The prestigious Royal Han Arts Academy was unusually lively that morning.
Luxury cars lined the entrance one after another as students dressed in immaculate uniforms stepped out with portfolios clutched tightly against their chests. Parents, teachers, journalists, and several prominent artists had gathered for the academy's annual exhibition—a competition famous throughout South Korea for discovering young artistic prodigies.
Winning this competition meant more than receiving a trophy.
The champion would receive a scholarship sponsored by renowned art institutions, invitations to international exhibitions, and recognition from some of the greatest painters in Asia.
Inside the grand exhibition hall, every wall was decorated with masterpieces created by the academy's finest students. Soft classical music drifted through the spacious gallery while elegant crystal chandeliers reflected warm golden light upon hundreds of paintings.
The atmosphere was both graceful and tense.
Every student secretly prayed that today would change their future.
Standing near the center of the gallery, dressed in an elegant cream-colored academy uniform, Kang Ji-Yeon wore a confident smile.
Rather than appearing nervous like the other contestants, she looked completely relaxed.
After all...
She already believed victory belonged to her.
Her classmates surrounded her like devoted admirers.
"Ji-Yeon!"
One girl clasped her hands excitedly.
"Your painting is definitely going to win first place."
Another nodded enthusiastically.
"I secretly looked at it yesterday while the teachers were arranging the gallery. It was absolutely breathtaking."
"I heard the academy invited Master Dong-Hyun himself!"
"So what? Ji-Yeon's painting is amazing. Even a world-renowned artist will praise it."
Ji-Yeon lowered her eyes modestly before letting out a soft laugh.
"Oh, stop exaggerating."
"But..."
She gently brushed a strand of hair behind her ear.
"I did spend a lot of effort on it."
Her words were humble.
Her expression wasn't.
Deep inside, she was overflowing with arrogance.
Of course it was magnificent.
It had been drawn by Min-Ho.
Ji-Yeon had watched Min-Ho create the painting from beginning to end. Every brushstroke had been graceful and mesmerizing.
Even Ji-Yeon had been shocked by how beautiful the finished work looked.
As usual...
All she had done was sign her own name beneath it.
No one would ever know.
The Kang family's influence ensured that.
Her friends continued showering her with praise.
"I heard the judges are selecting students for international exhibitions."
"Your future is guaranteed."
"You'll definitely become the youngest genius painter in Korea."
Ji-Yeon's lips curved upward.
Exactly.
This was only the beginning.
Soon she would become famous throughout the world.
Everyone would admire Kang Ji-Yeon.
Nobody would ever remember the sickly adopted daughter hidden inside the Kang mansion.
...
At the same time...
Back inside the Kang residence...
Min-Ho quietly stood by the bedroom window, gazing toward the bright morning sky.
Her expression remained gentle as always.
Calm.
Obedient.
Fragile.
Exactly the image her adoptive family expected.
Yet behind those tranquil eyes...
A storm silently brewed.
She closed her eyes for a brief moment.
Memories from her previous life resurfaced one after another.
Every award...
Every exhibition...
Every standing ovation...
Every article praising Kang Ji-Yeon as a once-in-a-generation artistic genius...
None of it had belonged to Ji-Yeon.
Every masterpiece had been painted by Min-Ho.
Every ounce of praise had been stolen.
She remembered standing behind curtains while Ji-Yeon accepted trophies under flashing cameras.
She remembered hearing reporters call Ji-Yeon "the miracle painter."
She remembered the pride in Mrs. Kang's eyes...
Not because Min-Ho had created something extraordinary...
But because her real daughter was becoming famous.
Her fingers unconsciously clenched.
Not anymore.
This life...
She would reclaim everything.
Every title.
Every achievement.
Every dream.
A gentle knock echoed against her bedroom door.
"Come in."
The door slowly opened.
It was Yun-ji.
Although separated by cities, the mysterious crystal had allowed them to communicate in ways no ordinary people could imagine. Earlier that morning, Yun-ji had already visited Min-Ho through the crystal's mysterious power, ensuring everything had gone according to plan before returning to her own life.
Now Min-Ho smiled faintly as she remembered Yun-ji's encouraging words.
"Today's only the first move," Yun-ji had said.
"Don't rush your revenge."
"Let them destroy themselves."
Min-Ho lightly touched the purple crystal hanging around her neck.
"I understand."
She whispered softly.
"And today..."
"They'll take the first step toward their downfall."
...
Meanwhile...
Back at Royal Han Arts Academy...
The exhibition officially began.
Teachers welcomed distinguished guests while photographers captured every memorable moment.
The principal stepped onto the stage.
"Ladies and gentlemen..."
