Dangerous Distance

The morning sunlight streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows of Fredamo Manor.

Inside the study, Alex stood stiffly while reporting the latest developments.

Across from him, Zeke frowned as he reviewed several documents.

"Germany?" he asked.

"Yes, Boss."

Alex nodded.

"The Berlin acquisition project encountered some complications."

"The board wants you there personally."

Zeke's expression darkened.

The timing couldn't have been worse.

For the past few weeks, returning home had become something he unconsciously looked forward to.

And the reason for that was currently humming happily somewhere inside the mansion.

His phone vibrated.

Another message from Germany.

The meeting couldn't be postponed.

With a sigh, he stood up.

"It looks like I'll be gone for a week."

---

Meanwhile...

Ella was sitting cross-legged on her bedroom floor studying when her phone buzzed.

Her eyes widened after reading the message.

A week?

That long?

Without thinking, she immediately ran downstairs.

The kitchen became busy.

Two hours later, several containers were neatly arranged on the dining table.

Homemade herbal medicine.

Dried fruit snacks.

Sleep-calming tea packets.

Energy bars.

Even medicinal candies.

Everything was carefully labeled.

When Zeke walked downstairs carrying his luggage, he froze.

The table was practically overflowing.

Ella proudly crossed her arms.

"These are for you."

The cold businessman suddenly felt warmth spread through his chest.

His gaze softened.

"You made all this?"

"Of course."

She nodded.

"You forget your medicine whenever you're busy."

"And don't drink too much coffee."

"And remember to sleep."

"And—"

A faint smile appeared on Zeke's lips.

She sounded exactly like a worried wife.

The thought nearly made him laugh.

For the first time in years, someone genuinely cared about his well-being.

Not because of money.

Not because of power.

Simply because it was him.

The realization made him unexpectedly happy.

---

That evening.

Since he was leaving tomorrow morning, Ella dragged him upstairs.

"We're playing a game."

Zeke raised an eyebrow.

"A game?"

"Yes."

"You work too much."

Before he could refuse, she pushed him into her room.

The room carried the familiar scent of lavender.

The atmosphere instantly became dangerous.

At least for Zeke.

For nearly two hours, they played games together.

Ella laughed whenever she won.

Complained whenever she lost.

And shamelessly accused him of cheating despite having no evidence.

Eventually—

She fell asleep.

Right beside him.

The room became quiet.

Zeke stared at her sleeping face.

The gentle rise and fall of her breathing.

The slightly parted lips.

The peaceful expression.

His self-control began crumbling.

One minute passed.

Then another.

Finally—

He leaned forward.

And kissed her.

Softly.

Gently.

As though touching something precious.

The moment their lips met, his heartbeat became chaotic.

Her lips were unbelievably soft.

Sweeter than he imagined.

One second became ten.

Ten became thirty.

By the time he finally forced himself to stop, more than two minutes had passed.

His breathing was uneven.

His eyes dark.

For the first time in years, Zeke felt completely defeated.

Defeated by a girl sleeping peacefully in front of him.

Carefully, he carried her to bed.

Covered her with a blanket.

Then stood there watching her for a long moment.

"Sleep well, Ella."

His voice was barely a whisper.

Moments later, he left for the airport.

Completely unaware that his heart had already remained behind.

---

The next morning.

Ella woke up feeling strangely warm.

A faint sensation lingered on her lips.

She touched them absentmindedly.

Then shrugged.

Maybe she had been dreaming.

After breakfast, she left for school.

Completely unaware of the storm waiting for her.

---

Outside Fredamo Manor.

A luxury sports car was parked near the gate.

Tim leaned against the vehicle confidently.

His sunglasses reflected the morning sunlight.

He had spent nearly an hour waiting.

The moment he saw Ella appear, his eyes lit up.

Beautiful.

Even more beautiful than before.

However—

Ella simply walked past him.

As though he didn't exist.

Tim's smile stiffened.

"Beautiful damsel!"

Ella stopped.

Turned.

Then looked confused.

"Do I know you?"

The words struck Tim harder than a slap.

For several seconds, he couldn't speak.

She genuinely didn't remember him.

The heir of the Fredamo family.

Forgotten.

Meanwhile, Ella looked increasingly puzzled.

Seeing her taxi approaching, she prepared to leave.

"Wait!"

Tim grabbed her wrist.

"I'm Tim."

"Zeke's half-brother."

Recognition immediately appeared in her eyes.

Followed by disgust.

She remembered him.

Unfortunately, not in the way he hoped.

"Oh."

Her tone instantly cooled.

"And?"

Tim nearly choked.

That wasn't how this conversation was supposed to go.

He was rich.

Handsome.

Influential.

Women usually fought for his attention.

Yet this girl looked annoyed.

The taxi arrived.

Ella pulled her hand away.

Then left without another glance.

Leaving Tim standing alone.

Furious.

Humiliated.

And increasingly obsessed.

---

Meanwhile...

The moment Ella arrived near the university gate—

Chaos erupted.

