The air in the conference room was suffocating no one dared to breathe too loudly.
Ten executives sat around the long glass table, their backs stiff, their eyes lowered, their hands clenched beneath the surface. The only sound in the room was the slow, deliberate flipping of a document Page after page.
The atmosphere was precise and controlled terrifying.
At the head of the table sat Lee Sung cold, Unreadable and Untouchable.
His sharp eyes moved across the report in his hands, scanning every word with ruthless attention. His expression didn't change not when he paused, not when he continued, not even when he closed the file with a soft, final thud that echoed louder than it should have.
Someone swallowed.
Another shifted slightly in their seat.
It was a mistake.
Lee Sung's gaze lifted.
And just like that, the temperature in the room dropped.
"Who prepared this?" His voice was low calm in a way that made it worse.
A man across the table hesitated before raising his hand, his fingers trembling just slightly. "I—I did, sir."
Silence.
Lee Sung stood up slowly.
Deliberately.
Each step he took toward the man felt like a countdown to something inevitable. The sound of his shoes against the polished floor was sharp. Unforgiving.
He stopped right beside him.
Looked down at him.
"You've been with this company for how long?"
"F-five years, sir."
"And in five years," Lee Sung tilted his head slightly, his tone still eerily even, "this is the level of incompetence you've achieved?"
The man's face drained of color.
"I'm sorry, sir. I'll correct it—"
"You won't."
The words were simple and final.
Just when the man wanted to say something.
"You're fired." He raised his hand without hesitation.
No anger.
No raised voice.
No hesitation.
Just judgment.
Absolute.
The man froze, shock written all over his face. "S-sir, please—"
"Security will escort you out."
Lee Sung didn't even look at him again.
He turned, walking back to his seat as if nothing had happened. As if he hadn't just dismantled someone's career in less than a minute.
"As for the rest of you," he continued, his gaze sweeping across the room, sharp and merciless, "I expect better. Or you'll follow him."
No one spoke.
No one moved.
Because everyone in that room knew one thing.
He was a man that doesn't make jokes nor give second chance.
Lee Sung was not a man who made empty threats.
He was a man who never smiled and never forgave.
⸻
The hospital smelled like antiseptic and endings.
For the first time that day Lee Sung stopped frowning.
The cold edge around him softened just slightly as he stood outside the private ward, his hand resting on the door handle.
For a brief moment
He hesitated before he pushed the door open.
Inside, machines beeped quietly, steady but fragile.
On the bed lay the only person who had ever mattered.
His grandfather.
Old. Weak and Fading.
But still watching him with eyes that held more warmth than Lee Sung had ever allowed himself to feel.
"You came," the old man whispered, a faint smile touching his lips.
Lee Sung stepped closer, his expression tightening in a way no one else had ever seen.
"I said I would." His voice was different more quieter now.
The old man studied him for a long moment before sighing softly. "You're still alone."
It wasn't a question.
Lee Sung said nothing.
"After I'm gone…" the old man continued, his voice fragile but firm, "who will stay with you?"
Silence stretched between them.
The atmosphere was Heavy once again.
"I have arranged a marriage for you." The old man uttered.
Lee Sung's eyes darkened instantly.
"No." His voice firm and loud the refusal came without hesitation.
But the old man didn't back down.
"You will marry her."
"I don't need—"
"You need someone who will break that coldness in you."
For the first time in a long time emotion flickered not softness but something close to resistance.
"I won't do it," Lee Sung said, his tone dropping.
Lee sung's the old man reached out, his frail hand gripping Lee Sung's wrist with surprising strength.
"Please." He begged
That one word weak heavy and final.
And suddenly… this wasn't an order anymore.
It was a dying wish.
Lee Sung's jaw tightened.
His gaze dropped to their joined hands.
And for the first time—
He didn't pull away.
"…Fine." The word came out low.
Reluctant.
"I'll do it." Lee sung forced himself.
The old man smiled, relief softening his tired features.
"You'll thank me one day."
Lee Sung didn't respond.
Because in his mind
He had already made a decision.
If he was going to be forced into this marriage then whoever she was she would regret it.