[Opening panel – A sleek, high-rise office. Jinwoo is in front of a large screen, running through data on his latest project. The city skyline gleams in the background. His fingers swipe across the screen with swift precision, the weight of his new plans already in motion.]

Narration (Jinwoo):

“Every decision, every move—calculated. This time, I won’t repeat my past mistakes.”

“The only way forward is to build what I should’ve built all those years ago. No distractions. No more false friends.”

---

[Panel – Jinwoo’s phone buzzes. The name “Seo Mira” flashes across the screen, a reminder of their conversation at the gala.]

Narration (Jinwoo):

“She’s dangerous. I can’t let my guard down.”

“But right now, I need her. She’s the key to the next step.”

---

[Panel – The setting shifts. A chic, private restaurant. Seo Mira waits at a corner table, her posture confident but inviting. Jinwoo approaches, his expression unreadable. She’s dressed in a tailored black dress, looking every bit the powerful woman she is.]

Seo Mira (with a sly smile):

> “I was wondering when you’d show up.”

“I figured you’d be the type to keep me waiting.”

Jinwoo (sitting down across from her, his eyes cold):

> “I’m not here to play games, Mira.”

“You said you were following my rise. What’s your game in all this?”

Seo Mira (smirking, leaning back in her chair):

> “My game?”

“I’m not here to play with you, Jinwoo. I’m here because I know what you’re building.”

“And I’m interested in how I can profit from it.”

---

[Panel – A close-up of Jinwoo’s face. He’s reading between her words, seeing her motivations clearly. But there's something else in her gaze—something he can't quite figure out.]

Narration (Jinwoo):

“She’s not as simple as she seems. She’s a player—no, she’s the one making the moves behind the scenes.”

“But I’m not here to dance around with her.”

---

[Panel – Seo Mira slides a folder across the table to Jinwoo. He opens it, revealing blueprints, projections, and connections to some of the largest companies in the country.]

Seo Mira:

> “I’m offering you more than just my name, Jinwoo. I’m offering you a path to the top.”

“I know the right people. I know the players. And I can get you in the door. But it’ll cost you.”

Jinwoo (raising an eyebrow):

> “You want a stake in my empire. But what do you really want, Mira?”

Seo Mira (smiling with a touch of mystery):

> “I want power. Just like you. I want to see the world change.”

“But I’ll only get there if I’m on the winning side.”

---

[Panel – Jinwoo’s gaze hardens. His fingers tap the table as he contemplates. He’s not in a position to turn down an ally—especially one with such resources—but he won’t trust her just yet.]

Narration (Jinwoo):

“She’s too smart. Too calculated. I can’t let her pull me into a web of manipulation.”

“But I also can’t afford to lose this opportunity. Not now.”

---

[Scene changes – Jinwoo’s office. His team is gathered around, analyzing the new information from Seo Mira’s files. Everyone is focused, but there’s a palpable tension in the air. One of his analysts, Jae Min, points to a map of business connections on the wall.]

Jae Min (pointing at a few names):

> “These companies… they’re untouchable. If we go after them without backing, we’ll crash hard. But with Seo Mira’s connections…”

“We might actually stand a chance.”

Jinwoo (stepping forward, his voice resolute):

> “Then we’re taking a chance.”

“But no one else gets to control this empire but me. Understand?”

---

[Panel – Jinwoo’s eyes flash with determination. The flicker of an old ambition rekindles in him. He knows exactly where he’s going now.]

Narration (Jinwoo):

“There’s no turning back. I’ve seen the future, and I know the way forward. I will not fail this time.”

---

[Panel – The next morning, Jinwoo is in his car, looking out the window at the sprawling city below. His phone buzzes again. Another message from Seo Mira.]

Message (from Seo Mira):

> “You’re thinking too small, Jinwoo. Get in the game. Don’t just play with the pieces. Own them.”

---

[Panel – Jinwoo’s face hardens as he reads the message. The city feels colder now, more distant, as he realizes that he’s not just playing to win—he’s playing to rewrite the rules.]

Narration (Jinwoo):

“I’m not just here to build a company. I’m here to rebuild an empire from the ground up.”

“But I won’t stop there.”

“This time… I’ll own everything.”

---

[Final panel – A figure watches from a distant rooftop, a shadow that’s been lurking in the background since the beginning. His eyes glow faintly red again. The darkness grows ever closer.]

Narration (Jinwoo):

“I can feel it. The darkness is closing in.”

“But I’m not scared anymore.”

“This is my game now.”

---