Flash!

Flash!

Flash!

Countless cameras pointed toward her.

Reporters rushed forward.

"Miss Ella!"

"Is it true you're being supported by a wealthy older man?"

"Are you currently someone's mistress?"

"How long has the relationship lasted?"

"What is your connection to Fredamo Group?"

Ella froze.

"What?"

The questions became more aggressive.

Microphones practically hit her face.

Confusion filled her eyes.

"What are you talking about?"

A reporter immediately showed her a phone.

An article.

Photos.

Her entering Zeke's car.

Her entering Dynasty Restaurant.

Her dining with him.

The headline made her expression darken.

University Student Secret Mistress of Powerful Business Tycoon?

Someone had deliberately framed her.

---

At that exact moment—

Bella appeared.

A trace of satisfaction flashed through her eyes.

But her expression quickly transformed into concern.

"Ella!"

She rushed forward.

Playing the role of a caring sister.

"I told you not to do this."

Her voice trembled.

"You shouldn't destroy yourself because you're angry at the family."

The reporters immediately became excited.

"Miss Bella, do you know the truth?"

Bella lowered her head.

"I don't want to talk badly about my sister."

The statement only encouraged further questions.

Tears appeared in her eyes.

"After she was asked to leave home, she changed."

"I tried helping her."

"But she refused to listen."

The reporters instantly interpreted everything the way Bella intended.

Meanwhile, Ella looked at her coldly.

The acting was impressive.

Unfortunately—

She wasn't the same Ella anymore.

---

in the blink of an eye —

Several black vehicles arrived.

The crowd parted abruptly.

A tall figure stepped out.

Stephen Maxwell.

His expression was colder than usual.

Behind him stood several bodyguards.

"What are you doing?"

His voice echoed throughout the entrance.

The reporters froze.

Stephen's gaze swept across them.

Then landed on the cameras.

"Destroy them."

Everyone gasped.

The bodyguards immediately moved.

Several cameras hit the ground.

Others were confiscated.

No one dared resist.

The Maxwell family wasn't someone they could afford to offend.

Stephen walked toward Ella.

Without a word,he enfolded her in his arms.

"The dinner was because of me."

His voice was calm.

"I invited her."

The reporters instantly became silent.

The situation had completely reversed.

Bella's expression darkened.

Not far away, another person watched everything.

Andy Kim.

Her face looked terrible.

The sight of Stephen protecting Ella publicly filled her with jealousy.

Sensing her chance, bella immediately acted.

She approached Andy quietly.

Then whispered.

"I heard Stephen rejected three invitations from you this month."

Andy's face darkened.

Bella smiled sadly.

"I guess some men prefer girls who know how to attract attention."

The implication was obvious.

Andy's fists clenched.

Meanwhile, Bella's smile deepened.

The seed had been planted.

---

Germany.

Fredamo Headquarters.

Halfway through a board meeting, Alex hurried inside.

His face looked grim.

"Boss."

"What happened?"

Alex hesitated.

Then explained everything.

The reporters.

The rumors.

Stephen Maxwell.

The protection.

The article.

The temperature inside the meeting room instantly dropped.

Every executive felt it.

Zeke's expression became terrifying.

Immediately, he called Ella.

The phone connected quickly.

"Hello?"

Hearing her voice eased something inside him.

"Have you eaten?"

"Yes."

"Are you home?"

"Not yet."

The conversation was simple.

Normal.

As though nothing had happened.

She never mentioned the reporters.

Never complained.

Never asked for help.

That annoyed him.

After ending the call, Zeke stared at the screen.

His chest felt heavy.

She still refused to rely on him.

And Stephen Maxwell was becoming increasingly troublesome.

A very troublesome rival.

---

Three days passed.

The daily calls continued.

Morning.

Afternoon.

Night.

Without realizing it, they had become part of each other's routine.

Meanwhile, Ella found herself smiling whenever his name appeared on her screen.

The realization scared her.

Because it felt suspiciously similar to liking someone.

---

Soon afterward—

The university announced its annual Beauty Queen Competition.

A prestigious event.

The winner would receive four million naira in prize money.

For three consecutive years, Andy Kim had won.

No one challenged her dominance.

Until this year.

Because one name appeared on the registration list.

Ella Eleanor.

The announcement exploded across campus.

Bella laughed loudly.

"You?"

Her eyes filled with ridicule.

"Are you joining because you're desperate for money?"

The smile on her face widened.

"Don't forget."

"Your first debt payment is due soon."

Several students exchanged glances.

Four million.

Ella needed money.

And Bella knew it.

Unfortunately—

Bella misunderstood something.

Ella wasn't joining to become famous.

She was joining to win.

---

Elsewhere...

Andy stared at Ella's registration form.

Her expression twisted with hatred.

First Stephen.

Then the competition.

Then the attention.

Everything she valued was being taken away.

Her jealousy finally reached its limit.

Slowly, she picked up her phone.

A number was dialed.

"I need a favor."

Her voice was cold.

"Teach someone a lesson."