[5]

"You’ll be staying here for a while," Josh said as he tapped a series of numbers into the smart lock on the door.

"Make sure you remember the passcode—696969."

Ivy blinked in disbelief. "Seriously? Was there no other number combination you could’ve used?"

Josh shot her a sideways grin and chuckled. "Easier to remember this way."

He stepped inside without another word, leaving Ivy frozen at the doorway. Her eyes widened as she took in the vast space before her. Floor-to-ceiling glass walls framed a breathtaking view of Seoul's glittering skyline at night. The city lights sparkled like a sea of stars, their reflection shimmering on the gleaming white marble floors. At the center of the living room sat a luxurious black leather L-shaped sofa, perfectly paired with a sleek glass coffee table topped with a vase of white roses—elegance in its purest form.

"Is this... your apartment?" Ivy finally stepped in, cautiously, as if afraid her presence might taint the perfection of the place.

Her gaze swept across the open-concept kitchen fitted with stainless steel appliances, then moved to the large bookshelf tucked in the corner. A spiral staircase with glass railings spiraled upward, making her eyes widen even more.

Josh shrugged off his jacket and hung it by the door. "Yeah. Not too shabby, right?"

"Not too shabby?" Ivy spun around to face him, disbelief etched across her face. "This place looks like a five-star hotel suite! Who are you, Josh?"

He only gave a casual shrug, strolling toward the small minibar near the window. "Getting curious about me now, are you?"

Ivy frowned. That was her mistake—she’d agreed to the deal without knowing anything about this man beyond his name: Joshua Miller. She had no clue about his background, his job, or what kind of world he came from. Was he a mafia boss? An international criminal?

"Just a regular guy who happens to have a comfortable place to stay," Josh said, pouring red wine into two glasses before handing one to her.

She accepted it with a cautious look. "Regular guys don’t live in places like this," she said, narrowing her eyes as if trying to read him.

"Are you some CEO? Company owner? Chairman of the board? Or... a loan shark?"

Josh laughed. "A CEO? A loan shark? You're imaginative, Ivy."

She stepped closer, her stare more intense. "Then tell me who you really are. I have a right to know—especially if I’m going to be staying here."

Josh took another sip of his wine, then gave her a mischievous smile. "Me? I'm just a man who really, really likes the number sixty-nine."

Ivy let out a groan. "You’re seriously not going to tell me?"

He shrugged again, completely unbothered. "You’ll find out eventually. For now, just think of me as your mysterious benefactor—kind enough to give you a place to stay and help you get your revenge. And in return, you give me what I want."

Ivy sighed, turning her gaze to the enormous window. The dazzling city lights managed to distract her for a moment from the irritation building in her chest.

"Well, thanks for the luxury accommodation, Mister Mysterious. But don’t think I won’t find out who you really are."

Josh chuckled as he walked over to the sofa and flopped down.

"Be my guest. Though I’m pretty sure you’ll be too busy tending to my needs to worry about uncovering my secrets."

Ivy exhaled deeply. As frustrating as it was to talk to Josh, she had to admit—thanks to him, her dignity was still intact. Maybe it wouldn’t hurt to say it.

"Thanks for coming with me to get my things from the house."

Josh glanced her way, offering only a brief nod in reply. "You deserve someone better than that guy, Ivy."

She fell silent.

"Don’t worry. That house will be yours again," Josh said with a confident smile.

"Now then, I have some things to take care of. And I’ve already got a plan for how I’m going to help you get your revenge."

His grin stretched wider—equal parts playful and dangerous.

“I don’t want much,” Ivy said softly, her hands wringing together in her lap. “I just want that house back. No matter what it takes, I believe you can do it for me.”

Josh studied her with mild surprise.

“I’m curious—why are you so attached to that house?” If Ivy simply wanted a decent place to live, Josh could easily give her one—something bigger, more luxurious, more comfortable. So why was she clinging so tightly to that particular house?

“I worked hard to save up for it, Josh,” Ivy said with a bitter laugh. “I won’t just sit back and let that man enjoy the fruits of my labor with his mistress.”

But then her face dropped, her expression shadowed by regret.

“Unfortunately, I have no legal claim. The house was registered in Rico’s name.”

Ah, so that’s how it was. Josh nodded to himself, a small smile tugging at his lips. “So that’s the real reason.”

Ivy gave a silent nod, then let out a long sigh.

“But maybe I need to learn to let it go. The house might never be mine again, and I don’t want to keep getting my hopes up.”

Her shoulders slumped.

“I’ll just have to work hard and buy another place someday. I mean… I can’t exactly live with you forever, can I?”

Josh burst out laughing. “Why not? You have a problem living with me?”

“Living with you is part of our arrangement, and only until it’s over,” Ivy replied flatly. “I have no intention of staying with a man who’s clearly surrounded by women.”

Josh laughed even harder. “That’s pretty bold coming from someone who’s only known me for a few days.”

Ivy chuckled under her breath. “It’s just an observation—based on the endless phone calls you keep getting. Most of them sound like women.”

