Constrained to Start (8 Chapters Left to Complete) - Chapter 1
The threshold of summer.
The second home of Kim Yu Jun, Managing Director of Myeong Jin Group, nestled within a vast garden.
Ra Jin pressed her forehead against the transparent window, blankly watching the scenery sway in the breeze. Each time she exhaled deeply, the Japanese maple blurred faintly before sharpening again.
“Is it the third day already…?”
Ra Jin recalled the day she first entered this house.
Right after her drama filming wrapped up, she’d hurriedly jumped into her car, startled by her stylist’s tearful phone call.
Hypnotized by her manager’s ominous words, she’d dashed out the moment the car stopped—without even grabbing her belongings. The place she’d ended up at was Managing Director Kim Yu Jun’s new residence.
The space still faintly retained the smell of fresh paint.
She’d walked straight into this trap, fooled by her manager’s shallow trickery. At first, she’d laughed in disbelief; later, an indescribable sense of self-loathing had washed over her.
During those three days, Kim Yu Jun—who surely must have received reports—never showed up. He’d only relayed messages through the guards posted around the house.
Self-reflection and repentance.
Awaiting Kim Yu Jun’s rumored deliberation on how to punish her betrayal, Ra Jin was killing time helplessly.
“Was there some kind of deal?”
Oh Jong Hyuk, her stepbrother and the CEO of her agency, had desperately wanted her to marry Kim Yu Jun. He was probably still floating on foolish dreams by now.
“Crazy.”
The suffocating isolation of her sealed-off world burst out in harsh words.
If she fell into Kim Yu Jun’s grasp, with her hollow family’s silent consent, what would become of her? She’d once sworn never to show weakness—but now, fear gripped her so suddenly, it rendered that vow meaningless.
Just as Ra Jin bit down hard on her lips—
“No!”
“Stop them there!”
“Hurry up!”
Shouts from men outside the door crashed in alongside chaotic noise.
Unable to ignore the unusual commotion, Ra Jin crept forward like a cat and pressed her ear to the door, ready to bolt or block anyone trying to enter.
“Step aside.”
“You step aside! You can’t go in there!”
Wondering who those people were, Ra Jin hesitated—then cautiously turned the doorknob.
It was utter chaos; no one even noticed she’d opened the door. After staring numbly at the scene, Ra Jin yanked the handle hard.
Bang!
Everyone—piled together like a sandwich and yelling—snapped their heads toward Ra Jin in unison.
“Miss Actor, please go back inside!”
Burly security guards swiftly surrounded her protectively. But Ra Jin turned her body slightly, shifting her gaze.
Several men in dark suits, two women wearing official badges around their necks, and one man with sharp eyes stood there.
Her previously relaxed mind snapped taut in an instant. As if waiting for this moment, the man stepped forward.
“Ms. Park Ra Jin.”
At the sound of his deep voice, Ra Jin’s heart plummeted to her feet.
“Are you indeed her?”
Though no one here wouldn’t recognize top star Park Ra Jin, the man asked calmly.
“…Yes.”
“I’m Prosecutor Kang Ji Ho from Special Prosecutor Heo Tae Soo’s team.”
Ra Jin looked up at the man presenting his badge. His unblinking eyes betrayed no emotion whatsoever. What on earth was going on?
After studying her face carefully, he pulled out an official document.
“Violation of the Act on Aggravated Punishment for Specific Crimes, tax evasion…”
Like someone encountering a foreign script, none of the words on the document registered in Ra Jin’s mind. Her eyes merely traced her own name, stamped like a seal on the white paper.
“A warrant for your detention has been issued.”
After reciting the long list of charges, Prosecutor Kang Ji Ho handed her the paper. Stunned, she took it—and saw the phrase “Suspect Park Ra Jin” glaringly printed on it.