"Welcome to the annual Royal Han Arts Academy Grand Exhibition."
Applause thundered throughout the hall.
"This year's competition is especially meaningful because our academy has invited one of Asia's greatest living painters to evaluate today's finalists personally."
The audience immediately erupted into whispers.
Everyone already knew his name.
Yet hearing the announcement made their hearts race.
The principal smiled proudly.
"It is my greatest honor to welcome..."
"...Master Dong-Hyun."
The grand entrance doors slowly opened.
An elderly gentleman entered with calm, measured steps.
His silver hair was neatly combed back.
Though approaching seventy, his posture remained perfectly straight.
His sharp eyes seemed capable of seeing through everything.
Behind him followed several internationally acclaimed artists, museum curators, and university professors.
The entire hall immediately stood.
Even the academy's teachers bowed respectfully.
Master Dong-Hyun wasn't merely famous.
He was a legend.
Many of Korea's greatest painters considered themselves his students.
His paintings sold for millions.
His opinions shaped the entire art industry.
Ji-Yeon's heartbeat quickened.
If she impressed him today...
Her future would become limitless.
Master Dong acknowledged everyone's greetings with a slight nod before beginning his inspection.
Unlike other judges, he spoke very little.
He simply walked from one painting to another.
Sometimes he paused for only a few seconds.
Sometimes several minutes.
His assistants quietly recorded every observation.
Whenever he found technical flaws, he simply shook his head.
Whenever he admired a piece...
He smiled ever so slightly.
Every student anxiously watched his reactions.
Finally...
The judges reached Ji-Yeon's painting.
Her friends immediately exchanged excited glances.
"This is it."
"He's finally seeing Ji-Yeon's masterpiece."
"He'll definitely be amazed."
Ji-Yeon gracefully stepped forward and bowed.
"Greetings, Master Dong."
"This painting is my submission."
Master Dong silently observed her before turning toward the large canvas displayed beneath elegant lighting.
At first...
Everything seemed normal.
He admired the composition.
The perspective.
The balance.
Even the color harmony.
His experienced eyes revealed a trace of appreciation.
"Hm..."
"Interesting."
Ji-Yeon's heart soared.
Just as she expected.
Even Master Dong recognized her—
Suddenly...
His expression changed.
His brows slowly furrowed.
He stepped closer.
Then closer still.
The smile completely vanished from his face.
Something...
Was terribly wrong.
Without saying a word, he leaned forward until his face was only inches from the canvas.
His assistants exchanged puzzled glances.
Master Dong carefully examined one corner before moving toward the center.
His eyes narrowed.
Then...
Very gently...
He rubbed one finger across a section of dried paint.
Silence filled the exhibition hall.
When he lifted his finger...
There was color on it.
The paint had smeared.
Master Dong froze.
A murmur spread through the judges.
One professor hurried forward.
"Master?"
Dong pointed silently toward the canvas.
The professor's face instantly changed.
"This..."
"This shouldn't be possible."
Another judge inspected the painting.
His expression darkened.
"The pigments haven't bonded properly."
"It looks unstable."
Someone lightly touched another area.
More paint smeared.
Gasps echoed throughout the gallery.
Students began whispering nervously.
"What's happening?"
"Why is the painting falling apart?"
"Didn't she finish it yesterday?"
Ji-Yeon's smile gradually disappeared.
Confusion flashed across her face.
"What...?"
She hurried toward the canvas.
"No..."
"This can't be right."
She stared at the painting in disbelief.
Before her eyes...
Beautiful gradients had begun melting into one another.
Elegant details were dissolving into muddy streaks.
The once breathtaking landscape looked as though invisible tears were running through every brushstroke.
The painting was literally collapsing before everyone's eyes.
Her breathing became uneven.
"No..."
"No..."
"This isn't possible!"
She reached toward the painting instinctively.
"Don't touch it."
Master Dong-Hyun 's calm voice immediately stopped her.
The elderly master slowly turned toward Ji-Yeon.
His gaze was neither angry nor disappointed.
It was simply...
Questioning.
"Kang Ji-Yeon."
"You claim this painting is your own work."
"Tell me..."
He held up the stained fingertip for everyone to see.
"What kind of artist allows her masterpiece to deteriorate before it is even judged?"
The entire exhibition hall fell into absolute silence.
Every eye turned toward Ji-Yeon.
Her classmates stared in disbelief.
The teachers exchanged uneasy glances.
The reporters immediately lifted their cameras.
Click.
Click.
Click.
Flashes illuminated Ji-Yeon's increasingly pale face.
For the first time since entering the academy...
Kang Ji-Yeon had absolutely no answer.