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.

The clock in the grand hallway read 1:34 a.m. The entire house was silent and dark, accompanied only by the soft hum of the central air conditioning. Outside, the night air was freezing, but Lena kept moving cautiously, tiptoeing through the front door after unlocking it with the spare key one of the maids had given her.

"Thank God..." she whispered in relief as she stepped inside. She closed the door slowly, then turned the key in its lock.

The house remained quiet. As always, everyone had gone to bed by nine. Lena tiptoed toward the living room, intending to go straight upstairs. But-

"Where have you been at this hour?"

The voice was low, cold, yet it echoed in the silence. Lena froze, struck as if by lightning. Her heart nearly stopped.

"Oh God...!" she gasped softly. Reflexively, she turned around, and a second later, the table lamp beside the sofa clicked on.

Neil sat there, leaning back casually, but his eyes were sharp as an eagle's, missing nothing. A thin smile played across his lips.

"Uh... Uncle..." Lena stammered, glancing at the clock. "You're still awake?"

Neil didn't answer right away. He stood slowly and walked closer.

"Were you alone?" His tone was flat, unreadable.

"I-I just stepped out for a while... to get some fresh air. The room felt stuffy," Lena replied quickly, keeping her head lowered to avoid the light.

But Neil wasn't easily fooled. His gaze swept over her appearance. He could tell something was off-though she had changed out of her purple gown into an oversized nightdress, traces of her evening still lingered.

"Are you wearing makeup?" Neil asked, now only a few steps away.

"N-no," Lena shook her head, edging back slightly.

But Neil kept moving forward until her back pressed against the wall. Her breath hitched. The air between them grew heavy, suffocating.

Suddenly, Neil lifted his hand and touched Lena's lips with the tip of his finger. The gesture made her freeze in place.

"H-hey-!" she squeaked in shock.

But Neil had already pulled his finger back, revealing a faint red stain. He stared at it, then looked directly at her.

"What's this?" he asked.

Lena's eyes widened. Damn it... Why was there still lipstick left? She thought she had wiped it off in the bathroom!

She forced a smile. "Oh, maybe from the lipstick I wore before dinner. I thought it would tempt my husband."

Neil chuckled low, his deep voice vibrating through the midnight air.

"What if I'm the one tempted instead?"

Lena's heart lurched. His words weren't just inappropriate-they scrambled her mind. This was her husband's uncle...!

"Uncle... you're joking, right?" she tried to laugh, but it came out stiff.

Neil didn't reply. He just stared at her-sharp, intense, unblinking. Lena felt hypnotized, but she knew she couldn't linger there.

"Ah... I'm really sleepy," she blurted quickly, trying to end the moment. "It's already past midnight. I should go to bed, Uncle."

Neil didn't stop her. He only kept watching in silence.

"I'll grab some water from the kitchen. I'm so thirsty," Lena added, clutching her stomach as if hungry.

Then she hurried away-not to the kitchen, but straight to the stairs. Her steps were quick, almost a run. One hand held her nightdress so she wouldn't trip while climbing.

From below, Neil stood still, his thin smile never fading.

His eyes followed her back until she vanished at the top of the stairs.

He muttered softly, almost to himself,

"Interesting... It seems the real drama in this house is only just beginning."

In her room, Lena shut the door and locked it. She leaned against it, panting, cold sweat dampening her temples.

"Does he suspect something... or is he just playing with me? Why is he acting like this now?"

Her mind spun. She glanced at the mirror-and there it was, a faint red smudge still clinging to her lips.

"Stupid... why didn't I clean it properly earlier?" she cursed under her breath.

She rushed into the bathroom, grabbed a wet wipe, and scrubbed her lips harshly until no trace remained.

Then she stared at her reflection.

What exactly did Neil want? And... how long could she survive this dangerous game?

That night, Lena couldn't sleep.

Because for the first time, she realized-

This house was not as safe as she thought.

---

"Good God!"

Axel's roar echoed from the dining room, jolting the whole household awake. All eyes turned toward him. Sitting at the breakfast table with his family, Axel's face burned red with fury, his eyes glaring at the woman who had just entered.