“Ms. Park Ra Jin, you are suspected of knowingly allowing the false contract executed by the CEO of OH Entertainment…”
“…”
“…and evading a total of 9.8 billion won in taxes by inflating contract amounts.”
If she’d starred in a courtroom drama, maybe this moment wouldn’t feel so surreal. Trying to stay composed amid the shock, Ra Jin took a sharp, deep breath.
“Ms. Park Ra Jin, you have the constitutional right to refuse statements that may incriminate yourself.”
“…”
“You also have the right to appoint a defense attorney or request a court-appointed one. Would you like to wait for a lawyer?”
Ra Jin covered her forehead with fingers, her expression still dazed and unsettled.
“I… don’t really know who to call.”
“To prevent any violation of your rights as a suspect, we’ll give you ample opportunity to clarify your position.”
“Can I think about it while we go?”
The man with the icy gaze gave a brief nod.
At that moment, a guard stepped in front of Ra Jin again.
“This isn’t acceptable. We need the Managing Director’s permission first—”
“Obstructing official duties is a serious offense punishable by up to five years’ imprisonment or a fine of up to 10 million won. Do you even understand what you’re doing?”
Prosecutor Kang Ji Ho muttered sharply, clearly irritated by the repeated interference. Yet the guards, oblivious to the tension, held their ground rigidly.
“They’re here to perform official duties. Delaying things will only make it worse for me.”
Ra Jin’s voice trembled slightly as she added, “Don’t I need to find out what’s actually happening?” Only then did the guards sense the gravity of the situation and slowly step aside.
Prosecutor Kang Ji Ho, still expressionless, gave a subtle nod. Immediately, his staff flanked Ra Jin’s sides.
“We’ll accompany you.”
At his single word signaling departure, the people beside her moved in unison.
[This is the timeline separator]Two months earlier.
A famous hotel overlooking Namsan.
Ra Jin stepped out of a large van and gazed at cherry blossom petals adorning the violet sky. Perhaps spring fever was real—because the evening air, as the sun dipped low, was fragrant to the point of being sweet.
“Hmm. Lovely.”
It was a feature interview with a major daily newspaper—one of her rare appearances recently.
Even though she wasn’t a rookie, the paper’s prestige made her heart flutter. Her agency seemed just as nervous; her stepbrother, the CEO himself, had personally checked her outfit beforehand.
The unusually warm spring breeze, her anticipation for the interview, and an inexplicably fluttering heart made Ra Jin’s steps feel light as air.
“Miss Actor, this way.”
“Yes, let’s go.”
With each step following her manager, her apricot-colored chiffon dress fluttered softly.
Just as she passed lightly through the heavy revolving doors and entered the hotel lobby, a group of burly men swarmed toward her.
“Good afternoon, Miss Actor.”
“…”
“We’re from Myeong Jin Group’s security team.”
At the mention of Myeong Jin, Ra Jin’s head snapped around. Her manager, who’d been two steps ahead, had already retreated three steps back.
“I came here for a newspaper interview.”
She glanced at her manager as if verifying her schedule—and his eyes darted away instantly. This wasn’t some prank; what was really going on?
“Ugh.”
Now that she thought about it, her outfit had seemed overly dressed-up for a simple interview—but apparently, it was meant as finery for meeting Kim Yu Jun. Realizing she’d been thoroughly deceived, a hot sigh escaped her.
“The Managing Director is waiting for you.”
“So the interview was fake?”
“He’ll explain that separately.”
As if they couldn’t wait any longer, the guards formed a circle around Ra Jin.
“From here until you return home, our security team will be in charge of your safety.”
At the security chief’s words, her manager turned and walked away without hesitation.
She wanted to spit out some harsh words at his retreating back—as if the handover was already complete.
But what good would that do? The CEO, her manager, even these guards—they all belonged to Kim Yu Jun. Anger was pointless.
Besides, if she refused to follow the guards now, someone would surely take the blame—perhaps sparking minor fallout, or even costing someone their job.
