Jasmin was shocked by Ji-Han's reaction. She hadn't expected sympathy, but she wasn't prepared for such merciless mockery. Anger returned to her eyes. Dmitry's assault and now Ji-Han's sarcasm—all of Jasmin's restraint broke.
"You should be ashamed, Ji-Han!" Jasmin screamed in anger. She attacked Ji-Han with harsh words.
"What do you think you are? Did you come to rescue me? You just kept me as a part of your game! You wanted to save your NIS honor, not my life! You are a coward!"
Jasmin added, "And now you are mocking my wounds? Dmitry at least hit me out of mad love! But you? You are a cold, emotionless... incompetent! There's no difference between you and the mafia! I shouldn't have pretended to love a coward like you!"
Ji-Han's face hardened. Jasmin's intense, personal attack struck his ego. He took a step towards Jasmin.
"Don't talk to me like that, Jasmin," Ji-Han said. "And don't mention love. Your love ruined everything for us! Your weakness! You are still trapped by Dmitry!"
Ji-Han pointed to his desk. "Get out of this place fast! I don't know why you've come here, but I am calling the NIS team immediately. I will arrest you."
But Jasmin did not budge an inch. There was still a fire of rage in her eyes. She knew this was the most difficult test of her life.
The Silent Touch
Jasmin did not budge an inch despite Ji-Han's threat of arrest. Her inner hatred and her old weakness for Ji-Han—all combined to put her in a difficult position.
"I won't go," Jasmin said in a calm, firm voice.
Her refusal drove Ji-Han's anger to its peak. He knew this woman had not only ruined his life but was now being used in the mafia's game and had come to this secret location. Her presence could jeopardize Ji-Han's entire NIS career.
Ji-Han quickly stepped forward from his desk. He grabbed Jasmin's arm tightly.
"You will go," Ji-Han whispered, his voice filled with extreme caution. "I don't want anyone to see you before you leave this building immediately!"
Ji-Han dragged Jasmin towards the inner wall of the office. Before Jasmin could resist, Ji-Han pinned her against the wall. One of Ji-Han's hands was near Jasmin's throat, and the other was tightly gripping her arm. This physical proximity and force intensified their past emotions and present conflict.
Ji-Han's eyes were burning with fire, a mix of anger and that old attraction. "Do you think I'll let you stay here? Let you drag me into your treacherous lovers' games?"
But Jasmin was not afraid. After Dmitry's beating, Ji-Han's force no longer deterred her. Her white hair was pressed against the wall.
Just as Ji-Han was about to say something more, Jasmin silenced him.
Jasmin quickly raised her right hand and placed it on Ji-Han's lips.
This touch was unexpected. It was not a touch of love. Rather, it was a silent message—no more words, no more mockery.
Jasmin's blue eyes were fixed on Ji-Han's black eyes. She wanted Ji-Han to realize the truth of her pain. Ji-Han's lips beneath her hand were warm, but Jasmin's gaze was cold. This touch was a symbol of the complexity of their relationship and Jasmin's resolve for revenge.
Through that silent touch, Jasmin reminded Ji-Han of their old passion and the terrifying danger of the present.The New Goal
Jasmin's hand was pressing against Ji-Han's lips; there was complete silence between them now. Jasmin's unexpected touch brought a temporary halt to Ji-Han's anger, but it only increased his confusion.
Jasmin slowly removed her hand. Her voice was no longer angry, but deep and calm, yet it carried a suppressed sense of injury.
"Do you remember that day?" Jasmin whispered. "In Paris, at the cathedral... when everything was falling apart."
Ji-Han's eyes were fixed; he gave no answer, but the muscles in his face hardened. That memory was painful for both of them.
Jasmin slightly moved away from the wall, her white hair falling over her shoulder.
"You said something terrible to me," Jasmin said. There was a hard query in her blue eyes.
Jasmin then reminded him of that part of their last conversation when Ji-Han talked about using her modeling fame to escape the mafia. But her real hurt was elsewhere.
