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Chapter 12 - 12. Beneath the Surface.

Shan's lips moved with a deliberate slowness, his tongue tracing circles around Ingrid's hardened peaks. His fingers followed suit, teasing, flicking, twisting—just enough to keep her on edge.

"Not bad for a 35-year-old woman," he murmured against her skin. "Ripe like fine wine... though I wonder, is the poison in its scent, or somewhere deeper?"

Ingrid clenched her jaw, fighting the moan bubbling in her throat, but the betrayal came in a shaky breath. It was just like before—like that night in the hotel. Shan had an uncanny way of finding her weak spots, of pulling responses from her body before her mind could resist.

"F— you," she spat, though the words lacked conviction.

Shan chuckled, his voice dark, knowing. "Oh, but you don't really want that, do you?"

His hands drifted lower, skimming along the curves of her body with a possessiveness that sent a shiver through her. Ingrid hated how easily he unraveled her, how much control he had—yet, somehow, she couldn't pull away.

Not yet.

Shan pressed his teeth against her nipple, biting down just enough to send a sharp jolt of pleasure through Ingrid's body. She gasped, her back arching instinctively as heat flooded her veins. She could feel herself responding uncontrollably, her body betraying her restraint.

"Heh, too easy," Shan murmured, his voice thick with amusement. He claimed her lips again, this time deeper, hungrier. Their tongues tangled, Ingrid hesitating at first, but Shan led with dominance, guiding her into his rhythm. She hated how easily he controlled the pace—how effortlessly he made her surrender to him.

His fingers slid lower, parting her with deliberate slowness. The moment he touched her, Ingrid's breath hitched, her body tensing before melting into his hands. A soft, helpless moan escaped her lips.

"Get on top," Shan ordered, his tone laced with smug satisfaction.

She hesitated, but the command in his voice made her move. As she straddled him, her breath caught in her throat. Up close, she finally saw him—thick, hard, and as intimidating as he had claimed. He had boasted about his size before, but now, feeling it twitch against her stomach, doubt flickered in her eyes.

Shan smirked, catching her reaction. His hands slid up her thighs, gripping them possessively.

"Scared?" he teased, his voice dark and taunting.

Ingrid swallowed hard, her pulse racing. Was she?

Or was it something else entirely?

"Psh, please. I took it once, and I'll do it again, asshole," Ingrid shot back, her voice brimming with confidence.

She guided him in, taking it slow—but Shan quickly grew impatient. With a smirk, he gripped her hips and plunged into her in one swift motion.

"Ahhh!" Ingrid cried out, her nails digging into his shoulders as a surge of overwhelming sensation crashed through her. She hadn't expected it to feel this intense, this deep. Her body trembled, adjusting to his size, her breath coming in ragged gasps.

Shan watched her reaction with amusement, his hands gripping her waist firmly. He could see the way she struggled to process the sensation, the way her body clung to him. Slowly, he began to move, rolling his hips in a controlled rhythm.

"I may be an asshole to you," he murmured, his voice low and teasing, "but I'm merciful sometimes."

Ingrid clenched her teeth, her body still quivering from the sudden intrusion. "F— you, dipshit!" she scowled, refusing to let his sweet words get to her.

Shan only chuckled, his grip tightening. "Yeah, yeah. F—you back as well," he whispered before thrusting deeper, making her body shudder all over again.

"But it looks like you're enjoying this," Shan teased, his pace quickening just a little.

"No... I'm not... you bastard!" Ingrid scowled, trying to maintain some semblance of control.

Shan smirked. "Yeah? Then why are you moving your hips like that?" He reached up, grabbing the back of her head, pulling her into a deep, forceful kiss.

"Bastard!" Ingrid muttered between kisses, her body betraying her as she responded to the rhythm.

"Yeah, yeah, I'm your bastard," Shan teased, his grip tightening on her ass, urging her to move more fiercely.

Ingrid's movements became more frantic, her breaths quickening as the intensity between them built. They were both nearing the edge, their bodies pushing toward that peak.

The moment came, and with a final, desperate kiss, their release hit simultaneously, both of them holding onto each other tightly, feeling the heat and tension dissolve into a shared climax.

