Mina carefully pulled her shiny red Maserati convertible out of the SCJ Corporation building. No matter how discreet she tried to be, she still couldn't avoid Valko's sharp eyes watching from a window above. A bad feeling stirred in him. Immediately, Valko dialed one of his trusted men.
"You there?" he asked, eyes tracking Mina's car as it disappeared west.
"Do me a favor and tail Mina. I want to know where she's going."
"Yes, sir," came the deep, gravelly reply on the other end.
Valko ended the call with relief, unaware that the man he just spoke to was already placing another call—to someone else entirely.
Mina's car phone buzzed with a hidden number. She connected it to the system and answered smoothly while steering with her usual elegance.
"Amuro? What now?"
The same deep voice replied, but this time it carried a trace of respect.
"Valko just called me. He wants someone to follow you."
Mina smirked when she heard Valko's name.
"Figures. He's sulking again, like a spoiled child."
"What would you like us to do, Miss Mina?"
Normally, no one dared call her by her first name. But with this group, she allowed it. They were a syndicate tied to the Kamakiri clan—but somehow, Mina had them under her thumb. They had no choice but to quietly aid her.
The news of Valko's suspicion didn't even ruffle her. Mina's cold eyes stayed fixed on the road, steady as ever. She had expected this all along. Yet when speaking to these men, she softened her voice, honey-sweet, as a seductive smile touched her lips.
"I trust you know what to do. The wise adapt to the times. Stay loyal to me, and I'll make sure you're never left empty-handed. You've seen the state of my family. Do you really want to end up under someone like Haruna?"
Silence hung for a moment on the line, as if Amuro was weighing words that might offend certain people.
"…I believe you, Mina. You'll be the one to pull it off."
Whether it was flattery or his true opinion, Mina couldn't care less. She already had him—and his entire network—by the throat. She could've recruited countless other thugs for dirty work, but instead she targeted the Kamakiri syndicate itself. From the start, she'd been testing their loyalty. They had no choice but to pick a side.
Amuro narrowed his eyes unconsciously. Astonishing. Just a few years ago, Mina had been a fragile second heiress with no control over her fate. And now—was this the day she'd been waiting for all along?
Still, one thing he didn't understand: why was she so determined to eliminate that woman, Kim Nayeon? How did she even fit into the picture? And if Nayeon was first… who would be next?
Mina's smile deepened.
"You're smart, Amuro...You know what to do. If Valko asks, tell him I was at a restaurant meeting with business partners. That's it. Whether he believes it or not, I've already arranged proof to back it up."
She ended the call. In an instant, the cold, vicious mask slipped away, replaced by radiant charm. Mina slowed down deliberately as she entered the quiet, upscale district of the wealthy.
Across from a private school sat a small café. And there—just as she expected—was Duyen.
Even from afar, Mina spotted her immediately. The tall, striking tomboy in a PU leather jacket, sitting outside. She looked like a blazing star, and Mina's world narrowed until it contained no one but her. Mina bit her lip, suppressing the wide smile tugging at her mouth.
But Duyen had chosen a corner table out in the open. Not private enough. If anyone noticed Mina here, it could be a problem. Mina scanned the surroundings carefully before stepping out of her car.
The moment she entered the café, every man turned to stare. Mina's beauty and elegance eclipsed the wealthy clientele inside—like a goddess from another world stepping into theirs.
And yet, there was one person who didn't even glance her way.
Duyen sat with her fingers entwined, eyes downcast on the table. She hadn't even ordered a drink. Her mind was somewhere else entirely. Mina felt it—Duyen wasn't looking at her. A pang of pain slashed through her chest, but she masked it with a smile as she gracefully sat down across from her.
"Duyen…"
Mina's voice was softer than falling leaves, dripping with sweetness and unspoken affection.
Duyen finally looked up at her dazzling smile—but only answered with a faint curve of her lips.
"You're here, Mina."
Mina nodded, gazing at her warmly, almost worshipfully.
"Yes... Mmm Sorry if I kept you waiting. I drove straight here from work."
Duyen shook her head gently.
"I just got here myself."
She was as beautiful and considerate as always, yet something felt different. Duyen's eyes avoided hers, her demeanor distant. Mina had dressed and painted herself just for her—but Duyen barely seemed to notice.
Why?
The ache inside Mina grew. She longed to say.
Please, just look at me.
But she couldn't.
Not after their last encounter, that stolen kiss. The memory still burned her cheeks red, even under powder.
The waiter approached suddenly, making Mina flinch. She smiled politely.
