Chapter 33: The Gathering of the Storm
The downtown district of the Academy island was a shimmering sprawl of architectural marvels, but no place was more exclusive than the high-end designer boutiques that lined the main thoroughfare. While most Prime Candidates had opted for the “Entertainment Style” screening—renting out cinema halls with flashing lights, loud fanfare, and a crowd of cheering students to witness their first sexual encounter with their guide—Jun’s approach was entirely different.
Or rather, Sora’s approach was different.
Sora had eschewed the loud, public spectacle in favor of something far more intimate and prestigious. She had arranged for the screening to take place within one of the Tsukama Group’s flagship boutiques. The store was a sanctuary of minimalist luxury, with white marble floors, gold-leaf accents, and a silence that felt heavy with wealth. Sora had personally overseen the rearrangement of the private fitting rooms, converting them into opulent, soundproof viewing suites. Each room was equipped with a high-definition screen and plush velvet seating, ensuring that the girls who accepted Jun’s invitation would see his performance in total privacy, far from the prying eyes of the general student body.
Hana Lee was the first to arrive.
She stepped out of her car and into the boutique, her heels clicking softly against the marble. To any onlooker, she was the “Nation’s Sweetheart”—bubbly, radiant, and wearing a smile that could melt ice. But as she was greeted by the bowing clerks and led toward the private waiting area, Hana’s mind was far from bubbly.
She scanned the boutique, noting the same high-end branding and the specific layout. She didn’t need a map to know this was a Tsukama Group property. A flicker of irritation sparked in her chest. Jun was a man of simple tastes; he wouldn’t have bothered with the logistics of a venue, let alone picked something this meticulously curated.
That thieving cat, Hana thought, her smile remaining fixed while her eyes grew cold. Sora thinks she can mark her territory by picking the place. She thinks that by playing the ‘perfect guide,’ she can secure her spot as the only woman Jun needs.
Hana’s possessiveness flared. She had known Jun since they were children, sharing secrets and long-distance calls that had sustained her through her isolated upbringing. She viewed herself as the only one who truly understood him. To her, Sora was an intruder—a pampered socialite who had simply stepped into a role that should have belonged to Hana.
As Hana was ushered into the lavish waiting room, she sat on the edge of a velvet chair, her legs crossed, tapping a finger against her chin. She was alone for only a few minutes before the chime of the front door echoed through the boutique.
A second car had arrived.
Mei Lin stepped into the building with a poise that bordered on the imperial. She was dressed in a tailored suit that accentuated her long, model-like legs and her sharp, authoritative presence. Behind her, two of her most trusted subordinates followed in perfect synchronization, their expressions stoic and their movements precise.
The atmosphere in the room shifted instantly. If Hana was a spark of energy, Mei Lin was a wall of ice.
As Mei was guided into the waiting room, she paused, her gaze sweeping over the space. Her eyes landed on Hana. For a moment, the two women locked eyes.
Hana felt an immediate surge of hostility. She saw in Mei Lin a different kind of threat—not the corporate power of Sora, but a raw, strategic dominance. Hana looked at the tall, lean woman and felt a spark of genuine rivalry. Another one, Hana thought, her eyes narrowing. Another girl who thinks she can just slide into Jun’s life.
Mei Lin, for her part, felt the hostility radiating off Hana like a heatwave. She didn’t flinch. In the world of the Shanghai Triads, hostility was the default setting. She had dealt with assassins, corporate spies, and vengeful heirs; a pouting, bubbly girl from Korea was hardly a threat.
Mei looked at Hana and saw a “harmless” girl—someone who relied on charm and fame rather than power. She didn’t find Hana intimidating; she found her quaint. To Mei, the competition wasn’t about who had the longest history with Jun, but who could offer him the most value.
The silence in the room was thick, a taut string waiting to be snapped. Neither woman spoke; they simply existed in the same space, measuring each other’s worth in a silent, psychological war.
The tension was finally broken when the boutique manager entered the room. She was a middle-aged woman of impeccable grace, bowing deeply to both guests.
“Welcome, Miss Lee, Miss Lin,” the manager said, her voice smooth and professional. “We are honored to have you here. I assume you are both here for the scheduled viewing? If you are ready, I can guide you to your respective viewing rooms.”
Hana stood up, her “Nation’s Sweetheart” smile returning, though it didn’t reach her eyes. “I’m ready,” she chirped, though her tone had a sharp, competitive edge.
Mei Lin rose slowly, her movements fluid and commanding. She didn’t look at Hana as she spoke. “Lead the way,” she replied, her voice a cool, low contralto.
As the manager led them down the hallway, each woman was guided into her own private suite. The doors clicked shut, sealing them in separate rooms.
Inside, the screens flickered to life. The image of Jun and Sora appeared—the first encounter, the moment of total surrender.
Hana leaned forward, her breath hitching as she watched the man she had longed for for years. Mei Lin crossed her legs, her gaze calculating as she watched the “Prime” in action. The screening had begun, and while the rooms were separate, the war for Jun’s attention had officially moved from the airport to the inner sanctum of his world.