Chapter Text
Zoey had been fidgeting with the hem of her dress since they’d turned the corner.
“Zoey, stop. You’re making it worse,” Mira said, eyes on the road, fingers loose on the steering wheel as the light turned red.
“I’m not. This dress is making me worse. Who even wears silk, Mira? Silk! It’s like the fabric equivalent of a diva—wrinkles if you breathe near it—”
“—or look at it funny,” Mira finished, smirking as she threw Zoey a sideeye. “You’ve already told me. Twice.”
Zoey groaned dramatically. “Because it’s true! Why am I even here? You know I’m terrible in personal settings. You should’ve brought Rumi—wait, why didn’t you bring Rumi? This is her thing! She’s diplomatic. She’s political. She probably has that Korean etiquette book memorized! Like that’s why she’s front and center of Huntrix! She could talk to a wall and get invited to brunch. Me? I’m—”
“—my plus one,” Mira cut in easily.
Zoey’s mouth opened, then closed. Leave it Mira to make her heart stop so casually. “…You still should’ve asked Rumi. Watch me trip over my own tongue and make you look bad.”
Mira shot her a quick glance. “Oh Zo, there’s nothing you could possibly do that would make me look bad. You’re invited because I wanted you with me. That’s it.”
Zoey turned back to the window, hiding the heat creeping up her neck. “You make it sound so simple.”
“That’s because it is,” Mira said, shifting the car into gear as the light turned green.
Zoey tilted the visor down and flipped open the mirror, running a quick check on her lipstick.
“So…” she began, eyes still on her reflection, “what is this event again?”
From behind the wheel, Mira’s gaze stayed forward, “It’s a family garden party luncheon thing. Supposed to be a tight friends and family mixer. But most likely it going to be a business deal. So… business as usual.”
Zoey arched a brow, snapping the visor shut. “Business as usual meaning you smiling at random strangers pretending you give two nuts about them when you actually don’t?”
That earned her a small nod from Mira. “You’ve been paying attention.”
“Why are you even going? Don’t you usually sit those out? You’ve rejected every one of them this year.”
“Yeah,” Mira said, leaning into the turn onto a quieter street. “But it’s my brother that invited me. This is his first event and I’m not ditching him.”
“You got a soft spot for your brother.” Zoey shifted in her seat to face her more directly. “So who’s going to be there? Like, specific, besides your brother and your parents.”
“Some uncles, aunties, a few friends,” Mira said, though the way she bit out the words ‘a few friends’ made Zoey suspect it was anything but. “You know, people in high places. He’s been on the Board for 5 years now.”
Zoey studied her profile, the way Mira’s jaw tensed just slightly as she spoke. “Board of what again? The—uh—”
“Electronics,” Mira said shortly. “Manufacturing, distribution. They’ve got hands in almost everything. Phones, components, you name it. We could be selling microwaves to astronauts for all I know and care.”
“Okay. So, they’re basically the people who make the things that make the world work.” Zoey gave a low whistle, then something clicked. “Oh my god Mira. I’ve known you since forever, you’ve never told me you’re part of the chaebol.”
“It doesn’t matter.” Her eyes stayed on the road, but her knuckles had gone just a shade whiter against the wheel. “Yeah. And they expect me to keep it working on their terms.”
Zoey caught that. “And HUNTR/X isn’t on their terms.”
Mira kept silent.
“Oh, wow. Wait… this is a lot to process. I can’t believe my friend—no, my best friend—is part of the chaebol and I didn’t even know. So… you could buy me a car if I asked?”
“I’m not like that, Zoey. And if you really wanted a car, you could just call Bobby. It’s not like you can’t afford one.”
Zoey laughed. “But what if I wanted it green, with turquoise turtles—diamond turtles—flown in from Germany? You’d get it for me then?”
“Zoeeeeey.” Mira rolled her eyes, but there was a faint smile tugging at her lips.
A moment passed, Mira taking another turn, before her tone’s back to business. “Okay, now that you know my little secret, I’m going to have to run you through a few things before we step into that mess.”
Zoey blinked. “Like what?”
