Flashback - Lee Mansion
The mansion was glowing with lights. Servants were running everywhere with flowers and cakes.
Aara's mother, So-yun, was checking the arrangements for Aara's 13th birthday.
"Is everything okay?" she asked.
"Yes, madam," an employee bowed.
"Okay, good."
Another employee hurried in. "Mr. Lee is here, madam."
So-yun nodded. "Okay. You arrange everything here, I'll come and see later."
She went to meet Mr. Lee at the entrance — and froze.
He was not alone.
Beside him stood a beautiful woman with a boy about Aara's age. His first love — Soo Young. And her son, Jay.
So-yun's voice trembled. "Who is she? Why is she here?"
Mr. Lee tried to stay calm. "Don't be shocked. She is my college friend. She doesn't have a place to stay, that's why I invited her. She's going to stay with us from now on, until she's an independent woman."
So-yun's eyes narrowed. "Then take her to the guest house."
"Okay," Mr. Lee said quickly. He called his employees to arrange the guest house for his college mate and her son.
But So-yun felt something strange. Because Soo Young wasn't looking like a helpless friend. She was looking around the mansion like... this was all her plan.
That night, they still celebrated Aara's 13th birthday in the Lee mansion.
And that was how Soo Young came to the Lee mansion. 🥀
Story Begins - Present
Library, Lee Mansion
Mr. Lee was discussing properties and documents with Mr. Tang. Outside the door, Soo Young was secretly listening to everything.
"After me, my daughter is going to own all these properties," Mr. Lee said firmly. "So please prepare the documents for that."
Mr. Tang nodded. "Okay, sure. It's my duty. I'll come and see you next time with the documents."
Mr. Tang left. Soo Young walked in, pretending she just arrived.
"Why is Mr. Tang visiting suddenly?" she asked sweetly.
"For document preparation," Mr. Lee said. "Aara is now 21, soon she'll be 22. So I told him to arrange the property documents."
Soo Young forced a smile. "But still, Aara is young. Let's arrange this later."
"No," Mr. Lee shook his head. "It's the right time. You already know about my health issues."
"Then why don't we choose Jay?" Soo Young pressed. "Jay or Jimmy, they are elder than Aara."
Mr. Lee looked at her sharply. "Don't you remember? Jay is your son. And Jimmy — he's not interested to own our company. Aara is the only future heir of X Group properties."
"But I'm your wife, right?" Soo Young's voice rose. "So Jay is your son too. What about him?"
"Listen," Mr. Lee stood up, tired. "I don't want to talk about this again. I'm going to meet the doctor."
He left. Soo Young stood alone, her hands shaking with anger, thinking only about her son's future.
Dining Room, Lee Mansion
Employees were setting a perfect dinner for the Lee family. One by one, they came and sat, waiting for Mr. Lee.
Jay sighed loudly. "It's so frustrating. We always wait for them. Before it was Jimmy, now Aara."
"Don't worry," Soo Young whispered. "She'll go soon."
Maid announced: "Young master is coming."
Jimmy walked in and sat in his chair — opposite Jay, beside Aara's empty chair.
"Grande, what's for dinner today?" Jimmy asked.
"Today Italian foods, young master," Grande said, "because the President asked me for our Aara."
Jimmy smirked. "Not bad. But some people's choice is different..."
Jay glared. "Remember who you're mentioning here."
Then the maid's voice echoed, louder this time:
"New Director of Lee's Group — Miss Aara is coming..."
The doors opened.
Aara walked in, confident, elegant, powerful. She saw Jay and Soo Young whispering with Jimmy. Without hesitation, she went and sat right in front of Soo Young, beside Jimmy — near the President's chair.
Jay and Soo Young were shocked to see her there.
Not just as Aara.
But with the title: New Director.