"Where's the owner of this place?!" a man roared, his voice thundering through the luxurious karaoke lounge. Several hostesses standing by the walls exchanged nervous glances.

"How can a high-class place like this have hostesses who look like that?!" he continued, pointing at the shocked women with a rough gesture.

A sweating manager stepped forward, trying to calm the situation. "Please, sir... we still have other hostesses. If you'd like, we can replace them."

The man sneered. "For what? They all look just as bad as the last one." His eyes narrowed. "My boss wants to speak directly with the owner. Now."

The manager darted a nervous glance toward a sharply dressed man sitting quietly on the sofa-Neil, the youngest son of a powerful conglomerate family. He hadn't spoken a single word, but his mere presence dominated the room. The manager swallowed hard.

"V-very well, I'll call the owner right away," he stammered, bowing before hurrying out.

"Don't worry, Boss," said the man standing beside Neil-his loyal assistant. "If you're really dissatisfied, we can sue the owner. But so far, this is one of the top-rated places."

Neil said nothing. His eyes lingered on the chandelier above, jaw tight, expression cold and unreadable.

A few minutes later, there was a gentle knock at the door.

Knock, knock.

The door opened, and all eyes turned to the young woman stepping inside. A sleek black bodycon dress hugged her curves perfectly. Her long, wavy dark brown hair cascaded down her back, giving her an elegant yet alluring presence.

"Good evening. I'm Selena, the owner of Selena's Dream. How may I help you?" she greeted with a polite smile.

But the moment her eyes met Neil's, her expression faltered ever so slightly.

God... what is he doing here?! she panicked silently.

He mustn't know that Lena is actually... me!

Neil's assistant shot up from his seat, stunned. "Y-you're the owner?" he stammered. "You're so young..."

Selena responded only with a faint smile.

The assistant quickly remembered their purpose. "You see, my boss is not satisfied with the hostesses provided tonight."

Selena's eyes flicked briefly to Neil before resting back on the assistant. "If the women we selected didn't meet your expectations, we can offer-"

"How about you keep me company instead?" Neil cut in, his voice deep and calm. Sharp, yet smooth.

The room went silent.

Neil's assistant froze. Even the hostesses by the door gasped.

"Boss..." the assistant whispered cautiously. "She's the owner..."

"So what?" Neil's gaze pierced straight into Selena, unreadable.

Selena drew a slow breath, forcing composure. "I'm sorry, sir... but I'm not a hostess," she replied softly, though her heart pounded violently.

"Well, Boss, perhaps we should look at others. Maybe someone more beautiful-" the assistant suggested nervously.

But Neil didn't budge. "I want her."

His voice wasn't loud, but it was firm, final, undeniable.

The assistant began to panic. He knew all too well-if his boss didn't get what he wanted, this wouldn't end with mere complaints. It could turn into something far worse.

"U-uh, Boss, maybe it's better if-"

"All right."

The soft voice cut him off.

Everyone turned toward Selena. Even Neil raised an eyebrow slightly.

"I'll accompany you tonight... just tonight," Selena said with a small smile. "As a gesture of goodwill for this establishment's service."

The assistant exhaled in relief. "Th-thank you, Miss Selena. That... that's a good solution."

Selena signaled for the hostesses to leave. They exchanged uneasy looks but eventually filed out one by one.

Now only the three of them remained.

Selena sat beside Neil, her expression calm though her eyes carefully studied his every move.

"Our boss rarely visits places like this," the assistant tried to ease the tension. "Tonight is special."

"Is that so," Selena replied with a faint smile. "Then let's make tonight memorable."

She picked up the karaoke remote, selected an old romantic song, and began to sing. Her gentle voice filled the room, softening the air that had moments ago been heavy with tension.

The assistant joined in awkwardly, laughing nervously.

But Neil said nothing. His eyes never left Selena. Without a word, he observed her every movement. Deep down, he admitted-this woman was not just beautiful.

She was graceful. Untouchable. Mysterious.

And for some reason, he wanted her-not just for karaoke. But for far more than that.

---

Lena's footsteps echoed faintly along the upper corridor of the grand mansion. Towering white walls lined with golden-framed classical paintings loomed on either side. She muttered softly under her breath.

