The very next morning, dressed in a fitted business suit, she stood before that same building.
The KGG headquarters was a sight to behold, glassy, vast, intimidating. Luxury cars rolled past the entrance; men and women in sharp suits moved briskly through the marble lobby. For a brief moment, Lianna's resolve wavered.
It had been a long time since she'd felt like part of society. For years, her world had been muted, gray and lifeless. Now, slowly, she was beginning to see color again.
Taking a deep breath, she steadied herself.
'You've cowered long enough,' she told herself. 'This time, you move forward. No more depending on anyone.'
Walking up to the reception desk, she was greeted with a professional smile.
Lianna's poise was understated but refined. Though she had never worked a day in her life, married young, molded into the role of Mrs. Zahn Neri, she still carried the quiet dignity of someone raised among the upper class.
"CEO Shin Keir, please," she said evenly. "Tell him it is Lianna Neri."
The receptionist blinked, momentarily surprised, before regaining composure. "May I know the purpose of your visit, Miss Neri? Is the CEO expecting you?"
Lianna could have easily asked Yeri to arrange a meeting for her. But she refused. She wouldn't use Yeri's kindness or connection for her own problems. This was her personal business to carry.
"It's about the collaboration project between KGG and Neri Medical Hospital," she lied smoothly, her eyes flickering just once.
The receptionist paused, then nodded politely. "Please wait a moment. I'll confirm with the corporate office."
Moments later, the call reached Secretary Yun.
He frowned. "Collaboration? With Neri Hospital?"
There was no such project between KGG and the Neri Group, both operated in entirely different sectors.
"Who did you say it was again?" he asked.
"A woman named Lianna Neri," the receptionist replied.
Secretary Yun froze briefly before understanding clicked. Of course he recognized Zahn Neri's wife.
Still, his boss was in a meeting, so after a moment's thought, he said, "Send her to the lounge. The CEO will see her when he's free."
Even if the business excuse was false, she was still from one of the old families, it wouldn't do to send her away so bluntly.
Three hours passed before Shin Keir finally emerged from his meeting. When Secretary Yun informed him about Lianna Neri's visit, Shin's brows furrowed.
He instinctively checked his phone for any message from Yeri but found none.
He texted her:
[Did you ask Zahn's wife to come see me?]
A minute later, her reply came:
[I'm not sure. Why?]
Shin's lips twitched. Not sure? For some reason, he found that oddly cute.
But if it wasn't Yeri who sent her, then that meant Lianna Neri came here on her own.
Now that was interesting.
---
Minutes later, Lianna sat across from Shin Keir and immediately, her nerves betrayed her.
Just one look from him was enough to make her shudder; his sharp gaze felt like it could strip a person's soul bare.
No wonder he was known as one of the most formidable figures in the business world.
Lianna swallowed hard before forcing herself to speak.
"CEO Keir, I'd like to apologize for lying. I just couldn't think of another way to meet with you." Her tone wavered slightly, but she pressed on. "I also want to clarify that Yeri doesn't know I came here. This has nothing to do with her."
She hurried to clarify; she didn't want to be the cause of a rift between them or have him misunderstand Yeri.
Shin lifted a hand, gesturing for her to sit properly as he glanced at his watch. Lately, too many people had been showing up with requests to see him for personal reasons, including the Lin family after that incident at the establishment.
"Mrs. Neri," he said evenly, "I suggest you get to the point."
"Of course." Lianna nodded, her voice steadier this time. "Actually, I've asked Zahn Neri for a divorce. But he's been stalling it and I suspect he's using his influence to prevent any law firm from taking my case. I came here hoping CEO Keir could lend me his authority and back me in this matter."
Shin's gaze sharpened. "Mrs. Neri should be aware of the relationship between the Keirs and the Neris. What made you think I'd help you?"
Under that scrutinizing look, Lianna's breath hitched but she didn't back down.
"I know Zahn Neri is your friend," she admitted, "but if I'm going to go against him, the only one who could rival him… is you. Please don't take this as a favor or a personal plea. While it is personal, I came here to make a deal with you."
For the first time, Shin's expression shifted from indifference to curiosity.
"A deal?" His lips curved slightly. "And what could you possibly offer that's worth making me take your side over Zahn Neri's?"
Lianna took a deep breath, pulled a file from her bag, and placed it on his desk.
Shin flipped through the pages, scanning each line with practiced ease. Gradually, one corner of his mouth lifted, faint but telling.
