Chapter 1: The Loveless CEO

“Can a Queen Without a Love Story Still Sell Romance?”

“Freya King, 31-year-old CEO of ADLEY & Co., has long dazzled with beauty and brains. But whispers in the luxury world claim her brilliance is dimming. Critics argue her latest collections, especially engagement rings, lack the emotional depth that once made them iconic.”

““There’s beauty, but no story,” one insider said. With no public romances and an unwavering single status, some wonder if Freya’s creative well has run dry—not from lack of talent, but of love. How can a woman untouched by romance keep designing jewelry meant to celebrate it?”

Freya’s assistant gulped after reading the OPAL & INK article.

“How dare they?” Freya muttered through gritted teeth.

Inner Devil: ‘Rude. But... not entirely wrong, Freya.’

Freya frowned, hearing her inner voice.

It was a few months ago when her thoughts started contradicting her. She feared she had gone mad. Freya even went to see a doctor, but nothing was found to be wrong with her. The doctor merely said, “Perhaps, your thoughts are your inner desires, which you should embrace.”

It was frightening. Her thoughts were… scandalous!

How could she just… embrace them?

The doctor was insane!

Freya pushed the voice away and snapped, “What does falling in love have to do with making jewelry?”

“Well, Boss, most clients buy jewelry for love, Miss King,” Geneva replied. “Wives and girlfriends.”

Inner Devil 2: ‘Mistresses too. Not that we’re endorsing that path.’

Freya: “…”

“Have my parents seen the article?” she asked her assistant.

“Yes,” Geneva said hesitantly.

Freya hissed. They read it and didn’t even call?

Something was up.

Since her younger sister married, her parents had been pestering her about love. Ironically, her father once said she couldn’t date until she turned twenty-five. Now she was thirty-one. Shouldn’t she get a medal for exceeding expectations?

Instead, she got pressure. Especially after ADLEY & Co. welcomed new shareholders. Questions surfaced about her leadership, mainly because she was single and without a man to support her.

And now, this article.

Inner Devil 2: ‘She really is the Queen of Discipline.’

Inner Devil: ‘Let’s trade that crown for a man with abs, shall we, Freya?’

As if summoned, Freya’s phone rang.

It was her father. He demanded her presence at his office.

Minutes later, she stood before Riley and Adrian King, her parents.

“Hi, Dad, Mom,” she greeted cheerfully. “Missed you both!”

She kissed her dad’s cheek, hoping to appease him. “I was away on business and came up with new designs.”

“Freya,” Adrian said, “pause the new designs.”

Her smile dropped. “What?”

“We need to address the public’s opinion of you,” Riley said.

“Mom? What does my single life have to do with me running the company? I’m doing a great job!” Freya objected.

“You’re doing an amazing job,” her mom assured. “But we’re losing to Veloura.”

Veloura, the jewelry house that skyrocketed after the Prince of Wales bought his fiancée’s ring from them. Run by newlyweds, their romance boosted their designs.

“The board agrees you should seriously consider finding your true love,” Adrian said.

Inner Devil: ‘YES. Send us to the land of shirtless soulmates!’

“But Dad! I tried dating. Some were even your picks!” Freya protested.

“But what are your standards?” Adrian asked. “Stephen Blackwood is a very handsome, talented businessman. You said you liked him, yet after just two dinners—”

“His voice wasn’t sexy enough,” Freya retorted.

Adrian: “And Lieutenant General Knox Leland?”

Freya: “Too risky. I don’t want a husband flying to war zones.”

Adrian: “The young mayor?”

Freya: “He couldn’t even kill a mosquito. How will he protect me from real-life threats?”

Inner Devil: ‘We definitely don’t want someone too kind. We want powerful thrusts!’

Inner Devil 2: ‘Exactly! I’m with Freya on that one!’

Freya nearly choked on her thoughts.

See? Her inner voices were truly scandalous!

Freya ignored her inner thoughts. She regained her composure and said, “I do want love. I’ve dreamed of it. But I haven’t found the perfect one.”

“I envy my sister for finding her person so young… but I can’t force my heart. I know someone’s out there for me,” Freya defended. “It’s just a matter of time.”