"When I last embraced you, you didn't believe me. You blamed me," Jasmin said. "You said I was just a model, and my emotions were worthless. You considered me a weak part of your life that you could remove to become strong."
Jasmin's accusation was against Ji-Han's self-centeredness and his professional view of their relationship.
"Dmitry at least hit me directly, Ji-Han," Jasmin said, the memory of the bruise on her cheek still burning. "But you... you wounded my soul, Ji-Han. You made me worthless."
Jasmin's words hit the weak point of Ji-Han's heart. Ji-Han always believed he was doing everything to save Jasmin, but in Jasmin's eyes, he was merely an emotionless spy.
Ji-Han's anger slowly turned into frustration and remorse. He understood why Jasmin was so furious.
"I wanted to save you, Jasmin," Ji-Han said. His voice was broken. "I made a mistake; I hurt you. But why have you come here? Have you come to use my weakness?"
Jasmin now directly stated her purpose. "I haven't come to use your weakness. I have come to be your strength. Dmitry hurt me. And Ziaisko Volga mocked me. I want to use your help to destroy them."
The Artist's Weakness
Jasmin's confession—that she wanted to destroy Dmitry and his family—was a shock to Ji-Han. Ji-Han knew Jasmin was his biggest risk, but at the same time, his greatest opportunity.
Ji-Han quickly tried to hide his excitement, but his eyes remained fixed on Jasmin.
"You... you want to destroy Dmitry's network?" Ji-Han said. His voice carried a trace of disbelief. "But why? He is your husband! And how... how do you know about Ziaisko?"
Jasmin interrupted him.
"Ziaisko Volga...!" Jasmin stopped Ji-Han. Her gaze intensified.
Jasmin directly reminded Ji-Han that this name was not new to her either.
"Ji-Han, have you forgotten? Ziaisko Volga... he was your NIS target! He is Victor's biggest pillar! You were the one who asked me to gather information about him!"
Ji-Han's face turned pale. He remembered that before the Paris mission, Ziaisko Volga was one of their key targets, Victor's right-hand man. But his current location and the reason for the cancelled engagement were shrouded in mystery.
A look of deep fear appeared in Ji-Han's eyes. He quickly looked down.
Jasmin now taunted him, "Why, Ji-Han? Are you afraid of Ziaisko's name?"
Jasmin touched her cheek, where the mark of Dmitry's assault was.
"You might have forgotten, but I haven't! I remember, he is my husband's brother. And I now know his weakness—a simple artist. Do you want to use that weakness, or will you push me out of your office again?"
Jasmin's words were a difficult test for Ji-Han. He knew Ziaisko Volga was the most powerful member of the mafia, and knowing his weakness meant an opportunity to strike directly at their network. But for this, he had to trust Jasmin, whom he had considered a traitor moments ago.
Ji-Han suppressed his anger and took a deep breath.
"You win, Jasmin," Ji-Han said. "But why would you help me? Dmitry's power is greater than your revenge."
Jasmin gave a cold smile.
"Because I know, in this game, I will either be free or destroyed. And before I am destroyed, I want to destroy them. Let's start this game, Ji-Han, by using Ziaisko Volga's weakness."
Ziaisko on the Roof
Leaving Ji-Han's office, Jasmin was now straight into the operation. Ji-Han knew Jasmin was dangerous, but Ziaisko Volga's weakness was so valuable to him that he was ready to take the risk. Ji-Han secretly arranged to monitor Jasmin's movements.
Jasmin returned to the luxurious hotel where she had taken a room under the guise of her modeling contract. But shortly after, she left again in a change of clothes, in her personal armored car.
Her car began heading towards an upscale area of Seoul. This neighborhood was elite and quiet, where the wealthy and influential lived.
Entering the Luxury Residence
The car stopped in front of a vast, modern house. The house was surrounded by high walls, and several bodyguards patrolled cautiously outside. This was a secret base of Victor's network's Korean bosses, which would serve as Jasmin's mission control center.
As the car entered the parking area in front of the house, Jasmin prepared to step out.