“For starters—if anyone asks, that dress is a custom Valentino Garavani.”
Zoey’s head whipped around. “Wait, a custom one!? How? Mira! That’s going to add to my anxiety, what if I spill something on this!?”
Mira didn’t even look away from the window, but Zoey caught that little smirk, almost looking like she’s proud of herself.
The silence gave Zoey enough time to think. “Wait, how do you even know my measurements?”
“Wardrobe keeps track of our measurements and I just had to ring up Bobby before I had it ordered months ago.”
Zoey gaped. “Hold on. Hold on. Months ago? You planned on me coming along months ago?”
“Yes, Zoey. I did.” Mira finally turned, her eyes steady. “So, stop questioning yourself. Walk in like you belong. Don’t fidget, don’t apologize, and please never let them think you’re impressed. Even if you’re impressed.”
Zoey swallowed. She couldn’t even win one poker game, how would she survive an event without breaking an expression? Oh well, she’s gonna have to leave that part to Mira. “Right. Chaebol etiquette 101.”
Mira’s voice softened. “I know this isn’t like our HUNTR/X events or concerts or whatever. These people aren’t fans, they’re not our support—they’re a totally different breed. But you don’t need to worry. Just stay close to me. If anyone tries to come for you, they’ll have to get through me first.”
The words hit harder than Zoey expected. For a second, the car air conditioning didn’t seem cool enough, until Zoey realized that it was only her cheeks and her neck that flared up at the statement.
“Right… yeah. Got it.” She’s convincing herself that it’s just Mira being well… Mira.
Mira leaned back, expression unreadable, but her words lingered. “Now let’s get to the party.”
The moment they stepped onto the estate’s manicured lawn, Zoey’s jaw fell open. She had expected a family gathering, maybe some wine and garden chairs. Instead, this was a stage set for royalty. Crystal lanterns draped the trees, string quartets played under silk canopies, and waiters in pressed white gloves floated past with silver trays.
“Extravagant,” she breathed, trying not to stare. “Whoa, and the people here dress it up.”
Zoey’s eyes landed on an older couple by the garden lights. Their suits were pressed sharp, the woman’s earrings catching the glow with each turn of her head. Even standing still, they looked expensive. But then her gaze drifted away from them, landing on Mira—and suddenly the world seemed to sharpen around her. Now that she knew Mira’s background, she looked so much more different. Every detail—the Chloé off-white two-button tailored jacket, the high-rise flared trousers, the gold-framed glasses, the single pair of gold Tiffany knot earrings—added a subtle touch to Mira’s elegance.
But then again… Mira had always been elegant.
She shook her head slightly, trying not to focus on Mira, bringing her eyes back to the elderly couple. “Who’re they?”
Mira barely looked around. “That’s Uncle Hoon and Aunt So-jin. Imports. Built their empire shipping other people’s goods.”
“Those earrings look like it costs an arm and a leg. And probably a head too.”
Mira scoffed. “Please, Zoey. You could buy those without thinking twice. Want me to get you a pair?”
Zoey laughed. “Only if they’re turtles, and oh, they have to be green!”
She shook her head, still grinning, but the sparkle of diamonds and sharp suits all around reminded her she was miles out of her depth. Mira didn’t seem fazed at all by this, in fact, Mira walking along the mass of people seemed like she belonged.
Her eyes shifted to another man across the lawn, surrounded by people who seemed eager to please him. “And him? Another relative?”
Mira’s chin lifted slightly. “My cousin Min-jae. Shopping malls. He probably owns half the country’s weekends.”
Zoey tried to take it all in. Everyone was draped in designer clothes—some brands so exclusive she couldn’t even place them—and glittering jewelry that caught the light like it belonged on a runway. The sheer weight of wealth in the room pressed on her chest. Each time Zoey would ask, Mira answered without hesitation, rattling off names—influential, formidable names—the empires they controlled, even rough estimates of their net worth.
Her gaze snagged on a young man nearby, champagne flute in hand, smile most likely worth another million. He didn’t look like Mira—no sharp jawline, no clear, steady eyes, not even the same grounded build. He might be what Mira was referring to as friends. “What about him? Friends of yours?”
