The First Submission
Lee Han had left the final choice to Han Sujin. He judged that it would be more effective to let her decide for herself rather than rushing in. While he appeared to be giving her a choice, the answer was already set in stone.
"Meet me again tomorrow and give me your answer. Take your time to think about it today."
At Lee Han's words, Han Sujin could only nod weakly. As she left the office with a staggering gait, Lee Han was certain of his victory. It was already obvious what choice she would make.
That night, Lee Han sat in front of the monitor, watching Han Sujin’s home. She appeared to be eating and chatting with her husband, Park Taeyoung, just as she always did. She made no mention of the blackmail she had received. Lee Han felt a thrilling sense of pleasure at the sight of her trying so hard to act as if nothing were wrong.
‘In the end, you will surrender.’
Sitting alone in the dark office, a chilling smile curled onto Lee Han’s lips. He spent the night wide awake, looking forward to the arrival of tomorrow. He imagined the moment he would finally receive Han Sujin’s submission and satisfy his desires.
As the morning sun rose, Lee Han threw open his office door. His heart pounded with anticipation. About thirty minutes later, she appeared with a knock.
Han Sujin lingered in front of the door for a moment before grabbing the handle with trembling hands and opening it. She tried to maintain a calm expression, but her pale complexion betrayed her anxiety and terror.
"Welcome, Han Sujin. What decision have you reached?"
Lee Han asked in a soft voice. Yet, a threatening undertone was palpable beneath it.
"I..."
Han Sujin hesitated for a moment, bit her lip, and then lowered her head. Through a stream of tears, she barely managed to squeeze out an answer.
"...I'll do as you say. Please, just don't tell my husband..."
A chilling glint flashed in Lee Han’s eyes. Han Sujin had taken the bait. She was now firmly within his grasp.
"A wise choice. Don't worry. I will keep our secret well."
Despite his sweet tone, Lee Han’s eyes remained cold and ruthless.
"For now, go back home and wait for my contact."
Lee Han sent Han Sujin away. He wanted to savor the sight of her trembling in anxiety, waiting to see what demands he would make. He believed that if he dragged it out and made his move just as her tension began to ease, Han Sujin would accept his demands even more easily.
He decided to cut off contact for a few days to observe her. As time passed, Han Sujin’s wariness seemed to gradually dissolve. She took meticulous care of Park Taeyoung, as if trying to make up for having been distant with him.
Watching this, an amusing thought crossed Lee Han’s mind.
One evening, Park Taeyoung returned home from work. Han Sujin was about to greet him warmly when she caught sight of the man standing behind him. Lee Han had appeared behind Park Taeyoung.
"Honey, this is Mr. Lee Han from the management office. I ran into him, and he helped me carry these heavy bags."
Park Taeyoung smiled as he introduced Lee Han. He was holding a box that looked quite heavy.
"Ah, yes... thank you."
Unable to hide her embarrassment, Han Sujin offered a greeting.
"Honey, get Mr. Lee Han a glass of water. He must be exhausted from carrying such heavy things."
Park Taeyoung requested. Lee Han brushed past her as she reluctantly stepped aside and stepped into the house. He walked slowly, scanning every corner of the apartment.
"I'll just set the luggage down here."
Finally setting the load in the middle of the living room, Lee Han turned his head toward Han Sujin. Their gazes collided in the thin air. The corners of Lee Han’s lips curled up maliciously.
"Well then, I'll have a quick drink of water and be on my way."
"Yes, please do. Just a moment, I'll go get you some water."
It was a calm tone, but to Han Sujin, it felt like a threat.
Lee Han almost laughed as he watched her back as she hurried to the kitchen. Her extreme tension and anxiety were evident.
Soon, Han Sujin returned with a glass of water and handed it to him. Lee Han took the glass, intentionally brushing against her hand, and leisurely drank the water while admiring her pale face.
Han Sujin stared at him, unable to sit still. Every time Lee Han opened his mouth, it felt as if her heart were plummeting.
‘There will be many reasons for me to visit your home soon. Be prepared.’
Muttering to himself, Lee Han placed the empty glass on the table. He curled his lips up and bid the couple farewell.
"I'll be heading out now."
"Ah, yes... thank you."
Watching Han Sujin grit her teeth and barely manage a reply, Lee Han found it hard to suppress his laughter. She must have realized why he had visited her home without notice.
It was a silent declaration of war against his prey—a promise to drag her into his domain. He cast a warning message with his eyes, as if whispering, and strode toward the front door.
Han Sujin let out a sigh of relief as if she had been waiting for the door to close. Lee Han walked down the stairs lightly. He was satisfied with her reaction.
Beside the troubled Han Sujin, Park Taeyoung spoke up about the man who had suddenly intruded.
"I thought that man Lee Han was just a security guard, but it turns out he's the apartment manager directly appointed by the Chairman. Since there's no apartment complex president, he handles almost all the work."
Park Taeyoung continued with admiration.
