Empire of Desire: The Showbiz Tyrant

Kang Yura had never felt smaller than she did walking through the heavy, soundproof door marked Staff Only behind Haven Noir.

Her manager, Oh Sejin, was sweating bullets beside her, his comb-over slicked dark with fear. Two enormous men in tailored suits — arms inked with swirling dragons that disappeared under starched cuffs — led them down a narrow corridor lined in red velvet. Each step muffled the pounding bass that throbbed through the walls.

Yura clutched her tiny clutch bag like it was a lifeline. Her heart raced.She'd thought they were coming to negotiate an agency debt. Not to be marched like cattle through some mafia corridor, where the perfume was too rich, the air too thick with cigarette smoke, and the floor felt like it sloped right into hell.

When they finally emerged into the heart of Haven Noir's private lounge, her breath caught.

It was decadence incarnate: gold fixtures gleamed in the dim light, plush leather booths cradled men with loose ties and sharp eyes, and everywhere, the slow, seductive swirl of dancers in sheer bodysuits. Glass tables sparkled with crystal decanters and blood-red cocktails.

And at the center of it all sat Seo Jinhyuk.

He was alone at a sprawling table littered with contract folders and half-finished drinks, looking devastating in a black dress shirt unbuttoned just enough to reveal a line of sculpted chest.

He didn't rise. Didn't even glance at Manager Oh.His eyes went straight to Yura, pinning her like a knife through silk.

Manager Oh cleared his throat, voice cracking."Mr. Seo, thank you for agreeing to this meeting. We, uh, we're prepared to discuss repayment schedules for the agency obligations—"

Jinhyuk didn't answer right away. He picked up a tumbler, swirled the amber liquid lazily. Then he looked at Yura — slow, assessing, like he was appraising livestock.

"Miss Kang Yura." His voice was soft. Dangerously soft. "You understand your agency is in default, yes?"

Yura swallowed. Her throat felt sandpaper dry."Manager Oh said… there were delays. But we're expecting new campaigns, once the summer catalog—"

Jinhyuk's low laugh cut her off. It was a dark, decadent sound, echoing off the gilt mirrors.

"New campaigns?" He leaned forward, elbows on his knees. "Your agency is six months behind on interest alone. Over ₩300 million won. With guarantees signed against future income you'll never earn fast enough to cover."

Manager Oh made a pitiful noise, half groan, half plea."Mr. Seo, surely we can restructure, if we can just—"

Jinhyuk lifted a hand. The older man snapped his mouth shut like a puppet on cut strings.

"Busan no longer holds this note," Jinhyuk said smoothly. "I purchased it at a premium last week. That means your agency — and by extension, Miss Kang here — now answers to me."

He shifted in his seat, sprawling back with lazy arrogance.The silk of his shirt pulled across his chest, distracting and cruel.

Yura felt her stomach drop, as if the plush carpet had been yanked from under her feet."You… own our debt?"

"Every won." Jinhyuk's eyes glinted. "Including the private sureties you signed — hospital bills for your mother, the co-signed lease on your apartment. All tied neatly to the agency's umbrella."

The club seemed to darken around her.Yura's ears rang. She thought she might vomit.

"But… but you can't just… take my—"

"I can," Jinhyuk interrupted softly. "And I have."

He signaled. One of the suited men stepped forward, placing a sleek black folder on the table. The paper inside looked far too thin to hold her entire future, yet it might as well have been iron shackles.

Manager Oh was already bowing, shoulders shaking."Yura, please. Mr. Seo is offering us a lifeline. If you'll just cooperate—"

"Cooperate?" she whispered. Her hands trembled so hard she nearly dropped her purse."With what?"

Jinhyuk tilted his head. His gaze dipped, dragging over her body — the modest cream blouse, the tailored skirt that hugged her hips, the delicate chain at her throat.

"Your image, your appearances, your contracts. Your smile on my arm when I say so. And yes…" His voice dipped, a warm blade sliding between her ribs."Your private company when I decide it's required. Consider it… assurance on my investment."

Yura sucked in a shocked breath."Are you serious? That's… that's prostitution—"

"It's business." Jinhyuk leaned forward, so close she could smell his cologne — dark wood and something sharper, almost metallic."And don't be dramatic. I'm far more generous than the men who would've come to break your legs next week. Sign this, and your mother keeps her treatments, your agency keeps breathing, and you… keep existing in Seoul's glittering little world."

Silence crushed her.

She could hear the faint thud of the bass through the walls, could see dancers laughing in cages overhead. Somewhere in the distance, a champagne cork popped, a woman giggled. The world kept turning, oblivious to the way hers had just shattered.

Her eyes darted to Manager Oh, hoping for some shred of rescue.He only bowed deeper, avoiding her gaze, a coward clinging to the lifeline Jinhyuk tossed them.

Yura felt the tears sting hot behind her eyes.Her mother's face swam up — so fragile in that hospital bed. If the bills stopped…

Her hand hovered over the pen.

Jinhyuk reached out, took her wrist in his long, strong fingers. The warmth of his grip made her shudder. He guided her hand smoothly to the contract.

"Good girl," he murmured, voice like velvet over broken glass. "I knew you'd be reasonable."

She signed. It felt like signing her body away.

When she looked up, Manager Oh was already backing toward the VIP door, bowing repeatedly."Thank you, Mr. Seo, truly, we'll ensure Yura keeps to schedule, we—"

"Oh, Manager Oh," Jinhyuk said, almost kindly. "You misunderstand."

The older man froze.

"I'll be keeping Miss Kang tonight. We have… finer points to discuss. Alone."

Manager Oh blanched."O-of course. Yura, be good—"

And then he was gone, escorted out by the two silent bodyguards.The heavy door clicked shut, sealing her fate.

Yura stood trembling by the lavish table, surrounded by sin — the faint scent of sweat, cigars, sex. Jinhyuk watched her like a satisfied cat, eyes half-lidded, lips curved in a cruel promise.

"Sit, Yura. Order something strong. You'll need it. Tomorrow, you're coming to my penthouse. But tonight…" His smile widened, slow and wicked."Tonight, we begin."