"God, this house is enormous. If someone got lost in here, they'd never find their way out," she said, glancing around.

She wiped sweat from her temple. The air conditioning was cool, yet her chest burned with unease and anxiety. Since marrying Axel-forced by family pressure-Lena had never truly felt like she belonged here.

Suddenly, from the end of the hallway, a tall figure approached with confident strides. Neil. Again.

Damn it! Not this annoying man again! she panicked silently, quickly lowering her gaze and pretending to study the floor.

Neil walked closer. His steps were so light they made no sound. Maybe he won't even notice me, Lena hoped.

But as he passed by, her relief was short-lived.

"Hey, you..."

Lena froze. Oh God, why is he talking to me?! Her heart hammered in her chest.

Slowly, she turned with a stiff smile. "Yes, Uncle?"

Neil narrowed his eyes. "You're Axel's wife, aren't you?"

"Yes, Uncle," Lena replied, her voice trembling.

"I see... all right then."

Without another word, Neil turned and descended the stairs, his face unreadable. Lena frowned in confusion but didn't dwell on it. She hurried toward her room, desperate to avoid any more uncomfortable encounters that night.

But her steps faltered as the door swung open.

"Ahh... Axel... faster!"

The moans were unmistakable, along with the rhythmic creaking of the bed.

Lena's eyes widened in horror. Right before her stood Axel, entangled with a stunning long-haired woman. The woman's red dress lay crumpled on the floor.

Lena screamed.

"AAAAAAA!"

Axel quickly turned his head, jumped down from the bed, and pulled on his pants. The woman on the bed hurriedly yanked the blanket up to cover her body.

"You damn ugly woman! What the hell are you doing in here?!" Axel barked.

Lena's tearful eyes trembled as she whispered, "This... is my room..."

Axel glared. "I already told you I'd be using this room! Are you stupid?!"

Moments later, the sound of footsteps echoed behind them. Elizabeth-Axel's mother-appeared in the doorway with her husband, their faces burning with anger. Neil followed closely behind.

"God, Axel!" Elizabeth shouted. "Couldn't you have done this in the guest room? Or at a hotel, maybe?!"

"Dad, Mom..." Axel shrugged casually. "This isn't the first time I've brought a girl into this room."

Richard's face turned crimson. "Do you have no respect for your wife at all?! You're married, and you're still fooling around with other women?!"

Axel only smirked. "As if I'd ever touch an ugly woman like her."

The words struck Lena's chest like a hammer. She staggered slightly, her face drained of color. Before she could speak, Elizabeth placed a gentle hand on her shoulder.

"It's all right, Lena. Just move into the room next door, okay? It's not a problem."

Lena lowered her head, still in shock. She simply nodded, too weary to argue.

At that moment, Neil's gaze sharpened. His expression shifted as his thoughts churned. Lena? he mused silently. A name almost identical... and that body... so strikingly similar to Selena, the owner of the karaoke club...

"We'll move Lena's things tomorrow morning," Elizabeth said firmly. "I'll help you myself."

Lena remained silent. Elizabeth gently took her hand and led her away from the bedroom that should have been a honeymoon suite-now tainted as the scene of the first betrayal.

Neil stood frozen, his eyes locked on Lena's fading figure.

His usually impassive face slowly shifted. "Selena..."

---

Night once again blanketed the city. The River family estate seemed calm, but behind the tall back fence, someone was sneaking out.

Lena-still in her gaudy house dress-tiptoed barefoot, shoes dangling in one hand. Her face was painted in absurd makeup: uneven thick eyebrows, garish red blush, and smeared lipstick. She looked like a caricature of herself.

"God, if anyone sees me like this, they'll think I'm some ghost from the next village," she muttered as she approached the side gate.

Just as her hand touched the latch, a deep voice startled her.

"Mrs. Lena, where are you going?"

Lena spun around quickly. A middle-aged guard stood at the post with a flashlight in hand. His name was Rudi-the over-diligent night watch.

"Oh, uh, Rudi... I just needed some fresh air," Lena replied, forcing a sweet smile that looked terrifying under her clownish makeup.

"Fresh air at this hour?" Rudi asked, frowning in suspicion.