"To catch the Chairman's eye at such a young age and be given a management position, he must be quite capable. And seeing how he uses formal language and treats us with respect, he seems like a good person, too."
Han Sujin could only nod. She was terrified that Park Taeyoung, who didn't know Lee Han’s true nature, was developing a fondness for him.
"Still, don't ask him for favors like carrying luggage too often. What if you get on his bad side?"
At that, Park Taeyoung laughed and replied.
"I was going to carry it myself, but he said he was on patrol and offered to help. He said the Chairman instructed him to be as considerate as possible to the residents here, so I was really grateful."
Park Taeyoung added.
"I promised to treat him to coffee next time. He had to leave right away because he still had patrols to finish today."
Han Sujin’s expression stiffened, but she soon smiled and replied.
"I see. You should buy him coffee outside next time."
Watching his smiling wife, Park Taeyoung felt happy and leaned in for a kiss. Han Sujin responded in kind.
Back at the office, Lee Han burst into laughter, recalling the expression on Han Sujin’s face he had seen at her home. He muttered, reflecting on the clothes she had been wearing.
"The real thing is quite different from the videos, isn't it?"
Lee Han’s lips curled up in anticipation of their next meeting.
——
The next morning, Lee Han appeared in front of Park Taeyoung as he was heading to work. Park Taeyoung waved first, and Lee Han accepted the greeting politely.
"Heading to work?"
"Yes, thank you so much for last night."
As Park Taeyoung thanked him again, Lee Han waved it off.
"It was nothing. By the way, since the apartment is ten years old, things seem to be aging here and there. If you notice anything wrong, please let me know right away."
After a moment of thought, Park Taeyoung replied.
"Lately, there seems to be a problem with the plumbing. The hot and cold water don't seem to regulate properly."
"Then I will check it and take care of it for you."
At Lee Han’s words, Park Taeyoung expressed his gratitude with a joyful expression. Once in his car, he called Han Sujin.
"Honey, Mr. Lee Han said he’d inspect the water pipes and fix them."
Han Sujin’s face turned pale upon receiving the call, but she barely managed to steady her voice and answer.
"I understand..."
Lee Han returned to his office with a satisfied smile. The plumbing incident was something Lee Han had caused on purpose. He had orchestrated it because he could control the hot and cold water from his end.
The apartment was already designed for centralized control, and since professional companies came for regular diagnostics, there was no reason for problems to arise. However, each individual unit could be controlled separately. The fact that this was likely also under Chairman Park’s instructions gave him goosebumps.
While following Chairman Park’s orders, Lee Han himself was gradually falling into the pleasure of dominance and submission. Only a few months ago, he had been a man struggling to find a job, but now he was someone entirely different.
Lee Han moved during the day and headed to Han Sujin’s home. When he rang the doorbell, a pale-faced Han Sujin appeared.
"What is the meaning of this?"
When she asked, Lee Han smirked and replied.
"I heard there was a problem with the water."
Lee Han felt a strange pleasure at Han Sujin’s attempt to appear strong.
Han Sujin hesitated at Lee Han’s words, but eventually opened the door and let him in.
Lee Han went to the sink, pretended to check the pipes, and accessed the control room with the computer he had brought to normalize the water system. Then, he turned on the faucet to show Han Sujin that it was working properly.
Han Sujin seemed rather flustered by Lee Han’s professional demeanor. She hesitated for a moment before offering her thanks.
"Thank you..."
Lee Han complained of thirst and asked for water. Han Sujin hurriedly handed him a cup. As Lee Han sat at the table drinking the water, his gaze swept over Han Sujin. She cowered like a frog standing before a snake.
When he gestured for Han Sujin to come to the table, she sat down reluctantly.
Lee Han smiled and spoke.
"How have you been lately?"
Han Sujin quietly avoided his gaze without a word.
"Are you not going to answer?"
At his threatening tone, she barely managed to open her mouth with a trembling voice.
"Nothing much..."
Then, Lee Han grabbed Han Sujin’s hand, which was resting on the table. She shuddered in surprise.
Lee Han caressed her hand gently and asked.
"Are you prepared?"
Han Sujin closed her eyes for a moment, deliberated, and then replied.
"I am already prepared. But... not here, and only this once."
"Do I have to grant that?"
Lee Han asked back cynically. Han Sujin opened her eyes, looked him in the face, and said firmly.
"There are things I cannot concede on, either."
Lee Han felt a thrilling pleasure at her unexpected resistance.
"Very well. Then let’s go to my office."
Lee Han stood up with a grin. Han Sujin gritted her teeth and followed him quietly. There was no longer any option to refuse.
Lee Han sat at his office desk and looked at Han Sujin. Han Sujin was facing Lee Han with a hardened expression, as if she had made up her mind. Lee Han stood up, slowly approached her, and whispered in her ear.
"Shall I start first?"
At those words, Han Sujin closed her eyes and gritted her teeth. As she lowered the shoulder strap of her dress with trembling hands, the fabric slipped down. Seeing her exposed skin, Lee Han curled his lips up.
