Jasmin's car sped from the Russian coastline to a secret city airport. From there, she boarded a private jet bound for Seoul. During the long journey, Jasmin prepared herself completely. Her tears were gone, replaced by a cold, professional demeanor.
In Seoul, Korea, her car stopped in front of a luxurious hotel in the heart of the city—the center of the Korean fashion and entertainment world. Jasmin was here as a model, but her inner purpose was far deeper.
Stepping Out of the Car
The car door opened. The first thing that caught everyone's attention was Jasmin's fashion sense and confidence.
Jasmin stepped out. Her white hair was no longer messy but perfectly spread over her shoulders. She wore a sharp, modern, and extremely expensive tailored suit—highlighting her power and style. Her blue eyes were cold and firm, perfectly ready for the camera flashes.
The crowd seemed to go crazy for a moment upon seeing her.
The Reason for the Frenzy
There were several crucial reasons behind the public's intense reaction to Jasmin:
International Fame and Mystery: Jasmin was no ordinary model. She was a top cover girl for magazines like Vogue UK. In the international fashion world, she was known as the 'Ice Queen'. The sudden arrival of a global supermodel in Korea was unexpected.
Rare Appearance (White Hair & Blue Eyes): Jasmin's snow-white hair and intense blue eyes were extremely rare in the Asian fashion circuit. These physical features made her stand out instantly in the crowd.
Mafia Connection Gossip: Ever since the Tatler magazine cover, her name had been linked to a Russian Mafia Boss. This romantic and dangerous rumor gave her a forbidden glamour. People saw her not just as a model, but as a mysterious queen.
Perfect Professionalism: Her outfit, movement, and expression—everything was flawless. She was a living icon, seemingly straight out of a modeling textbook. This confidence mesmerized the onlookers.
The Spy's Veil: While most of the crowd saw her as a fashion icon, a handful of people (spies or her operatives) realized that the 'Model-Queen's' arrival was not just for a fashion show. Her presence was about to kick off a new international game in Seoul.
Jasmin ignored the surrounding excitement. She walked straight into the hotel lobby. Her mission had begun.The Photo Frenzy
As Jasmin walked from the car towards the hotel entrance, the surrounding crowd literally exploded in excitement. Journalists, paparazzi, and curious onlookers all surged towards Jasmin simultaneously.
Paparazzi Flashes: The intense light of countless camera flashes illuminated Jasmin. These flashes seemed to intensify the mystery of her white hair and blue eyes.
Photo Frenzy: Everyone started screaming like crazy, taking her pictures with their phones and professional cameras. Some even tried to reach Jasmin for a selfie.
Calling Her Name: Journalists and fans started calling out her name together—"Jasmin! Jasmin!" Some shouted, "Ice Queen! Please look here!"
The Mafia Question: Some brave journalists threw questions about her rumored relationship with the Russian mafia: "What's the news on Dmitry? Have you run away from the RU Mafia?"
Jasmin remained completely calm amidst the chaos. Her spy training and modeling experience had equipped her with the skills to handle such crowds. She had a cold, yet perfect smile on her face. She paid no attention to the crowd, walking only by looking straight ahead.
Her bodyguards quickly cleared the crowd and escorted her into the hotel lobby. But her first appearance was enough to catch the attention of the Korean media and, most importantly, the Korean Intelligence Service (NIS). The Secret Destination
Jasmin quickly entered the hotel lobby with the help of her bodyguards. There was no emotion in her cold gaze. She knew her first move was successful. She was now the center of the Korean media's attention.
But Jasmin did not stop in the hotel lobby. Her true destination was not the luxurious suite booked for her, but another address.
In a quiet corridor inside the hotel, Jasmin separated from her team. Her butler, Anna, tried to follow, but Jasmin stopped her with a gesture.
Jasmin was now completely alone.
She walked in her suit and high heels towards a secret elevator. Entering the lift, she selected a special floor that was not for regular guests.
A moment later, the elevator stopped. The doors opened to a silent, gray-colored corridor. It did not look like a hotel floor.
As Jasmin started walking down that corridor, another sound drew more attention than her glamorous attire:
The sound of her high heels echoed in the silent corridor—Only the sound of her shoes is heard.
At the end of the corridor was a large, black door. Right in front of the door was a sophisticated Biometrics Scanner.
This place was no ordinary part of the hotel. It was likely the Korean branch of Aliya or Victor's network, prepared for Jasmin's arrival.
Jasmin did not hesitate. She stood in front of the scanner. The scanner shone a bright light to scan her blue eyes and possibly her handprint.
In this corridor, Jasmin's modeling fame was useless. Here, her identity was merely the ex-lover of an NIS agent and the current partner of a Russian Mafia Boss.