Ziaisko Volga on the Roof
Just before getting out of the car, Jasmin looked up once.
On the roof of the house, right on the edge, a man was standing. He was tall, and his demeanor was cold and stern. Jasmin recognized him—it was none other than Ziaisko Volga.
Ziaisko was watching Jasmin from a distance. He held a cigarette in his hand. He seemed to be waiting for Jasmin's arrival. Upon seeing Jasmin, a cynical smile appeared on Ziaisko's face. He gestured a welcome to Jasmin.
Jasmin knew Ziaisko was mocking her. He was implying that no matter how much Jasmin rebelled, she was still a pawn in their game.
Jasmin's Smile
Jasmin parked the car and got out after parking the car. She lifted her head and looked at Ziaisko.
Jasmin did not get angry at Ziaisko's cynical smile. Instead, a cold and deep smile appeared on her face too. Jasmin started smiling.
Her smile was a reflection of her declaration to Ji-Han—she was no longer a pawn; she was the Queen of this game. The weakness of Ziaisko was in her hands.
"Thank you for the welcome, Ziaisko Volga," Jasmin thought to herself. "Your artist lover... will now be my ultimate weapon."
Jasmin walked past the bodyguards and entered the house; the sound of her shoes no longer broke the silence but announced the start of a new game of power.Facing Ziaisko: The Power Play
Jasmin entered the house and was led directly to a massive living room. The room was modern and luxurious, but the atmosphere was cold and formal.
An extremely expensive leather sofa was placed in the middle of the room. Jasmin sat down on the sofa without hesitation.
She placed her suitcase to one side. Her white hair looked even brighter against the black leather of the sofa. She positioned herself as if she hadn't come to accept hospitality but was waiting for an important discussion.
Her posture was confident, but her blue eyes held a suppressed vigilance. She knew she was in Ziaisko Volga's lair.
A moment later, Ziaisko Volga descended from the roof and entered the room. He no longer held the cigarette, but the cynical smile was still in his eyes.
"Model-Queen," Ziaisko said coldly. "Aliya told me you would come. But I didn't know you would forget your 'husband's' assault and start working so quickly."
Jasmin remained still on the sofa. "I haven't forgotten the assault, Mr. Volga," Jasmin said. "I'm just not letting emotions become a weakness like your brothers. I am here because I need this family's weakness for my revenge."
Ziaisko sat down in an armchair opposite the sofa.
"And that weakness is me, right?" Ziaisko smiled. "And my artist lover?"
Jasmin looked directly at him. "The information you call a weakness will help Ji-Han attack you. Now you tell me how you want to play this game." The Russian Threat
Jasmin sat on the sofa, looking at Ziaisko Volga. When Ziaisko sought confirmation about Jasmin's intentions, Jasmin proved the firmness of her resolve.
"Right," Jasmin said. Her voice was brief but final. "Your so-called weakness is my weapon for my revenge."
This time, Jasmin suddenly changed her language. She no longer spoke in English or Korean. She began to speak in her old, harsh Russian language, which was not just a business language but a symbol of power to mafia bosses like Dmitry and Ziaisko.
Jasmin spoke the words loudly and clearly:
"Я ЗНАЮ, ЧТО ВЫ ПЛАНИРУЕТЕ. ВЫ ИСПОЛЬЗУЕТЕ МОЙ ОБРАЗ ДЛЯ ПРИКРЫТИЯ СЛАБОСТИ ВАШЕГО БРАТА ДМИТРИЯ, А АЛИЯ ИСПОЛЬЗУЕТ МЕНЯ, ЧТОБЫ УНИЧТОЖИТЬ ДЖИ-ХАНА. НО Я НЕ ВАША ПЕШКА!"
(Translation: "I know what you are planning. You are using my image to cover up the weakness of your brother Dmitry, and Aliya is using me to destroy Ji-Han. But I am not your pawn!")
Jasmin tossed her white hair. She stared fixedly at Ziaisko with her blue eyes.
