Yeri blinked. The KV Global Group? The tech giant with global subsidiaries?
"Which KV Global Group?"
Shin smirked. "Is there another one?"
Yeri stared at him, suspicious. "Wait… you're the CEO of that KGG?"
"Hm."
Secretary Yun puffed his chest with pride. Ah, finally! Recognition!
Until—
"A baby like you runs a mega-conglomerate? You're a stand-in, right?"
Shin didn't know whether to laugh or flip the car. Baby?! Was that an insult or a twisted compliment?
"You've got a real bias against CEOs."
"Well, rumor says the KGG CEO is a handsome but notorious woman-hater." Yeri squinted at him. "You're mean, but you don't hate women."
Secretary Yun bit his lip to stop a laugh. Justice! Boss finally met his match.
Shin shot him a glare that could freeze lava and turned back. "When was I mean to you?"
"Since you woke me up!"
Secretary Yun gasped. They really were together last night!
Honestly, Yeri didn't care if he was a CEO or a mailman. Once she got out, they were done.
"Aren't you going to ask my name?" Shin frowned.
Was she not into him? Was that… a thing?
"Okay. What's your name?"
"Shin Keir."
Yeri tilted her head. That name…
Shin Keir—heir to the legendary Keir family. Perfect face. Perfect résumé. Terrifying personality.
Wait—Keir?
"You're the son of the Keir family? So your dad is the CEO of KGG?"
Shin smiled.
Yeri pointed. "So you're definitely a stand-in."
Secretary Yun nearly swerved. This girl was killing him. Slowly.
"Whatever suits you," Shin said, deadpan.
"Great. Are we almost there?"
"It's rush hour. Got something urgent?"
"I want to sleep."
"Then sleep. I'll wake you up."
Yeri yawned. Okay… maybe the godlike dog isn't so bad.
"By the way, are you married?"
Shin nearly bit his tongue. WHAT?!
Do I look like a married man? Am I a villain in her head?
"What do you think?! If I'm married, you'd be my mistress!"
Another violent coughing fit from the front. Secretary Yun was going to need medical leave.
"Oh, I just wanted to confirm," Yeri said nonchalantly.
"I'm not!"
"Good. Then I'm not a mistress. You're a decent guy."
Shin: "…"
Somehow, numbers were exchanged, and the car finally stopped at SC University.
Yeri didn't see any harm. Maybe they'd be… friends. With benefits. Ahem.
"Thanks for the ride. I'll get off here."
A strong arm suddenly pulled her back.
"???"
"Why don't you get to know me?" Shin said, voice low.
Huh? This godlike dog was desperate to be adopted. What was he doing now?
Then he pulled out his phone and showed her search results.
"…"
Yeri blinked at the screen, then at him.
"You Googled yourself to prove your identity?"
"I just made your life easier," Shin said smugly.
Yeri's dumbfounded look was priceless.
So, the CEO of KGG is... not the father but the baby?!
He's not a stand-in either? What kind of plot twist is this?!
Damn, nepotism strikes again!
"The old and bald shareholders didn't mind? That must've been a challenge—working with a retirement home full of egos!"
Shin: "…"
Secretary Yun: "…"
"I think your worries are flying in the wrong direction," Yun added, deadpan.
Is this the legendary generation gap? Or just office drama at its finest?
The irony? His boss really doesn't get along with those old, bald shareholders. They practically break into a cold sweat at the mention of his name—like vampires dodging sunlight.
Shin's face darkened. He'd momentarily forgotten that this woman's brain worked like a maze with extra trapdoors. And yet, here he was—tolerating her.
Why was he even trying to impress her?
"It's noon. Eat something before you pass out."
With a 3:00 PM meeting ahead, there was still plenty of time to feed her before she collapsed from dramatic flair.
---
[A Day Earlier]
In front of a full-length mirror stood a young woman, disheveled in a pink T-shirt with hair like a bird's nest, lips the color of despair, and eyes barely open—but somehow, the chaos only emphasized her blinding beauty.
The past few years had been brutal. Her frail health and a mysterious illness had forced her to move back home from her dorm just a month ago.
Doctors poked, tested, and scratched their heads. Nothing.
But today—her 18th birthday—something changed. Not only did she feel great, but even the mirror seemed to do a double take.
Yeri tilted her head, eyes distant. "So I was a succubus…"
Sudden health boost? Check. Glowing skin and drop-dead looks? Check. Flashbacks of a past life where she seduced men like it was her job? Also, weirdly, check.
