The luxury sedan came to a smooth halt, but it wasn't outside a boring corporate glass skyscraper. Instead, the tires rolled to a stop right in front of the grand, exclusive entrance of a high-end private club.
Driver Min Seok turned around from the front seat, looking back at her. "Ma'am, this is our destination."
Siwon glanced out the tinted window. "Yes. Wait a minute..."
Just as she spoke, a brand-new, pristine black Mercedes-Benz pulled up, stopping perfectly right in front of their convoy. The windows of the Mercedes were completely blacked out, radiating an intense, secretive aura. This was the vehicle sent by the other party.
Before Mr. Nam or Richard could even jump out of their backup security car to assist her, Siwon took charge. She opened her own car door, stepping out into the morning air without anyone's help. Her maroon suit caught the light as she turned toward her core team, who were now standing by their vehicles. With the cars lined up, her security detail looked incredibly powerful.
"Min Seok, Mr. Nam, Richard," Siwon commanded, her voice dropping into her signature, undisputed tone. "Take care of everything here. Manage the details of the bag. I am going to accompany our guest to the airport venue, okay?"
Mr. Nam bowed respectfully. "Understood, Chairwoman. Don't worry, the others were arriving in a few hours anyway."
Siwon reached into her pocket, pulled out her sharp, dark red-tinted sunglasses, and slid them over her eyes. Completely focused, she glanced at her phone and walked straight toward the waiting Mercedes, sliding into the backseat as the luxury vehicle instantly sped away into the traffic.
Once her car disappeared from sight, Min Seok scratched his head, looking completely confused. He turned to the senior secretary with doubt written all over his face. "Uh... Mr. Nam? What happened? If Ma'am was going to go in that other car anyway, then why did we rush all the way here in a convoy?"
Mr. Nam's face instantly broke into a massive, triumphant grin. He patted the young driver on the shoulder. "Because, Min Seok, this was a highly classified, secret meeting," Mr. Nam explained, laughing softly. "That's why the other party sent their own secure car to pick her up. And do you know what that meant for us?"
Richard stepped up beside them, cracking his knuckles with a rare, satisfied smirk spreading across his usually stoic face.
"It meant," Mr. Nam chuckled, looking at Richard and Min Seok, "that Ma'am would be occupied for hours. And right now... we finally have plenty of free time to execute our own planning."
Standing outside the exclusive club, the three men exchanged a look and smiled simultaneously. The boss was gone, their secret schedule was clear, and their own hidden agenda was officially afoot.
Inside the quiet, plush interior of the speeding Mercedes, Siwon sat back. A faint, knowing smile played on her lips as she looked at the seat next to her.
An elderly Italian man sat there, radiating an aura of immense power and decades of experience.
"So, what is the problem?" Siwon asked politely but coldly. "Why did you call me out like this?"
The man smiled warmly. "It is wonderful to see you after such a long time, my child."
Siwon turned her gaze toward the closed window, her face lost in thought for a brief second before looking back at the man. "Did you call me out all this way just to tell me that?"
The old man looked slightly sad, searching her face with an emotional gaze. "Are you angry with me as well?"
Siwon chuckled softly. "Why would I be angry with you? The ones you crossed are the only ones who have the right to be furious."
"Then why haven't your men responded to my contracts?"
"They won't move an inch without the Boss's explicit permission," Siwon responded calmly.
The old man cut in, "Exactly! That is precisely why I called for you."
Siwon raised an eyebrow, interrupting him smoothly. "Then what are you even doing here in Korea?"
The old man softened his expression. "Just sorting out some urgent matters." He then looked deeply at Siwon and sighed heavily. "Francesca... you know our group only deals with your Boss. That is why I am here. Please talk to your Boss. Tell him not to cancel our weapons deals."
Siwon looked at him, her expression unreadable behind her red lenses. "Mr. Silvestro, you are older than me, so I respect you. But you know how the Boss is. He does not change his mind easily."
"That is why I am here, Francesca," Silvestro said gently. "Only you can change his mind."
Siwon thought for a moment, weighing the political stakes, before giving a slow nod. "Okay. Give me your list, and I will talk to him. But you must promise me that you will not use these weapons for bad things."
Mr. Silvestro let out a soft, weary laugh. "I stopped all of that a long time ago. Now, I just want to live a quiet life with my grandson."
Siwon's gaze softened just a fraction. "Alright. I will do it. Since you are flying back to Italy now, you should try to change the Boss's mind too."
"If he listens to me, I will," Mr. Silvestro smiled.
"He will listen," Siwon said softly. "After all, you are his best friend."
Mr. Silvestro broke into a grin, gently correcting her. "Nah... best brother."
Siwon raised her eyebrows slightly. "Yes... which explains exactly why the two of you fought."
They both laughed quietly, a rare moment of warmth between two powerful figures. Then, Silvestro looked at her, his eyes clouding with genuine worry. "You work too hard, Francesca. You should rest. You are still so young."
Siwon't smile disappeared instantly. Her eyes turned sharp and deeply expressive. "Age does not matter when it comes to work, Mr. Silvestro," Siwon said directly, her voice carrying a chilling weight. "You yourself have been fighting and struggling since you were a child to survive and get to this high position. And now, you are telling a person like me to stop working?"
Before Silvestro could find the words to reply, the car smoothly glided to a halt at the private airport terminal. Siwon looked out the window. "We are here."
She turned back to the old man, her posture returning to a display of profound respect. "Have a safe flight."
Mr. Silvestro nodded appreciatively. He stepped out of the car, flanked by some of his guards, to catch his evening flight back to Europe.
Left alone in the quiet backseat, the driver caught Siwon't gaze in the rearview mirror. "Miss Francesca, the Boss told me to drop you anywhere you want. Where should I take you?"
Siwon leaned her head back against the leather headrest, closing her eyes. She desperately wanted some quiet time to clear her mind before the storm hit.
"Take me to Bongeunsa Temple."
"Yes, Ma'am," the driver replied. He expertly shifted gears, steering the powerful Mercedes away from the airport and towards the peaceful, ancient temple nestled deep in the heart of the bustling city.