The Han Group Anniversary Gala was not an event Jae-min could choose to attend or skip.
It was his.
The Grand Hall of the Lotte Signature Hotel glowed under crystal chandeliers, the black-and-gold theme echoing the company's fifty years of dominance. Media crews lined the entrance. Board members, foreign investors, politicians—everyone who mattered was here because he had called them.
Ara stood beside him in the private waiting lounge, fingers clasped tightly around her clutch.
"So," she said quietly, breaking the silence,
"this is what it feels like to be displayed."
Jae-min adjusted his cufflinks, his expression controlled but unreadable.
"They'd question more if you weren't."
She looked at him. "That doesn't make it better."
"No," he admitted. "It just makes it necessary."
A knock sounded at the door.
"Chairman Han," the secretary said, bowing slightly. "Five minutes. The press is already asking for Mrs. Han."
Ara stiffened at the title.
Mrs. Han.
She hadn't fully accepted how heavy those two words were until now—until cameras waited outside, ready to dissect her posture, her smile, her worth.
Jae-min noticed. "You can still step back," he said softly. "I'll walk out alone."
She laughed under her breath. "And let them assume the marriage is already falling apart?"
He didn't deny it.
Ara straightened her shoulders. "No. If I'm doing this, I'm doing it properly."
She met his gaze. "Just don't disappear on me out there."
Something flickered across his face—surprise, maybe guilt.
"I won't," he said. "Tonight, we stand together."
The doors opened.
Flashbulbs exploded the second they stepped onto the red carpet.
"Chairman Han!"
"Mrs. Han, this way!"
"How long have you been married?"
Ara's heart raced, but she didn't slow. Jae-min's hand hovered near her back—not touching, but close enough to feel intentional.
A reporter leaned forward. "Mrs. Han, is it true you've been staying out of the public eye by choice?"
Ara paused.
Jae-min turned to her, giving her the floor.
"Yes," she answered calmly. "I wanted to understand the man and the responsibilities before understanding the spotlight."
The response rippled through the crowd—approving murmurs, impressed nods.
Jae-min glanced at her, just briefly.
Inside the hall, the noise softened into a low hum of conversation. As they walked in, heads turned. Whispers followed.
That's her. She doesn't look like what I expected. She's younger than I thought.
Yura stood near a group of investors, a champagne flute in hand. Her eyes flicked to them, sharp and assessing. She smiled—polite, measured—but didn't approach.
Ara noticed.
"Your world is exhausting," she murmured.
Jae-min exhaled. "You get used to it."
"I don't want to," she replied.
Before he could answer, the MC's voice echoed through the hall.
"Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome the Chairman of Han Group, Han Jae-min, and his wife, Ara Han."
Applause filled the room.
Jae-min stepped forward, then paused—waiting.
Ara hesitated only a second before walking beside him.
On stage, under blinding lights, he spoke smoothly about legacy, growth, responsibility. The words were practiced, polished.
But when he reached the end, he did something unscripted.
"And finally," he said, his voice steady, "this year marks a personal change for me as well."
The room leaned in.
"My wife," he continued, "did not marry into ease. She married into scrutiny. I ask that you extend her the same respect you extend this company."
A beat of silence.
Then applause—stronger, sincere.
Ara looked at him, startled.
"You didn't warn me," she whispered.
"I meant it," he replied.
As they stepped off the stage, his phone vibrated in his pocket.
Unknown Number: You put her in front of everyone.
Do you think she'll stay when she learns the truth?
Ara watched his expression tighten.
"What is it?" she asked.
He slipped the phone away. "Someone reminding me that tonight isn't over."
Across the room, Yura watched them closely.
And for the first time, Ara realized—
Standing beside Han Jae-min didn't just make her visible.
It made her a target.