BIDDING ON LOVE
A week later, Junho found himself at a high-profile charity ball hosted by SM Foundation, another event he had meticulously planned to attend. The ballroom was opulently decorated, with glittering chandeliers and elegantly dressed guests mingling and sipping champagne. Junho spotted Yoona almost immediately. She was talking to a group of philanthropists, her red off shoulder gown flowing elegantly as she moved.
He made his way over, a glass of champagne in hand. “Good evening, Ms. Lim. We really must stop meeting like this,” he said, his voice smooth and charming.
Yoona turned to him, her eyes narrowing slightly. “Mr. Lee, good evening to you too. It seems we keep running into each other at these events. Almost as if it is planned.”
Junho chuckled, raising his glass. “Pure coincidence, I assure you. Though I must say, you look stunning tonight.”
Yoona’s expression didn’t soften. “Thank you. You’re not so bad yourself. And you look… well, you look like you’re up to something.”
“Can’t a man compliment a beautiful woman without being accused of ulterior motives?” Junho asked, his tone teasing.
“Not when that man is you,” Yoona replied bluntly. “Let’s cut the act now, Mr. Lee. I know what you’re up to.”
He sighed dramatically. “Always so suspicious. What if I just really enjoy your company?”
“Right, and I’m the Queen of England,” Yoona said dryly. “I know this is still about our discussion last time. You really should let it rest.”
Yoona wanted him to know that she knows what he was trying to do. And more importantly, she wanted to send the message that she is not that easily distracted. She felt Junho studying her and his response was not what she expected.
“I know we started off on the wrong foot, and I haven’t given you much reason to like me,” he admitted, his voice softening. “But maybe we can find a way to rectify that. I hope it’s not too late for a do-over?” he asked, extending his hand.
His question hung in the air for a few seconds. Yoona studied him for a long moment, her eyes searching his. Finally, she sighed, a mix of exasperation and reluctant intrigue.
“I agree. We definitely started badly. Sure, let’s do a do-over,” she pursed her lips into a tight smile and took his hand with a firm and unyielding grip.
Junho smiled back and took a step closer, their hands still clasped. “You know, Ms. Lim,” he murmured, his voice low and intimate, “I find your determination incredibly attractive. Since we are starting over, do you think we can continue our talks about the Salvation Necklace?”
Yoona felt a flush rise to her cheeks, momentarily speechless at the intensity in his gaze. She quickly recovered, pulling her hand back. “Flattery will get you nowhere, Mr. Lee. If you want this ‘do-over’ to be successful, I suggest you save your charming tricks for someone else.”
“This is me asking nicely, Ms. Lim,” Junho said, leaning in closer, his breath warm and seductive against her ear. “What if I offer you something in return?”
Yoona’s irritation flared, realizing he was still playing games. She stepped back, her eyes cold. “I already offered you a deal, Mr. Lee. A deal you could still accept instead of stubbornly refusing. But other than that, I’m certainly not interested in playing any of your games.”
Junho’s smile tightened, barely concealing his growing frustration. “You really like acting tough, don’t you, Ms. Lim?” he asked, his voice edged with irritation. “But sure, I like a challenge.”
Yoona rolled her eyes and shot him a sassy retort, “Well, you can keep liking it from a distance. Now, if you’ll excuse me from our short-lived ‘do-over’, I have actual business to attend to.”
She turned and walked away, leaving Junho standing there, his expression a mix of irritation and reluctant admiration. He downed the rest of his champagne, his mind racing. Yoona Lim was proving to be more difficult than he had ever imagined.
As the night wore on, Junho watched Yoona from across the room, noting how effortlessly she navigated through conversations, her confidence and poise drawing people to her. He couldn’t deny that she was impressive. But her constant rebuffs only fueled his determination to break through her defenses.
Junho navigated through the crowded event, his practiced smile and charm winning nods and waves from the high-profile guests. The ballroom buzzed with conversation and laughter, but his attention was elsewhere, fixed on the mission he had set for himself: finding a way to break through Yoona Lim's defenses and reclaim his family's heirloom necklace.
Excusing himself from a conversation with an investor, Junho stepped out onto the terrace to take an urgent call. The party lights sprawled out inside, providing a momentary distraction from the mounting tension inside.