After they had both readjusted their clothes, Shan's expression grew serious. "But I'm serious though. Rae Yoorin will be a huge problem if we don't do something about it."

Ingrid looked at him, her expression unwavering. "That won't happen," she replied with confidence.

Shan raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Oh? Sounds like you've got a plan. I'm looking forward to seeing it. Till then, see you next week." His tone lightened, playful again, as he opened the door and stepped out of the car.

Ingrid watched him leave, her mind already shifting to the task ahead. She couldn't afford to let Rae Yoorin slip through the cracks.

Shan, on the other hand, disappeared into the night, heading home, leaving behind the sense that the game was just beginning.

The next day, Saturday, Shan was up early, preparing for his meeting with the salesperson about the penthouse. The location was perfect—just four blocks away from Gangnam Street, closer to his workplace, making his daily commute much more convenient.

The meeting with the salesperson went smoothly, and by the end of the day, Shan had successfully bought the penthouse for 350 million Won. He couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction as he finalized the deal. It was a major step forward, and the new place was everything he could have hoped for.

On Sunday, Shan wasted no time. He packed up his belongings and called the moving company to have everything transferred to his new home. It was a busy day, but by evening, everything was in place.

He had picked up some new furniture—a sleek, modern sofa for the living room, a king-sized bed for comfort, and a flatscreen TV to unwind in front of after a long day. Of course, he couldn't forget his PlayStation 5; gaming was a passion, and this new home needed to feel like his sanctuary.

As the evening settled in, Shan looked around, content. Everything was in its place, and his new life was officially underway.

After a long day, Shan took a relaxing shower and enjoyed a hearty dinner with soju, letting the alcohol help him unwind. Once he felt relaxed, he sat down at his laptop to take care of a few things.

Shan smiled to himself as he planted a powerful virus on the video file—a security measure just in case Rae Yoorin ever tried to hire a hacker into his laptop. "Just in case she tries something like that," he muttered, his fingers flying over the keyboard as the virus was set in place.

Once that task was done, Shan switched gears and dove into his stock analysis. The markets had been a mix of wins and losses, but by the end of his session, he had netted 20 million Won. He transferred the money into his bank account and shut down his laptop, feeling satisfied with his success for the day.

As he lay in bed, his mind wandered to Ingrid. He wondered what kind of plan she had in place for Rae Yoorin. A smile tugged at his lips as he imagined the potential. Whatever it was, he was sure it was going to be good.

Monday morning at the headquarters, Rae Yoorin found herself being reprimanded in front of everyone. She had been caught trying to snoop through Shan's bag during the staff dinner at the restaurant, and now she was being fined 500K Won for her actions.

Shan sat quietly in the meeting room, his eyes briefly glancing toward Rae Yoorin. A small smirk tugged at his lips. He knew what was coming for her, and he was enjoying watching her squirm.

As the meeting began, Rae Yoorin couldn't shake the thought of the video she had seen on Shan's laptop in the restaurant's restroom stall.

This explains everything, she thought, her mind racing. If Shan had something like that on Ingrid, she was completely helpless. In Rae Yoorin's mind, the situation was far bigger than she had ever realized.

Her thoughts spiraled as she considered her options. "Should I report it to HR and get both of them fired?" she wondered, a dark idea forming. "Or would it be better to call the police? No, I can't do anything without solid evidence."

Her internal conflict was palpable as the meeting continued, her mind clouded with the weight of what she had seen and what it could mean. "I need that video. But how I am going to get close to Shan?"

Just then, Ingrid spoke up during the meeting, her voice calm but carrying an undeniable authority. "Regarding the sexual harassment presentation that Shan has been appointed to," she began, glancing around the room. "I'd prefer it if a woman could handle it instead. It would be much more effective."

"Any volunteers?" Said Ingrid.

Just then, a hand was raised—Rae Yoorin's. "Yes. I'll do it," she said, a self-assured smirk spreading across her face. In her mind, this was the perfect chance to get closer to Shan again, maybe even find a way to retrieve that video—or perhaps uncover something more useful.

She didn't notice the subtle exchange between Ingrid and Shan—the faint smirks they shared, a silent understanding passing between them.

Unbestknowned to Rae Yoorin, she had just stepped right into their trap.

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