Mira scoffed, then a dry little laugh. “Friends? Sure. More like the excuse for this whole parade.”
Zoey blinked. “Meaning?”
“The port family,” Mira said simply, her eyes sliding past them like they weren’t worth her time. “My brother’s probably cozying up to their son. Cut import costs, save millions. That kind of thing.”
“Okaaay,” she answered, noting her disdain. “Does the son have a name?”
“Hyun-woo.”
“You don’t like him one bit,” She noted, causing Mira to give her a small nod. Zoey looked again at the man in the center. Tall, broad-shouldered, his smile—perfect. His hair—perfect too.
One thing stood out. There was no ring on his hand. “He looks like an eligible bachelor. No wife?”
Mira shrugged, her mouth twisting. “Eligible, maybe. Worth anything? No. Just another typical chaebol heir that believes that anything on the planet can be bought.” Her eyes skimmed over the man once, then slid away.
“Mira!”
They turned. “Oh—Jae-hyuk.”
Her brother walked over, crisp in a tailored blue suit that looked expensive even to Zoey’s untrained eye. He reminded her of Mira, that natural confident stride, but his aura felt more grounded, compared to Mira’s demanding presence.
He greeted her briefly before mentioning their parents were inside. Then he lifted a hand, signaling someone over who gave him a little wave before he approached.
“You remember Hyun-woo?” Jae-hyuk said.
Mira gave him a quick once-over. No smile, not even turning to face him. “Hard to recognize without mud on his face.”
Hyun-woo pressed a hand to his chest, letting out a small laugh. “I could say the same. It isn’t Mira without the matching bruises on her knees and forehead.” His gaze shifted, landing on Zoey. He dipped his head slightly. “And you must be a friend of Mira’s. It’s a pleasure.”
Before Zoey could say anything, Mira cut in. “She’s not just a friend, Hyun-woo.” Her tone was smooth, but the edge was there, her hand brushing Zoey’s arm as if to anchor her. “Zoey’s with me. Back-off.”
Hyun-woo’s smile didn’t falter, but his eyes lingered a moment longer on Zoey before he looked back to Mira. “Of course. Anyone close to you must be remarkable.”
Jae-hyuk stepped in quickly, his voice light. “All right, let’s not make introductions into sparring matches you both.”
“Now, Mira,” Jae-hyuk said evenly, cutting in before she could reply. “Behave.”
It was subtle, but Zoey caught it. Mira’s brother’s eyes betrayed the smile on his face. It was a warning. Mira didn’t flinch one bit. Instead, she met him with a gaze just as intense.
“No need to apologize, Jae-hyuk. Mira’s edge is what defines her. Though in certain rooms, sharpness can cut the wrong way. I’m sure you understand?”
Before Mira could say another word, a clear chime rang through the patio.
“Ah, perfect!” Jae-hyuk clapped his hands together. “Lunch is ready,” he said, then leading Hyun-woo towards the dining hall. He looked back briefly, eyes toward Mira. “You know where you sit, right?”
“I’m not dumb, Jae,” Mira shot back, venom in her tone.
Jae-hyuk only smiled, unbothered. He turned his back toward Mira as he disappeared into the sea of the crowd with Hyun-woo in tow.
Zoey leaned closer once they were far enough. “Okay… what just happened there? I’m with you? And you’re having this argument with your brother with your eyes? Like, the stuff I’ve only seen in K-dramas—and it always comes with dramatic background music.”
Mira exhaled through her nose, keeping her eyes on the backs of her brother and his companion. “The summary? Hyun-woo’s trouble, and my brother’s… invested in him right now. Additionally, I don’t want him anywhere near you.”
Zoey blinked. The words were blunt, protective, and they landed heavier than Mira intended. Before Zoey could respond, the press of guests began flowing toward the dining hall, waiters ushering them along.
Mira finally turned to Zoey, her hand brushing lightly at the small of her back. “Come on. We’ve survived introductions. Now we just have to survive lunch.”