This was learned behavior from repeated experience.
Not wanting to become another casualty of Myeong Jin’s wrath, Ra Jin slowly turned around. The formation around her loosened slightly in response.
“Right this way, Miss Actor.”
[This is the timeline separator]“An actor? That woman who just passed by noisily with those dark-clothed guys?”
At Hanabi, a Japanese restaurant inside the hotel, permeated by a gentle woody scent,
Prosecutor Kang Ji Ho sat side by side with his junior, Prosecutor Yeo Ho Jin.
“Top star Park Ra Jin. You know, the one who won Best Actress last year and appeared in countless ads?”
With her striking, harmonious features, she hardly needed introduction—after all, her face was on luxury billboards plastered across the hotel walls.
“First, the Deputy Chief of the Supreme Public Prosecutors Office treats us to dinner here, and now we’re graced with the real-life presence of a top star.”
At Ho Jin’s excited exclamation, Ji Ho murmured, “I guess so.”
Sure, seeing a breathtakingly beautiful top star was one thing—but being separately summoned by the Deputy Chief for dinner might not be good news at all.
“Oh dear, my call took too long, didn’t it?”
The Deputy Chief reentered, sliding the door open after stepping out to take a phone call.
“No need to stand—sit, sit.”
An extravagant table laden with delicacies from land and sea.
As the Deputy Chief poured liquor, gold leaf atop the sashimi trembled slightly.
“Our very own Prosecutor Kang Ji Ho! Congratulations on being selected Outstanding Prosecutor three years running. Cheers!”
Ji Ho downed the warm, sharp soju in one gulp and chewed the sashimi silently, savoring not its umami flavor but each word the Deputy Chief had spoken earlier.
Even as Ho Jin tossed in jokes like side dishes, Ji Ho remained tense, wondering why his superior was putting on this charade under the guise of celebration.
After rapidly refilled glasses and exchanged glances heavy with meaning, the Deputy Chief finally spoke.
“Prosecutor Kang.”
“Yes, sir. Please go ahead.”
“Remember what I told you last time—about building yourself up a bit?”
It wasn’t just about physical training. Ji Ho instantly recalled recent news headlines. Surely it wasn’t about that case? Though a particular investigation nagged at him, he pretended ignorance and waited for the next words.
“This special investigation you’ve just joined…”
“…Ah.”
His suspicion had been right all along.
“It’s been over twenty days, and there’s still no real progress—none at all.”
Many thoughts flickered through Ji Ho’s mind, but unsure of his superior’s intent, he held his tongue.
“As you know, investors lost 1.5 trillion won in that underperforming fund. We absolutely must press charges.”
Ji Ho responded with silence instead of words—if this wasn’t just for show, then something serious must have gone wrong.
“Several firms sold that fund, yet only Myeong Jin Securities pulled out early and profited.”
“…”
“So we need someone who can thoroughly investigate Myeong Jin.”
The Deputy Chief stared directly at Ji Ho as he laid out the special investigation’s situation in detail.
“You’ve got prior experience investigating Myeong Jin Group’s Chairman Kim Gi Tae—back when you were a rookie prosecutor, right?”
“Yes, Deputy Chief.”
“And you played a key role in pushing through his eventual detention.”
It was all true—but how brutally Myeong Jin had tormented him back then!
They’d routinely obstructed raids, and somehow always unearthed confidential case details, likely through planted informants. They even tailed him daily during his commute.
Even now, years later, just seeing Myeong Jin’s logo made his teeth grind—yet they expected him to relive that nightmare? The request seemed so absurd that Ji Ho just stared blankly.
“If Prosecutor Kang takes on the case, I’m ready to offer full support in every way possible.”
The Deputy Chief’s persuasion continued, painting this assignment as a golden ticket to a brilliant future.
A fast track to prestigious posts? Ji Ho couldn’t care less. But that word—“support”—caught his attention. He fell into brief silence.
