Han Seo-hoo, who usually only responded with the occasional nod when surrounded by people, had spoken to someone for the first time that evening.

Perhaps because of that, every eager gaze instantly shifted from Seo-hoo to Da-hye.

“Vice President Han Seo-hoo……?”

Without question, the most startled person there was Ji-hoon.

Quickly releasing Jinhee’s arm, he hurried toward Seo-hoo.

“O-Oh my. V-Vice President!”

Jinhee also brightened dramatically and immediately attached herself to Seo-hoo’s side as though pulled there by a magnet.

Both Ji-hoon and Jinhee repeatedly bowed their heads toward him.

“Hello, sir. My name is Kang Ji-hoon! I actually came here today hoping I might have the chance to meet you. It’s truly an honor!”

His tone was so formal that it felt almost excessive.

Bowing at a perfect ninety-degree angle, he carefully extended his hand towards Seo-hoo for a handshake.

Despite Seo-hoo being younger, Ji-hoon treated him as if he were far beyond his reach. This was partly because the UJ Group held overwhelming power in the corporate world.

But more than anything, it was because Seo-hoo had become vice president of UJ Electronics — the heart of the conglomerate — at such a young age.

To Ji-hoon, Han Seo-hoo was practically untouchable — a figure he desperately needed to impress, at any cost.

For years, he had obsessively searched for opportunities to get close to Seo-hoo, following him after every public appearance like a stalker. Yet despite all that effort, he had never once managed to greet him properly.

And yet, completely unexpectedly, here he was, face to face with Han Seo-hoo.

“……”

However, strangely enough, Seo-hoo merely stared silently at the hand that Ji-hoon had extended.

While Ji-hoon looked ready to burst with nervous excitement, Seo-hoo remained calm and collected.

Spotting an opportunity, Jinhee quickly smiled and spoke up.

“T-Thank you so much for coming, Vice President……! Thanks to your presence, today’s exhibition feels even more prestigious.”

Yet despite Jinhee’s overly warm greeting, Seo-hoo gave no response at all.

He merely continued looking at Da-hye, who still stood there with her chin lowered and eyes fixed downward.

Looking embarrassed, Ji-hoon quickly withdrew his hand and picked up his glass from the table.

“T-Then perhaps… may I make the toast in your place, Vice President?”

Even stammering from nervousness, Ji-hoon waited desperately for Seo-hoo’s response.

But then—

“I’d rather toast with your girlfriend instead.”

Speaking in a languid voice, Seo-hoo slowly lowered his gaze toward Da-hye’s lips, his eyes carrying an unmistakably sensual intensity.

“What do you think, Kyung Da-hye?”

Elegantly, he extended the hand holding his wine glass toward her.

At that, Da-hye—who had been staring only at the floor—flinched and looked up at him.

Within her widened eyes, Seo-hoo’s dangerously alluring figure reflected vividly.

“…Me?”

Barely managing to ask the question back, Da-hye blinked slowly.

Watching the exchange unfold, Hyejung stared back and forth between Seo-hoo and Da-hye.

‘…Why is Vice President Han asking Kyung Da-hye for a toast?’

Unable to understand the situation, she slowly moved closer to Jinhee, who stood rigidly beside Seo-hoo.

Jinhee herself was equally shaken.

‘What is this? Do the two of them already know each other?’

Her gaze was filled with suspicion, and she could not take her eyes off them.

Da-hye had suddenly become the only woman capable of capturing the attention of a man that nobody else could approach.

In that instant, she felt as though she was the center of attention in the room.

Seo-hoo glanced at the wine glass in her hand meaningfully and smiled faintly.

“……”

That smile alone visibly unsettled Ji-hoon, Jinhee, and Hyejung.

How should she punish these people—these insects who had slowly devoured her life while plotting to throw her into ruin?

The countless agonizing thoughts that had consumed her moments ago suddenly felt meaningless.

“If something else comes up that you need me to handle, contact me.”

Only now did Da-hye finally understand the meaning behind those words.

Han Seo-hoo was showing her exactly what he had meant.

If it was this man — born into power and raised to rule and control others — then perhaps he could truly restore everything she had lost.

This thought had crossed Da-hye’s mind instinctively.

“…Thank you.”

Without hesitating, Da-hye clinked her glass against his.

A faint ripple spread across the crimson wine in their clear glasses.

Even then, Da-hye could not fully lower her guard.

In contrast, Seo-hoo leisurely savored his wine, exuding composure.

“……”

Watching him with trembling eyes, Da-hye slowly tilted her head aside and swallowed her drink as well.

Meanwhile, Jinhee kept her gaze fixed upon Seo-hoo’s striking face, unable to hide the unease growing inside her.

‘Why would Vice President Han Seo-hoo be interested in this girl?’

Then Seo-hoo’s lips—red like the wine in his glass—parted once more.

“Our chairman has always been very fond of Professor Kyung’s paintings, so I’ve been exposed to his Oriental artwork since I was young. I’m simply grateful to Professor Kyung for inviting me to such a meaningful event today.”

As he spoke, Seo-hoo looked directly at Da-hye.

Swallowing down her unease, Da-hye answered steadily.

“Thank you. I think my father will be very pleased to hear that.”

At her response, Seo-hoo gave a faint smile and nodded slowly.

Meanwhile, Ji-hoon could not understand why the notoriously arrogant Han Seo-hoo—who supposedly never paid attention to anyone for more than a minute—was treating Da-hye with such obvious interest.

‘Do they know each other? D*mn. If I’d known they were close, I would’ve asked Kyung Da-hye to arrange a meeting with Han Seo-hoo for me long ago.’

Tightening his fist, Ji-hoon smiled brightly.

His eyes moved repeatedly between Da-hye and Seo-hoo as greed flickered within them.

