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Han Soo-ah’s hands trembled as she clutched the eviction notice. The bold red letters screamed at her—FINAL WARNING. PAY YOUR RENT OR LEAVE.

She bit her lip, feeling the weight of her empty pockets. Working part-time at a café barely covered food, let alone the overpriced rent her landlord demanded. But she had no one—no family, no friends rich enough to help.

That night, she was jolted awake by loud knocks at her door. Her heart pounded as she hesitated before opening it.

Her landlord, Mr. Kang, stood there with a sinister smirk. “You have no money, Soo-ah. But don’t worry, I found another way for you to pay your debt.”

Before she could react, two large men stepped forward. One grabbed her wrist, the other covered her mouth. Her screams were muffled as they dragged her outside.

She was shoved into a black car. The air inside was thick with tension, and the driver said nothing as the car sped through the neon-lit streets of Seoul. Panic clawed at her chest. Where were they taking her?

After what felt like forever, the car stopped in front of a towering mansion—cold, intimidating, and far too luxurious. The gates opened automatically as they drove in.

The moment the car door opened, she was pulled out and dragged inside. The grand living room was dimly lit, the air scented with expensive cologne and danger.

And then she saw him.

A man sat on the plush leather couch, his black suit crisp, a silver watch glinting under the chandelier. His dark hair was perfectly styled, but it was his piercing blue eyes that made her breath hitch. Cold, calculating, and dangerously unreadable.

“Lee Ji-hoon…” Mr. Kang’s voice wavered slightly. “This is the girl. Consider her payment for my debt.”

Soo-ah’s stomach dropped. What?

Ji-hoon leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees as he studied her like a predator sizing up its prey. His lips curled into a smirk.

“So, you’re mine now.”

Soo-ah’s blood ran cold. What had she just been sold into?

“W-What?” she stammered, her voice barely above a whisper.

Her whole body felt frozen, her legs too weak to move. This had to be a mistake—this couldn’t be happening.

Ji-hoon sighed as he leaned back against the couch, his long fingers tapping against the armrest. “You heard him,” he said lazily. “He owed me money. He didn’t have it. So he gave me you instead.”

Her breath came in shallow gasps. Like I’m an object… a thing to be traded.

She turned to Mr. Kang, eyes burning with anger. “You can’t just sell me like this!”

Mr. Kang merely shrugged. “You had no money. What choice did you leave me with?”

Ji-hoon chuckled, the sound deep and smooth. “He’s right, you know. You were going to be homeless by tomorrow.” His gaze darkened. “At least now, you have a place to stay.”

Soo-ah’s fists clenched. “I’d rather be on the streets.”

Ji-hoon’s smirk didn’t falter. If anything, it deepened as he tilted his head, amusement flickering in his cold blue eyes. “Brave.” He stood up slowly, his towering frame making her feel even smaller. He walked toward her, each step echoing in the silence.

Instinctively, she stepped back.

Wrong move.

In the blink of an eye, Ji-hoon grabbed her wrist, yanking her forward. She gasped as she collided with his chest—firm, warm, yet intimidating. His grip was strong, but not painful. He leaned down, his lips just inches from her ear.

“You don’t get to choose, Soo-ah.” His voice was a whisper, but it sent a shiver down her spine. “You belong to me now.”

Her heart pounded so hard she thought it would break through her ribs. Her breath came in uneven gasps as she stared up at him, his face too close, his scent intoxicating.

She hated how her body reacted.

No. I need to get out of here.

“Take her to her room,” Ji-hoon ordered, stepping away. The spell was broken, and she exhaled sharply, her body finally able to move again.

One of the guards grabbed her arm. “Let go of me!” she protested, thrashing against his grip.

Ji-hoon sighed. “Don’t fight it, Soo-ah.” He shot her one last glance, his blue eyes filled with a dangerous promise. “You won’t win.”

Tears stung her eyes as she was dragged away. She didn’t know what awaited her in this house, in this life…

But one thing was certain—she had just stepped into a cage she might never escape.

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