Author's Note – From the Heart of Penola.S 💌
Hey my precious readers,
First of all, thank you—truly—for reading today's chapter of Espionage of the Heart. I know the journey is getting deeper, more intense, and maybe a little painful… but that's how love often is, isn't it? Unpredictable. Raw. Consuming. And yet, worth every second.
I've poured my soul into this chapter, and I hope you felt every unspoken word between the lines. Because the story of these two hearts is just beginning to unfold.
✨ Now, for a special announcement:I'll be dropping 4 powerful chapters this Sunday!Yes, a mini-storm of emotion is on the way, and it's going to bring truth, tension, and maybe even a crack in the walls our characters have built around themselves.
So hold on tight.Stay close.And keep your notifications on.
With all the love and fire in my heart,Penola.S | @psole23.words IG
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The music slowed. The lights dimmed just slightly, as if the very air understood that someone important was about to arrive. Guests paused their conversations, their laughter quieting as the murmuring crowd instinctively turned their heads toward the grand double doors of the ballroom.
A sudden hush.
Then—
A deep voice echoed from the arch of the entrance, full of power, presence, and pride.
"Welcome!" the voice thundered in Mandarin, resonant and commanding. "Tonight, I introduce you all to the future. The future of my empire—my blood, my pride... my grandson!"
From the shadows behind him, an old man stepped into view. Regal. Dignified. A symbol of legacy, dressed not in a traditional robe or ancient garment, but in a sharp, jet-black suit trimmed in gold—a subtle blend of East and West, modern and ancestral. And beside him walked a boy—no more than ten—with an unmistakable presence for his age.
All eyes turned to the boy.
Clean-cut, dressed in a navy blue blazer with a silk red tie and polished shoes that clicked confidently against the marble floor. His hair styled back, his posture straight—yet his eyes glimmered with that same mischievous innocence that Andrea and Eunwoo had seen that very morning.
Because this wasn't just any boy.
It was Kai.
The same Kai who stole Andrea's chocolate roll at breakfast and made Eunwoo tie his shoelaces under the sun. The same boy who claimed Eunwoo as his "uncle" and Andrea as his "beautiful sister."
Andrea blinked. Then blinked again.
Her lips parted in an audible laugh that she tried—and failed—to suppress.
"Tío..." she whispered in amused disbelief, glancing sideways at Eunwoo. "Tío mío, es Kai!"
Eunwoo didn't say a word at first. He stared, stunned, his brows lifting ever so slightly. And then, with a tilt of his head, he muttered with dry sarcasm, "Yes, beauty with brains… well done."
Andrea's soft chuckle only grew.
But beneath the casualness of the moment, Eunwoo's mind whirled. Kai—the next heir. The future head of one of the most powerful families in China. The very boy whose identity was supposed to remain discreet until the transition was complete.
And they'd met him… by coincidence?
Or was it fate?
Andrea leaned in slightly and whispered, "If Kai is taking over tomorrow… he's not like the other kids his age."
To which Eunwoo replied with a small smirk, "Yes, my lady."
But even as they exchanged these quiet words, neither of them noticed Kai's eyes scanning the room, scanning the faces—searching.
Until he saw them.
A small gasp left his lips, a smile blooming instantly across his face. His small hands clenched into fists of excitement at his sides, and without waiting another second, he stepped forward.
Only to be blocked by the butler.
"Young Master Kai, please maintain decorum—"
But the old man's voice rang out with warmth and authority, "He is the boss now… not you."
The butler froze. Bowed. And stepped back.
With that, Kai broke into a sprint—no longer the poised young heir, but the same vibrant child who had giggled at Andrea's hairpin and made Eunwoo nearly lose his temper over breakfast.
"Beautiful sis!!" he shouted with genuine joy, weaving through startled guests, arms wide open like a plane ready for landing.
Andrea laughed and bent slightly to greet him, her eyes crinkling in surprise and delight. "Kai!" she said, embracing him softly as he reached her, his little arms clinging to her waist.
Eunwoo, standing beside them, couldn't help the small, involuntary smile tugging at the edge of his lips.
In a room filled with power, secrets, and masked intentions—this boy, this moment, and this woman laughing beside him… felt painfully real.
And somewhere deep in his chest, beneath layers of training and silence, something stirred. Something dangerous.
Something warm.
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The lights shimmered like distant stars above the ballroom, and the music swayed gently in the background—elegant, yet distant. People mingled, smiled, whispered about wealth, connections, and power. And in the heart of it all, a scene unlike any other unfolded.