"Well... after dinner, I felt dizzy. The air inside feels suffocating," Lena said quickly.

She dug into her pocket, pulled out a few bills, and slipped them into his hand, whispering, "Please... don't tell anyone at home that I went out."

The guard nodded instantly. "Of course, Madam. You can count on me."

Lena gave a thin smile before darting out through the gate. Not far away, the same white car waited. She pulled open the back door and climbed in.

"God, Lena!" cried a mixed-race girl in the driver's seat. "What on earth is that outfit?!"

"Shhh, don't shout," Lena whispered, pulling a hoodie from the backseat over her head. "Aish, I'll explain later. Just drive to Selena's Dream. My work's been delayed enough because of this mess."

Susy-her secretary, best friend, and the only person she truly trusted-shook her head with an amused smile.

---

Neil sat motionless, as if on a throne. His office, perched on the top floor of his corporate tower, was vast, luxurious, its glass walls framing the city's glittering skyline. Yet the dazzling lights couldn't dispel the storm brewing in his mind.

He leaned back, arms crossed, jaw tight. In the past two weeks, he had visited Selena's Dream three times-yet not once had he met the woman herself-Selena.

Selena, the club owner who haunted him. Sometimes vague, sometimes vivid, her image lingered like a whisper that refused to fade. And now, that name surfaced again: Lena. Axel's wife. Married only two days, yet already sleeping in another room. This morning, when he saw her... her back was so much like Selena's.

"Is this longing?" he murmured softly. "Or just curiosity over the resemblance?"

Knock, knock, knock!

A knock at the door pulled him back.

"Come in," Neil said without looking up.

Leon, his personal assistant, entered carrying a tablet and an envelope.

"Sir, the car is ready downstairs. These are the documents you need to sign for the project later."

Neil nodded slightly, stood, and grabbed his jacket from the chair before walking out.

The night air greeted them as they exited the building. A sleek black luxury car with a private driver waited at the curb.

"Home, sir?" Leon asked.

Neil glanced at him briefly. "We're going to Selena's Dream."

Leon blinked. "Yes, sir."

The ride there was silent. Neil sat composed, eyes fixed forward, but his thoughts were in chaos. Words he'd overheard kept echoing: The karaoke owner, Selena... and Axel's wife, also named Lena...

Neil drew a long breath. "Too many Lenas in this city."

When they finally arrived at the parking lot of Selena's Dream, the driver switched off the engine.

But before Neil could open the door, something outside caught his eye.

At that very moment, two women stepped out of a white car across the street. One wore a hoodie, but as the night wind blew her hair and she turned her head, Neil caught a glimpse of her face-if only for a second.

A gaudy house dress with bright patterns. Quick, determined steps. And that face...

"Lena?" Neil whispered. "That's... Lena?"

Leon turned. "Sir?"

Neil said nothing. But now, he was certain-

He was beginning to believe who Lena really was.

Lena looked stunning in a deep purple bodycon dress. The gown hugged her curves elegantly, radiating the aura of a powerful young woman at the top of the corporate world. Yet behind the captivating appearance, her face was creased with stress from the pile of work on her desk.

"Suzy, please check the contract from Glamour Entertainment Corp. I think there's a number mistake in Article Three," Lena said quickly, flipping through the document.

"Yes, gorgeous boss," Suzy replied with a teasing smile, then took the document from Lena's hands.

But the calm atmosphere of the office was shattered by a knock at the door.

Knock, knock, knock!

"Come in!" Lena called without lifting her head.

The door opened, and George-the manager-entered, hesitation written across his face.

"What is it, George?" Lena asked curtly.

"Miss... the man from Ocean Kingdom Group is here again. He says he wants to be personally accompanied by you."

Lena shut her eyes for a moment and exhaled deeply. "Ugh... I'm swamped with deadlines, George. Tell him I'm busy."

George shook his head slowly. "You know how stubborn he is. He won't take no for an answer."

Lena clenched her jaw, rubbing her temple.

"Fine. Go. I'll follow shortly."

George bowed slightly and exited, closing the door behind him.

"Oh my God..." Lena muttered under her breath. "If I keep entertaining him, when will I ever get this done?"

Suzy raised her brows, shooting her a quick glance. "Lena... I think that guy's seriously smitten with you."

