EVELYN

The air inside the boardroom was thick with tension, the kind that settled between unspoken words and silent glares. No one dared to breathe too loudly. We were all waiting for the inevitable—the verdict.

Jade Jewelry was situated in Roosters, housed within a ten-floor building. We occupied the fifth, sixth, and seventh floors, with the sixth serving as our design studio and the seventh reserved for board meetings. Initially, the building accommodated various businesses, but ever since Lush acquired the entire property, some of them had begun relocating.

That’s right, Mr. Almighty doesn’t like his business aligning with other businesses. So we are expecting new changes. Don’t get the wrong idea, Lush headquarters is in CBD, a seven-star building. I’d been there once for a product launch, and the sheer extravagance had left an imprint on me—red carpets rolled over polished floors, walls lined with gold-trimmed panels, and chandeliers that dripped luxury. It was the very definition of untouchable.

And now, we had to impress the man who owned it all.

“So… what’s going to happen?” Victor finally broke the silence. Beside him, Serena was lazily trimming her nails, sitting with the arrogance of someone who thought they owned the place.

Daniel exhaled, his fingers drumming against the armrest of his chair. Sitting in the team leader’s seat, he looked like he was carrying the weight of something heavier than just another design task.

“It’s bad,” he muttered.

“Bad?” I frowned. “What’s bad?”

He dragged a hand through his hair. “Bianco just submitted their first piece for the Internal Jewelry Auction. It’s a masterpiece. High-end, breathtaking… and that’s why the boss reacted the way he did.”

“I see,” Diana said, dropping a stack of files onto the table with a thud. “So, what’s the plan?”

“Well, you heard right,” Serena interjected with an amused chuckle. “We’ve got two weeks to come up with something just as impressive—or better—otherwise, we’ll be handing in our resignation letters.”

“Jesus.”

“There’s more,” Daniel added, leaning forward. “A new order was given.”

“What order?” Victor asked cautiously.

Daniel took in a slow breath before speaking. “No more separate group competitions. From now on, we’re one unit. We’ll submit three designs as a single team, and only one person will judge them.”

“Let me guess,” Diana scoffed, crossing her arms. “His Highness Kurtis Otias?”

Daniel nodded grimly.

The room fell into stunned silence.

“There is no way we can impress that guy,” Diana continued, exasperated. “He’s practically royalty in this industry! He doesn’t care about trends—he creates them. He only accepts perfection, and even that probably bores him!”

I scoffed, and just like that, all eyes were on me.

“Got something to say, Evelyn?” Daniel challenged.

I smirked. “Actually, yeah.” I stood up, stretching my limbs before walking toward the presentation board. “Until now, we’ve been designing to impress clients. But let’s be real—our boss doesn’t give a damn about how others view his products. He’s an egotist. He makes jewelry that holds his charisma, his vision. Women don’t just love his pieces; they fall for him through them. That’s what makes him untouchable.”

“And your point is?” Serena asked coolly, unimpressed.

I turned, my lips curling. “Instead of designing for the market, why don’t we create a masterpiece that embodies him?”

Daniel’s eyes widened slightly. “You mean… a jewelry piece that mirrors Kurtis Otias himself?”

“Exactly. A design that screams cold, indifferent, egotistical—and above all, royalty.”

His face broke into a grin. “That’s genius. That’s perfect!” He chuckled, shaking his head. “I always knew I could count on you. You’re the best we’ve got.”

Diana smirked. “A jewelry piece that is Kurtis Otias? That’s a whole new level of bold.”

“Damn right,” Victor agreed. “Now that’s an original concept!”

“So, how are we splitting the work?” Diana asked, looking around.

Victor leaned forward. “I’ll dig into materials that resonate with all those qualities. Diana, wanna help?”

She rolled her eyes but smirked. “Yeah, sure, lover boy.”

“I’ll handle the design,” I said. “It’s my idea—I’ll bring it to life.”

“Perfect,” Daniel nodded. “I’ll make sure you guys have everything you need. Just send me your requirements, and I’ll get the materials.”

The meeting disbanded, but as I was about to leave, Daniel called after me. Serena remained seated, legs crossed, eyes sharp.

“What is it?” I asked, already wary.

“I want you to work with Serena on the design.”

I raised an eyebrow. “Why? We’re both designers. She heard the concept—let her create her own.”

“Come on, Eve,” Daniel sighed, rubbing his temple. “We’re a single unit now. Can you put aside your differences for this project?”

I scoffed. I saw right through him. He wanted to save Serena’s face, give her a chance to claim credit where it wasn’t due. But I wasn’t playing along.

“Don’t force her, Daniel.” Serena finally stood, her lips curling in a venomous smirk. “Let’s both work separately.” She paused before adding, “But—the loser walks.”

“Serena!” Daniel snapped, clearly frustrated. “That’s not—”

“I like the idea.” I cut him off with a smirk of my own. “The winner stays. Same concept.”

She narrowed her eyes. “Yeah. Game on.”

I chuckled darkly and walked out. Behind me, I could feel her glare burning into my back, probably cursing me under her breath.

I didn’t care.

“That’s right, bitch,” I muttered under my breath, stepping into the hallway. “Game on.”

It was thirty minutes past four when my phone buzzed, dragging me out of my focused state. I had been shut away in my usual workspace—dimly lit except for the perfect glow cast by my desk lamp. As a designer, I thrived in quiet, and this was the only thing the previous owner of Jade got right.

A message from Fedrick.

Shit.

