The Kim estate buzzed quietly with activity on the morning of April 10th. Servants moved silently through the hallways, carrying trays of decorations, fresh flowers, and polished silverware. The living room was being transformed into something almost regal: thick velvet curtains were drawn aside to let streams of sunlight illuminate the sparkling chandeliers, and golden candelabras reflected light off the polished marble floors. Outside, the gardens were still shrouded in morning mist, giving the estate a serene, almost ethereal air.

Yet beyond the living room, the Kim estate felt unusually quiet. Upstairs, in a large, sparsely decorated room, Kim Yohan sat on his bed, sprawled lazily, staring at the ceiling. The sun filtered through the tall windows, catching the strands of his black hair, but he didn’t move. His mother, Kim Eunha, leaned against the doorway, arms folded, studying him with a mixture of irritation and concern.

“You don’t have class today?” she asked, raising an eyebrow.

“No,” Yohan replied without enthusiasm, his voice cold and clipped, as always. “I don’t want to go.”

Eunha sighed. “Today is your grandfather’s birthday. What gift do you plan to give him?”

Yohan’s eyes flicked briefly toward her, his expression impassive. “I have plans. Don’t worry.”

Eunha’s brow furrowed. There was something unnerving about her son’s detached attitude. He had grown up knowing he was the heir, knowing that the family fortune and all the responsibilities that came with it were his. And yet, here he was, casually dismissing the significance of the day.

Before Eunha could respond, a loud, high-pitched scream erupted from down the hall.

Yohan’s head snapped toward the sound. “What now?”

He was out of his room in an instant, his long legs carrying him quickly to the source. There, he found Nayeon, his cousin, pressed tightly against the wall, eyes wide with fear.

“Bro!!” she yelled, her small hands clutching his arm. “There’s a cockroach!! A big scary one!!”

Yohan blinked, clearly unimpressed. “Really? That’s what you’re scared of? A cockroach? Grow up already!” he scoffed, tugging lightly at her shoulder.

“But it’s… actually scary!” Nayeon pouted, stamping her small foot on the floor.

Yohan let out a long, exasperated sigh, shaking his head. “You’re hopeless,” he muttered. With that, he walked away, leaving her fuming and muttering to herself.

“Mean as always,” Nayeon said, crossing her arms

By 6 p.m., the estate had transformed completely. Guests had already arrived, filling the vast dining hall and sitting rooms with chatter, laughter, and the subtle clinking of fine china. Today was Mr. Kim Min-su’s birthday, a day of celebration, yet there was an underlying tension that none of the guests dared to speak of.

Min-su’s elder son had died years ago, leaving behind only a memory of what could have been. And the elder son’s only child, Kim Jun, had been lost sixteen years ago. For everyone, he was presumed dead.

Min-su’s remaining children were present. Eunha, his middle daughter, who had always been ambitious and proud, and Kim Hyun-woo, his youngest son, who had a gentle demeanor and was accompanied by his daughter, Nayeon.

The estate seemed to hold its breath, waiting for the patriarch to arrive. But minutes stretched into an hour. Min-su had been away in Gwangju for a few days for unknown reasons, yet everyone expected him back in time for the celebration.

Finally, the grand doors of the hall opened. Min-su entered—not alone. His tall frame carried a quiet authority, and his hand gripped the wrist of a boy standing beside him.

The boy had hazel eyes, dark brown hair, and delicate features that made him appear almost fragile. He was noticeably shorter than Yohan, and despite his calm demeanor, there was a subtle tension in his posture.

The chatter in the hall died almost immediately. All eyes turned to the man and the boy at his side.

“I am glad everyone is here on my special day,” Min-su began, his deep voice carrying easily across the room. “I have an announcement to make.”

He paused, allowing the weight of his words to sink in. “As you all know, my elder son and his only child died years ago, leaving nothing behind. But now… after sixteen years, I can say that my eldest grandson is not dead.”

Gasps echoed across the room. Faces went pale. Eunha’s eyes widened in disbelief. Even Hyun-woo’s gentle expression faltered, though he quickly masked it with polite composure.

“I have discovered that my grandson is alive,” Min-su continued, his voice unwavering. “Everyone, meet my eldest grandson and the rightful heir to my position: Kim Jun.”

The hall erupted into a mixture of murmurs, shocked whispers, and stunned silence. Jun stepped forward hesitantly, unsure of how to react, his hands curling at his sides.

Eunha snapped, her face flushing with anger. “Father! You can’t just pick a boy from the streets and claim him as our blood!”