“Deputy Chief.”
“Oh, yes—between us, feel free to speak openly.”
In that instant, Ji Ho’s eyes darkened with resolve.
“To properly investigate Myeong Jin Group’s Managing Director Kim Yu Jun…”
“?”
“…grant me full authority.”
When male lead is the homewrecker
“I know she doesn’t love him.”
I’ve read the novel below twice already. Girls, I’m highly recommending it to you!
The female lead? Not a good person.
The second male lead? Not a good person.
The male lead? Willingly plays the third party, breaking up the female and second male lead’s relationship despite all the warnings from his friends—so yeah, he’s definitely not a good person either.
Basically, nobody in this novel is simple-minded or without scheming.
The female lead starts off as the male lead’s secretary, but don’t worry—later on, she takes over the company while the male lead steps back to support her. He won’t steal her spotlight, overshadow her, or dull her shine.
I love novels where men are out here snatching wigs, tearing each other down, and going to war just to win the female lead’s affection. And this is exactly that kind of novel. Most of Hai Dai Ran’s works have this dynamic. You’ll see the male characters’ emotions being pushed to the absolute extreme.
There’s even a scene where the second male lead exposes the male lead online for being a homewrecker. The brotherhood immediately gangs up on him, dragging him through the mud. I find it compelling —it completely flips reality on its head, where usually, women are the ones fighting over a man and getting torn apart by the sisterhood.
For me, female leads in the novels I read should only struggle in their careers, not in love. But if the brainless romantics in the story are all men? I have zero complaints.
I’ve pretty much read all of Hai Dai Ran’s novels and even translated all of them—her works are just my thing. I’ll slowly upload everything here. One day, when my website is official, I hope I can invite her to join as one of the star authors.
Here’s the story synopsis:
One-line summary: She is his lifelong obsession, to the point where he was willing to be a third wheel, scorned by society, just to wedge his way into her relationship with her fiancé.
Cold-hearted and indifferent female lead + Scheming and subservient CEO male lead
Intro 1:
“I know she doesn’t love him.”
With blood trickling from his clenched fist, Rong Xiu gazed at the woman before him, his eyes clouded with anguish. Hidden in the wardrobe, he had witnessed Fan Xia – the woman he desperately loved – in an intimate embrace with her fiancé. Yet his heart still yearned for her, defying all reason.
Fan Xia, the elegant and composed assistant, carried something mysterious in her eyes whenever she looked at her fiancé, Wen Lan Sheng. Strange occurrences began to surface – secret meetings with the young Gu Jin Yi, an unexplained withdrawal of 5,000 yuan… Then suddenly, her fiancé’s sister, Wen Jing, violently attacked her.
In this matriarchal society, Rong Xiu had risen to become the chairman of a powerful healthcare conglomerate, breaking through gender prejudices. But for the first time, he willingly stepped into the shadows as the other man, disregarding his friends’ warnings to become her secret lover.
Because he had discovered the truth – Fan Xia wasn’t the pure angel everyone believed her to be. And perhaps, he was the only one capable of helping her execute her mysterious plan…
Intro 2:
Rong Xiu’s biggest regret in life was missing out on Fan Xia.
He secretly loved Fan Xia for 7 years.
Watched her go public with her boyfriend.
Watched her kiss her boyfriend at their wedding.
Until that man blissfully nestled in Fan Xia’s arms, obtaining everything he could only dream of.
The crazy jealousy stripped away his hidden secret love, layer by layer, burning like wildfire.
Fan Xia, how can I have you!
【Reading and Trigger Warning Guide】
1. Female dominant, male submissive, male pregnancy
2. Male lead schemes his way to the top, male competition
_____
Please help me, I want to bring you the best possible things.
If you find any chapter or novel with poor translation and editing quality, let me know by commenting directly under that novel or chapter. I will retranslate it as soon as possible.
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