Chapter 6 - The Fall of the Empress
The morning sun rose over the hills of Los Angeles, casting a bright, golden light across the manicured lawns of Beverly Hills. But outside the Park mansion, the atmosphere looked like a corporate eviction.
Three large federal transport trucks were parked along the curb, their flashing yellow lights illuminating the quiet street. Armed marshals stood at the iron gates, systematically placing heavy padlocks and official government seizure seals across the grand mahogany doors.
Vivian Park sat in the back of a police transport vehicle parked down the street, her hands cuffed tightly behind her back. Through the wire mesh window, she watched as her expensive custom Italian furniture, her oil paintings, and her designer wardrobe trunks were loaded into the back of the government trucks.
Raymond stood on the sidewalk, a single duffel bag at his feet—the only personal property he was legally allowed to retain after the total bankruptcy filing. A sleek black town car pulled up to the curb beside him. The rear window rolled down, revealing the cold, unyielding face of Jae-min Kang.
Raymond walked over slowly, his head bowed in complete defeat. "Mr. Kang... everything is gone. My firm, my reputation, my home. Vivian is facing seven years in state prison. I hope you have had your payment."
Jae-min looked at the broken man, his expression completely detached from any human pity. "You thought you were superior because of your lineage and your traditions, Raymond. But you forgot that traditions are built by the people who work the soil, not the people who sit at the high tables."
"What happens to Naomi now?" Raymond asked quietly.
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"She will never have to cook for people like you again," Jae-min said, his voice firm. "She is the true master of her craft. And from today on, the entire city will know her name."
The window of the town car rolled up smoothly, and the vehicle accelerated down the clean avenue, leaving the ruined remnants of the Park family empire behind in the morning dust.
