2.

Kim Jihye descended the grand staircase with the effortless grace of a queen, the soft drape of her neutral-toned silk blouse echoing the structured elegance of her tailored trousers. She settled onto the velvet sofa, her presence commanding an immediate, quiet gravity in the room.

"Kims, focus," she said, her voice smooth but laced with an authority that brooked no argument. "Sit."

Across from her, two men complied: her husband, Taehyun, a man of fifty whose steady gaze reflected decades of corporate maneuvering, and their twenty-three-year-old son, Taehyung.

"Of course, my dear," Taehyun replied, his deep voice resonant against the marble halls.

Taehyun was a cornerstone of the Kim Empire, balancing his seat on the Board of Directors with his direct oversight of the Kim Group of Industries as they aggressively expanded across the UK and beyond.

While he and his father, Tae-Oh, strictly enforced the family mandate—that every member must cultivate, run, and master their own independent business entity—Jihye’s portfolio was equally vast.

Beyond the cutting-edge aesthetic of Kim Fashions, she juggled the HR department at the University of Seoul and the logistical complexities of Kim Travels.

"I require both of you home by 3:45 pm sharp," Jihye announced, her expression radiating poise. "We are addressing the university’s first official assembly, and I expect total attendance, Chae-Yeong and Joon-Hyun will be there as well."

Taehyun reached out to take her hand in a silent vow of compliance. Jihye then shifted her gaze to her son. "Taehyung, that includes you."

"Yes, Eomma," the twenty-three-year-old replied, his voice a rich, dusky baritone.

Taehyung was the second son of the household, a business major currently navigating his studies at the University of Seoul.

He was a striking figure—standing at 6’2” with sleek, raven hair and light, caramel-colored eyes. His frame was lean and athletic, possessing the kind of effortless magnetism that made him a standout among the extensive Kim lineage.

As he moved toward the door, a sudden, sharp call echoed from the driveway. "Tata!"

Taehyung paused, watching as his younger sisters, the twins Junghee and Younghee, tumbled out of a car. The car was then driven into the family's grand garage.

At seventeen, the girls were the youngest and most pampered of the Kim clan. Despite their youth, they were brilliant, currently navigating their final year at the National School for Prodigies with the kind of high-IQ intensity that set them apart from their peers.

With jet-black hair falling to their waists and the clear, dove-eyed features they had inherited directly from their mother, they were the portrait of youthful elegance.

"Tata, be a dear and drop us off?" Younghee asked, leaning against the window of his black G-Wagon.

Taehyung raised an eyebrow. "Where is your personal driver? Didn't he just drive off?"

"He isn't feeling well, so we sent him home," Junghee chimed in with a grin. "We’re your passengers today."

"Get in," Taehyung sighed, masking his amusement. "And quickly."

As the G-Wagon pulled away, the silence was broken by the sharp ring of Taehyung’s phone. He tapped the dashboard, and the car filled with the voice of his older brother, Seokjin.

"Jin!" the twins shrieked in unison, their earlier composure dissolving into high-pitched excitement.

"Younghee? Junghee? Why are you two with Taehyung?" Seokjin asked.

At twenty six years old, he was already a seasoned player in the family business, helming Kim Textiles and Kim IT Solutions from abroad, though he was currently wrapping up his MBA in the United States.

"They're driver's sick," Taehyung explained, navigating the morning traffic. "I’m taking them to school."

"Fair enough," Seokjin replied, his tone shifting to something more purposeful. "Listen, I wanted to give you a heads-up. I’m flying in today."

Taehyung blinked, surprised. "Today? I thought you weren't due until next week."

"Eomma insisted I make it for the assembly," Seokjin said with a trace of a dry laugh. "I’m meeting some associates this morning, but I’ll be landing by 4:00 pm. I’m heading straight to the event."

"Perfect," Taehyung began, but the twins quickly seized the conversation, cutting him off to trade rapid-fire pleasantries with their cousin before the line went dead.

As he pulled up to the school gates, Taehyung shot his sisters a look. "We’ve arrived. Out you go, you two—try not to cause too much trouble before the assembly."

"No promises!" The twins yelled back.

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