"РАССКАЖИТЕ МНЕ О СЛАБОСТИ ВАШЕГО ХУДОЖНИКА! ИЛИ Я САМА НАЙДУ ЕЕ И ПЕРЕДАМ ЕЕ ДЖИ-ХАНУ!"
(Translation: "Tell me about your artist's weakness! Or I will find her myself and hand her over to Ji-Han!")
Jasmin's aggressive Russian and direct threat stunned Ziaisko. This language was a symbol of extreme caution and power in their mafia world. Ziaisko realized—this 'Model-Queen' was no longer a pawn; she was an independent and deadly faction.
The cynical smile vanished from Ziaisko's face. He sat up straight.
"You are truly stubborn, Jasmin," Ziaisko said. His voice now carried a kind of respect for Jasmin. "Your anger is what will keep you alive. All right. I'll tell you everything... my artist's name is Maria."
The Irony of Weakness
When Ziaisko Volga revealed the artist's name, 'Maria,' Jasmin was staring intently at him. Ziaisko felt like all his plans were being thwarted.
"Maria," Ziaisko repeated. "An artist from a small Italian town. I broke my engagement for her. She is my weakness."
Jasmin now leaned back on the sofa. She wanted to pressure Ziaisko a bit and see that weakness more clearly.
"Boy or girl?" Jasmin asked directly.
This question seemed very odd to Ziaisko. "I told you the name, Maria. A woman. What do you think?"
Jasmin immediately burst out laughing. Her laughter was cold and sharp, the same Model-Queen's laughter she was accustomed to in front of the camera.
Jasmin started laughing.
"I know, Mr. Volga," Jasmin said. Her laughter wouldn't stop. "I just wanted to see your look of assurance."
Jasmin continued to laugh and said, "Whenever you, mafia bosses, reveal a weakness, it's always a woman. Your brother Dmitry's weakness is a woman; he hit me out of mad love. And your weakness is also a woman, whom you are protecting in the name of love by breaking your agreement of power."
Jasmin's laughter and comment angered Ziaisko. Jasmin made it clear that she was not just interested in Maria's name; she was actually mocking the mafia brothers' mindset.
"Stop your jokes, Jasmin," Ziaisko said sternly.
"It's not a joke, Mr. Volga," Jasmin said. "It's a Pattern. And this Pattern will give me the advantage. Now tell me, where is Maria? And how can I use her to hurt your family?"The Confession of the Double Cross
Jasmin and Ziaisko Volga were still sitting on the sofa, discussing Maria and the mafia brothers' weakness. Ziaisko became even more cautious seeing Jasmin's cynical laughter and sharp intelligence.
Ziaisko had just opened his mouth to answer when a man suddenly entered from a back door of the room.
The man was young, wearing casual but expensive clothes. He didn't look like a security guard or servant, but rather a close associate of Ziaisko. However, his face was calm and cautious.
Then suddenly a boy came from the room.
The boy entered and saw Jasmin. He immediately looked at Jasmin with curiosity, his eyes seemingly astonished by Jasmin's international modeling fame and her white hair.
Jasmin saw the boy. She instantly realized this person must be someone important in Victor's network, perhaps placed there to keep an eye on Jasmin.
The smile returned to Jasmin's face. She pointed at Ziaisko and said,
"Oh, I see," Jasmin said simply.
By saying 'Oh, I see,' Jasmin implied two things:
Acknowledgement: She assumed this boy might know the most about Maria or was keeping an eye on Maria.
Sarcasm: She seemed to imply to Ziaisko—you speak of such secrecy, yet your operative is walking around in plain sight.
Ziaisko was annoyed. His plan was underway, but Jasmin's presence and this unexpected intrusion complicated the situation.
"This is Alexander," Ziaisko quickly introduced. "He is my personal assistant. He handles the matter of Maria."
A victorious smile appeared on Jasmin's face. "Very well. So, Alexander, where is your weakness hiding?"
Jasmin targeted Alexander directly, proving that she didn't just want information about Maria; she wanted to create psychological pressure on the entire team.
