Sold to the seoul mafia king

The rain wouldn't stop. It poured over the streets of Seoul like the sky wanted to wash away every sin hidden in the city. Alessia Romano stood outside a small convenience store, clutching the thin straps of her backpack. Her apron was still tied around her waist from her shift at the cafe'. She had just finished cleaning tables when her phone started ringing. Dad. She stared at the screen. For a moment, she thought about ignoring it. But she answered. "Dad?" His breathing was heavy. "Alessia... don't hang up." Her stomach tightened. "What happened?" "I... I made a mistake." "You always make mistakes." Silence. Then she heard shouting in the background. Men. Angry men. One of them grabbed the phone. "So you're the daughter." Alessia's heartbeat stopped. "Who are you?" "Your father owes us two hundred million won." Her fingers went cold. "What?" "He gambled. He lost." "No... That's impossible." The man laughed. "Come to Dragon Street Warehouse." The line went silent for a second before he spoke again. "You have forty-eight hours." "If the money doesn't arrive..." "We'll collect something more valuable." The call ended. ... Her legs moved before her mind did. She ran. Rain soaked her clothes as she pushed through the crowded streets, ignoring the curious looks from strangers. Please... Please let him be alive. Twenty minutes later, she reached the abandoned warehouse. Two black SUVs were parked outside. Men in black suits stood by the entrance. None of them smiled. One stepped forward. "You came." "I want to see my father." He opened the metal door. Inside, the smell of cigarette smoke mixed with blood. Her father was tied to a chair. His face was bruised. "Dad!" She rushed forward, but another man blocked her. "No touching." Her father lowered his head. "I'm sorry..." "I'm so sorry..." Tears burned her eyes. "What did you do?" "I thought I could win it back." "You said you quit gambling!" "I know..." "I know..." A slow clap echoed through the warehouse. Everyone went quiet. An older man stepped out from the shadows. Expensive suit. Gray hair. Cold smile. Chairman Park. "So this is the daughter." His eyes slowly looked her up and down. "So much prettier than I expected." Alessia felt sick. "What do you want?" "The money." "I don't have two hundred million won." "I know." He smiled. "That's why I have another offer." She didn't like the sound of that. "What offer?" Chairman Park walked closer until only a few steps separated them. "There is a man." "A very powerful man." "He needs a wife." Her brows pulled together. "...What?" "A fake wife." The warehouse fell silent. She stared at him, waiting for someone to laugh. Nobody did. "This isn't funny." "It isn't supposed to be." "My life isn't for sale." Chairman Park chuckled. "You'd be surprised." He leaned closer. "Everything has a price." Before Alessia could answer, another black SUV stopped outside. The warehouse doors opened again. Every man inside immediately lowered his head. Even Chairman Park's smile faded. Heavy footsteps echoed across the floor. One. Two. Three. A tall man walked inside wearing a perfectly tailored black suit. His expression was unreadable. Dark eyes. Sharp jaw. A faint scar traced along his face. The room felt colder the moment he entered. No one dared speak first. Someone whispered, "Young Master Kim..." Alessia looked at the stranger. He looked back. Only once. His eyes stayed on her for less than a second. Yet somehow... It felt like he had already decided her future. Luca Kim didn't speak. He simply stood there with one hand in his pocket, his eyes moving from the bruised old man to Alessia. She hated how calm he looked. Like nothing in this warehouse could surprise him. Chairman Park cleared his throat. "Young Master Kim." Luca gave a slight nod. "You called," he said, his voice deep and emotionless. "I did." Chairman Park smiled politely, but Alessia noticed the tension in his shoulders. Even he seemed careful around this man. "I have someone who may interest you." Luca didn't answer. His gaze rested on Alessia again. She lifted her chin. She refused to look afraid. His eyes narrowed just a little. Interesting. Chairman Park walked between them. "Her name is Alessia Romano." "Twenty-two." "Art student." "Works as a barista." "Her father owes me two hundred million won." Luca looked at the old man tied to the chair. "Did he sign?" Chairman Park nodded. "He borrowed every won willingly." Alessia stepped forward. "I didn't!" Everyone turned to her. "My father's debt has nothing to do with me." "It isn't my responsibility." Chairman Park chuckled. "In a perfect world, maybe." "This isn't a perfect world." She clenched her fists. "So what?" "You expect me to sell myself?" "No." Chairman Park smiled. "I expect you to sign a contract." Luca finally spoke. "I'll talk to her." Chairman Park immediately stepped back. "Of course." The warehouse suddenly became quiet. Luca walked toward Alessia. Each step was slow. Measured. She wanted to move away. She didn't. When he stopped, he was close enough for her to notice the faint scent of cedar from his suit. His dark eyes met hers. "Do you want your father alive?" The question hit her harder than she expected. "...Yes." "Then listen." His voice never rose. "I need a wife." She blinked. "I don't need love." "I don't need loyalty." "I need a name beside mine." She frowned. "So... you want to buy one?" "I want a contract." She almost laughed. "You're insane." A guard beside them took a step forward. Luca lifted one finger. The guard stopped immediately. He looked back at Alessia. "You have spirit." "I don't know whether that's a compliment." "It wasn't." Silence stretched between them. Finally, Luca reached inside his suit and pulled out a black envelope. He handed it to her. She didn't take it. "Open it." Slowly, she accepted it. Inside was a neatly typed document. At the top, in bold letters— **CONTRACT MARRIAGE AGREEMENT** Her hands trembled. "This..." "It's real." She looked up. "You can't be serious." "I am." She flipped through the pages. One year. Public appearances. Live together. No revealing the truth. No breaking the contract. Compensation— Her eyes widened. Two hundred million won. Paid immediately. She looked at him again. "You'd pay my father's debt..." "If you sign." "And after one year?" "You leave." "That's it?" "That's it." It sounded too simple. Nothing involving men like him could ever be simple. "Why me?" For the first time, Luca hesitated. Only for a second. "My grandmother wants me married." Alessia stared at him. "That's your reason?" "It will satisfy my family." "And help my business." She shook her head. "There are thousands of women in Seoul." "There are." "So why me?" His answer came without emotion. "Because you need me." The words burned. She wanted to throw the contract in his face. Instead, she folded it shut. "I won't sign." Chairman Park sighed dramatically. "What a shame." He snapped his fingers. One of his men punched her father in the stomach. "Dad!" Her father cried out in pain, struggling against the ropes. "Stop!" Chairman Park smiled. "You still have forty-eight hours." "Every hour you refuse..." He nodded toward her father. "...he suffers." Alessia's eyes filled with tears. "You monster." "I prefer businessman." She turned back to Luca. He hadn't moved. Hadn't reacted. His face was as cold as stone. She couldn't tell if he approved... Or simply didn't care. Luca checked the expensive watch on his wrist. "I don't force people." He looked directly into her eyes. "You decide." He turned and started walking away. At the warehouse entrance, he stopped without looking back. "My driver will be outside tomorrow." "Nine o'clock." "If you're there..." "The contract begins." "If you're not..." "I'll assume you've made your choice." He walked out into the rain. Seconds later, the black SUV disappeared into the night. Alessia looked down at the contract in her shaking hands. Then at her father. Then toward the empty doorway where Luca had disappeared. Forty-eight hours. One signature. One year. Was saving her father... worth selling her freedom?