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!"

The night had swallowed the city in an eerie silence. Behind a desk buried under stacks of files and the glow of her laptop, Lena sat hunched over. Her eyes scanned rows of numbers in the audit report-fatigue etched clearly on her face, yet determination kept her going.

She glanced at the wall clock. 10:47 p.m.

Almost eleven, but not a single call from the manager who usually summoned her to entertain their notoriously arrogant regular guest.

Tonight, her phone remained silent. No notifications. No messages. Nothing.

Lena bit her lower lip, then reached for the landline.

"Reception?" Her voice was soft, polite.

"Yes, Miss?"

"Did Mr. Neil come in tonight? With his assistant?" she asked, walking toward the large window, staring out at the pitch-dark city.

"Yes, ma'am. He booked the VIP room around nine-thirty, as usual."

"Oh... thank you for the information."

She hung up and drew in a deep breath. Strange. Usually, he would call her in without fail. Why not tonight?

Was he with someone else-other than his assistant?

The thought crept in uninvited, stabbing her mind like shards of glass. Lena quickly shook her head. Forcing herself back into her chair, she pushed the distraction aside and focused on finishing her work.

12:03 a.m.

The files were neatly stacked, her laptop tucked into her bag. She headed down to the basement to fetch her car. Tonight, she was driving herself-Suzy had chosen to stay behind, saying she wanted "a quiet night, away from everyone."

The silver sedan rolled slowly through the empty city streets. Streetlights glowed faintly, the sky above black and starless. Halfway through, the engine suddenly sputtered, coughed-and died completely.

"Oh, come on... not now," Lena muttered in frustration. She twisted the key again and again, to no avail.

Stepping out, she lifted the hood and stared blankly inside-though she barely understood what she was looking at. A mess of wires, a puff of steam, the stench of oil. She frowned.

"Seriously... why tonight of all nights?" she whispered at the aging car her parents had left her.

Around her, there was nothing but trees and a deserted road. No passing cars. No voices. Only the rustle of wind through the leaves and a distant howl of dogs.

A shiver ran down her spine-not from the cold, but from unease creeping in.

Then-a beam of light appeared in the distance. Headlights. A car approached, cutting through the darkness, its beams locking onto Lena and her stranded vehicle. Instinctively, she stepped into the road, raising her hands.

The car slowed and stopped right in front of her. Its black body gleamed under the moonlight. A BMW. Lena recognized it instantly.

The driver's door opened, revealing a tall figure in a black suit. His gaze was sharp, carrying a flicker of surprise.

Lena's eyes widened.

"Neil?" she breathed, stunned.

The night air slid cold against her body, seeping beneath the long bodycon dress hugging her curves. She stood frozen near her broken-down car as Niel, tall and composed as ever, faced her with piercing eyes.

For a moment, the only sound was the whisper of leaves and the wind between them.

Neil's gaze shifted to her car. The hood still gaped open, faint steam curling out.

"My car broke down," Lena said finally, forcing her voice to sound calm though her body trembled.

Without a word, Neil strode over to the engine, hands moving swiftly as he checked wires, pressed here and there, then exhaled heavily.

"It needs a workshop," he said flatly.

Lena stepped closer. "But... it's midnight. No workshop is open now."

Neil shut the hood with a quiet thud and turned his gaze on her.

"Then... I can take you home."

Her brows lifted, relief flickering. "Really? Then... thank you."

Neil said nothing. He simply walked back to his BMW. Lena followed and slipped into the passenger seat. The interior was warm, comforting, filled with the faint scent of cinnamon. Yet tonight, the air felt heavier-charged with something unspoken.

Neil gripped the steering wheel, but didn't start the engine. Lena glanced sideways.

"Are we... waiting for something?" she asked, half joking, half nervous.

Neil's lips curled into a faint smile-thin, sly, unreadable. "I'm afraid, Miss Selena," he murmured. "This isn't free."

Her brows furrowed. "What do you mean?"

"You'll have to pay me," he said, eyes cutting through her like blades. "But in a way that satisfies me."

Lena's heart pounded. She straightened, trying to decipher the tone behind his words. "Mr. Neil... what are you talking abou-"

Before she could finish, Neil moved. His hand gripped the back of her neck, yanking her close-his lips crashed onto hers.

The kiss wasn't a greeting. Not affection. It was a claim. Demanding. Forceful.

Lena froze, body stiff for a few seconds, before her palms shoved hard against his chest.

"Neil!" she gasped. "What the hell are you doing?!"

Neil stared back-sharp, calm, unflinching. "Making you understand."

Her body trembled. "Do you think I'm the kind of woman you can just treat like that-"

"You're not just any woman," Neil cut in, his voice like a blade. "That's exactly what makes you dangerous. And I'm curious to taste it."

Smack!