Episode 1. Unknown message

Feeling a chill run down her spine, y/n quickly scans the crowd, searching for any familiar faces. The bustling airport seems overwhelming, but she takes a deep breath to steady herself. She can't let fear control her—she’s a lawyer, a fighter.

With a determined stride, she makes her way through the terminal, her heels clicking against the polished floor, reminding her of the power she holds in her line of work. She reaches the baggage claim and grabs her suitcase, her mind still racing over the message. Could it be someone connected to her family? Or perhaps a rival from the Sung family?

Suddenly, her phone buzzes again, a notification lighting up the screen. It's from Lee Rim So, her mutual friend.

"Hey, just landed. Can we meet? I need to talk to you about something important," the text reads.

Y/n hesitates only for a moment before responding. "Sure, where?"

"Let’s meet at the café near the office. I’ll be waiting," Rim So replies.

---

Waves of nostalgia hit y/n as she walks through the streets of Seoul. The scent of street food wafts through the air, taking her back to simpler times. All the warmth and laughter shared with her family seem bittersweet now.

Arriving at the café, she spots Rim So sitting at a corner table, glancing around nervously. He looks up and a relieved smile breaks across his face.

"Y/n!" he calls out, waving her over.

As she joins him, she notices his usually calm demeanor is slightly ruffled, his hands fiddling with his coffee cup. “What’s going on? You seemed urgent in your text,” she asks, concern etching her features.

Rim So leans in, his voice lowering. “I heard rumors about the Sung family and their plans. They’re not just expanding their weapon supply, y/n; they’re going after the Kang family directly.”

Her heart races. “Are you sure? What do they want?”

“I think they’re looking for a way to undermine your family’s influence. There’s talk of a power shift in the underground world—a fight for control. You need to be careful. This could escalate quickly,” he cautions.

Y/n clenches her fists, the weight of the message and Rim So's warning settling heavily on her. She can feel the tensions simmering just beneath the surface, the kind that can lead to betrayal, violence… and danger.

At that moment, her phone buzzes again, and she picks it up, glancing at the screen. Another message from the unknown number: “Stay close to your friends, y/n. You never know who might turn on you."

Y/n looks up, her expression hardening. This was deeper than just a simple family rivalry; it was a game of chess where everyone was a player, and her past was the queen they wanted to capture.

She turns back to Rim So. “We need to gather more information. I’ll call in a favor with Ji Chang-wook and see what he can dig up.”

---

As the two friends plot their next move, y/n feels a sense of determination rise within her. She may have secrets buried deep within, but one thing is clear: she won’t allow anyone to hurt her family or friends. She is Kang y/n, and no one, not even the Sung family, can take that power from her.

---

Just then, a shadow flickers by the café window, and a tall figure steps in—a tall man with striking features, wearing an unmistakable lawyer's suit. It's Kim Taehyung. Their eyes meet, and for a moment, time slows down. There’s a connection that lingers between them—a mix of professional camaraderie and unspoken feelings.

“Y/n,” he says, a smile breaking through his serious facade. “Good to see you back.”

“Taehyung,” she replies, her heart beating faster. “I’m here for a case, but it looks like I might be in a little over my head.”

He raises an eyebrow, concern creeping into his gaze. “If you’re in trouble, you know I’m here to help.”

In that moment, y/n feels a flicker of hope. Perhaps with her friends and Taehyung by her side, she can face whatever storm is brewing on the horizon.

---

With renewed resolve, y/n asks, “Can you help us gather more intel on the Sung family? I need to know what we’re up against.”

Taehyung nods, seriousness washing over him. “I’ll make some calls tonight. We won’t let them take you down.”

---

As they share strategies over coffee, y/n realizes that the stakes are higher than she ever imagined, but surrounded by friends and allies, she feels capable. She’ll face the shadows of her past and the threat of the future head-on.

“Just remember, no matter what happens, you’re not alone in this,” Taehyung says, his eyes piercing through her facade.

And for the first time in a long time, y/n believes him.

---

As the afternoon sky begins to paint itself in hues of orange and pink, one thought lingers in her mind: the game had only just begun. And she would play to win.

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