TMYRA Prologue

You’ll Suffer Tonight, Won’t You?  

 

Soo-ah was dragged into the dining room by a rough-looking man.  

 

A spacious area with three walls made entirely of glass. The cityscape was visible at a glance through the windows.  

 

At the very center of the room, a dining table set for twelve had meals prepared for two.  

 

“Sir will be a little late. Please start your meal first.”  

 

Soo-ah didn’t respond to the man’s words and simply took a seat.  

 

She didn’t want to eat anything.  

 

Not only had she lost her appetite, but the food had been prepared by Seo Mun-hwon himself. She had no desire to touch it, merely staring at the meal—until she changed her mind.  

 

If she didn’t eat, she would only be at a disadvantage. If she wanted to escape from here, she needed to build her strength first. She also had to rethink her escape plan, so eating was necessary.  

 

Soo-ah picked up her spoon and forced herself to take a bite. As always, the moment the food touched her tongue, it melted away. Before she knew it, she had forgotten her lack of appetite, and her hands moved faster as she ate.  

 

By the time her plate was completely empty—  

 

“CEO Seo Mun-hwon has arrived.”  

 

No sooner had the employee finished speaking than his voice came from not far away.  

 

“And how is our guest?”  

 

Low and heavy. Slow and cold.  

 

Just hearing his voice made her tense up. She set down her spoon and turned toward the direction of the sound.  

 

“She’s dining in the dining room. What about your meal, sir?”  

 

“I saw too much blood today, I lost my appetite. I’ll just have a drink.”  

 

“Understood, sir.”  

 

The sound of footsteps drew closer and closer. Soo-ah swallowed dryly and straightened her stiffened posture. Still, the unease lingered. As she blinked her widened eyes, he finally appeared.  

 

Even today, his presence was overwhelming, enough to take her breath away.  

 

Dressed in a slim black designer suit that fit him like a glove, a spotless white shirt beneath it, and a black tie, he had a cigarette perched between his lips, as always.  

 

The man behind him lit his cigarette, and as he inhaled, a slight crease formed between his brows.  

 

His sharp, horizontally elongated eyes narrowed briefly before returning to their usual shape.  

 

“Hah.”  

 

He exhaled a long plume of smoke, his gaze locking onto Soo-ah.  

 

At nearly 190 cm tall, with broad shoulders and a solid frame, yet with long limbs, his build was striking—like that of a model.  

 

No matter what suit he wore—no, no matter what clothes he wore—he looked good in them.  

 

As their eyes met, he muttered mockingly,  

 

“Miss Moon Soo-ah.”  

 

Still holding his cigarette between his lips, he slowly stepped closer.  

 

“I told you, this would make things difficult.”  

 

His icy gaze bore down on Soo-ah from up close. Now that he was near, his face came into clearer focus. It was a beautiful face. Porcelain-like skin, thick black brows, and sensual eyes.  

 

His sharply defined nose and the seductive curve of his lips kept drawing her attention.  

 

His facial contours were elegant, his forehead well-shaped, and the thick line of his throat leading down to his collarbones was undeniably sexy.  

 

He was alluring—undeniably so, no matter who looked at him.  

 

But… this was Seo Mun-hwon.  

 

Despite appearing to be a legitimate company, Kangju Corporation handled all kinds of dangerous affairs, and he was its CEO.  

 

The chairman’s right-hand man, a ruthless figure who could squeeze the life out of someone without leaving a trace.  

 

Beneath his good looks lay cruelty and mercilessness.  

 

“I had an absolutely shitty day today, but thanks to our dear Miss Moon Soo-ah, I had to drop everything.”  

 

Looking closely, parts of his suit were wrinkled.  

 

The ends of his sleeves and pant legs were soaked in something thick, and as he stepped closer, a pungent, metallic scent filled the air.  

 

It was blood.  

 

“Something really fucked up happened today.”  

 

He turned away as he removed his leather gloves.  

 

Soo-ah had been so focused on him that she hadn’t noticed the men following behind him.  

 

Their faces were covered in cuts and bruises, and their clothes were torn, wrinkled, and stained with blood.  

 

“Take the night off, everyone. See you tomorrow.”  

 

At Seo Mun-hwon’s words, dozens of men simultaneously bowed.  

 

“Yes, sir.”  

 

After they finished their greetings and left in a group, Mun-hwon sat across from Soo-ah.  

 

“Sir, the alcohol has been prepared. If you need anything, please call us. We’ll be on standby.”  

 

When Mun-hwon gave a slight nod, even the staff disappeared, leaving only the two of them in the spacious room.  

 

He placed the leather gloves he had been holding onto the marble table.  

 

Slap.

 

The sharp sound made Soo-ah look at him with widened eyes.  

 

“How was your meal? Did it suit your taste?”  

 

Mun-hwon asked as he poured a strong drink into his glass.  

 

Soo-ah did not answer his question. Instead, she pressed her lips together and met his gaze head-on.  

 

However, he stared at her as if she were a rat caught in a trap, lifting his glass to his lips. His presence was so cold it sent chills down her spine, yet so oppressive it felt like her heart was being squeezed.  

 

Seo Mun-hwon—the one who had imprisoned her here.  

 

Despite committing filthy and brutal acts, his face was that of a young, handsome man. Even the way he held his glass was graceful and elegant.  

 

That was precisely why Soo-ah despised him even more.  

 

He was a man whose exterior did not match his true nature. Strengthening her mind and spirit, she glared at him with unwavering eyes.  

 

But he merely regarded her as insignificant, emptying his glass with ease.  

 

“What happened? Are you upset because you lost the bet?”  

 

Holding the bottle of alcohol, he approached the silent Soo-ah.  

 

“Let’s have a drink.”  

 

The last time she drank, she made an absurd choice. She did not want to repeat the same mistake.  

 

“I’m not drinking.”  

 

As Soo-ah quickly shook her head, he laughed. His eyes curved slightly, creating a smile so sweet it was tempting to fall for.  

 

“If you try to endure me without a drink, you won’t last till morning.”

 

“I don’t care.”  

 

As Mun-hwon’s gaze settled on her lips, his hand moved toward her face.  

 

She thought he would touch her cheek, but instead, his fingers traveled along her jawline.  

 

With his long, elegant fingers, he gently grasped her chin and said,  

 

“I won, so tonight, you and I are going to have some fun.”  

 

She could neither refuse nor say she didn’t want to. It was a bet she had made—a promise. Even if the other party was a gangster, she didn’t want to be a liar.  

 

“I’ll keep my promise.”  

 

Soo-ah replied without backing down.  

 

“You made the right choice. Playing hard to get with me won’t get you anything.”

 

With his thick, long thumb, he slowly traced just below her lips.  

 

As the strange sensation made her body tense, he tilted his face, drawing closer.  

 

Their breaths mingled, and heat surged between them like waves.  

 

Just before their lips met, she instinctively leaned back from the overwhelming warmth, and at that moment, he stopped.  

 

Though fear gripped her, Soo-ah forced herself to look up at him as if unaffected.  

 

Seo Mun-hwon was smiling triumphantly.