Choi San, a revered and feared mafia boss, reigns over Seoul's underworld with an iron fist, his influence extending seamlessly across both legal and illegal domains. But his empire is shaken to its core when his beloved daughter, Eun-ji, is kidnapp...
Continuation of chapter thirty six— due to it being long I had to split it <3
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
The weight of his words settled between us, a shared understanding of the choices he had to make. In this world, he wasn't just leading—he was fighting to hold onto everything he'd built, even when it came at a personal cost. And knowing that I could be here for him, a constant presence in a life that demanded so much from him, made the connection between us feel even stronger.
I gave his hand a reassuring squeeze. "Then I'll be here. Whatever you need, I'm here."
San's lips curved into a faint smile as he looked at me, a look filled with gratitude and something deeper, a warmth that spoke of quiet promises and unwavering loyalty. In that moment, I knew that no matter where his path led, I would be right there beside him.
The car came to a smooth stop, and as I glanced out the window, my eyes took in the grand hotel entrance, its towering facade gleaming under the lights. The door opened, and I quickly stepped out, determined to grab the bags before San could even think about it. I wrapped my fingers around the handles, feeling a small triumph as I hauled them out of the car.
San was right behind me, reaching for the bags as he stepped out, but I held them close, shooting him a determined glare. He raised an eyebrow, a mix of amusement and challenge glinting in his eyes as he straightened, folding his arms.
"Hand them over," he said smoothly, his tone leaving no room for argument—well, almost.
I held my ground, meeting his gaze. "I carried these all the way from the car. Just let me help you for once."
His eyebrow arched even higher, a slight smirk tugging at his lips. "So, you're helping by insisting on carrying them yourself?" His hand reached out, and I instinctively pulled the bags back, my defiance making him chuckle under his breath. "You're stubborn, you know that?"
I rolled my eyes, holding the bags a bit closer. "I prefer 'independent,' thank you."
San leaned in slightly, his voice lowering as he kept his gaze locked on mine. "You know I could just take them from you."
"You could," I shot back, smirking up at him, "but that would make you even more stubborn than me."
He sighed, shaking his head with a chuckle as he finally relented, hands slipping into his pockets. "Fine. Have it your way," he muttered, his voice carrying that hint of playfulness that softened the intensity of his gaze.
I could feel a small victory swelling inside me as I strode toward the hotel doors, San falling in step beside me, his presence steady and reassuring. Just before we reached the entrance, he leaned in, murmuring quietly, "But don't think this means you're carrying those all the way to the room."
I laughed, savoring the moment. "Fine, you can take over when we're in the elevator."
We stepped into the grand hotel lobby, the elegant lighting casting a warm glow over marble floors and luxurious decor. The bags were heavy, but I held onto them with a stubborn pride, feeling San's presence beside me, his gaze tracking every step. There was a kind of harmony in our dynamic, even in the smallest standoff over bags, a silent back-and-forth that had somehow become natural between us.