Apparently, she was a full-blown succubus in a previous life. A very hot one. Though the details were fuzzy—how she died, how she reincarnated—minor issues.
This second life wasn't half bad. Wealthy, doting parents. A mansion. Good skincare.
She paced in front of the mirror, admiring her new self—sculpted features, fair skin, and a figure that screamed "genetic lottery."
"Do I have irresistible charm now?" she giggled, cupping her face.
Who wouldn't want to be born with cheat-code-level beauty?
And hey, if you're handed supernatural charm and killer looks on a diamond platter, might as well make use of them, right?
She pondered other possible succubus perks. Memory manipulation? Mind control? She shrugged. No rush. Step one: celebrate feeling alive.
Besides, the last thing she wanted was to accidentally hypnotize her parents into letting her get a pet tiger.
She grabbed her pink notebook and wrote down a new to-do list:
1. Shopping spree (urgent)
2. Pick up a new hobby
3. Move back into the dorm
4. DATE
The thought of dating made her eyes sparkle. Her succubus DNA purred in agreement.
After jotting down goals and taking a shower, Yeri stepped out—famished and unsuspecting of the furry tripwire waiting for her.
"Carpet!" she squealed, nearly face-planting over the golden retriever lounging like a doormat.
The dog wagged his tail proudly. Best. Doorstop. Ever.
"Princess?"
She turned to see her mother—Madam Zhi—carrying a vase, probably headed to pick fresh flowers.
"Need help, Mom?"
Madam Zhi blinked, eyes welling up. Wasn't this girl half-dead yesterday?
"Mom? What's wrong?"
Without a word, her mother embraced her, gently touching her face like she couldn't believe it.
"No pain? No discomfort?"
"Nope! I feel amazing. It's a miracle!"
Madam Zhi sniffled, "Your new medicine must be working wonders."
Yeri: If only it were the meds... but sure, let the pill take the glory.
They went to the garden together. Madam Zhi insisted on doing the flower-picking while Yeri chatted away. Truth be told, Madam Zhi wasn't her biological mom—her real mother died in a car accident. At first, they didn't get along, but over time, Yeri saw that her stepmother truly cared.
Also, she was the only child—and that wasn't going to change. So, lucky her: doting family, full inheritance.
News of Yeri's miraculous recovery made it to the kitchen. The chef nearly cried into the broth as he whipped up her favorite dishes.
Later, Klaus Zhi—Yeri's stern but secretly soft father—came home. The family gathered at the table. The chef could've opened a buffet with all the food Yeri requested.
Klaus tried to look serious, but his eyes betrayed him.
"You need a check-up," he said.
"I'm fine now."
"It's routine. We need to make sure the illness doesn't return," he insisted.
Yeri sighed but agreed. No harm in getting a clean bill of health.
"Oh! Dad, I want to move back into the dorm. I've missed too much already."
"Who's going to feed you there? And take your meds?" Madam Zhi objected, horrified.
"We'll talk later," Klaus said, effectively ending that discussion.
"Now that you're well, let's talk about your debut! It's time to plan your grand 18th birthday!"
"Can we just do a quiet dinner?"
Madam Zhi gasped as if Yeri had just suggested canceling Christmas.
"You're an adult now! You need a proper introduction to society. A debut is like waving a flag that says, 'I'm Zhi royalty!'"
"If you don't help plan your debut," Klaus interjected, "then you can start interning at the company."
Yeri choked on her meat. Excuse me?!
"Klaus, are you serious? She just recovered!" Madam Zhi scolded.
"She needs direction. She has no career goals, no social life—her friends can be counted on one hand."
"Because I was bedridden!" Yeri wanted to yell.
"She's smart and beautiful. It's enough that she marries into a good family," Madam Zhi declared proudly.
Klaus: "Smart?"
Yeri: "…" Am I adopted?
"How about the jewelry boutique?" Klaus suggested.
Madam Zhi perked up. "Yes! She can help me design our new collection!"
Yeri thought it over. Extra money sounded nice. "Okay, I'll try!"
"Also, help out at the cafe. It's good training."
Yeri stared blankly. Was she being punished for surviving?
She glanced at her planner. Some dreams would have to wait.
---
[Sin City]
Welcome to Sin City, capital of Caelum Country—where luxury has a penthouse and even the pigeons wear designer shoes.
This city doesn't sleep; it throws money at insomnia. Home to towering skyscrapers, Michelin-starred food, fashion that makes your wallet cry, and technology so advanced it could probably file taxes for you.
It's the kind of place where dreams come true—if your dream is to live extravagantly and never check your bank account balance.