CHAPTER 5 - Walking Into the Trap

The next day, Steave sat casually in his chair, his right arm supporting his chin while his fingers tapped against the desk. The office was designed with a masculine aesthetic, featuring sharp lines and dark tones.

Paul, his most trusted assistant, stood straight before him. His expression was serious, though slightly nervous. He opened the brown folder he had brought and let out a breath before speaking.

"Sir, everything is proceeding exactly as you predicted."

A sly grin spread across Steave's face.

He had placed his bait perfectly.

"Her status?"

"There has been no movement from Serena, Sir. She also hasn't gone to Ethan for help."

Steave straightened in his seat, his fingers ceasing their rhythmic tapping. Leaning back comfortably against the luxurious black leather chair, he fixed Paul with a meaningful look.

"Prepare the rest," he instructed. "Our guest will be arriving soon."

Paul nodded, although inwardly he questioned his boss's madness.

Steave took a sip of wine before setting the glass down on the desk with a sharp click.

Just as he was thinking that the coming days would be rather enjoyable, his phone suddenly buzzed.

A message from someone.

Steave, it's me, Vivian. Can we meet?

Steave stared at the message expressionlessly.

For a moment, he had almost forgotten about the woman who carried the title of his wife.

Meanwhile, Serena stood at a bus stop, shivering as heavy rain poured down around her. Her hair was already soaked despite her efforts to stay sheltered. Her work clothes clung to her damp skin, making her deeply uncomfortable.

She lowered her gaze to the phone in her hand.

The balance displayed in her bank account made her chest tighten.

The amount was far too small.

The savings she had painstakingly accumulated over the years meant nothing compared to the enormous medical expenses the hospital required.

Serena bit her lip.

How was she supposed to find more money?

On her screen, Ethan's name appeared.

She stared at it for a long moment, her finger trembling above the display. A small spark of hope lingered in her heart.

Perhaps Ethan still had some kindness left in him.

"Maybe he could lend me the money," she murmured softly.

But her hand froze.

Memories of all the pain Ethan had caused came crashing back.

Her expression hardened instantly, and she abandoned the thought.

No.

She would never lower herself before a man who had shattered her heart over and over again.

At that very moment, a notification appeared.

A message from the hospital.

Your mother's condition is deteriorating. She must be transferred to a larger hospital tonight. Any delay could worsen her condition.

Serena froze.

Her phone nearly slipped from her hand.

She collapsed onto the bench at the bus stop and covered her face as sobs burst free.

She didn't know where to go.

She didn't know who to ask for help.

Then she remembered something.

The business card Steave had given her.

And the words he had spoken.

"If you ever need help, come to me."

His name flashed through her mind like lightning.

Straightening, Serena felt a glimmer of hope.

Though her heart hesitated, her circumstances left her no time to think. Her mother mattered more than her pride.

With trembling fingers, she typed a message.

Mr. Steave... where are you? I... I need help.

Less than a minute later, a reply arrived.

I'm still at the office. Come here tonight.

Serena wasted no time.

She ran from the bus stop, allowing the rain to drench her completely. The streets were slick and dangerous, but she didn't care.

Ignoring the bitter cold, she hurried through the rain while searching desperately for a taxi.

Her thin clothing clung tightly to her petite frame.

After finally stopping a cab, she headed straight for the building where Steave worked.

Throughout the journey, she shivered uncontrollably, wrapping her arms around herself.

When she arrived at the towering office building, Serena stumbled through the lobby, half running.

Her soaked appearance earned curious glances from security guards and receptionists alike, but she paid them no attention.

She only wanted to see the man who might be the only person capable of helping her.

The elevator carried her upward.

Every second felt unbearable.

When the doors opened, Paul was already standing there as if he had been expecting her.

"Miss Serena?" he asked politely.

Serena nodded quickly.

"Yes. I... I need to see Mr. Steave."

Paul glanced at her trembling form before nodding.

"Follow me."

He led her through several rooms until they arrived at a large wooden door.

Respectfully, Paul opened it and motioned for her to enter.

Steave sat upright behind his desk, his expression calm yet commanding.

The moment his eyes landed on Serena, they widened slightly.

Her clothes were thin and soaked, clinging to her skin. Rainwater dripped from her long hair, and her pale face only made her appear more fragile.

His gaze traveled down her figure before he deliberately looked away again, concealing his reaction behind his usual cold composure.

Serena noticed none of it.

To her, Steave was simply Ethan's uncle, a man who might still possess a kind heart.

Stepping forward, she spoke with trembling hands.

"Mr. Steave... I know this is inappropriate. But my mother needs to be transferred to a larger hospital tonight. I don't have enough money. Please, could you lend it to me? I'll work as hard as necessary to repay you."

Steave studied her carefully before rising to his feet.

He slowly approached her.

"You came to the right person," he said quietly.

Serena lifted her face, confused by his words, but too desperate to care.

"So... you'll help me?"

"Of course. I'll take care of everything."

A faint smile appeared on the face of the man who was nearly forty years old.

"But remember, every favor comes with a price."

Serena lowered her gaze.

She was in no position to negotiate.

"Whatever the condition is, I'll do it. As long as my mother survives."

Steave looked satisfied.

"Very well."

Turning to Paul, he said, "Arrange everything tonight. Make sure Miss Serena's mother receives the best treatment available. All expenses and access will be under my name."

Paul immediately nodded and left the office to carry out the order.

Serena covered her face with both hands, sobbing with relief.

"Thank you, Mr. Steave. Thank you so much."

Steave responded with a brief nod.

For the first time in days, Serena felt as though she could breathe again.

She never imagined she would one day seek help from her fiancé's uncle, a man she had barely interacted with before.

After calming herself, she looked back at Steave.

He was still standing before her, leaning casually against his desk with his arms folded across his chest, watching her with a gaze she could not decipher.

"Sir, I truly appreciate your help. I promise I'll repay every penny you've lent me today," Serena said sincerely.

"Who said I wanted repayment in the form of money?" Steave replied, his voice firm and sharp.

Serena frowned without realizing it.

Confusion immediately spread through her.

"You know, Serena..." Steave began as he walked toward her.

His towering height and commanding presence seemed to steal all the air from around her.

"How many decades would it take for you to repay this amount with money? Especially when your own family doesn't care about your financial situation at all."

Serena lowered her head, wincing as he stated the painful truth so bluntly. Unable to meet the gaze that seemed to strip away her defenses, she asked softly,

"Then what do you want?"

A slow grin appeared on Steave's face as he looked down at the petite woman standing before him with her head bowed.

He lifted a hand and gently tilted her chin upward until her eyes met his.

"You."