The Crimson Contract Marriage

Hanmaeum Hospital

The sterile scent of disinfectant hung in the air as Kim Seo-yeon walked into the hospital room. Sunlight streamed through the partially open blinds, casting faint shadows on the pristine white sheets of the bed where her grandfather, Kim Byung-Chul, rested. His frail frame looked smaller than she remembered, but his sharp eyes, glinting with both wisdom and stubbornness, followed her every movement.

Seo-yeon set her leather handbag on the chair beside her and sat down, smoothing her tailored blazer. "Grandfather, you're looking better today."

Byung-Chul gave her a faint smile, his voice gravelly but steady. "Stable, at least. The doctors are optimistic." He studied her carefully. "But you didn't come here to check on my health. Speak your mind, Seo-yeon."

Seo-yeon leaned back, crossing her legs. "The engagement party with the Parks is approaching. I wanted to discuss how we can best use this... situation to our advantage."

Byung-Chul's expression didn't change, but there was a flicker of interest in his eyes. "The Parks are powerful allies, but I doubt they view us the same way. What's your plan?"

Seo-yeon's gaze hardened, her voice low and calculated. "Let's not sugarcoat it, Grandfather. The Parks see us as dead weight. This marriage was originally meant to align us with Min-Ho, their crown jewel, but they replaced him with Jason—a bastard son they barely acknowledge. It's an insult, plain and simple. They think they're throwing us a lifeline while keeping their real assets untouched."

Byung-Chul sighed, his thin fingers tapping the edge of the blanket. "And yet you accepted."

"Of course I did," Seo-yeon replied sharply. "This alliance isn't about pride; it's about survival. Jason holds a 15% stake in their estate—enough to give us leverage, if we use it correctly."

Byung-Chul raised an eyebrow. "He may hold the stake, but how do you plan to wield it? Jason isn't a fool."

Seo-yeon's lips pressed into a thin line. "That's the problem. He's more capable than I was led to believe. I expected a spineless man who'd be easy to manipulate. Instead, I find someone with a clear vision for his business and an unshakable resolve to keep his independence." She leaned forward, her tone growing colder. "It's inconvenient."

Byung-Chul chuckled weakly. "You sound almost disappointed."

"I am," Seo-yeon admitted. "A man like Jason complicates things. He won't blindly follow orders, and his stake in the Parks' estate is firmly under his control. Convincing him to use it in our favor will require... subtlety."

"And if he refuses?" Byung-Chul asked.

Seo-yeon's smile was icy. "Then I'll find another way. The Parks' influence is too vast for us to ignore. Their dominance in entertainment, music, and talent agencies alone could save our struggling division. If Jason won't cooperate willingly, I'll ensure he has no choice but to align his interests with ours."

Byung-Chul frowned. "Seo-yeon, you're playing a dangerous game. The Parks didn't want this marriage in the first place. If you push too hard—"

"I know the risks," Seo-yeon interrupted, her tone unyielding. "But they can't back out now. The laws prevent it, and Jason's stake ties them to us whether they like it or not. The question isn't if they'll work with us; it's how far we can push them before they retaliate."

Byung-Chul studied her for a long moment, his expression unreadable. "And what of Jason? He isn't just a tool, Seo-yeon. He's a person, with his own ambitions. If you underestimate him, it could backfire."

Seo-yeon's eyes narrowed. "I'm well aware of that. His unpredictability is precisely why I intend to keep him close. If I can't control him directly, I'll ensure his interests align with ours. Whether through charm, negotiation, or pressure, I'll find a way to make him useful."

Byung-Chul sighed, sinking deeper into his pillows. "Your mother was just like this—ruthless and relentless. It brought her success, but it also brought her enemies. Be careful, Seo-yeon. The Parks aren't the only ones watching."

Seo-yeon stood, smoothing her blazer once more. "I appreciate the concern, Grandfather, but this isn't just about survival. This is about reclaiming our place at the top. The Parks think they've thrown us a bone, but by the time I'm done, they'll realize they've given us the key to their own empire."

As she left the room, her grandfather's gaze lingered on her retreating figure, a mix of pride and apprehension etched on his face.

The sleek black sedan pulled into the driveway of Kim Seo-yeon's estate, its headlights cutting through the dim evening. Seo-yeon stepped out, her polished heels clicking against the stone pavement as she adjusted her blazer. Her sharp features, softened only slightly by the fatigue etched into her expression, reflected the weight of a long and grueling day.

As she entered her home, the grand yet minimalistic design of the interior greeted her—a stark contrast to the chaos she sensed looming ahead. The faint hum of voices from the sitting room immediately set her on edge. She let out a slow, deliberate exhale, already bracing herself.