Josh’s laughter filled the room. He even had to wipe the corner of his eye as a tear escaped. “Alright, alright. I really have to go now. I’ve got things to take care of.”

Ivy didn’t stop him as he moved toward the door. But just before he disappeared from view, she spoke up. “Would it be okay if I bought some ingredients for dinner?”

Josh paused and turned around. “Go ahead. Treat it like your own place.”

“Is there anything you’d like to have for dinner tonight?”

That question caught Josh off guard. In thirty-five years, no one had ever asked him something like that. He’d lived most of his life alone. But ever since Ivy entered his world, everything felt slightly… different. Like unfamiliar ripples stirring emotions he didn’t recognize.

“You want to cook for me?”

“Is that a problem?” Ivy asked, tilting her head in confusion. She just wanted to show her gratitude. But judging from Josh’s reaction, she might’ve overstepped somehow.

“No,” Josh said after a pause, shaking his head slowly. “Do what you want.”

“Alright then.” Ivy’s tone brightened. “I’ll let you know when dinner’s ready. Try not to come home too late, okay?”

Josh blinked. There was something different about the way she said that—something that made him pause.

“Are you… waiting for me?”

“Of course. Think of it as my way of saying thank you—for staying with me and helping me earlier,” Ivy said sincerely.

Josh’s gaze sharpened, a smirk creeping onto his lips. “Ah, and here I thought you were hoping I’d come back to do… something else.”

He stepped closer, his movements steady and purposeful. Ivy, still seated on the couch, felt her breath catch. His towering presence loomed over her, and she could feel his warmth, the weight of his stare locking her in place.

“W-what are you doing?” she asked nervously as his hand braced on the back of the sofa, effectively caging her in.

“I have a meeting with the lawyer who’ll help transfer the house back into your name,” Josh said, his voice low and serious. “I’ll make sure you get it back. But in return, you know what I want… don’t you?”

***

"How do I look?"

Rico stood in front of the mirror, adjusting his suit for what must have been the tenth time. His eyes gleamed with confidence, reflecting the burning ambition simmering in his chest.

Clara smiled with quiet satisfaction, her gaze full of open admiration for the man standing before her.

"You’re more than ready to meet the Director," she said with conviction.

Rico let out a soft chuckle.

"I have to make the best first impression, right? I’ve heard he’s not exactly the easiest person to approach. But as the new marketing manager—and with your father’s support—I’m confident I’ll become someone Director Josh can rely on."

Clara nodded eagerly.

"I believe in you, babe."

Rico looked at his reflection once more.

Today was the beginning of everything. The CEO of MAC Corp was arriving for his official introduction, and tomorrow, Rico would start his new role as Marketing Manager at MAC Corp’s Seoul branch. A strategic position, no doubt. This was his year—when all his hard work would finally pay off.

As a newly promoted employee, Rico had been granted a rare opportunity: to meet the company’s top executive before officially working under his leadership. It was a chance he had no intention of wasting. If he played his cards right, who knew? By next year, he could be aiming even higher.

"Let’s go. We don’t want to keep him waiting," Rico said as he strode out, heading toward the 30th floor—the CEO’s domain. Starting tomorrow, his own office would also be relocated there, closer to the heart of MAC Corp’s power.

In the elevator, several high-ranking executives joined them, all bound for the same destination. Conversations buzzed about the new CEO—some filled with admiration, others exaggerated to the point of flattery. Classic corporate brown-nosing.

Rico smirked to himself. He knew how to navigate this game. If he didn’t, he wouldn’t have climbed the ladder so quickly.

When they arrived at the conference room on the 30th floor, the atmosphere was noticeably more formal than usual. The space had been transformed into a welcoming room for the new CEO—the youngest son of the Miller family, heir to a global business empire.

Soft murmurs passed between the executives. Some faces bore curiosity, others radiated ambition. Rico kept his focus on one thing only: making sure he stood out in the eyes of the man at the top.

Then the door opened.

Silence fell instantly. Every conversation, every breath seemed to pause. A man stepped inside, and with him came a presence that seized control of the room.

Dressed in an impeccable suit that hugged his tall frame, his gaze was sharp, radiating self-assurance. He wasn’t fazed by the hushed murmurs or the admiring glances thrown his way.

"Good afternoon."

His voice was deep and commanding, unhurried yet full of weight. He looked around, scanning every face in the room—as if committing them to memory, sizing up who was worth his time and who was merely background noise.

And then, his eyes met Rico’s.

Rico, already primed with his best smile, quickly bowed politely, determined to make a strong first impression.

Bingo. I’ve got you.

A faint smile tugged at the corner of the man’s lips—barely noticeable, yet enough to send a shiver down Rico’s spine. To Rico, that subtle smile felt like a stroke of luck. Who knew? Maybe they’d hit it off quickly, and Rico could become the new CEO’s trusted confidant.

“Allow me to introduce myself. I’m Joshua Miller, your new CEO here at MAC Corp’s Seoul branch, taking over from my older brother, Jackson Miller.”