Suppressing her frustration, she walked toward them.
The moment she stepped into the sitting room, her steps faltered.
Seated comfortably on the luxurious sofa was a man she had never seen before.
Tall.
Imposing.
Dressed in a perfectly tailored black suit, his posture relaxed yet commanding. His sharp features were sculpted like marble, his dark eyes calm but piercing eyes that seemed to hold a depth far beyond ordinary understanding.
Park Hyun Woo.
Even in stillness, his presence dominated the room.
Ji Eun felt it immediately - the suffocating aura of someone who was used to controlling everything around him.
And somehow… his gaze was already on her.
Watching her.
Not casually. Not curiously.
But as though he had been waiting.
Ji Eun's heart skipped, though she quickly steadied herself and masked her surprise with her usual indifference.
"Ji Eun," her father spoke, his tone carrying respect in a way she rarely heard when speaking to others. "This is Mr. Park Hyun Woo, the CEO of Next Group."
Next Group.
The very name sent a ripple through her thoughts.
The number one conglomerate…?
Her eyes widened almost imperceptibly before she regained control.
Mo Han had just closed a deal with them.
And now… their CEO was in her house?
Before she could process further, Park Hyun Woo slowly rose to his feet.
His movements were unhurried, deliberate, like a predator that knew its prey had nowhere to run.
Their eyes met fully now.
And for a brief moment… time seemed to pause.
A faint smile curved his lips - not warm, not friendly, but knowing.
"Miss Song Ji Eun," he said, his voice deep and smooth, carrying an almost unsettling familiarity. "It's been a long time."
Ji Eun blinked.
Her brows furrowed.
"…Have we met before?" she asked cautiously.
Park Hyun Woo's smile deepened ever so slightly.
"Yes," he replied calmly. "A very long time ago."