The Family Gathering

Seo-yeon walked into the sitting room to find a familiar sight: her uncle, Kim Min-jun, seated like a self-proclaimed patriarch at the head of the coffee table. His wife, Kim Min-seo, perched beside him, adjusting her pearl necklace with a practiced air of entitlement. Their son, Kim Ji-hoon, lounged on the couch, scrolling through his phone with the detached arrogance of someone who had never worked for a single thing in his life.

Across from them sat Kim Yoon-hee, dressed in an expensive silk blouse, flipping through a magazine with feigned disinterest. Her husband, Kim Seok-jin, was engaged in quiet conversation with Seo-yeon's fourth aunt, Kim Ji-eun, who at least had the decency to look mildly uncomfortable with the situation.

Seo-yeon dropped her handbag onto a side table, her expression icy. "I wasn't expecting guests."

Kim Min-jun gave her a smug smile. "Family doesn't need an invitation, Seo-yeon. We thought we'd save you the trouble of coordinating the engagement party."

Her eyes narrowed. "I see. And here I thought the Parks would have their own team handling such details. This is a business arrangement, after all—not a social event."

"Precisely why we're here," Min-seo interjected, her voice saccharine. "The Parks might be leading in entertainment, but the Kims are no amateurs when it comes to hosting grand affairs. We wouldn't want you to embarrass yourself—or the family name."

Seo-yeon's jaw tightened. "How thoughtful. But I assure you, the preparations are well under control."

Ji-hoon looked up from his phone, his voice dripping with condescension. "Come on, Seo-yeon. You've been running things solo for years now. Don't you think it's time to let us... share the burden?"

Seo-yeon turned her gaze to him, her smile cold and razor-sharp. "Share the burden? How generous of you. Tell me, Ji-hoon, which of your countless failed ventures would you like me to replicate in the family business?"

Ji-hoon flushed, mumbling something under his breath as he returned to his phone.

Kim Min-jun cleared his throat, clearly annoyed. "Seo-yeon, there's no need for hostility. We're all family here. You've done a commendable job keeping things afloat, but you can't do it all alone. Surely, some of us can be entrusted with more responsibility."

Seo-yeon's eyes flicked to her aunt, Kim Ji-eun, and her uncle, Kim Dong-wook. "The only reason this company is still standing is because of Ji-eun's oversight of real estate and Dong-wook's management of our finances. The rest of you have done little more than bleed the family dry. You'll forgive me if I'm reluctant to hand over the reins."

---

Subtle Manipulations

Kim Yoon-hee sighed dramatically, setting down her magazine. "You're so dramatic, Seo-yeon. I've been doing quite well with the fashion and cosmetics stores, haven't I?"

"Thanks to your husband's guidance," Seo-yeon replied curtly, her gaze flicking to Seok-jin. "But I wonder—how much of that success would remain if you were left to your own devices?"

Seok-jin chuckled, his smile oily. "You wound me, Seo-yeon. I only want what's best for the family."

Seo-yeon's expression remained impassive, though the sharpness in her eyes made it clear she didn't believe a word he said. "How selfless of you."

Kim Min-seo, clearly irritated by her son's humiliation and her husband's silence, tried a different angle. "Seo-yeon, dear, this engagement is an opportunity to show the Parks that the Kim family is united and strong. Wouldn't it be better to present ourselves as a cohesive team?"

Seo-yeon leaned forward slightly, her tone cutting. "Unity is earned, not performed. If you truly want to contribute, focus on doing something useful instead of angling for positions you haven't earned."

---

Kim Min-jun stood, his frustration barely concealed. "You may have the company now, Seo-yeon, but don't forget—this family built it together. You can't keep everything to yourself forever."

Seo-yeon rose to her feet, her presence commanding. "You're right, Uncle. This family did build it—before tearing it apart with short-sighted greed and petty infighting. I've spent years repairing the damage, and I won't let it happen again. If you want more responsibility, prove you're capable of handling it. Until then, stay out of my way."

Without waiting for a response, she turned and left the room, her steps echoing down the hall. As she ascended the stairs to her private quarters, her mind buzzed with a mix of anger and determination. Exhausted though she was, she resolved to stay vigilant. She knew her relatives well enough to understand that their scheming wouldn't end here.

As she closed the door to her bedroom and prepared for a long-overdue bath, Seo-yeon allowed herself a small, bitter smile. Let them plot all they want. In the end, the only thing that mattered was results—and no one in the Kim family had a track record that could rival hers.