Tempting The Heir

CHAPTER 3 — Dangerous Assignment

Lana almost dropped the folder in her hands when she heard her name being called.

“Come in.”

Director Han’s cold voice came from behind the glass door of the main office.

Lana’s heartbeat immediately sped up.

She still hadn’t calmed down since her first meeting with Kris last night.

Even this morning, she kept remembering his sharp gaze, like he could see straight through someone’s thoughts.

And that was bad.

Because Lana was never the type of girl who got nervous around handsome men.

Honestly, she barely even had time to think about men.

For twenty-three years, her life had only been about studying, working, and paying bills just to survive.

Romance only existed in TV dramas.

“Sit down.”

Lana quickly bowed politely before sitting in front of Director Han’s desk.

The room was quiet.

Director Han stared at the tablet in his hand before finally looking up.

“I heard your first meeting went… interestingly.”

Lana swallowed hard.

That sentence sounded like a trap.

“I’m sorry if last night I-”

“Kris Lee wants you.”

Lana froze.

“Excuse me?”

Slowly, Director Han placed the tablet down.

“He requested you to become his assistant stylist for this week’s photoshoot and interview project.”

Lana felt like she heard wrong.

“That… that’s impossible.”

“That was my reaction too.”

Director Han leaned back in his chair.

“Kris Lee often asks for new staff. He once replaced a stylist in the middle of a project just because he was in a bad mood.”

Lana immediately remembered the man’s cold expression from last night.

His sharp eyes full of pressure.

That dangerous aura filling the entire room just because he was standing there.

“Why me?”

“That’s what I want to know too.”

Director Han smiled faintly.

“But it’s a good opportunity.”

Hearing that made Lana’s stomach twist uncomfortably.

This opportunity wasn’t for her career.

It was for the mission.

Getting close to Kris. Making him interested. Making him leave the entertainment world and inherit his family company.

Lana gripped her black skirt tightly.

She still couldn’t believe she had agreed to a mission like this.

She didn’t even know how to manipulate people, flirt properly, or play with someone’s feelings.

“Lana.”

“Yes?”

“Get close to him slowly.”

Director Han’s expression turned serious.

“If there’s anyone who can change Kris Lee’s mind… it’s probably a woman.”

Lana’s breathing felt heavier.

For the first time—

she was genuinely scared.

………

That night, Lana stood stiffly in front of Kris Lee’s private penthouse building.

She held a garment bag for tomorrow morning’s fitting.

The building was ridiculously luxurious.

The lobby was filled with glossy black marble and dim golden lights that looked too expensive to even touch.

Lana felt completely out of place.

One of the male staff members escorted her to the top floor before stopping in front of a large black door.

“Just go in. Mr. Kris is waiting for you.”

-Waiting for me? That sounds terrifying.-

Lana took a deep breath before entering the password she’d been given.

The door slowly opened.

The first thing that greeted her was silence.

The penthouse was way too large for one person.

Dark-colored interiors filled the room.

The tall windows showed the sparkling Seoul skyline at night.

There was a faint scent of alcohol in the air.

For some reason, the place felt cold.

Like a house no one truly lived in.

Lana walked carefully while holding the heavy garment bag.

“Hello?”

No answer.

Until a deep voice came from behind her.

“So you came.”

Lana flinched and quickly turned around.

Her breath caught instantly.

Kris Lee was already standing a few steps away from her, dressed casually in all black.

His hair was still slightly wet, like he had just showered.

Without makeup, cameras, or spotlight—

Kris somehow looked even more dangerous.

At forty years old, he should’ve looked older.

Instead, he had the kind of charm that made it impossible to look away.

His calm gaze only made Lana more nervous.

“G-Good evening.”

Kris stared at her for a few seconds before walking closer.

“Why are you so nervous?”

“I’m not nervous.”

“You’re holding that bag like you’re going to war.”

Lana’s face immediately heated up.

Kris laughed softly, his low voice echoing through the room.

“Cute.”

Lana tried ignoring her increasingly unstable heartbeat.

“I came for your fitting tomorrow.”

“Hm.”

Kris sat casually on the large sofa while staring at Lana without blinking.

Lana quickly opened the garment bag so she wouldn’t have to look at his face too long.

“Then please try this suit first.”

Kris stood up without saying much.

Lana instantly regretted how close he was standing.

His tall frame and overwhelming presence filled the space between them.

She tried focusing while placing the suit onto his shoulders.

-I have to stay professional.-

Her hands moved quickly, fixing his collar and sleeves.

Kris didn’t move at all.

He just kept watching her.

Lana started getting awkward on her own.

“Are you always like this?”

Lana looked up, confused.

“Like what?”

“Nervous around men?”

Lana immediately pulled her hands back.

“I’m not trembling.”

“Really?”

The corner of Kris’ lips lifted slightly.

-Damn it, he’s embarrassing me again.-

Lana stepped closer again to fix the collar properly.

Big mistake.

Kris’ perfume filled her senses.

Warm. Expensive. Intoxicating.

They were way too close now, close enough for Lana to clearly see his sharp jawline again.

“You’ve never dated before?”

The question nearly made Lana choke on her own saliva.

“What?”

“You look like someone who’s never been touched by a man.”

Lana’s entire face turned red.

Kris watched her before chuckling again.

For some reason, it felt like he genuinely enjoyed her reactions.

“Why do you keep teasing me?”

“Because you’re easy to tease.”

The answer came way too quickly and casually, like it was the simplest fact in the world.

“Raise your arm a little.”

Kris obeyed.

Then suddenly—

he grabbed Lana’s wrist.

She froze instantly.

His touch was warm and large, making her mind go blank for a second.

Kris looked straight at her.

“Why did they send a new girl like you to handle me yesterday?”

Lana’s breath caught.

That question came out of nowhere.

And it was dangerous.

Kris wasn’t stupid.

He was used to being used by media, women, companies, even his own family.

Maybe he could sense bad intentions from miles away.

“I-I was just replacing another staff member.”

“Hm…”

Kris’ gaze didn’t change.

Like he knew she was lying.

It sent chills down Lana’s spine.

A few seconds suddenly felt very long.

Then slowly, Kris let go of her hand.

“If that’s true…”

His voice lowered slightly.

“…then don’t fall in love with me.”

Lana stared at him in disbelief.

Meanwhile, Kris casually walked back to the sofa like he was completely used to saying things like that.

-He’s arrogant. Annoying. A playboy. So why is my heart beating even faster?-

………

Late that night, Lana walked out of the penthouse building.

Her phone vibrated.

A transfer notification appeared with a huge amount of money.

Way too huge.

A message from Director Han appeared a few seconds later.

Good job. Keep him interested.

Lana stared at her phone screen for a long time.

-With this money, I can pay my apartment rent for months. I can clear my debts. I can finally make my life easier.-

But for the first time—

she felt like she was selling something that should never be sold.

………

Meanwhile, on the top floor of the penthouse—

Kris sat alone in the dark room while drinking a glass of whiskey.

The tablet in his hand displayed Lana’s profile.

Twenty-three years old. Orphan. Single. Hard worker.

Almost too clean for the entertainment industry.

Kris smiled faintly.

“Interesting.”

.