At Gangnam K Hotel.
As a man walked into the hotel café, everyone's eyes followed him.
His height was nearly 190 cm, with Western-style facial features and a sharp jawline.
Taeseok's deep, dark eyes made him attractive enough to impress anyone.
Even his Adam's apple, seen between his loosely loosened tie, looked beautiful and stunning.
He had just sat down in the café when, guided by the staff, a woman started walking toward him. As she came closer, a strong pheromone scent from her brushed past his nose.
"Han Taeseok-ssi?"
At the slightly high and light voice, Taeseok naturally turned his eyes to the woman.
"I'm not late, right?"
Was this the 10th time? Or the 20th? He had lost count of how many blind dates he had been on—so many that they became tiring and boring.
Taeseok had no hope or interest in marriage.
These meetings were only because of the obsession and pressure from Pilsoon, the chairman of the Kanghwa Group.
Nothing more, nothing less.
This time, it was arranged under the condition that he wouldn't have to meet anyone else for a while.
Pilsoon had used her age and health as an excuse to force him into this final blind date.
The woman had an eye-catching appearance.
After quickly scanning Taeseok from head to toe, a strange smile appeared on her lips.
"If you're not going to drink coffee, how about a light drink instead?"
Her voice had a slight nasal tone, and her pretty eyes sparkled playfully.
The two of them moved to a bar in the hotel basement.
There were high-end whiskey and snacks on the table, but the woman's gaze was fixed only on Taeseok.
Her lips curled as she stared at his slightly bored and emotionless face.
"How about whiskey?"
"Whatever you prefer."
Leaning back on the long sofa, Taeseok gave off an aura of charm, sexiness, and charisma.
The woman couldn't take her eyes off him.
"I know this is a blind date, but shouldn't we at least introduce ourselves? I'm Kang Hyemi, CEO of NY Entertainment."
She extended her hand first.
"I'm Han Taeseok, CEO of Kanghwa Group."
This meeting was arranged through a famous matchmaker in Gangnam, handpicked by Pilsoon.
Taeseok was a successful businessman who grew Kanghwa into one of the top five business groups.
He had never been involved in any scandals, making him a highly sought-after target for marriage.
"I heard you were very handsome, and it's true."
"I don't know what you heard, but I didn't realize I was someone to be rated."
"Don't misunderstand. I meant it as a compliment."
Kang Hyemi, the only daughter of the NY Group, was as famous for her flashy looks as she was for her wild dating history.
Her past relationships were short—often not lasting more than a month—and she had forgotten the names of most of the men she dated.
Taeseok had heard all the rumors about Hyemi. But like always, he came thinking he'd spend some time and then reject her. He didn't care much.
Despite all the rumors, Pilsoon chose Hyemi as a match because she had big plans—a business merger between NY Group and Kanghwa Group to launch a new hotel.
"Judging by your expression, you don't seem to like this meeting. Am I not your type?"
"You're right. I don't like this meeting, and you're far from my type."
"So you're here unwillingly?"
"I can't deny that."
Unlike other men who would act like they were dying for her attention, Taeseok showed no change in expression.
That made Hyemi's eyes shine.
His lack of interest only sparked her curiosity and desire even more.
Her deep-cut dress revealed a full, curvy chest—something inappropriate for a blind date but perfectly intentional.
Hyemi poured whiskey into her glass.
"Since we've met like this, let's at least have a drink."
When she naturally mentioned fate, Taeseok let out a dry laugh.
"On a meeting where everything was planned and calculated, don't you think calling it fate is a bit much?"
Taeseok spoke again in a low and heavy voice.
"What are you really here for, Kang Hyemi-ssi?"
"Are you asking because you don't know the purpose of a blind date?"
"If you came expecting the usual reason for a blind date, then today's a waste of time."
As Taeseok drank his whiskey in one gulp, his throat moved with the drink.
"What do you mean waste of time?"
"I know it's rude to say this at first meeting, but I don't like wasting time or beating around the bush."
"Are you trying to say you have no thoughts of getting married?"
Taeseok looked at her with an indifferent gaze and sighed deeply.
"It's true I have no thoughts of marriage. And even if I did, it definitely wouldn't be with someone like you."
"Why not? You never know what'll happen. Why are you so sure?"
"Maybe with someone else, but never with you."
The heavy air between them filled the space. Hyemi's eye lifted slightly as she looked at Taeseok.
"Seems like we're here with different intentions. If you were thinking about marriage, then I'm sorry."
"This meeting isn't only about marriage. You know that better than anyone."
"That's exactly why I can't accept it. Because it's not just about marriage."
"You have everything—looks, skills—so rejecting me like this in one shot? Out of all women, me?"
"Your self-love is overflowing."
Hyemi's eyebrows twitched.
"I have no intention of using marriage to grow my business. I don't need to.
We're both busy—let's not waste time. If there's nothing more to say, I'll leave now."
"Hey, Han Taeseok-ssi."
As Taeseok stood up, Hyemi's face stiffened.
Her voice was cold, different from her earlier sweet tone, and her eyes narrowed.
"What should I do? Now that you're acting this way, I'm starting to get interested."
She stepped closer, breathing heavily between her bitten lips.
"Do you know what my nickname is in this industry?"
"Should I?"
"Hunter dog. No—crazy hunting dog. Whether it's a person or an object, once I want it, I bite and never let go."
"Fits you well."
Taeseok let out a small laugh.
"Sorry I couldn't give you the answer you wanted. But for us, this ends here."
"Let's call it a day. But you'll soon find out—this isn't over."
As the heavy air lingered, the sound of Hyemi's heels echoed around them.
After Taeseok left, Hyemi walked to her car, and her face twisted.
*That jerk. How dare he reject me?*
His blank face, those cold eyes looking down at her, kept replaying in her head. It made her furious.
---
**Later...**
A luxury car that had been waiting pulled up to Taeseok.
He got in, loosened his tie, and sighed deeply.
As the car moved slowly and stopped at a red light, Taeseok looked out the window.
There was a long line in front of the department store next to the hotel.
It was so crowded there wasn't even space to walk.
"Looks like something big came in again today," the driver said, watching the line.
"Whenever a hot item arrives, people rush in to grab it first. I remember waiting in line all night just to get my ex-girlfriend a designer bag. Still the same these days."
But Taeseok didn't respond.
His eyes stopped at one spot.
A woman in jeans and a white shirt, with long wavy hair tied in a ponytail, stood among much larger men.
Her delicate figure moved with strength that didn't match her size.
With hands on her hips and a confident posture, she spoke to a man.
ATaeseok couldn't take his eyes off her.
"You really don't get it, do you?"
"W-what?"
"Don't you see people have been waiting here since early morning? You can't just cut the line like that!"
"What did you say? Do I look like some old man to you?"
"I don't care if you're old or not. Just go to the back of the line. You think people are here because they have nothing better to do?"
Others nearby turned their sharp stares toward the man.
"Didn't you hear me? Go to the back!"
Only after the light changed did Taeseok finally look away from the woman.
His brows twitched slightly.
--