Her parents exchanged looks and sighed. Adrian said, “Then you leave us no choice.”

Freya narrowed her eyes, asking, “What do you mean?”

“You need a break,” Riley said. “We want you to enjoy life. Find someone to share it with. You’ve buried yourself in work for years. We want to see you happy while we’re still around.”

“But—”

“It’s done. The board approves,” Adrian said. “You’re on a temporary leave for four to six months. Go on vacation. Socialize. Find a suitable husband of your choice.”

Freya’s jaw dropped. She could not believe her ears! “Four to six months?! Who’ll run the company?”

“I will,” Riley said. “And your siblings. And… Kenneth.”

“Kenneth? As in Kenneth Lee Wright?” she asked.

Her parents nodded.

“What does he have to do with anything?” Freya raised.

“We have temporarily transferred our shares to Kenneth,” Adrian revealed. “The full 40% share of ADLEY & Co.. Plus, your Aunt Gaby’s 10% share. Kenneth is now the major shareholder of the company.”

Freya stared blankly. “WHAT?! Kenneth? He doesn’t even like jewelry!”

Inner Devil: ‘Kenneth? Plot twist! And he’s single. And rich. And hot.’

Inner Devil 2: ‘Corporate betrayal or fate’s way of handing Freya her future husband?’

From what Freya remembered, Kenneth was in the same boat as her—single, in his thirties, and being pressured by his parents to marry. Their families were old friends.

“Wait.” Freya’s eyes rounded. She clenched her jaw, asking, “No. You are not—you are not matchmaking me with Kenneth, are you?”

Inner Devil: ‘Ooops! We should stop giving her ideas.’

Inner Devil 2: ‘Yeah. Let Daddy Adrian do the work for now.’

“NO!” both parents said quickly.

“No matchmaking here,” Riley said. “We’re not certified by Cupid!”

Freya: “…”

“Besides,” Adrian added, “if we were matchmaking, we would have done it years ago!”

“It was a business move,” he explained. “Kenneth’s influence in Europe gives us leverage. And Riley was already planning to ask for his help.”

“You can’t do this to me, Mom! Dad! I’ve dedicated my life to ADLEY & Co.,” Freya retorted. “I barely took personal breaks, poured my heart and soul into this brand—”

“Exactly. You’ve overworked yourself and lost your shot at happiness,” Riley replied.

“We believe this is what’s best,” she added gently.

“What can I do to make you and the board members change your minds?” Freya pleaded.

“I’m afraid it’s done,” Adrian said. “The documents have been sent to Kenneth.”

“To Kenneth? In Freedonia?” Freya clarified.

Kenneth was in another country—Freedonia. He had been living there since college, later managing their financial business, and had since established a tech empire.

“Yes. Talk to him if you must,” Adrian said. “Fly to Freedonia.”

“You might want to consider taking your vacation there, Freya. There are a lot of perfect guys in Freedonia—or so your Aunt Gaby tells me,” Riley said, winking at Freya.

“You have got to be kidding me,” Freya reacted. “Let me guess. The most perfect man is Kenneth?”

“What? Is he?” Riley asked, blushing. “You said it, not me!”

“Kenneth, Kenneth,” Adrian said. “Brilliant. Handsome. Family friend.”

“Not exactly the perfect son-in-law,” he added. “Unless you think so.”

“Arggh!” Freya grunted. “Fine! I’ll go to Freedonia and deal with Kenneth myself!”

She stormed out.

Back at her office, she had everything investigated. When Geneva confirmed Kenneth was indeed the new majority shareholder, Freya said: “Geneva, pack your things. We’re going to Freedonia.”

“F-Freedonia?” Geneva squeaked. “Do they have oatmeal over there?”

Meanwhile, the inner devils stayed quiet, for now. They were conserving energy. But one thing was certain: Freedonia would not know what hit it!

Inner Devil: ‘Freedonia, a country with plenty of perfect men!’

Inner Devil 2: ‘Here we come! I’m excited -’

Inner Devil: ‘Shhh! Let’s not jinx it. Freya might still pull a U-turn before we even land.’

‘I heard that!’ Freya scolded her thoughts. ‘I’m not going to get laid in Freedonia! I am simply getting my shares!’