THE MANSION — NIGHT
The iron gates of the estate opened with a soft mechanical groan, revealing the sprawling mansion .The mansion rose like a modern palace, its white façade glowing under soft golden lights. A sweeping driveway curved toward the grand entrance, centered by a shimmering fountain. Lush gardens, palm trees, and manicured lawns framed the estate, every corner lit with elegant pathway lights. Under the moonlight, the entire place looked majestic, serene… and unmistakably powerful.
A matte-black Maybach rolled in, its headlights slicing through the layered shadows of palm trees and perfectly trimmed gardens. Ground lights flickered on as the car passed, illuminating tall fountains, marble statues, and rows of manicured hedges that whispered luxury.
Two lines of bodyguards stood on each side of the entrance, all in sharp black suits, earpieces glinting faintly. Their posture was rigid, disciplined, their eyes straight ahead — no one dared move unless commanded.
The car slowed. Stopped.
A moment of heavy stillness.
The back door opened.
The mysterious man stepped out.
Broad shoulders. Tall… around 6'3". A presence that didn't need an introduction.
His suit was flawless — black, tailored to perfection, paired with retro square-shaped Ray-Ban glasses that hid his eyes but not his authority. He didn't pause to adjust anything; everything about him was already precise.
The guards bowed their heads slightly.
"Welcome back, Young Master," one of them murmured.
He walked forward with calm, confident strides, each step echoing on the marble pathway.
Inside the mansion, warm golden chandeliers cast light across marble floors and white pillars carved with exquisite details. The air smelled faintly of jasmine and polished wood.
A maid rushed down the corridor, holding her skirt to avoid tripping. Her voice trembled with excitement as she reached the library.
"Madam! Young Master has arrived!"
Inside the library, a woman sat gracefully on a velvet chair, a hard-bound book resting lightly in her hands. She wore an elegant cream-gold gown, embroidered softly, matching her refined aura. Her hair fell in soft waves over her shoulders, and her expression held an almost angelic kindness.
Her eyes brightened instantly.
She stood, closed the book gently, and hurried toward the entrance.
He stepped inside.
For the first time, his composure shifted — just a little.
The woman's smile warmed the cold air between them.
"You're finally home," she whispered.
She reached him and wrapped her arms around his shoulders, pulling him close. He didn't resist. His hands rose slowly, resting on her back in a quiet embrace — brief, soft, but real.
Together they walked inside, side by side, their silhouettes framed by the mansion's glowing corridor as they disappeared deeper into its luxurious heart.
Fade out.
---
NEXT MORNING — SILVERLINE CITY
Silverline blossomed under the morning sun.
Soft breeze drifted along the streets, carrying the scent of rain-kissed leaves. Tall trees lined the pathways, forming gentle arches overhead. Pink and white flower petals drifted down with the wind, settling on the sidewalks like nature's confetti.
Cars moved with quiet rhythm. Birds chirped playfully. The world felt… soft.
Olivia stepped out of her taxi, her hair brushing lightly against her cheeks as the breeze passed. She gazed at the petals on the ground and inhaled deeply.
For the first time in days, a small, genuine smile curled on her lips.
She headed toward Harrington Global, holding her ID card.
Beep. The glass doors opened.
She walked into the elevator — and paused.
Mike stood inside.
"Good morning," he said, smiling warmly.
She returned the smile, soft but real. "Morning."
The elevator doors closed as they both exchanged a light conversation, and soon laughter filled the small cabin — a rare sound for Olivia these days.
They stepped out onto their floor together.
Instantly, silence wrapped around them. The entire office was unusually tense — stiff postures, hushed whispers, darting eyes.
Olivia and Mike exchanged puzzled looks.
From behind them, two colleagues whispered:
"Did you hear? The CEO is coming today."
Both Olivia and Mike froze.
"Oh no…" Mike muttered. "We forgot today's the day."
Claire suddenly popped up between them.
"Oh please! We're already tired with the staff we have — now another one is here to eat our brains alive!"
Their group burst into laughs.
But Jenna's expression tightened.
"Liv… yesterday I came to your apartment. You weren't there."
Olivia blinked, forcing calm.
"I was out of the city," she answered lightly. "Just… needed some air."
She didn't say where. She didn't intend to.
Before Jenna could question more, the elevator dinged.
Everyone turned.
A man stepped out.
Tall. Impossibly tall.
Broad shoulders.
A pinstripe navy-blue suit that looked hand-stitched to perfection.
Black shoes polished like mirrors.
Retro square blue sunglasses hiding his eyes. His jet-black hair was slicked back with precise control, the sides neatly trimmed and the top longer, styled with effortless authority. A couple of intentional strands fell near his forehead, adding a cool, dangerous edge to his polished look.
The same atmosphere of power.
He walked with unshakeable confidence, steps precise, straight toward the CEO's wing.
Mr. Cole rushed forward.
Ms. Nora Hale followed, perfectly composed.
Ms. Avery hurried behind them.
Several board members lined up instantly to greet him.
Their crowd blocked the view from Olivia's side of the office.
She couldn't see him.
But she felt something.
A sharp, uneasy pull in her chest.
Her heartbeat quickened, erratic.
Mike glanced at her.
"Olivia… you're sweating. Are you okay?"
She forced a small smile.
"Yeah… just the weather."
She took a sip of water, but the heaviness in her chest didn't ease.
The whispers around her grew louder.
"Some girls put so much makeup thinking the CEO might notice them—"
"All wasted. He didn't even look at anyone."
At lunch, their group sat in the canteen.
Everyone talked about him.
"He looked so handsome!"
"Did you see his jawline?"
"He's so perfect, I swear."
"His eyes behind those glasses—"
Jenna sighed dramatically.
"Guys… we missed the chance to see him. This is an international-level tragedy."
Mike snorted.
"Relax, you didn't miss your wedding."
They all laughed.
But someone else wasn't laughing.
Behind the canteen's glass door, the mysterious man stood silently.
Watching them.
His expression unreadable. Except for a faint, knowing smile on his mouth.
Then he turned away and walked back to his office.
---
EVENING
Olivia submitted her document to Ms. Avery.
"Your face looks pale, dear," Avery said, raising a brow. "What happened?"
"Nothing, ma'am. Climate change," Olivia lied gently.
Soon it was time to leave.
Their group walked together to the exit before parting into different paths.
Olivia walked toward her apartment street. Mike glanced back at her, concern in his eyes.
Neither of them noticed—
A black luxury car parked quietly nearby.
Inside, the mysterious man watched them through the half-opened window.
His gaze fixed on Olivia.
The car rolled forward slowly…
And disappeared into the night.
--