Chapter 2

When it came to this cold, domineering stepson, Jane had never once gotten the upper hand.

She didn’t dare confront him head-on. Instead, she worked behind the scenes, pulling small tricks when she thought no one was watching. She knew perfectly well that Mark had just heard what she said about Lisa, and that was why he’d turned on her.

It wasn’t because he cared so deeply about Lisa.

It was because Mark’s authority was not something anyone challenged.

Back then, Mark had only married Lisa because of his grandfather’s pressure. Their relationship barely counted as peaceful coexistence. Everyone knew Mark still had someone else in his heart, and Jane had been waiting for years to see how this marriage would fall apart.

She didn’t dare argue now. Forcing a smile, she said, “I was just joking with Lisa. She’s a scientist. I’m still waiting for her to bring glory to the country and honor to the Powell family. Why would I ever send her into the kitchen?”

The words sounded polite, but they were dripping with sarcasm.

Scientists who truly “brought glory to the nation” were rare, even since the founding of the country.

Mark took off his suit jacket and tossed it aside. “Then I’d really like to know,” he said calmly, “how much glory you’ve brought to the country and how much honor you’ve brought to this family.”

The smile on Jane’s face nearly cracked.

Just then, Annie walked in and called softly from behind him, “Mark, what’s going on?”

The irritation and sharp edge on Mark’s face eased noticeably. He glanced back at Annie and said, “Nothing.”

He continued unbuttoning his cuffs as he walked inside. Passing Lisa, he said, “Why are you still standing there? Go to your room.”

Then he went upstairs without waiting.

Lisa looked at Annie. Annie met her gaze and gave her a small, provocative smile.

Mark stepping in earlier wasn’t because of her. Lisa knew that. It was because Mark disliked his stepmother. Once his temper flared, no one dared provoke him.

And yet, all it took was Annie softly calling his name—“Mark”—to make every trace of that anger disappear.

Almost cruelly to herself, Lisa held Annie’s gaze for a second longer before looking away and heading upstairs.

Jane kept a perfectly measured smile on her face as she stepped forward. “Annie, come in. It’s cold by the door.”

Annie replied obediently, “Thank you, Aunt Jane.”

“Still calling me Aunt?” Jane said, smiling with quiet satisfaction. “That won’t last much longer.”

Once Lisa turned the corner and the voices downstairs faded away, she took a deep breath and went back to the bedroom she shared with Mark.

Water was running in the bathroom. He was in the shower.

Lisa sat down on the chair by the window, lowered her eyes, and stared at the sea of lights outside.

Her phone rang. She answered it. “William.”

William responded with a quiet “Mm,” then asked, “Did you finish calculating the data from this afternoon?”

Lisa rubbed her temple with her index finger. “I did.”

“I’ve already sent you the rest of the data by email. Tomorrow should be easier for you.”

“You finished it?” Lisa was surprised. “Isn’t it busy over there?”

“It’s fine,” William said. “That set of data isn’t your strength anyway. It’s more time-consuming for you. I ran it quickly.”

Sometimes a single data run took two full hours.

Thinking of her new partner, who struggled with data, Lisa felt a wave of gratitude. “Thank you. If you ever need anything, just call me.”

“All right. Talk later.”

Mark came out of the bathroom just in time to hear that last line.

Lisa heard the movement and looked up.

Mark stood there, towel slung low around his hips, drying his hair with one hand. The warm shower hadn’t softened him at all. If anything, the dampness clinging to his lashes only made his sharp features look colder.

The towel hung loose at his waist. His waistline was lean and defined, abs cut clean and unmistakable. It was hard not to look.

Lisa stood up to leave. As she brushed past him, her wrist was suddenly caught.

“What?” she asked coolly. “It’s time to go downstairs for dinner.”

Ever since she’d seen Annie, her nerves had been stretched tight. Her heart, too.

She tried to pull free, but Mark tugged her into his arms instead and lowered his head to kiss her.

The image flashed in her mind—him smiling at Annie, handing her that gift bag.

Her stomach churned.

Lisa pressed both hands against his chest and shoved him away.

Mark frowned, impatience flickering across his face. After a few seconds, he asked, “What’s wrong? Are you feeling sick?”

Lisa knew one thing clearly: when it came to intimacy between them, Mark held all the control. If he wanted her, she didn’t really get to refuse.

That realization hurt more than anything.

Was that all she was to him? A way to vent?

She pulled her hand free firmly. “From now on, don’t touch me without my permission.”

The words cost her courage. She walked out before she could see his reaction.

—

Downstairs, she ran into Luther Powell.

He was, in many ways, a fortunate man.

When he was young, his father had carried the weight of the family empire. Even before his father passed away, Mark had already laid the groundwork to take over with decisive, ruthless moves.