Kai, now beside Andrea, greeted her first with a warm hug, burying his face for a brief second in her dress before looking up at her with his bright eyes. She ruffled his hair gently and laughed.
"Young Master," Andrea teased in English, trying her best to maintain a formal tone even as a warm smile played on her lips. "Not bad at all."
Eunwoo, standing beside her, gave a soft chuckle. "Yes, Young Master. At such a young age, already stealing the spotlight."
Kai looked down shyly, then up again with a small pout. "I'm sorry for hiding the truth. I just… wanted to live normally for a little while. That's why I did all of that."
He looked genuinely guilty, the corners of his lips turned down slightly, his fingers playing with the hem of his blazer.
Andrea and Eunwoo exchanged a glance and laughed softly—warmly—for him.
"It's okay, Kai," Andrea said, leaning a bit to meet his eyes. "You're doing well—both personally and professionally. That's a rare thing. A balanced life is something even adults struggle with."
Eunwoo gave a slow nod. "She's right. And you, my champion, look great today."
Kai beamed. "Thanks, Uncle!"
Just as Eunwoo was about to speak again, a commanding voice interrupted from behind.
"Oh, Kai. So you've made friends."
It was the elder—Kai's grandfather—walking toward them with the butler in tow. The guests instinctively parted for him, like waves for a ship.
Andrea and Eunwoo straightened their backs and offered respectful nods.
"Sir," Eunwoo began, his voice steady but respectful, "it's truly an honor to meet you."
But before he could finish his sentence, the elderly man raised a hand and smiled knowingly.
"I know who you are, Mr. King."
The butler leaned in and whispered something to him.
"They are the ones who brought Young Master Kai back, sir."
A moment of surprise crossed the old man's face, quickly replaced by heartfelt gratitude.
"Thank you," he said warmly, his eyes focused on the two of them. "Thank you for helping us… for bringing Kai back safely."
Andrea, a little overwhelmed by the man's strong presence, nodded. The elderly man's eyes turned to her, sharp but gentle.
"Young lady… you're not Chinese, right?"
Andrea smiled politely, replying with respect, "No, sir. I'm not. But I'm Asian."
The man's brows rose slightly before his expression softened with a teasing glint. "Oh… so you are the fiancée of Mr. Eunwoo?"
Andrea flushed lightly but kept her poise. "Yes, sir."
Before she could say more, Eunwoo stepped forward and said, "Sir, I consider myself lucky to have her."
But the grandfather cut him off with a laugh. "Lucky? You should be grateful, young man. A goddess like her, and she's your fiancée?"
Eunwoo smiled modestly. "Yes, sir. I truly am."
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The elder chuckled again, clearly amused by teasing them. "So… when are you both getting married?"
"Soon, sir," Eunwoo replied, calm and steady—but his hand slightly tightened around his wine glass.
Kai, wide-eyed and grinning, piped in, "Grandpa, can I have my friends at the house tomorrow?"
Before either could respond, Eunwoo stepped forward slightly. "Sir, actually I wanted to speak to you about—"
But again, the grandfather waved his hand, this time with a deeper smile.
"If you want more time with them, I can arrange a room for you here tonight." Then he added, half serious, half playful, "Besides, Mr. King… he is now the owner of my business. If you have something to say—talk to him."
He motioned toward Kai with unmistakable pride, as the butler quietly left to make arrangements.
Kai jumped a little in joy, unable to contain his excitement.
Andrea turned to the grandfather and, in soft Mandarin, said with all the sincerity in her tone:"谢谢您,先生.""Thank you so much, sir."
The old man's smile turned warm. "Welcome, my dears. You are always welcome."
And with that, he turned and walked away, disappearing into the soft glow of lights and whispers.
Kai, now left alone with them again, grinned cheekily. "So you guys are going to get married?"
Eunwoo replied with a cool smile, "Yes. Approximately."
Kai tilted his head with a mischievous squint and asked in Mandarin,"你不确定吗?那我可以娶我漂亮的姐姐吗?""You're not sure? Then can I marry my beautiful sister instead?"
Andrea blinked in surprise, nearly choking on her sip of wine.
But Eunwoo turned, placing a hand protectively on Andrea's back and answered with a smirk,"你不能娶你的姐姐.""You can't marry your sister."
Kai giggled, loud and carefree, as Andrea chuckled, glancing between the two most unexpected men in her life right now—one older, one much younger—but both making her feel oddly… safe.
To be continued...