Pictures.
Dozens of pictures.
Han and Chaewon standing too close.
Walking together.
Laughing.
Chaewon entering Han's house early morning.
Leaving late.
Anyone would think they were dating.
And then —
The picture of them kissing in front of the building.
Han's entire body went cold.
The picture fell from his hand and landed on his thigh.
Seungmin picked it up slowly.
He stared at the picture for too long.
His pupils didn't even move.
Han whispered, "Dad… it's not true. We're just friends. These are manipulated— I didn't cheat—"
Mr. Joon stood up sharply, making Han take two steps back in instinctive fear.
"I'll cancel the engagement," Mr. Joon said. "I'll send termination money."
"LISTEN TO ME!" Han shouted. "Dad—please! It's not—"
Mr. Joon SLAMMED his palm onto the table.
The sound echoed like a gunshot.
Jiwoo flinched.
Han froze.
Mr. Joon raised his hand — ready to strike.
But Seungmin suddenly stood in between them.
Everyone froze.
Seungmin's face… wasn't blank anymore.
His eyes were dead calm — the kind of calm before someone breaks completely.
Mr. Choi called out, "Seungmin. Let's go."
Nothing.
"SEUNGMIN!"
He grabbed his wrist and dragged him away like a puppet.
Mr. Joon muttered to Mr. Choi about sending termination payment.
The second the door closed—
SLAP.
Han hit the floor.
Hard.
His cheek instantly burned red.
Jiwoo gasped, hand covering her mouth.
"How dare you talk back to me?" Mr. Joon shouted.
Han couldn't speak.
His throat locked.
Tears slid quietly down his face — not from the slap, but the betrayal.
"Bring him here," his father ordered.
A guard grabbed Han by the arm, yanking him up like garbage, and threw him in front of Mr. Joon.
"Kneel."
Han forced himself to kneel.
His legs trembled.
Jiwoo ran toward them, but a guard grabbed her by the waist, holding her back.
"HE'S TELLING THE TRUTH!" she screamed. "DAD PLEASE—HE DIDN'T CHEAT!"
"Take her away."
Jiwoo kicked and fought, screaming Han's name, but they dragged her out.
The moment she disappeared—
Mr. Joon spoke calmly.
Coldly.
Too calmly.
"I know you didn't cheat."
Han's head snapped up.
His lips trembled.
"Father… you used me. You used me to terminate the contract…"
His voice cracked.
"Yes."
His father smirked like it was nothing.
"That bastard was planning to break it first. I beat him to it."
Han's chest tightened painfully.
He felt something in him… die.
"You almost ruined my plan," Mr. Joon snapped. "How dare you speak in front of me? How dare you question me?"
He leaned close, voice dripping poison.
"You're a disappointment. You used to obey. You used to be useful. Now… look at you."
Han lowered his head, silent tears dripping onto the polished floor, blending into the reflection of the boy who never mattered.