parents to the grand events. While they’d started out as awkward children forced into formal suits, whispering to each other from the sidelines, they had grown closer over time.

Their bond solidified when they ended up attending the same prestigious school. In their teenage years, they had met Jung Hoseok, who quickly became a vital addition to their circle. Despite coming from a slightly different background, Hoseok’s sharp mind and business acumen made him an invaluable friend. Over time, the four of them grew inseparable, pushing each other to excel and making a silent pact to uphold their families’ legacies.

Now, as adults, they had each carved out their own empires, yet stayed bound by that unshakeable friendship. Yoongi had taken his family’s clothing line and elevated it to one of South Korea’s top fashion houses. Namjoon, the youngest CEO of his family company, oversaw a vast enterprise that produced electronics and household supplies distributed across the country. Hoseok, having always been the analytical mind among them, became Taehyung’s closest business advisor, helping him navigate the treacherous world of high-stakes finance.

“Taehyung!” Min Yoongi greeted with a small smirk, raising his glass slightly in acknowledgment. “Decided to grace us with your presence, I see.”

“Had to,” Taehyung replied, a smile tugging at the corners of his lips. “Couldn’t leave you three unsupervised, could I?”

Kim Namjoon chuckled, shaking his head. “And here I thought you were here for business, not babysitting.”

“I can do both,” Taehyung quipped smoothly, his gaze shifting between the trio. “How’s the progress on the new project?”

The four of them fell into an easy conversation, discussing their various business ventures, the state of the market, and their plans for expansion. Jung Hoseok, Taehyung’s most trusted business advisor, leaned in, offering insights on a recent deal that Taehyung had been negotiating.

“It’s moving slower than expected, but with a few adjustments, we should have everything in place by the end of the month,” Hoseok said thoughtfully.

“Agreed,” Namjoon nodded, his expression serious. “We can’t afford any delays, not with the competition tightening.”

The conversation shifted from business to more personal matters as Yoongi inquired about Taehyung’s recent workload. “You’ve been pushing yourself harder than usual, Tae. Take it easy sometimes, yeah?”

Taehyung shrugged, his gaze drifting momentarily. “You know me. Can’t let anything slip through the cracks.”

Hoseok raised an eyebrow. “And Anna? How’s she adjusting? From what I’ve heard, she’s been... making her presence known.”

Taehyung’s smile tightened slightly. “She’s… handling things her own way.”

It was an unspoken understanding between them: the quiet tension and distaste they all felt toward Anna. But out of respect for Taehyung, they kept their comments light and refrained from delving deeper into the matter.

Anna’s POV:

Across the room, Anna found herself surrounded by a small circle of businesswomen—the wives of Taehyung’s associates. Mrs. Choi, Mrs. Lee, Mrs. Song, and Mrs. Park—all perfectly dressed, exuding sophistication and poise.

But Anna could see it in their eyes. The way they glanced at her, their smiles tinged with thinly veiled jealousy. She felt a rush of satisfaction, knowing they were envious of her position as the Kim Taehyung’s wife.

“I must say, Anna,” Mrs. Choi began, her voice smooth and polite, but her eyes sharp. “It’s truly remarkable, seeing you stand beside Mr. Kim. You two look... formidable together.”

“Thank you,” Anna replied, her voice dripping with false modesty as she reached up to tuck a strand of her hair behind her ear. “Taehyung and I have a strong bond. It’s only natural that we complement each other.”

The other women exchanged glances, their envy palpable. Mrs. Park leaned in slightly, lowering her voice. “It must be something, being married to a man like Taehyung. So powerful, so handsome...”

Anna’s smile widened, sensing an opportunity to assert her position even further. “He’s an exceptional man,” she said softly, her gaze drifting across the room to where Taehyung stood with his friends. “But more than that, he knows who belongs at his side.”

The words were a subtle jab, a reminder to the other women that while they were merely spectators, she was the one who had managed to secure her place beside him.

Their eyes narrowed slightly, but none of them dared challenge her. Instead, they offered tight smiles and murmurs of agreement, clearly bitter yet unwilling to let it show too openly.

Anna’s chest swelled with pride as she continued to bask in their envy and admiration. Being Taehyung’s wife was more than just a title. It was power. Influence. And she intended to wield it to the fullest.

Just then, she made an offhanded remark about Taehyung’s relationship with one of his associates in a bid to show off her inside knowledge—an indiscretion that did not go unnoticed by those around her. Taehyung’s eyes narrowed across the room, his expression hardening as a wave of embarrassment washed over him.

Deciding that they had lingered long enough, Taehyung approached her swiftly. “It’s time for us to leave,” he said firmly, his tone leaving no room for argument.

With a tight smile, Anna nodded, trying to hide her discomfort. They both took their leave, bidding polite farewells to those present. Despite the façade of unity they projected, the tension between them simmered beneath the surface as they walked out, the weight of the night’s events heavy in the air.

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