He ended the call and was about to slip his phone back into his pocket. As he made his way back into the ballroom, Yoona’s familiar voice stopped him in his tracks. The disdain in her tone immediately caught his attention, drawing him closer without her noticing. He paused just out of sight, listening as she spoke to a group of elegantly dressed women.
"You wouldn't believe the nerve of some people," Yoona said, her voice dripping with contempt. "Junho Lee, for instance. He waltzes in with that smug grin, thinking he can charm anyone into doing his business."
The women around her chuckled, nodding in agreement.
"Typical of someone born with a silver spoon in his mouth," Yoona continued. "He's just a spoiled brat who thinks the world owes him everything. And don't get me started on his womanizing ways. He flirts with anything that moves, like his Casanova tactics are a substitute for real effort."
Another woman laughed. "Sounds exhausting. Does he ever take no for an answer?"
"Not easily," Yoona replied, rolling her eyes. "He's persistent, I'll give him that. But it's more annoying than anything else. He's all charm and no substance. Always looking for the easy way out, never willing to put in the hard work."
A third woman leaned in, her curiosity piqued. "What about his business acumen? Surely he has some redeeming qualities?"
Yoona scoffed. "Redeeming qualities? Please. He rides on the coattails of his family's name and fortune. He might look the part, but underneath that polished exterior is a man who's never had to struggle for anything. It's pathetic, really."
The women murmured in agreement, their expressions a mix of amusement and disdain. Junho's jaw tightened, anger bubbling up inside him. He stepped forward, unable to remain silent any longer.
"And here I thought we were having a lovely evening," he said, his voice loud enough to make Yoona and the others turn in surprise.
Yoona's eyes widened, a flash of embarrassment crossing her face. "Mr. Lee," she said, her voice strained. "I didn't see you there."
"I gathered as much," he replied, his tone icy. "Enjoying yourself, I see."
Yoona quickly excused herself from the group, making her way toward the garden terrace. Junho followed, his anger barely contained. They walked in silence until they reached the pool area, the sounds of the party fading into the background.
"What exactly do you think you're doing?" Junho demanded, his voice low and furious. "Bad-mouthing me to your friends? How professional of you."
Yoona spun around, her eyes blazing. "Oh, you're one to talk about professionalism. Flirting and charming your way through everything? It's insulting that you think those tactics would work on me."
"Insulting?" Junho echoed, his frustration boiling over. "You think you know me? You know nothing about me."
"Oh, I know enough," Yoona shot back. "You're exactly what I said you are: a spoiled brat and a womanizer. You think everything should be handed to you because of your family name."
Junho's anger flared. "And you think you're so perfect, don't you? So high and mighty with your know-it-all attitude. You're just a pick-me girl, desperate for approval."
"Pick-me girl?" Yoona's voice trembled with fury. "I work hard for everything I have. I don't need approval from anyone, especially not from someone like you."
Their heated exchange escalated, voices rising in the otherwise quiet night. Neither noticed the curious glances from the guests inside until a loud thud drew their attention. In her frustration and embarrassment, Yoona turned around, ready to walk out of that awkward situation. Junho, not yet done giving her a piece of his mind, had reached out to grab Yoona's arm, but she dodged and accidentally slapped his hand that was still holding his phone, causing it to slip from his grasp and fly into the pool.
For a moment, there was stunned silence. Then, the murmur of the partygoers grew louder as heads turned toward the commotion. Yoona took a deep breath, her expression a mix of anger and resolve.
The unfortunate event left her speechless… But her shock was fleeting. She straightened her spine, transforming from stunned to steely in a heartbeat. A glacial glare pierced him as she turned, her heels clicked on the marble floor, her every movement radiating a controlled fury.
Junho was too furious to form coherent words. He watched her walk away, the embarrassment and rage swirling inside him. His phone lay at the bottom of the pool, a symbol of the disastrous confrontation.
The guests inside whispered and stared, but Junho couldn't bring himself to care. He felt humiliated, but more than that, he was seething with anger at Yoona. She had managed to get under his skin in a way no one else ever had, and he hated her for it.
As the night wore on and the event continued, Junho stood by the pool, the cool air doing little to soothe his temper. He knew this wasn't over. Yoona Lim was a challenge he couldn't ignore, and he was determined to find a way to win, no matter the cost.
Chapter Three | Chapter Five
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