"Don't say that," Lena cut her off. "Do you even know who he is?"

"Of course! One of the owners of Ocean King Group. The younger brother of one of those big tycoons, right?"

Lena set down the document and fixed her sharp gaze on Suzy.

"That's not what I meant. He's... my husband's uncle."

Suzy's eyes widened, nearly dropping the folder in her hands. "Wait-what?! So... you married the grandson of Ocean King's founder?"

Lena nodded slowly, bitterly.

"Damn, that's like hitting the jackpot!" Suzy exclaimed, her eyes sparkling.

Lena sneered. "Jackpot? I'd rather never have married than be trapped with a bastard like him."

Suzy sat down immediately, torn between curiosity and concern. "Wait-hold on. You just called your husband a bastard. What's going on?"

Lena looked at her, her eyes carrying wounds that hadn't healed.

"I'll tell you later. Right now, I have to deal with that arrogant man."

She rose from her chair and strode out quickly.

---

The VIP karaoke room was dimly lit, filled with the mix of expensive cologne and alcohol. In the corner, Neil sat on a leather sofa, arms crossed. His expression was serious-tense, even-as if his mind was elsewhere, far from the late-night revelry.

Beside him, his personal assistant Leon busied himself with his phone, glancing nervously at his boss from time to time.

"Mr. Neil," Leon spoke softly. "Are you sure she'll come alone tonight?"

Neil didn't answer right away. He stared straight ahead, as though waiting for something invisible to appear.

"She'll come," he finally said. "She knows who I am."

Moments later, the door opened slowly. A woman walked in with graceful, confident steps. The deep purple bodycon dress fit her slender frame perfectly, every curve exuding allure. Her polite smile, however, kept a subtle distance. It was Lena.

Neil turned his head, watching her without moving a muscle.

"Is there something I can do for you, Mr. Neil?" Lena asked, her voice polite but flat. That social smile was like a mask-a survival weapon in a ruthless world.

Neil leaned back casually, though his eyes traced her figure from head to toe without pause.

"As usual... my boss asked for your company tonight," he finally said.

Lena offered a thin smile. "I'm very sorry, but tonight I'm truly busy. I've been away for more than a week, and there's a backlog of work waiting for me."

Neil narrowed his eyes, one brow lifting. "You're refusing me?"

The atmosphere in the room shifted-colder, heavier.

"That's not what I mean, sir. It's just-"

"I thought you understood business, Miss Selena," Neil cut her off, his voice low and weighted with pressure. "In this kind of business, guest satisfaction comes first. If you keep acting this way, your business might collapse before you even realize it."

God... here we go again, Lena thought bitterly. Always wrapping threats in sweet words.

She drew in a quiet breath, then forced a small smile-one that was no longer genuine.

"Alright," she said at last. "I'll keep you company tonight."

Leon glanced at Neil with a satisfied look, as if they had just scored a victory.

Lena walked gracefully and sat beside Neil, keeping enough distance to remain polite, but making her boundaries clear. Music began to play. Leon grabbed a microphone, while one of the hostesses danced beside him. The sound system blared.

"Come on, Mr. Neil! Your favorite song!" Leon shouted, shaking his body, drawing laughter from the hostess.

Neil only gave a faint smile, sipping his drink, his eyes flicking occasionally to the clock on the wall.

Lena forced another smile. Time dragged on painfully. Almost 11 p.m. already. Anxiety crept in. What if her in-laws-or worse, he-found out she hadn't come home yet?

"You look restless," Neil said suddenly, raising his glass to his lips.

Lena froze for a moment, startled by the question.

She turned slightly and smiled softly. "No, just a bit dizzy. The music's quite loud."

Neil squinted. "Strange. You own a karaoke business, yet you're dizzy from singing?"

Lena almost confessed the truth-that she never liked this place, that none of this had ever been her choice. The business had been forced on her by her husband's family. But she swallowed the words.

"I rarely spend time in these rooms, sir. Usually, I'm in the office or handling operations."

Neil chuckled faintly. "A diplomatic answer. You really do know how to play the game, don't you?"

Lena wasn't sure what he meant, but she smiled again-her heart pounding, praying for the night to end soon.