Luther had had a capable father. Now he had a capable son. He’d never really needed to prove himself. He simply sat atop a fortune worth billions.

In his early fifties, he looked barely forty. Polished. Mild. Almost kindly.

He waved when he saw her. “Lisa, come sit. Where’s Mark?”

The marriage had been his father’s decision. Luther respected that. Even after his father passed, he never took it out on Lisa.

“He’ll be down in a minute,” Lisa said.

Annie stepped forward warmly and linked her arm through Lisa’s. “Lisa, sit here.”

Lisa gently withdrew her arm. “I know my way around this house better than you do.”

Annie’s eyes instantly filled with tears. “I—I didn’t mean anything by it…”

Jane frowned. “Annie was just trying to be nice. Why are you acting so high and mighty? Do you really think you’re the lady of this house? Where does that leave me? Do you have any manners at all?”

She turned to her husband. “If this is how she treats her now, what’s going to happen after Annie marries into this family? Is she going to get pushed around every day?”

Annie sniffled softly, perfectly timed.

Luther rubbed his forehead. “Pushed around? What are you talking about? Sit down, everyone. Annie, don’t cry… Lisa, just apologize so Mark and Nick don’t misunderstand.”

Lisa looked at Annie.

Annie angled her body so no one else could see her face. Only Lisa caught the expression in her eyes—smug satisfaction.

On her first visit to the Powell home, and she’d already managed to get Lisa scolded.

The only regret was that Mark hadn’t witnessed it.

Apologize?

For what?

Jane pressed on. “Your father-in-law told you to apologize. Didn’t you hear him?”

Footsteps echoed from the staircase. Everyone looked up.

Mark descended slowly, sleeves rolled to his forearms. Even in dark gray loungewear, he carried himself with quiet authority.

His gaze fell directly on Lisa. Cold. Measuring.

She saw it clearly—the irritation, the displeasure.

Of course. On the very first day, she’d made his precious Annie cry.

She couldn’t help but wonder… when he’d tried to kiss her upstairs, whose face had been in his mind?

The thought made her chest tighten painfully.

And it made her sick.

Mark said nothing. His eyes were deep and unreadable, like still water before a storm.

Luther, who had always deferred to his son, instantly lost the nerve to mediate.

Jane disliked Mark. But she disliked Lisa even more.

Why was it that she had fought her way into this family and still had to tread carefully around Mark, while Lisa, with her ordinary background, had married in and become the lady of the house?

If Mark and Lisa’s relationship worsened, Jane would only be happier.

Lisa could endure everything.

Except that look from Mark.

Her fingers trembled. A faint, self-mocking smile curved at her lips.

She had always known he didn’t love her. She should have been used to it by now.

And yet… it still hurt.

Her heart already felt frozen, but somehow there were still thin threads of pain pulling tight inside her.

Luther cleared his throat. “All right, all right. We’re family. Let’s eat.”

Lisa sat straight-backed through the meal and didn’t say another word.

She hadn’t done anything wrong. Why should she apologize?

Annie sweetly served everyone with the communal fork, including Lisa.

When she reached Mark last, he said lightly, “Eat your own food.”

“Mark,” Annie replied softly, “I will. Don’t worry. I’ll eat plenty.”

Lisa’s eyelids twitched.

Where was Nick? Was he really going to let himself get made a fool of like this?

By the time Nick finally arrived, dinner was nearly over.

He’d been busy these past few days working on a project with his advisor.

He took after his mother in looks. Not as tall as Mark, and with a restless, calculating air about him.

Since he was young, Jane had drilled one lesson into him: see Mark as your competitor. One day, the Powell empire should be yours.

Nick knew he wasn’t strong enough yet. Around Mark, he always kept his head down and showed him respect.

He sat beside Annie, draping his arm casually over the back of her chair, bragging about the profits and prospects of his project.

Jane beamed. “My son is incredible. He hasn’t even graduated yet, and he’s already made his first big money.”

Lisa almost laughed.

Incredible?

She and Nick were the same age. She had already finished her master’s degree and was working. Nick hadn’t even graduated college.

As for that so-called project? The Powell family had poured money into it. Anyone could have turned a profit with that backing.

If you wanted to talk about real success…

She lifted her eyes instinctively and collided with Mark’s dark gaze.

Tonight’s dinner was supposed to be about Nick bringing Annie home to discuss the engagement.

Luther had just started talking about arranging a meeting between the two families—

Clack.

Mark set his silverware down.

Lisa looked at him.

His face was calm, but heavy. His eyes dark as storm clouds gathering.

The woman he’d never let go of was about to get engaged to his own brother.

Mark… was finally losing control.