I had been so consumed by my project that I completely forgot about the contract. Snatching a plain sheet, I started scribbling down anything that came to mind. I had watched enough dramas and read plenty of novels on the topic—never once imagining I’d end up in such a predicament myself.

"Accidentally married to your cold boss."

I smirked at my own bitter amusement as I drafted more conditions, my mind flipping between logic and sheer desperation. Just as I was getting into it, the door creaked open.

Daniel.

My stomach twisted at the sight of him, my body tensing as he strode in.

"Hey, is everything okay?" His voice was smooth, but there was an edge to it—too probing, too calculated. He circled around me, slipping his arms around my waist.

"About what?" I asked, playing along even as disgust curled in my gut. Bastard. Just the thought of his hands—those same hands that had been all over Serena—touching me made my skin crawl.

"I don’t know… you feel distant today." He leaned in, his breath fanning against my neck. Once, that mere touch would have sent a shiver down my spine. Now, all I felt was revulsion.

"Sorry, but I need to focus," I said smoothly, peeling away from him. I moved across the table, casually shifting my draft under the LCD lamp to hide it. "I can’t afford another insult from the new CEO."

A tight smile. A well-crafted lie.

He exhaled, seemingly satisfied, and followed me. "Yeah, you’re probably right." His fingers brushed against my wrist as he tilted his head. "So, what about tonight? Come over to my place. I’ll cook for you." He pulled me closer, lips grazing my collarbone. "I miss you."

Liar.

With a soft push, I cupped his face, tilting his chin up. "Tonight, the girls are helping me with the designs. And after the mess today?" I sighed dramatically. "I’m exhausted. Rain check?"

He looked disappointed. Good.

"Oh… I see." His voice dropped, thick with barely concealed frustration.

Perfect. Now run back to your perfect woman.

Feigning sudden urgency, I gasped. "Would you look at the time? I promised to meet Grace at four. Damn, I’m late!" Snatching up my craft book and the draft, I darted toward the door. "See you tomorrow!"

I didn’t wait for his response.

Fedrick had parked discreetly in a private lot. The moment I slid into the passenger seat, I fired off a quick DM to Grace. As we pulled out, I unfolded my draft, scanning the hastily scribbled conditions. No money involved—just a cold, strategic arrangement. A marriage of convenience.

But he didn’t drive toward the previous penthouse.

Instead, we cut through the dimming skyline, heading toward Lavington. He pulled into a luxurious, private suite, the towering black gates parting automatically.

And then I saw it.

A fortress.

A bold, pentagonal structure, three floors high, its sharp angles and dark facade exuding an air of mystery. It was carved into reality like a shadow, commanding attention with its sheer presence.

The second floor stretched into a grand balcony, framed by sleek railings, overflowing with meticulously arranged house flowers. Even from inside the car, I could see the vibrant petals cascading over the edges of elegant, hand-painted pots, a delicate contrast against the house’s stark black exterior.

But the masterpiece?

The third floor.

An open expanse of a swimming pool shimmered beneath the evening sky, its crystalline surface mirroring the twilight. The smooth, obsidian finish of the house clashed beautifully with the blue depths, making it seem less like a home and more like a living work of art.

Fedrick parked beside four luxury vehicles. A sleek black TX—the newest model—stood beside two Range Rovers, one black, one white. Then, there was a BMW X5, glinting under the courtyard lights.

Stepping out, I inhaled deeply, absorbing the sheer opulence—before my breath hitched.

A massive black Boerboel emerged from the shadows, panting heavily as it locked its gaze onto me. A silent, unmoving presence. A death stare.

I stiffened, instinctively stepping back.

"It doesn’t bite," a voice drawled lazily.

I looked up.

Kurtis.

Perched on the first-floor balcony, he leaned against the railing, a glass of wine in hand. Dressed in a simple, light shirt and white shorts, he looked entirely unbothered. "Stop staring and join me."

Inside, the house was just as perfect as its exterior. Plush black sofas, a modern entertainment system, a space that screamed wealth and power. The air carried a rich, herbal fragrance—sweet, yet grounding.

By the time I reached the balcony, he was already seated, his fingers idly swirling the deep red liquid in his glass.

"You brought the contract?"

No small talk. Straight to business.

I exhaled, pulling out the draft. "These are my demands."

He took the paper, eyes skimming over the contents.

"Straight to the conditions, I see." His lips curled at one corner. "Let’s see… Marriage is strictly business-oriented, no obligation for physical intimacy, no financial dependency, a maintained public image, no interference in personal lives, and no romantic entanglements with third parties…" He trailed off before letting out a low chuckle. "Keeping it professional, I see. But—"

He set the paper down and stood, moving toward me.

My body tensed.

"I have an issue with this one," he murmured, lifting the sheet. "No physical intimacy."

I crossed my arms. "I don’t see an issue."

His gaze darkened, and in a blink, he was in front of me. Before I could react, he reached out, gripping my wrist and pulling me flush against him. A sharp gasp escaped me as I collided with his solid frame.

"You do know that when we meet my family, we’ll have to make them believe this marriage is real," he mused, voice low.

"Yeah," I murmured, pulse quickening.

"So that means," his hold tightened, his lips brushing just above my ear, "I’ll have to hold you romantically. And if needed," he leaned in, his breath fanning across my skin, "I might even have to kiss you."

He tilted his head slightly, his smirk taunting.

"Now, tell me, darling—" he murmured, voice dripping with amusement.

"Doesn’t that count as physical intimacy?"