But Shin remained utterly unfazed, even amused. "You know the kind of reputation I have," he said lazily. "For her to come to me of all people she must be serious. And I'll admit… I'm tempted to help her."
There was a beat of silence. Then Zahn's tone turned dark, almost venomous.
"Is this how you repay me," he said slowly, "after I've looked after Yeri Zhi? Don't forget she still needs constant medical supervision. Help Lianna, and I'll make sure your fiancée is blacklisted from receiving treatment anywhere in this city."
Yeri froze. Her jaw went slack. What?!
It was shocking to see this side of the renowned Doctor Neri. So even the perfect, stoic genius could resort to threats?
It seemed this divorce was going to get messy.
But Shin, as always, wasn't the least bit intimidated.
Yeri couldn't help but wonder, was he being dragged into this because of her? After all, she had been the one to offer help to Lianna Neri, and even used her demon ability to end her depression and inner torment.
"Don't be in such a hurry to burn bridges," Shin said lazily into the phone, his tone unbothered. "Why go personal, Zahn? Believe it or not, your wife came to me with a business proposal. As a Neri, shouldn't you know how to separate business and private matters? Or has the great Doctor Neri finally lost the ability to do so?"
There was silence on the other end, long and heavy. Then Yeri heard Zahn Neri's low voice, asking Shin to meet somewhere. The call ended shortly after.
Shin slid his phone into his pocket and looked up, only to find Yeri staring at him with a complicated expression.
"Something on my face?" he asked with a slight smirk. "Or am I just too handsome for you to look away?"
Yeri blinked, snapped out of her thoughts, and frowned. "You're not funny."
"I wasn't trying to be," Shin said easily, leaning back in his chair. "But you did admit that you like my face."
Yeri: "…"
Sighing, she finally asked, "Are you really going to help Sister Lianna? Why would she come to you instead of asking her own family?"
Shin was quiet for a moment, fingers tapping against the table. It seemed that woman hadn't told Yeri the full story. Not that he particularly cared but within their circle, everyone knew Lianna's maternal family was complicated.
"They wouldn't help her," Shin said finally. "To them, she's useful only as long as the Neri family connection remains intact. If she suffers, so be it, as long as the benefits don't stop."
Yeri's brows knitted. "No wonder."
Shin's tone softened. "That's reality."
Yeri looked at him, her expression unreadable. "Then… what are you going to do?"
"Do you want me to help her?" Shin asked suddenly.
Yeri blinked. "Will you… actually help her if I said so?"
"Of course," he said without hesitation. "Anything you want, I'll do it."
Yeri froze, heat crawling up her neck. Was he serious? Or was he secretly practicing pickup lines when she wasn't around?
She quickly looked away, pretending to focus on her food.
Luckily for him she's not some greedy, manipulative woman with a bottomless appetite, she thought wryly. Otherwise, in the future, she'll definitely cover the news headlines as the woman who brought Shin Keir's downfall.
"You said Sister Lianna came to you with a business deal," she replied carefully after a pause. "Then whether you help her or not, that's for you to decide. I think that's what she wants, too."
Shin only smiled, that calm, knowing smile that always made her uneasy and joined her for dinner.
For a while, their conversation drifted toward lighter things, but then he spoke again, voice deceptively casual.
"Don't you really find Zahn's wife strange?" he asked. "You might not notice since you only met her recently, but she wasn't like this before. It's… unusual. People don't just change that drastically overnight."
Yeri kept her head low as she replied, "I think it's a good change. Something happened during her son's birthday. Maybe that was the final straw, she just couldn't take it anymore."
Shin looked at her intently, his tone slow and measured. "Hmm. Probably. Or maybe she met someone who granted her a wish… let's say, a demon."
Clatter.
The spoon slipped from Yeri's hand and fell to the floor.
"Ah, how careless of me," she said with a forced smile, quickly bending to pick it up while cursing him silently.
What's with him? she fumed inwardly. Is he a psychic now? His reputation and status is already scary enough, does he want to add mind-reading to the list?
Without a word, Shin took a clean spoon and handed it to her.
---
On the other end of the city, Zahn Neri sat in his office, the world around him cold and soundless.
