The Grapevine

Chapter Seven

As Sean stepped into the grand yet meticulously understated foyer of the Kim family estate, he felt the shift in atmosphere immediately. The house was like a fortress cloaked in elegance, every detail calculated to convey wealth without ostentation, authority without flashiness. Thick walls and security cameras were subtly woven into the aesthetic, ensuring the estate was as impenetrable as it was beautiful. The air itself held a quiet, commanding weight, an unspoken testament to the immense power the family wielded—something that was rarely spoken about openly but understood by all who were fortunate, or unfortunate, enough to know.

Sean barely had time to take off his shoes before he saw his father, Kim Dong-Won, standing in the hallway, watching him with an unreadable gaze. His father was a man of few words but infinite power; his presence alone commanded respect, his eyes like sharp daggers that missed nothing. He was more than a businessman—he was the head of a vast, concealed empire. His influence stretched across Korea and far beyond, into territories that most could only whisper about. Rumors abounded, but the truth of what Kim Dong-Won controlled remained veiled, a well-guarded secret that only those with the highest security clearance dared speak of openly.

Dong-Won's very demeanor spoke of his authority—his shoulders held with a subtle tension that suggested lethal strength, his sharp suit almost as intimidating as the man himself. He glanced at Sean, his eyes taking in every detail, from the slight tension in his son's shoulders to the carefully neutral expression on his face. To others, this might have seemed like a simple look, but Sean knew better. His father was assessing him, as he did with everyone he encountered, calculating his every word and move.

"Sean," Dong-Won said, his voice a low, measured rumble that could silence a room. "Welcome home. I trust things are going well at university?"

"Yes, sir," Sean replied with a respectful nod. "Midterms are coming up. It's been busy."

Dong-Won's eyes narrowed slightly, as if weighing the importance of Sean's words. "Good. Keep focused. In this world, there are only two types of people—those who control their destiny and those who let others control it for them. I expect you to remember that, Sean."

Sean nodded, feeling the familiar weight of his father's words settle on his shoulders. There was no need to elaborate; Dong-Won believed in brevity, in speaking only what was necessary and allowing silence to do the rest. To him, control and precision were paramount. He was a man who valued strategy, who had built an empire on calculated risks and razor-sharp decisions. His network spanned governments, corporations, and influential figures around the globe—yet his family's exact operations remained a mystery, even to his sons.

As they walked toward the living area, Sean caught sight of his mother, Dr. Kim Hye-Sook, arranging a series of documents on the coffee table. Despite her calm exterior, she was as much a force to be reckoned with as her husband. She wielded her knowledge of chemistry and medicine with deadly precision, developing bespoke poisons that made the Kim family's assassinations silent, untraceable, and infamous. Where Dong-Won was the iron fist, Hye-Sook was the silent blade. Her serene smile belied her mastery over life and death, and her role in the family business was as essential as her husband's.

Hugo, Sean's older brother, was already lounging on the sofa, exuding a similar cool confidence. Where Sean was known for his intelligence and calm reserve, Hugo had inherited their father's charisma and strategic mind, destined to one day take a leadership role in the family's operations. He offered Sean a small, knowing smirk as he sat up, his eyes gleaming with mischief and a hint of something darker—a trait Hugo seemed to have absorbed effortlessly from their father.

"Aegiya ," Hugo drawled, resting his chin on his hand. "I heard you've taken up tutoring these days. Mingyu was kind enough to share the news."

Sean's eyes narrowed slightly, trying to ignore the spike of heat in his cheeks. "It's just one person hyung." he replied calmly, unwilling to let his brother get a rise out of him. "Eric needed help with midterms."