He had always thought Zahn Neri's wife was nothing more than a blank canvas, quiet and easily overlooked. But it turned out she wasn't as clueless as she seemed.
"I know it's not complete," Lianna said quickly, "and some parts are still circumstantial. But I can get solid evidence if you give me time."
Shin's gaze lingered on her. "Doing this means you'll be making an enemy of the Neris. It could also hurt your husband completely. Won't you regret it? Maybe the two of you could still reconcile."
Lianna's expression hardened. Her hands clenched into fists.
"I won't regret it. This is my only chance and I'm not going to hesitate anymore. Besides, I no longer have any feelings for Zahn Neri. If he won't give me what I want peacefully, then I'll fight him for it."
Shin: "…"
He could tell she meant every word. The once docile, almost invisible Mrs. Neri was gone.
He remembered the faint demonic presence he'd sensed from her back at the hospital and he was certain now: whatever had changed her wasn't medication or therapy, but a demon's influence.
"Give me a day to think about it," Shin said finally.
Lianna blinked in surprise. She had braced herself for rejection, considering the Keir–Neri alliance, helping her could very well fracture their ties. But she was desperate, yes. But even desperation had its kind of courage and no matter how small the chance, she decided to take it.
"Thank you," she said softly, emotion glinting in her eyes.
Even if Shin Keir refused her in the end, word of this meeting would no doubt reach Zahn Neri. That alone was enough.
A sly scheme but also a declaration: she was determined to divorce him.
Before Lianna left, Shin suddenly spoke again.
"Mrs. Neri," he said, his tone calm yet probing, "who were the people around you when you stayed at Yeri's family home?"
Lianna blinked, caught off guard. "Pardon?"
"The people," Shin repeated evenly. "At the time you stayed there."
Lianna frowned slightly, unsure why he was asking something so specific. Still, she thought back and tried to recall. "Just Yeri and her family… a few house staff, I suppose."
Shin didn't answer immediately. His gaze darkened, like he was thinking about something deeper.
"What about the night before Yeri was rushed to the hospital?" he asked, his voice low and direct.
"We chatted in her bedroom until we fell asleep," Lianna replied, blinking at the memory.
Shin paused. The last time he'd tried to ask her at the hospital, Zahn Neri had interrupted.
"What did you two talk about?" he asked.
Lianna hesitated, feeling suddenly self-conscious. "It wasn't anything important… just women's talk. About my life, mostly, and Yeri gave me some advice."
"Advice?" Shin's tone sharpened slightly. "Did she offer to help you?"
Lianna tilted her head, trying to recall the conversation more clearly. "Well… I think she did mention something like that, then joked that she sounded like a scammer."
Shin's gaze deepened. He didn't speak, just waited for her to continue.
"And somehow, I fell asleep right after that," Lianna finished awkwardly, feeling his scrutiny weigh heavier by the second.
Shin leaned back, tapping his finger against the armrest, his tone suddenly cold. "You agreed to her help?"
Lianna's brows furrowed anxiously. Why was he asking her this? Couldn't he ask Yeri directly? Or maybe he was simply displeased that she'd relied on Yeri so much?
"I—yes, but only to appease her," Lianna said nervously. "She's already helped me so much. Rest assured, CEO Keir, I won't drag Yeri into my personal matters again."
A faint flicker crossed Shin's eyes, something unreadable. He didn't ask anything further, simply dismissing her with a nod.
Lianna didn't linger. She quickly stood, offered a polite bow, and left the office.
When the door closed, Shin remained by the floor-to-ceiling windows, his gaze fixed outside, distant, and laced with an emotion he couldn't quite name.
---
When Calin woke up, the first thing she saw was a white ceiling. Her head throbbed painfully, and for a moment, she couldn't tell where she was.
Then she noticed the hospital walls, the faint smell of disinfectant and her mother sitting nearby, talking on the phone.
"Calin, you're awake!" Madam Ricci exclaimed, immediately hanging up and hurrying to her side. "How are you feeling?"
Calin stared blankly at her mother, her mind slow to process until memories started flooding back. The failed attempt to drug Shin Keir… Sergei's furious reaction… her own body collapsing in nausea before everything went dark.
As the realization sank in, so did a surge of anger and despair.
"It's over," Calin muttered, her voice trembling. "It's all over! Brother Shin must hate me now…" Tears blurred her eyes as her expression twisted between panic and rage.
Madam Ricci froze for a second, then snapped, "Enough of that bastard! Why must you still cry over him? He's the one who harmed you! Your brother told me everything, he said you were in this mess all because of that bastard!"