BENEATH THE RIVALS STARS

PRETTIEST BROTHER 2

Chapter two:The Prettiest Brother

: The Princess Returns

The drive back to the Han Group Mansion felt too long for three-year-old Han Yoo-Jin. She was usually delighted by the sheer scale of the family's luxury sedan, but tonight, she was preoccupied. The world of jewels, gowns, and corporate whispers was instantly forgotten. Only one image remained: the still, beautiful, cold face of Kwon Ji-Hoon.

She sat quietly, occasionally touching the back of her tiny hand, remembering the strange, firm warmth of the older boy's palm. He hadn't pulled away. He hadn't laughed. He had just looked at her, and in that look, she had felt a connections stronger than anything her life of constant pampering had offered.

When they finally arrived, the mansion was not silent. Her older brother, Han Jun-Woo (age 10), was waiting by the sweeping staircase, arms crossed, his brow furrowed in a manner that already suggested the heavy responsibilities of a future Chaebol heir.

"Yoo-Jin," he scolded, his voice serious. "You ran away from Mother on the floor. That's not how a Han should behave at a formal event."

Yoo-Jin looked up at her brother, who was already her first protector and primary authority figure besides her father. Normally, his disapproval would merit a pout, but tonight, she had a defense.

"I had to go to him, Oppa," she stated simply, pulling off one of her expensive shoes to rub her foot.

"Go to who?" Jun-Woo asked, bewildered.

"The beautiful brother. Kwon Ji-Hoon," she announced, the name sounding perfect on her lips. "He is the prettiest. And he's mine now."

Han Jun-Woo froze. The Kwon name was a curse word in their house—a synonym for their father's most annoying, relentless competitor. His younger sister had just declared ownership over the rival heir.

"No, Yoo-Jin," Jun-Woo said sternly, kneeling to her level. "You are never to talk to a Kwon. Especially not their son. They are... well, they're annoying brats."

Yoo-Jin stamped her foot—the one still wearing the pearl-embroidered shoe. "He is not annoying! He is a prince! And he's mine!"

Section 2: The Patriarch's Warning

The argument was cut short by the booming arrival of their father, Han Seo-Joon. He was still riding the wave of competitive aggression from his run-in with Kwon Hyuk-Jin at the gala.

"My princess! You're home!" he exclaimed, sweeping Yoo-Jin into a strong hug. He kissed her forehead, then noticed the agitation on Jun-Woo's face. "What's wrong with the heir? Did the Kwon boy breathe in your direction again, Jun-Woo?"

Jun-Woo sighed, knowing his sister's stubbornness had already set the course. "Father, Yoo-Jin was talking to Kwon Ji-Hoon tonight. She says he's 'hers.'"

The atmosphere in the grand foyer instantly cooled. Han Seo-Joon's face, usually softened by fatherly adoration for Yoo-Jin, hardened into pure corporate rage. This wasn't about a child's crush; this was about the audacity of the rival heir daring to touch his greatest treasure.

He set Yoo-Jin down and looked at her seriously—a rare moment of severity.

"Yoo-Jin," he said, his voice low and firm. "You are a Han. The Kwon family... they are thieves. They would take anything of ours. They have no taste, no honor, and no dignity. You do not talk to them, you do not look at them, and you certainly do not say they are yours."

Yoo-Jin looked at her father, confused by the sudden rejection of her "prettiest brother." She felt the sting of injustice. Her father always gave her what she wanted, but he was forbidding her this.

Her eyes welled up, and she relied on her most effective weapon. "But I like him," she whispered, her voice trembling. "I want him to be my friend."

Han Seo-Joon melted, instantly regretting his sternness. He scooped her up again. "No, no, my jewel. Daddy will buy you ten better friends. The Kwon boy is an annoyance. We will forget him." He glared over Yoo-Jin's shoulder at Jun-Woo. "Ensure this is understood, son. She is never to interact with that family again."

Yoo-Jin, cradled safely against her father, knew one thing with absolute clarity: her father had forbidden her wish. She was the princess who always got what she wanted. This was simply a challenge. She might not be able to talk to him in public, but she wouldn't forget her "pretty brother."