‘So Kyung Da-hye actually does have some use after all.’

Then Ji-hoon stepped close beside Da-hye and gently wrapped an arm around her shoulder.

“Hahaha, I had no idea our Da-hye and Vice President Han were acquainted like this!”

Ji-hoon spoke smoothly as he looked down at Da-hye.

“Da-hye, why didn’t you tell me sooner? Do you know how shocked I am right now?”

At this, Da-hye furrowed her brows uncomfortably and quietly pushed his hand away again.

It was clear that Ji-hoon would now cling to her and beg her to arrange a meeting with Han Seo-hoo.

Seo-hoo’s name had been mentioned casually during dinner before, and Ji-hoon had been eager to establish a connection with him.

“I also only met Vice President Han for the first time today—”

That was why Da-hye was just about to firmly clarify that today was her first time meeting Seo-hoo when—

“You have a very affectionate boyfriend.”

Seo-hoo abruptly cut her off mid-sentence.

For some reason, his gaze lingered strangely on Ji-hoon.

At those words, Ji-hoon scratched the back of his head shyly and hurriedly answered.

“Huh? Ah, well…… I suppose you could say that? Hahaha.”

Finally having the chance to exchange words with Han Seo-hoo for the very first time, Ji-hoon felt as though his heart might burst from excitement.

Then Seo-hoo slowly parted his lips while watching Da-hye with unreadable eyes.

“Are you free this Sunday?”

The unexpected question immediately captured Da-hye’s attention.

Unsure how she was supposed to respond, she merely blinked rapidly.

Carefully observing her expression, Seo-hoo lazily curved his lips into a smile and added,

“It’s my birthday that day.”

“Ah… really?”

Caught off guard, Da-hye looked at him with slightly widened eyes.

Perhaps because of the lighting, tiny glimmers of light seemed to drift across his striking face.

“Come.”

“…!”

“You’re welcome to bring your boyfriend along as well.”

Seo-hoo tilted his head slightly towards something behind him. His expression was unreadable as he slipped one hand into his pocket.

Almost instantly, his secretary appeared as if out of thin air and stepped forward to present Da-hye with an invitation.

The envelope was completely black with no writing on it at all. Yet beneath the lights, it exuded an overwhelming sense of authority.

The moment Ji-hoon and Jinhee saw it, their jaws nearly dropped in shock.

At the same time, a quiet stir spread throughout the hall.

This invitation granted unrestricted access to exclusive UJ Group parties — events that ordinary people could only dream of attending.

The infamous Black Ticket.

It was not something that just anyone in the corporate world could obtain. Even among the elite, there were invisible layers of hierarchy, and the UJ Group stood at the absolute top.

The guests invited to these parties were the children of the most powerful upper-class families and the nation’s most influential political figures.

Cabinet ministers.

Powerful prosecutors and judges.

Even relatives of former presidents.

This was why so many people longed desperately for a Black Ticket.

“Take it.”

But Da-hye had no idea the ticket held such enormous significance, so she merely stared at it blankly.

“What are you doing, Da-hye? You should accept it……!”

Ji-hoon swallowed hard, unable to tear his eyes away from the legendary ticket he had only heard rumors about before.

Yet Da-hye slowly shook her head and politely declined.

“I’m sorry, Vice President. I already have plans that day.”

It felt dangerous to become any more entangled with a man who knew her secret.

At that moment, unwilling to let such an opportunity slip away, Jinhee suddenly stepped forward.

“Then I’ll go instead, Vice President! It would be rude to refuse after you personally invited us.”

“……”

“I’ll attend with Team Leader Kang in my daughter’s place.”

This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Attending the party would not only open doors for Jooho’s oriental painting business, but also for her daughter’s future.

Meanwhile, Hyejung, who had been watching anxiously as everything unfolded, quickly joined in, too.

“Ah, hello, Vice President! I’m Da-hye’s younger sister, Kyung Hyejung.”

Still holding Da-hye’s hand warmly, Hyejung immediately began putting on an act.

“It seems our Da-hye already has plans that day. What should we do? If it’s alright with you, could I attend in her place and offer my congratulations instead?”

Smiling sweetly, Hyejung looked at Seo-hoo with the gentlest expression imaginable.

But Seo-hoo merely maintained that strange smile without responding.

Then slowly, he shifted his gaze toward Da-hye, who had gone completely still.

The moment his eyes landed upon her frozen face, Da-hye instinctively turned to look back at him.

“……”

Their gazes met instantly.

The corners of Seo-hoo’s eyes curved softly.

As if silently instructing her to observe the situation closely, he tilted his head slightly and slowly lifted the corner of his lip.

Although he was smiling gently, an unmistakable predatory aura still lingered around him.

Da-hye’s heart trembled beneath his gaze.

“Would it be alright if we attended instead?”

Unable to fathom the meaning behind Seo-hoo’s strange expression, the three of them pressed him for more information.

What exactly was this thing that had made them become so desperate?

Da-hye quietly watched Seo-hoo, then turned her gaze towards the three people, their eyes sparkling with greed as they stared at the Black Ticket.

What was so special about that ticket?

At that moment, strength slowly returned to Da-hye’s hand.

“I’ll go.”

Then, almost deliberately, she parted her lips and spoke clearly.

“I confused it with another date. I think I’ll actually be free that day after all.”

Leaving the three stunned behind her, Da-hye firmly took hold of the Black Ticket.

“But… would it still be alright if I attended alone?”

Instantly, the three people behind her let out simultaneous sounds of disbelief.

After staring down at Da-hye intently, Seo-hoo smiled.

“The honor is mine, Miss Da-hye.”

It was a fitting act of revenge against the people who had ruined her life.

At that very moment, the first spark quietly began to rise.