Haneul Seo had always been a bright spark—cheerful, ambitious, and full of life. In her early teenage years, she had harbored an innocent yet deep crush on Ra Hyeon, the untouchable senior at her school. He was everything she wasn’t—cold, reserved, and completely out of reach. A boy with sharp eyes and an aura of effortless power, already groomed to inherit his father’s vast business empire.

For two years, Haneul loved him from afar, unaware that his heart already belonged to someone else. When she finally learned the truth, the heartbreak was a quiet storm—one that pushed her to let go and focus on her own future. And that’s exactly what she did.

Determined to prove her worth beyond fleeting high school crushes, she threw herself into her studies, earned a place at a prestigious university, and graduated with top honors. Her hard work paid off—by the time she was in her mid-twenties, she had secured a position as a legal advisor in one of the country’s most powerful corporate firms. In a male-dominated field, she was the only woman on her team, yet she thrived. Confident, fearless, and stunningly charismatic, she became a force to be reckoned with.

Meanwhile, Ra Hyeon had been living a different life—one of privilege and expectations. After completing his education abroad, he returned to Seoul, where his father wasted no time in handing him the reins of the family empire. At just 28, he became the CEO of Hyeon Group, a multibillion-dollar conglomerate. He had always been a man of control, but something about the city felt different upon his return. Perhaps it was because he was no longer the untouchable senior, and perhaps… it was because fate had other plans.

When Haneul and Ra Hyeon’s paths cross again, it isn’t as a starry-eyed schoolgirl and an indifferent senior. This time, she stands as his equal—or perhaps, even as his adversary. In a world where power and ambition rule, will the embers of a forgotten crush reignite, or will they be forced to clash in the battlefield of corporate politics?

One thing is certain—Haneul Seo is no longer the girl who once admired him from the shadows. And Ra Hyeon? He might just realize that some people are impossible to ignore.

The lobby was already drowning in tension, but the moment Seung turned to the man with the bouquet, things escalated tenfold.


And then, in a voice cold enough to send shivers down spines, he declared—


"She's mine. Forever mine. Don't ever try to touch, talk to her, or even glance at her. But if you do…"


His gaze darkened, voice dropping lower—deadly calm.


A sharp gasp rippled through the lobby.


The poor guy with the bouquet went pale. His fingers trembled as he took a step back, eyes darting between Seung and Haneul like he was reconsidering every life decision that had led him here.


Even Ra Hyeon, the CEO himself, looked mildly surprised—eyebrows raised just slightly, a flicker of intrigue flashing in his gaze.


Before she could even react, Seung pulled her into a hug—tight, warm, and full of the frustration only an overprotective younger brother could have.


Did Seung just… threaten someone's life in front of the entire company?


Yet, as her initial shock faded, she slowly wrapped her arms around Seung, hugging him back.


She sighed against his shoulder. "Seung… I'm sorry."


She didn't even know what she was apologizing for.


For not seeing him sooner?For putting him through this mess?For the emotional rollercoaster that was her life?


Seung huffed, still holding on to her like she might disappear. "You should be."


Chapter 15 - Overprotective Much?