Lena beamed brightly, wearing an oversized neon-yellow dress dotted with blinding orange polka dots. Her hair was braided in pigtails, and her eyebrows... resembled abstract art.

"WHY IS THERE AN UGLY WOMAN HERE?!" Axel bellowed, his eyes nearly bulging.

Lena stifled a laugh, trying to stay sweet.

"Darling... I woke up so early today. I dressed up just for you-so you can see how beautiful I am."

"BEAUTIFUL?!" Axel recoiled in disgust. "Ugh, disgusting! YOU'RE UGLY!"

Lena's smile faltered, her eyes brimming with tears. "Darling... why are you so cruel? I just wanted to make you happy."

"DON'T CALL ME DARLING! You disgust me!" Axel snapped, swatting her hand away when she tried to touch his arm.

"AXEL!" Richard's booming voice thundered from the end of the table. "Your wife has tried. Respect her. Lena is already far better than before."

Elizabeth only shook her head slowly, disappointment clouding her face. Neil, sitting back with his black coffee, merely cast a brief glance at Axel before returning to his cup.

Axel clenched his fists. "You've ruined my appetite, ugly creature!"

He stormed off with long strides, leaving Lena standing alone in the middle of the room.

"Darling... please... don't go. You haven't had breakfast yet," Lena pleaded softly, reaching for his hand.

Axel shoved her away roughly and disappeared upstairs, slamming his bedroom door. Lena stood frozen, her face etched with sadness... or perhaps just a skillful act.

Richard set down his spoon. "Leave him. Let's continue eating."

Breakfast carried on in heavy silence. When it was done, Lena rose and carefully prepared a tray with two sandwiches and a glass of milk.

"I'll bring this up for Axel," she said gently.

"A thoughtful and caring daughter-in-law," Richard praised with a smile. Elizabeth nodded faintly, though uncertainty lingered in her eyes.

Lena carried the tray upstairs slowly, balancing it in her hands. No one noticed Neil's sharp gaze following her every step.

---

Upstairs...

"WHY ARE YOU IN MY ROOM?!" Axel shouted the moment the door opened.

Lena flinched but forced a smile. "I brought you breakfast, darling."

"Just leave it there! Ugh, disgusting! NOW GET OUT!"

Without a word, Lena set the tray on the table and turned to leave. Axel slammed the door behind her, making her jump.

"Wow, that much?" she muttered as she walked down the stairs.

Once she reached the bottom, she exhaled deeply... then chuckled softly.

"A morning full of drama," she whispered as she set the empty tray down. But when she turned-

"Oh my God, Uncle!" Lena almost dropped the tray. Neil was standing right behind her, far too close.

"You scared me. Like a ghost."

Neil smirked at the corner of his lips. "So? Did you succeed in seducing your husband today?"

Lena pouted playfully. "No, Uncle. I got up before dawn to get ready. But my husband... he just finds me disgusting."

Neil's gaze bore into her-sharp, piercing. "Then... what if I'm the one tempted instead?"

Lena froze. Her eyes widened, then she laughed nervously. "Uncle... you're joking, right?"

"Why? You don't believe me?"

His stare didn't waver-serious, piercing. There was something in his eyes that made Lena's heart race wildly. Her instincts screamed for her to leave.

"Ehm... I'll head to my room now, Uncle." She spun quickly, but-

Neil suddenly grabbed her wrist. With a swift move, he turned her to face him. His other hand lifted, tilting her chin gently-then he kissed her.

Lena's eyes widened in shock. It all happened so fast-Neil's lips on hers, firmly. She shoved him instinctively, breaking the kiss.

Staring at him in disbelief, she saw his eyes dark, filled with desire, as if ready to devour her.

"This... shouldn't have happened..." she whispered, wiping her lips with the back of her hand before fleeing upstairs.

Neil only stood there, watching her go. His hand touched his own lips, a thin smile spreading.

Meanwhile, Lena slammed her bedroom door, leaning against it with both hands covering her mouth, still shaken.

"Oh God... why did he kiss me like that?" she whispered. "Is he insane? I'm his nephew's wife! How could he... He's truly mad!"