"An Americano for me, no sugar. And…"
She turned to Duyen, her gaze tender. "For her, a cappuccino—extra milk, extra ice."
The waiter nodded and left. Mina's lips curved with satisfaction. Years had passed, but she still remembered Duyen's taste exactly.
At last, Duyen looked at her—but there was something unsettled in her expression. Mina forced a steady smile, hiding her unease.
"So… what did you want to talk about?"
Mina asked, then instantly regretted sounding too direct. She hurried to change the subject. "I heard from Dao, about you helping with that commercial shoot."
Duyen chuckled lightly, embarrassed.
"That was just a coincidence."
"Coincidence or not, you did great. Dao said she was grateful."
Still, Mina's heart wasn't in this conversation. She'd heard whispers of Dao convincing Duyen to pursue modeling. The thought made her uneasy. Duyen already drew stares just by existing—what if the whole world saw what Mina saw? No, Mina couldn't allow that. If necessary, she'd intervene.
Meanwhile, Duyen studied her quietly. She couldn't tell how much of Mina's words were true. A shadow of sadness crossed her eyes.
"Mina," she finally said, her tone heavy.
"Nayeon is missing."
"…huh?" Mina stiffened. The name hit her like a blade.
"Her apartment was completely trashed."
Ah...
So that was why Duyen had called her out. Amuro must've gone too far, leaving the scene messy. Covering it up with the police was easy—but why was Duyen telling her this?
Did she… suspect her?
That chilling glint in Duyen's eyes made Mina's stomach drop. She masked it quickly, feigning innocence.
"I… I don't know who that is. But it does sound serious."
Duyen frowned.
"You really don't know her?"
Mina swallowed hard. Duyen had never questioned her like this before. Anxiety coiled tighter, but Mina forced her smile.
"No. Should I? Was she your friend?"
Duyen's silence was crushing. Mina had met Nayeon before, yet here she was, denying it outright. Duyen's chest ached. Still, she pushed forward.
"…Nayeon had a video. From the day you kissed me."
Mina froze.
"And... the entire file was deleted—the same day her place was broken into."
Mina shut her eyes. Of course—it was her order to Amuro. Careless. Too careless.
She snapped her eyes open, voice suddenly sharp.
"And you think I did it, don't you?"
"I..!" Duyen faltered under Mina's glare.
Mina clenched her fists, her jaw tight. A bitter laugh slipped from her lips.
"So... Let me guess. That Shigonami Shana told you it was me, didn't she? That I kidnapped Nayeon and destroyed the video?"
"I… I didn't say that—"
"But that's what you think." Mina's tone turned accusing, flipping the pressure onto Duyen, who wavered.
"Tell me then," Mina pressed. "Do you have proof?"
Duyen stammered. No, she didn't. Nothing that tied Mina directly. Seeing her hesitate, Mina smirked inwardly and switched tactics, feigning sorrow.
"I know… No matter what I say, you won't believe me. But, Duyen—you know me. Why would I go that far for some girl I barely even know? Whatever you think, I swear—I, did not do this."
Duyen had expected her to deny it. But Mina's conviction, her almost wounded tone, shook her. It sounded too real, too sharp to be a lie. She found herself wavering. No proof, no trail, nothing but suspicion.
Suddenly, Mina's eyes brimmed with tears.
"Mina…!" Duyen panicked.
"Don't," Mina whispered, dabbing her cheeks with tissues from her purse.
"I'm fine. Just… my tears."
The sight cracked Duyen's heart open again. Maybe she had been too harsh.
Mina's voice quivered.
"I told you before… what happened between me and Valko… It's not what you think."
Why bring up Valko now? Duyen hesitated, sensing hidden pain in her words. She wanted to ask more, but Mina suddenly stood up, covering her face with her hand.
"Forget it. You don't believe me anyway."
"Mina—"
But Mina was already striding out, slipping back into her red Maserati. Within seconds, she was gone, leaving Duyen stunned and confused.
Valko? Why mention him now?
Behind them, Shana had heard everything. Her eyes glittered with disdain. Mina's desperate ploy disgusted her.
Mina... I didn't expect you to come up with such a despicable lie. Maybe I really underestimated you.
Meanwhile, behind the wheel, Mina's tears dried, replaced by her usual icy mask—colder, sharper, more dangerous than ever. Fury burned in her chest as she tightened her grip on the steering wheel.
Shana… this isn't over!
"GRAGHHHH!"
Mina slammed her fists against the wheel, her screams drowned out by the roaring Maserati engine.