A pile of books was stacked on the nightstand, and Elysia had barely left the bedroom since stepping into the mansion. Mrs. Calista was acting unusually strict with her, even enrolling her in one of the company's upcoming interviews.
Does Mrs. Calista think I'm illiterate or what? Why send me all these books to read? Elysia thought bitterly, flipping through the pile. Some were even high school textbooks, which left her completely dumbstruck.
The phone buzzed, breaking her thoughts. She answered quickly.
"Miss, we will leave in half an hour for the company," Mr. Storm informed her.
"Okay. I'll be out soon."
She prepared herself carefully. When she looked in the mirror, her reflection didn't show a nervous bride it showed an office lady, polished and ready for work. The professional clothes hugged her figure too well, which annoyed her. After a few careful touch-ups on her face, she was ready to leave. In her hurry, she didn't even return the books to their rightful places.
Mrs. Calista was doing everything possible to mold Elysia into a perfect wife the kind any man would dream of. And for her, that meant pushing Elysia into the business world.
Yet as Elysia walked down the hallway, her thoughts drifted back to her unseen husband the man she technically belonged to, but had never once laid eyes on. Every time she tried asking Lily, the housemaid who seemed closest to her, she would only smile politely and say,
"Don't worry, madam. Young Master will be home soon."
But those smiles haunted her. They felt…fake. As if everyone knew a secret she didn't.
When she entered the car, she froze to see Mrs. Calista already seated gracefully, waiting.
"Good morning," Elysia greeted politely.
"You never disappoint me, young lady," Mrs. Calista said with a smile. "Make sure you pass this interview. Soon, you'll be working in one of our biggest companies something you will one day own yourself."
The car pulled away. The ride was silent but tense, and soon they arrived at the towering glass building.
"Marco, take me back home. Later, return for the young lady," Mrs. Calista instructed the driver, leaving Elysia to face everything alone.
Inside, she was shocked by the sheer number of candidates waiting in the lounge. The company clearly conducted extremely strict interviews written exams, multiple questioning rounds, everything to ensure only the best got in.
Before she could gather her thoughts, a familiar voice pierced the noise.
"Oooh my… Elyseee!"
Elysia turned sharply and gasped. Standing there, with a dazzling smile, was her long-lost best friend.
"Luna!"
The two embraced tightly, laughter bubbling from their chests.
"You work here?" Elysia asked breathlessly.
"I can't believe it either!" Luna grinned. "After your last letter, I couldn't stand how that ridiculous family treated you.
" Her voice dropped, tinged with anger.
"Don't worry," Elysia said softly. "I'm fine now. Let's talk after the interview."
"Deal. Dinner's on me," Luna winked, kissing her cheek before pulling away. "And don't worry you'll ace the shit in there. Good luck, Elyse."
The warmth of the reunion gave Elysia courage. When her turn came, she entered the interview room with surprising calm. Her lost friend's presence gave her more than a thousand reasons to succeed.
The process went smoothly, though she couldn't understand why Mrs. Calista treated it as a life or death mission. When she finally stepped out, it was already lunch. Luna was waiting, waving her over.
Hand in hand, the two friends walked into the cafeteria. Over steaming plates of food, Luna's questions came fast.
"So tell me, Elyse, how did they let you out of that house? I remember your sister claiming she was the rightful heir. What's really going on?"
Elysia froze, then sighed. There was no escaping Luna's persistence.
"After Mom died, everything changed. Dad became… harsh. Elena wasn't adopted, like he once claimed. She's his real daughter with Mrs. Evelyn my so called stepmother. Elena is older than me by a year, which makes her the 'rightful heir.' Now, Mrs. Evelyn treats me like an outsider."
Her voice trembled. "And then… this ridiculous marriage appeared out of nowhere. Dad didn't even bother to attend the wedding."
"WHAT?!" Luna's voice exploded, making nearby workers glance their way.
"Shhh!" Elysia tried calming her, squeezing her hand. But Luna's face was flushed with fury.
"How can I calm down? They're treating you like garbage, Elyse! Like some piece of property to be traded!" She gulped down a glass of water, trembling with anger.
"I don't even understand why they chose me," Elysia whispered. "Elena is their shining star. Mrs. Evelyn would never let me take the spotlight. That thought haunts me every day."
"Who is he?" Luna demanded, eyes blazing. "This so called ridiculous husband of yours? I'll make you divorce him. I don't care what it takes. I've built my own career, I have enough to take care of you. I won't stand by while they destroy you even if I will have to use my family"
Elysia felt tears prick her eyes, touched by Luna's fierce loyalty. "Thank you, Luna. But…" She met her friend's hazel eyes, voice breaking. "I don't even know who he is. I've never met him since marrying him."
Luna's eyes widened in disbelief, glassy with unshed tears.
"Please don't cry," Elysia begged, panicking.
But Luna only hugged her tightly. "You have me, Elyse. No matter what, I'll protect you. Just hold on."
The cafeteria's noise returned to normal, but moments later, a commotion erupted at the entrance.
Three men walked in. Handsome wasn't enough to describe them they carried an aura that silenced the entire room. One wore a playful smirk, the second carried calm confidence, and the third… his expression was cold, arrogant, yet devastatingly captivating.
Murmurs spread like wildfire among the women. Luna whistled softly. "Wow ooh holy shit. What piece of snacks are these?"exclaimed Luna with unbelievable expression
Elysia laughed nervously, but her amusement died the moment her emerald eyes locked onto a pair of piercing silver-gray ones.
The cold man was staring directly at her.
His gaze pinned her in place, stripping her soul bare, as if he could see through every secret she had ever buried. Her chest tightened, her breath caught—she couldn't look away.
That look.
Those eyes.
Oh my God…