Femme Fatale: The King's Deadly Temptress

Park Estate

In a large study room, a man in his late fifties known by many as Frederick Park – Uncle Freddie by his people – Chairman of Park Group, sat in an armchair with a book in his hand. He is the younger brother of Damien's father Lawrence Park, who used to be the Chairman of the Park Group when the latter was still alive.

Assistant Jung entered the room after a couple of knocks and bowed before handing over an envelope. "This is the contract from earlier in the afternoon, Chairman."

"Mmm… Put it on the desk. You can leave now," Frederick Park said.

"Goodnight, Chairman."

"Oh, wait–" The assistant was about to go when Frederick Park called for him. "How's my nephew these days?"

"Young Master Damien, Sir?" Assistant Jung turned around and saw the Chairman nod once. "His new resort is going to open on Friday next week." 

"Mhmm… Good. Anything new about him?" 

"Nothing much. Young Master has been busy with his projects, so he was occupied with meetings. Although there have been rumors about him, they don't seem to be anything we should worry about."

"Rumors?"

"Miss Lexi Jin's arrival caused a stir in the entertainment tabloids. They're saying that she came back because of Young Master." 

A laugh bellowed from the Chairman, "These kids. Is that even true?"

"I don't think they have been in contact ever since Miss Lexi left the country years ago. Besides, I think the Young Master favors another woman."

"Oh?" Frederick Park closed the book in his hand as his interest was piqued. "And who might this woman be?"

"His new secretary."

Scoffing, Frederick Park shook his head, "I didn't think he would cross such lines. He had never touched any of his secretaries before. So this one must be special?"

"I believe so, Chairman. In fact, just today, I heard that the Young Master gave her a penthouse suite in his hotel." 

"Well… he had always been generous, but not this generous. Do a background check on that woman. We don't want any pests infecting the family," Frederick Park said before he went back to reading his book.

"Understood, Chairman." Assistant Jung bowed once again before he left the room.

…

The next day at Damien's office...

It was a Saturday and Damien was finishing some work on his desk when Markus came inside.

"Any news?" Damien asked when he glanced up and saw him.

"I have checked everywhere that's needed to be checked, but Dr. Cheng is nowhere to be found. I'm sorry, Boss." Markus said in a slightly desolate tone. He had never felt useless except when he's dealing with Katherine. Even years ago, he had not found anything regarding this woman. And that time was no different. Anything that was related to her was peculiar.

"It's okay… I sort of expected this already. Since six years ago, we didn't know anything about her either." Damien got up from his seat and grabbed his phone from the desk. "Whoever was behind this probably already knows that we're investigating. Stop for now… I don't want to put her in danger if we're going to be careless." 

"Yes, Boss." Markus was about to head out when he remembered something. "By the way… Assistant Jung called earlier–"

Damien chuckled and shook his head. "They just couldn't leave me alone."

"Shall I send them an invitation?" Markus asked with caution.

"Sure. Why not," he answered dismissively.

He wouldn't be bothered about them but he couldn't ignore them either since they're the only family that he has left. Since he stayed away and built an empire on his own, he would rarely see them as he didn't want to be associated with them as much as possible. If it wasn't because of his grandmother's words, he would have already cut ties with the rest of the Park Family.

When Markus left, Damien dialed Katherine's number to check on her. 

"Hello, Boss. Did you need anything?" Katherine asked as soon as she answered.

Damien could hear the noise in the background and realized that she was out. "Where are you?"

"I have just finished eating lunch with Emma."

"Are you going somewhere after?"

"Yeah, we're going back to my apartment to pick up the rest of my things. The landlady told me to take them before Sunday. Is there anything I can do for you, Boss?" she asked.

Damien looked at his watch. He originally wanted to have lunch with her but he was too late. "Hmmm… Nothing. Okay, take care. I'll see you later then."

When the phone call ended, Damien went out of the office and headed to his car.

…

Meanwhile…

"Was that your hot President?" Emma asked.

Katherine chuckled, rolled her eyes and hooked her arm with her friend's as they walked towards the bus stop.

"You like your boss, don't you? I can't blame you… He is indeed a fine specimen." 

"But he's still my boss…" 

"So? He's the one going after you, isn't he?" Emma gave out her points according to what Katherine told her. "He's even giving you a penthouse. I don't think he's doing that to everyone."

"He's just being kind…" Katherine pursed her lips into a thin line, earning a snort from Emma. 

"Honey, paying for your lunch or giving you rides, that's being kind… Giving you a penthouse is a whole different thing, he wants you."

Just before they arrived at the bus stop, a car stopped on the side of the road and its window rolled down. "Ms. Miller!"

Katherine peered and saw Caleb on the driver's seat. "Mr. Yoo?"

"Are you heading somewhere?" he asked with a gentle smile on his face. 

"Ah… yeah, we're going to my old apartment."

Nodding, Caleb leaned and opened the door to the passenger's side as he said, "Hop in. I'll drive you there."

Katherine refused at first but after Caleb's persuasion, she gave in.

"Damn, are all your bosses hot?" Emma whispered to Katherine before they got inside Caleb's car.

When they got settled in, Katherine introduced Emma, "Mr. Yoo, this is my friend Emma."

"Hello," He glanced at Emma and gave her a winning smile, making her instantly blush as she returned his greeting.

The three of them casually chatted inside the car while Caleb drove towards Katherine's old apartment. Katherine had always been comfortable with Caleb since she met him because he seemed to be an easygoing person which was why talking to him was not difficult for her. But ever since she knew his position in the company, she didn't call him by his first name anymore.

The car turned to the corner and stopped a few meters away from the building.

"Oh… looks like someone is moving." Katherine muttered as she looked at the truck that was parked in front of her old apartment building.

"Kath… isn't that your boss over there?" Emma pointed at the man who was leaning against his car that's parked behind the truck.

"Huh?" Katherine followed where Emma pointed at and sure enough, she saw Damien Park. "What is he doing here?"

Chuckling, Caleb turned off the engine of his car, opened his door and said, "Let's go." 

"Boss!" Katherine called as the three of them walked towards Damien. 

From his phone, Damien looked up when he heard her voice and saw the two other people with her. His eyes darted to Caleb and a questioning look on his face appeared. "Why are you guys together?"

"I saw them on the sidewalk while I was heading home so I gave them a ride," Caleb answered.

"What are you doing here?" Katherine asked when she arrived in front of him.

"You said you were going to move your things. How are you supposed to carry all of them?" Damien responded with a straight face.

Katherine and Emma exchanged looks while Damien started to roll his sleeves up and walked towards the garage. "We should start so that we'll finish before the sun goes down." 

"I'll help." Caleb walked behind Damien and followed him towards the landlady's door.

Emma nudged Katherine on the side. "You're one lucky girl, two bosses at your beck and call. You must have saved the country from your previous life."

"Do you think this is great? If anything, doesn't it look like trouble in paradise? I would have thought I had blown up the country in my past life to be in this tight spot." Katherine muttered as they walked forward.

"Don't be absurd. This is a blessing, Kath. Who knows what else is in store for you if you keep hanging out with these studs?"

Katherine thought that her friend is too much sometimes but as she looked at the backs of the two men, she couldn't help but wonder if it was a blessing or a misfortune.