The Trap of the Model-Queen
Alexander, whose identity Ziaisko had just revealed, was slightly unprepared for Jasmin's direct question. But he quickly composed himself. His eyes were as cold as Jasmin's.
"The weakness is not hidden, Madam Jasmin," Alexander replied calmly, his Russian pronunciation perfect. "Maria is not in Korea right now. She is in a town in Italy, where Ziaisko Volga has exiled her. Because..."
Alexander hesitated.
"Because what?" Jasmin pressed.
Ziaisko now leaned towards Jasmin.
"Because Victor wanted to kill her," Ziaisko said in a hard voice. "Maria's presence broke our agreement. Aliya intervened. The condition of the agreement is—Maria must be isolated from the world. I've hidden her in that old town in Italy where we spent our childhood."
Jasmin's eyes twinkled. "Meaning, it's hard to find her. But not impossible."
Alexander now looked directly at Jasmin. "You won't have to find Maria, Madam Jasmin. Aliya and Victor's plan is—you will start your international modeling show in the Korean media. Ji-Han will pay attention to you. On the other hand, we will bring Maria to Seoul ourselves."
Jasmin was surprised. "You will bring Maria to Seoul? Why?"
Ziaisko smiled; this smile was vicious and cunning.
"Ji-Han is currently suspicious of you. If you can convince him that you want revenge on us, he will need proof. Maria is that proof," Ziaisko explained.
"Aliya wants you to use Ji-Han to find Maria. And when Ji-Han gets close to Maria, he will try to reveal Ziaisko's weakness and strike at Victor's network. At that opportunity, Aliya will expose Ji-Han as a 'traitor' and destroy both his career and his life."
Jasmin now stood up from the sofa. Her anger calmed instantly, replaced by cold, calculated attention.
"So, Maria is coming here to set a trap for Ji-Han," Jasmin said.
"Right," Ziaisko nodded. "And your job is to push Ji-Han towards Maria. The closer you get to Ji-Han, the more he will trust Maria."
Jasmin laughed. "Then my mission is easy. I will start the Seoul Fashion Week. I will draw Ji-Han to me. However, not according to your plan, Ziaisko. Using Maria, I will start a new game for your entire family."
Jasmin turned towards the door. The sound of her shoes now no longer broke the silence but announced the declaration of a new game.
The Final Confrontation
Jasmin sat still on the sofa, the cold, cynical smile returning to her face as she listened to Ziaisko's words. As Ziaisko explained Aliya's plan, Jasmin's sharp spy mind picked up a crucial inconsistency.
Jasmin quickly sat up straight on the sofa. There was intense disbelief and sarcasm in her blue eyes.
"Stop, Mr. Volga," Jasmin said. "I am not foolish enough to believe your story."
Jasmin shook her head. "You say Aliya wants me to push Ji-Han towards Maria so that Ji-Han is destroyed. But why would Aliya take this risk?"
Jasmin's voice suddenly grew grave, with a tone of deep realization.
"Aliya would never want Victor to lose his power," Jasmin emphasized. "Aliya won't destroy Victor, because Aliya is the Mafia Godmother of your entire network, and Victor is the Mafia Lord."
Jasmin pointed at Ziaisko. "Their power is dependent on each other. If Ziaisko Volga's weakness is exposed, Victor's empire will be at risk. Aliya won't take such a big risk just to destroy a minor spy (Ji-Han)."
Jasmin smiled bitterly. "You are good at lying. You want me to believe Aliya so that I remain a pawn in your hands."
Jasmin looked directly into Ziaisko's eyes, her question as sharp as an arrow:
"Yes? Am I that foolish?"
Ziaisko Volga was stunned by this extreme analysis. The smile vanished from his face. Jasmin had not only caught their move, but she also understood the internal complexities of Aliya and Victor's power structure.
"Jasmin, you are..." Ziaisko couldn't finish his sentence.
"I am not your puppet, Mr. Volga," Jasmin said. "But fine. Maria is coming. And this game will not be controlled by Aliya, Victor, or you. This game is mine from now on."