A moment's wait. The scanner flashed a green light, and the door opened. Jasmin quietly entered the darkness, which was perhaps named 'NLS'.Facing Ji-Han
The door opened. Jasmin entered the room, where there was no trace of the outside silence.
The room was vast and equipped with state-of-the-art technology. Rows of monitors, electronic equipment, and data links were visible. This was not a typical hotel room but a secret Korean control room of Victor's global network. The architecture and atmosphere of this room resembled the Korean Intelligence Service (NIS) office, familiar to Jasmin from her spy life.
Inside were about a dozen people, all busy with their work. They were all wearing headphones and speaking among themselves in low voices. They wore no specific uniform, but their focus was intense.
As the sound of Jasmin's high heels entered the room, everyone's eyes turned towards her. They stopped working for a moment. They saw an international model, with expensive clothes, white hair, and blue eyes, entering their secret headquarters.
Jasmin ignored all their curious glances and started walking towards the back of the room. Her target was a glass-enclosed private office at the far end of the room.
She walked on. The same question was in everyone's eyes: Why is this woman here?
As Jasmin reached the door of the glass office, her heartbeat quickened slightly. She remembered Dmitry's mother and her desperate plea. Ziaisko's mockery. And above all, her own resolve.
Clearly visible through the glass door, Ji-Han sat inside.
Ji-Han was hunched over his desk, working. His face was worried, the lines on his forehead visible. He was wearing his old, perfect suit. His attention was completely focused on his monitor. He was completely unaware of the arrival of his ex-lover, whom he had made a final attempt to save.
Jasmin's eyes fixed on Ji-Han. This was one of the most dangerous moments of her life. She stood before her lover, who was simultaneously her biggest target and her greatest weakness.
Jasmin slowly pushed the glass door of the actual office and entered.
Ji-Han started and looked up. When he saw the white-haired Ice Queen in front of him, all the muscles in his face hardened. Disbelief, astonishment, and deep frustration played in his eyes. He couldn't believe his own eyes.
Jasmin did not speak. She just looked at Ji-Han, her eyes now devoid of emotion, just a cold veneer of professionalism.The Verbal Duel
Jasmin entered the glass office and closed the door. The technicians outside were still watching them with wide, astonished eyes.
Ji-Han sat like a stone in his desk chair. His whole body seemed frozen. In his eyes was disbelief, astonishment, and at the same time, a deep personal pain. Jasmin's arrival, especially in such a secure location, was the ultimate betrayal to him.
Jasmin wasted no time. She just looked at her ex-lover, her voice cold and emotionless.
"Ji-Han," Jasmin said.
In the utterance of his name was a suppressed history—their failed love, their last moments in the Paris cathedral, and every complication that followed.
This single word from Jasmin brought Ji-Han back to his senses. He quickly rose from his chair. There was clear rage in his eyes.
"What are you doing here?" Ji-Han asked. His voice was low, but it had the hardness of steel. "Jasmin, how did you get into this place? And why... why did you come?"
Ji-Han gestured towards his desk. "Have you forgotten what happened the last time you embraced me? You betrayed me! And now you've come to a place that looks like the Korean Mafia's secret base! Are you still working as Dmitry's slave?"
Jasmin now smiled slowly. The smile was bitter and pathetic.
"Dmitry's slave?" Jasmin smiled. "No, Ji-Han. I am no one's slave anymore. I am an international model. My arrival is not an espionage mission; it's a high-profile business deal."
Jasmin pointed to her suitcase. "I've come for Korean Fashion Week. You must have seen the news. I am now the center of discussion in this city. And I am here on a deal with Aliya."
Jasmin looked Ji-Han in the eye.
"And you asked why I came?"
Jasmin's voice now carried a deep, personal hurt.
"I came because your 'security' failed to protect me from harm. I came because your mafia bosses hurt me."
Jasmin touched her cheek, where Dmitry's handprint still burned in her mind. These words were a fatal move for Ji-Han—on one hand, she was confusing Ji-Han as per Aliya's plan, and on the other hand, she was using the truth of Dmitry's assault to seek Ji-Han's sympathy.
The Breaking Point
Ji-Han was stunned for a moment by Jasmin's words. He was supposed to be hurt, but seeing Jasmin's cold, professional demeanor and the sight of her touching her cheek, Ji-Han composed himself.
What Ji-Han did next was unexpected. He shook his head in frustration and let out a bitter laugh.
"Good," Ji-Han said. His voice was filled with extreme sarcasm. "You got married, you will get hit then!"
Ji-Han's comment was utterly cruel and cynical. He showed no sympathy for Jasmin's personal pain but mocked her past decision. Ji-Han implied that this was the inevitable consequence of marrying a mafia boss.