The moment Ji Eun disappeared through the grand doors, the silence she left behind shattered. Whispers exploded across the hall like wildfire breaking loose. But amid the chaos, two figures stood utterly still.
Song Minkyu.
Kate Song.
Kate's grip on her clutch tightened so hard her knuckles turned pale.
"She… she just…" she began, but her voice failed her.
For once, the ever composed Kate Song looked shaken.
"That child…" she whispered softly, more to herself than anyone else.
But Song Minkyu...
Said nothing.
His face was like carved stone.
Not anger.
Not embarrassment.
Something far heavier.
Calculation.
Around them, the elite began to murmur more openly.
"She rejected him… publicly."
"That's the Next Group CEO…"
"Did she just accuse him?"
"This will spread by morning"
—
Kate leaned slightly toward her husband, her voice low but urgent.
"You have to say something," she hissed. "This cannot be left like this."
Song Minkyu remained unmoving for a moment longer.
Then...
He stepped forward.
The movement alone quieted part of the room. Because when the head of the Song family moved. People listened. He took the microphone from where Ji Eun had left it. His presence alone demanded silence.
"My daughter," he began.
His voice was steady.
Calm.
Too calm.
"Is young."
A ripple of reaction.
"She is strong-willed," he continued. "And perhaps… overly passionate tonight."
The statement was deliberate.
A soft attempt at control.
Damage control.
Kate exhaled slightly beside him. He was smoothing it over.
Trying.
"But," Song Minkyu added...
And this time, his gaze swept across the room.
Sharp.
Unforgiving.
"Her refusal reflects her decision."
A beat of stunned silence.
Even Kate turned her head sharply toward him.
"Minkyu..."
He didn't look at her.
"This matter," he continued, "remains within our family."
His eyes flickered briefly...
To Park Hyun Woo.
Not with hostility.
Not with apology.
With acknowledgment.
"We will address it… privately."
That was all he said.
But the implications were enormous.
Kate stepped forward quickly, placing a composed smile on her face.
"Thank you all for your continued support tonight," she said smoothly. "We hope you will enjoy the rest of the evening."
Grace.
Polish.
A perfect social shield.
The band resumed playing.
Softly.
Awkwardly.
And just like that...
The Song family had done what they did best.
They contained the chaos.
Or at least...
They tried to.