Chapter 8: An Unfamiliar Gate

The luxury sedan cut through the capital's main thoroughfares at a steady speed before finally turning into an elite residential district closed to the public. The neighborhood was wrapped in an expensive silence, where each property was separated by vast gardens worth a fortune. Hellena gazed out the window, observing the rows of fan palms standing proudly along the roadside. Her heart, which had only just calmed after the drama at the hospital, began pounding once again in an irregular rhythm.

The car gradually slowed as it approached a towering black iron gate operated automatically. The moment the gate swung open, the grandeur of a modern colonial-style mansion immediately greeted Hellena's eyes. The building stood magnificently with sturdy white cylindrical pillars, dominated by ivory-colored walls and expansive glass panels reflecting the afternoon sky.

The car came to a stop beneath the marble-black drop-off area at the main entrance. A middle-aged man dressed in a neat suit stepped forward promptly and opened the driver's side door for Kael.

"Welcome back, Young Master," the middle-aged man greeted with a precise bow. He was the head butler of the mansion.

Kael stepped out of the car without responding, his movements as efficient as ever. He turned around, walked to the passenger side, and opened the door for Hellena before any of the other servants could do so. The gesture was small, yet to Hellena, it felt like an unspoken signal that a new act had just begun.

Hellena took a deep breath, steadying herself despite the lingering ache in her ankle. As soon as her curvy figure emerged from the car, she could feel several pairs of eyes from the servants lined up near the entrance immediately turning toward her.

"Allow me to introduce her. This is Hellena. Starting today, she is the Young Madam of this house," Kael said in his deep baritone voice, which echoed beneath the high ceiling of the entrance terrace. The statement was delivered without the slightest hesitation, so absolute that it left no room for interruption.

The head butler appeared startled for a fraction of a second—his eyes widened slightly—but years of professionalism quickly restored his composed expression. The elderly man bowed deeply toward Hellena.

"Welcome to the Willian residence, Young Madam. I hope you will feel comfortable here."

"Thank you, Sir," Hellena replied softly, forcing the most natural smile she could manage. She felt extremely awkward carrying such a lofty title.

However, not everyone there possessed the same level of self-control as the head butler. As Hellena began following behind Kael into the main lobby, her sharp ears caught faint whispers coming from a line of female servants standing to the right.

"Wait, she's our Madam? Seriously? Her body size... she's nothing like the women who usually approach Young Master Kael," one young servant whispered mockingly, partially covering her mouth.

"Exactly. She looks so ordinary. I thought Young Master would bring home a socialite like Miss Vivian. Why has his taste changed like this?" another replied, followed by a restrained laugh that was soft yet filled with ridicule.

The words reached Hellena's ears like invisible needles. She tightened her grip on her handbag strap until her knuckles turned white. Discomfort crept up the back of her neck, triggering bitter memories of the insults Herry and Jessica had thrown at her the night before. Her chest suddenly felt tight.

Will my appearance always be a joke no matter where I go? she thought bitterly.

Hellena unconsciously slowed her pace, lowering her head slightly to hide the flush on her cheeks—not from embarrassment, but from the effort of holding back her hurt. Yet before she could truly sink into her insecurity, Kael suddenly stopped walking.

He slowly turned around.

The movement was calm, yet it carried an overwhelming aura of intimidation. His sharp, piercing gaze landed directly on the two female servants who had been whispering.

The atmosphere inside the grand marble-floored lobby instantly turned cold, as though all the air had been forcefully sucked out of the room. The two servants who had been caught immediately turned pale, lowering their heads as their bodies began trembling in fear.

"Head Butler," Kael called, his voice calm yet frighteningly oppressive.

"Yes, Young Master?" The head butler stepped forward, his forehead already beginning to glisten with sweat.

"Make sure everyone in this house knows how to control their tongues. If I hear any more useless chatter starting tomorrow, you know what to do with their employment contracts," Kael said expressionlessly. His tone was flat, but he was clearly not joking.

"Understood, Young Master. I will discipline them immediately," the head butler replied firmly, casting a harsh warning glance toward his subordinates.

Hellena looked up at Kael's broad back as he turned around once more and continued walking. A strange flutter stirred inside her chest.

Had he just defended her?

Or was it merely part of maintaining the credibility of their arrangement?

Hellena chose not to think too highly of herself. She pushed aside the uncomfortable feeling, locked away her emotions, and quickened her pace to match Kael's as they ascended the magnificent curved staircase toward the second floor.