"It will." Joon-ho agreed. "Dong also shared so interesting information about the land developnt project—the one Kang-hoon’s wife has been leaking to the Baek family. It’s a governnt tender project worth hundreds of billions of won, and the Baeks have been using the leaked information to craft a competitive proposal."
Yura’s eyes narrowed thoughtfully. "That explains why they’ve been so confident lately. I’ve been hearing rumors about the Baek family making moves in the property developnt sector, but I didn’t realize they had inside information."
"They do now." Joon-ho confird. "And we’re using that knowledge to our advantage. Dong has been feeding Kang-hoon’s wife modified information—details that seem legitimate but contain strategic flaws. If the Baek family uses that information in their proposal, they’ll expose themselves as having obtained it illegally."
Yura nodded slowly, processing this strategy. "Clever. It forces them to either reveal their source or proceed with potentially damaging information. Either way, it weakens their position."
"Exactly." Joon-ho reached out, brushing a stray lock of hair away from Yura’s face. "The alliance with Dong is proving more valuable than I anticipated. He’s not just providing resources—he’s actively working with us to undermine the Baek family’s operations."
"That’s good." Yura leaned into his touch, her eyes closing briefly. "The Baeks have been unchecked for too long. They’ve hurt too many people, taken too much, operated with the assumption that they’re untouchable. It’s ti soone proved them wrong."
"It is." Joon-ho’s hand moved to the back of her neck, his fingers gently massaging the tense muscles there. "And with Dong’s resources and our strategic position, we’re in a better place to do that than ever before."
They fell silent for a mont, the quiet comfortable as Nari continued to feed. The baby was slowing down now, her sucking becoming less urgent, her eyes beginning to drift closed as she approached the end of her al. Yura watched her with maternal affection, her expression soft and content.
"There’s sothing else I need to tell you." Yura spoke again, her tone shifting slightly. "Ha-eun is back."
Joon-ho’s hand stilled on her neck. "Ha-eun? Madam Ha-eun?"
"The sa." Yura nodded, her expression thoughtful. "She returned from her overseas trip yesterday and has been trying to reach you. I assu her ssages got lost in everything else that’s been happening."
Joon-ho considered this. It had been weeks since he had last seen or heard from Ha-eun—the elegant, sophisticated woman who owned one of Seoul’s most exclusive high-end lounges and who had been an ally, a confidante, and occasionally sothing more. Her trip abroad had been planned for so ti, a combination of business and pleasure that had taken her away from Seoul for nearly two months.
"I haven’t been checking my personal ssages as carefully as I should." Joon-ho acknowledged. "There’s been so much happening with the clinic, with LUNE, with everything involving Dong and the Baek family. It slipped my mind that she was due back."
"She understands." Yura assured him, shifting Nari slightly as the baby finished nursing. "She knows you’re busy, that you’re building sothing significant. But she’s still interested in seeing you—catching up, discussing whatever opportunities might have erged while she was away."
Joon-ho’s hand resud its gentle massage of her neck. "And she wants to et tonight?"
"She ntioned that she would be at her place tonight, hosting a small gathering of friends and business associates." Yura explained. "Nothing formal, just an intimate evening where people can reconnect and share news. She extended an invitation, assuming you might be free."
Nari had finished feeding now, her small mouth releasing the nipple as she let out a satisfied sigh. Her eyes were heavy, her body limp with contentnt, the signs of approaching sleep unmistakable. Yura carefully repositioned her, supporting her head as she burped the baby gently against her shoulder.
"I can probably make ti for a brief visit." Joon-ho said thoughtfully. "It would be good to catch up with Ha-eun, hear about her trip, and see if there are any developnts worth pursuing. She always has her finger on the pulse of what’s happening in Seoul’s upper circles."
"She does." Yura agreed, transferring Nari to her other shoulder and patting her back rhythmically. "And I suspect she has news that might interest you. She rarely travels without purpose, and two months is a long ti to be away from her businesses."
Nari let out a small burp, and Yura smiled with satisfaction. "There we go. Much better."
The baby was drifting off now, her eyes closing completely, her breathing becoming slow and regular. Yura stood carefully, cradling Nari against her chest, and moved toward the nursery. Joon-ho watched her go, admiring the graceful way she moved even while carrying their daughter.
"I’ll put her down for her nap." Yura glanced back at him over her shoulder. "Then we can have dinner together, just the two of us. Saena has prepared sothing wonderful, as always."
"That sounds perfect." Joon-ho rose as well, stretching his arms above his head. "I’ll go wash up and change. Business attire is comfortable enough for etings, but it’s not exactly relaxing for family dinner."
Yura disappeared into the nursery, and Joon-ho headed toward the master bedroom. The apartnt was quiet now, the earlier sounds of Nari’s excitent replaced by the peaceful silence of a sleeping infant. He moved through the familiar space, shedding his jacket and tie, unbuttoning his shirt with deliberate movents.
The master bedroom was spacious and elegantly appointed, with a large bed dressed in crisp white linens, floor-to-ceiling windows that offered a view of the city skyline, and an en-suite bathroom that rivaled any luxury hotel. Joon-ho entered the bathroom, turning on the faucet and splashing cool water on his face, washing away the lingering traces of the day’s business etings.
His reflection in the mirror showed a man who was tired but satisfied—soone who had accomplished much but recognized that there was always more to do. The alliance with Dong was strengthening, the strategy against the Baek family was taking shape, and LUNE’s new project was moving forward on all fronts. Progress was being made on every front, and that was satisfying.
But more than that, there was the personal satisfaction of coming ho to this—to Yura, to Nari, to the family they were building together. It was sothing he had never expected to want, never imagined he would have, and now that he did, he found himself unwilling to let it go.
He changed into comfortable clothes—soft cotton pants and a loose-fitting shirt—and returned to the living area. Saena had just finished setting the table, the aroma of grilled fish, seasoned vegetables, and rice filling the air. It was a simple, healthy al, the kind of food that nourished without being heavy or overly rich.
"Yura will be out in a mont." Saena inford him, checking the arrangent of dishes with a critical eye. "Nari fell asleep quickly, so she should be joining us shortly."
"Thank you, Saena." Joon-ho took his seat at the table, pouring himself a glass of water. "Everything looks wonderful, as always."
Saena smiled warmly. "It’s my pleasure. And I’m happy to report that Nari was in good spirits today—no fussiness, no signs of discomfort. She’s growing beautifully."
"She is." Joon-ho agreed, his thoughts returning to his daughter. "Every day, she seems more alert, more responsive. I can already see her personality developing."
"That’s the joy of watching children grow." Saena observed. "They change so quickly, each stage bringing new discoveries. It’s a privilege to be part of that process."
She disappeared into the kitchen to finish her own al, leaving Joon-ho alone with his thoughts for a few monts. The apartnt was peaceful, the only sounds the distant clatter of dishes from the kitchen and the soft hum of the air conditioning. It was a far cry from the high-stakes etings and strategic planning that had occupied his day, and he found himself welcoming the contrast.
Yura erged from the nursery a few minutes later, looking refreshed and more relaxed. She had changed out of her nursing dress and into comfortable loungewear—soft fabric that draped elegantly over her figure, her hair loose around her shoulders. The transformation from business executive to relaxed mother was complete, and she moved with the easy grace of soone who was comfortable in her own skin.
"She’s down for the night?" Joon-ho asked as she took her seat across from him.
"Sound asleep." Yura confird, reaching for her chopsticks. "She should stay down for a good few hours, which gives us ti to eat and talk properly."
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