CHAPTER 3: The Deal With the Devil
📍Kim Corporation Tower – 57th Floor, CEO Office
The elevator doors opened with a soft chime, revealing Lee Yuvan standing stiffly inside. He adjusted the collar of his worn-out grey hoodie and glanced down at his jeans — clean, but faded at the knees. His fingers tightened around the strap of his backpack as he stepped onto the gleaming marble floor.
The receptionist gave him a slight nod. "Please proceed to the CEO's office, Mr. Lee. She's expecting you."
CEO?
Yuvan swallowed hard. He had no idea why a woman that powerful wanted to meet him. When he had received the message through a mysterious assistant named Eunbi, he thought it was some tutoring request or part-time offer.
But this? This was something else entirely.
🚪 Tap Tap
He gently knocked on the heavy wooden door.
"Come in."
Her voice. Cold. Crisp. Like she was slicing air.
Yuvan opened the door and stepped inside. And there she was.
Jennie Kim. The infamous CEO of Kim Corporation. Dressed in a tailored charcoal suit with diamond earrings that glinted under the soft light, she sat like royalty behind her glass desk, legs crossed, fingers interlocked. Her gaze lifted slowly from a file to look at him.
Those piercing cat eyes didn't blink.
"Sit."
He obeyed, barely meeting her eyes. His heart thudded in his chest as he adjusted his backpack on his lap.
"Lee Yuvan."
He nodded. "Yes, ma'am."
She tilted her head. "Do you know why you're here?"
He shook his head slowly. "I was told it's... some kind of offer?"
Jennie leaned forward, resting her elbows on the table. Her voice was low and commanding.
"I need a husband. Not out of love. Not out of emotion. But for formality."
Yuvan blinked, confused. "Pardon?"
"A contract marriage. One year. You act like my husband in front of the world. My family. The media. But behind closed doors — we're strangers."
His throat went dry. He opened his mouth to speak but couldn't find the words.
Jennie continued smoothly. "You'll live in a separate apartment. I won't ask about your personal life, and you won't ask about mine. No romantic expectations. No emotional drama. No love." 😐🧊
Yuvan just stared. This felt like a dream. Or a prank.
"In return," she said, her tone softening just enough, "I'll take care of all your college fees. Your rent, your meals, even your books. I'll wire a monthly allowance to your account. Until the day we file for divorce."
She placed a sleek black folder in front of him. Legal documents. Everything laid out.
Yuvan's fingers twitched slightly. This was… insane.
But he couldn't ignore the numbers on the contract. Tuition fully covered. Living expenses taken care of. No more juggling four part-time jobs.
He could finally sleep. Study properly. Maybe even pass with honors.
No more ramen nights. No more sore backs from lifting boxes.
"Why me?" he asked, voice low.
Jennie shrugged slightly. "You're quiet. Alone. Not some fame-hungry parasite. You won't make things messy. And frankly... you're poor enough to accept it." 😏
Her words stung. But they weren't lies.
He looked down at the folder. His future. His freedom from stress.
But at what cost?
Jennie leaned back in her chair. "If you're scared, walk away. But you won't get a second chance at this offer."
The room was silent for a long moment.
Finally, Yuvan looked up. His voice was soft, but certain.
"I agree."
Jennie raised an eyebrow. "No love. No questions. No complications."
"No love," he repeated. "Just a contract."
Jennie smiled — not out of happiness, but satisfaction.
She stood and extended her hand across the desk.
"Welcome to the most important lie of your life, Mr. Lee." 💼💍
Yuvan slowly shook her hand. It was cold… just like her.
And just like that — the deal was made.
One year of pretending.
One year of secrets.
One year of no love.
But fate?
Fate had other plans. 🌙💔