The moment he heard that Lianna had gone to KGG, to Shin Keir of all people, it was as if his veins had turned to ice. Something inside him snapped loose, spiraling beyond his control.
Earlier, he was still convincing himself it was all a misunderstanding, that Lianna was just upset after he told her to apologize to Vanessa, or throwing another tantrum that would fade in a few days. But after his call with Shin, there was no denying it anymore.
She was serious.
Lianna really wanted a divorce.
And she was willing to give up everything to get it.
Why?
Zahn couldn't comprehend it. He sat there, motionless, his thoughts unraveling.
Back in college, Lianna had always been timid around Shin Keir. Among all the people acquainted with him, those who could even remotely be called his "friends", Lianna had always been the one afraid of Shin Keir.
It wouldn't be wrong to say that the two had been practically invisible to each other. Zahn couldn't even recall a single proper conversation between them, except the recent one, that brief but unforgettable moment when he saw Shin holding Lianna's wrist and asking her something.
He had thought that once Lianna discovered no lawyer was willing to take her case, she would eventually give up. She would come to her senses, seek him out, and they could quietly sweep the matter under the rug.
But instead, she had gone to him.
Shin Keir.
That realization hit Zahn like a stinging slap and the more he replayed it in his mind, the deeper the wound seemed to cut. When he recalled the contents of the divorce papers, it felt as though someone had stabbed him straight in the chest and twisted the blade.
Lianna wanted to leave him.
She wanted nothing, not his money, not their son, not even the years they had built together.
How could she?
How could she throw it all away so easily, as if none of it mattered?
Zahn's breath hitched. A deep, unfamiliar ache twisted in his chest, followed by the slow rise of something darker, anger.
If Lianna thought she could walk away so easily…
then she had gravely underestimated him.
---
At a modest three-star hotel, Lianna sat cross-legged on the bed, papers spread around her like the fragments of a life she was trying to rebuild: old high school and college certificates, identification documents, medical forms, even faded receipts.
She had spent the entire afternoon sorting through them, weighing her options. After the divorce, she wanted to return to school, maybe find a small job, anything that could let her stand on her own feet.
Over the years, she'd lived quietly under the title of Mrs. Neri, and one might assume that came with limitless cards and luxury.
The truth was almost laughable. Anyone who would hear it would probably choke on their drink. Her monthly allowance was a mere $4,000, a drop in the ocean compared to the family's wealth.
Back then, she'd been too naïve to care. All her son's needs were covered by Madam Neri, and she had convinced herself she didn't need much else. Occasionally, she spent a little on small gifts for her son or herself, believing that was enough.
But now, looking back, she saw it clearly for what it was, an insult wrapped in politeness. That fixed allowance had been Madam Neri's subtle way of saying: you're not a wife in this house, just the nanny who happens to share his bed.
Still, she was grateful she'd barely touched the money all these years. It was the only thing keeping her afloat now.
Even so, it wouldn't last long. She needed a place to rent. Tuition fees. Daily expenses. Everything she'd once taken for granted now had to be earned.
Bang, bang, bang!
Lianna jolted, the sound echoing sharply in the small room. She glanced at the clock, just past 9 p.m. Not too late, but too late for uninvited guests.
Her brows furrowed as she peeked through the peephole.
Zahn Neri.
Of course.
It wasn't even surprising. If she stayed within the same city, it was only a matter of time before he found her.
"Lianna," his deep voice came through the door, sharp with strain. "I know you're there. Let's talk."
Lianna leaned against the door, her tone cool and steady. "Doctor Neri, it's late. Aren't you afraid someone might recognize you? You're a public figure. Besides, I don't want to impose on your busy schedule. You can send your lawyer instead."
"Lianna!" Zahn snapped, his patience cracking. Veins stood out along his neck as he struggled to contain himself. "I get it, alright? I understand what you're trying to do and I know you're serious. Just tell me what you want. Let's talk properly."
Silence.
Inside the room, Lianna stood still, her expression unreadable. On the other side of the door, Zahn waited tensely, accompanied by the nervous hotel manager wringing his hands.
Everyone in the city knew Dr. Zahn Neri. The hotel manager had no idea what kind of drama was unfolding, but from the looks of it, it was the classic story of husband chasing after his runaway wife. And his humble hotel was now caught in the middle of it.