HIS GIRLFRIEND

The atmosphere inside Fredamo Manor was unusually tense.

The moment Ella stepped through the front door, she sensed something was wrong.

Voices drifted from the living room.

Sharp.

Hostile.

Mocking.

Her brows furrowed.

Following the sound, she entered the room.

The scene before her immediately caught her attention.

Zeke sat quietly on the sofa.

His expression was cold and indifferent as always.

However, Ella could see the exhaustion hidden beneath his calm exterior.

Across from him sat three people.

A beautifully dressed middle-aged woman.

A handsome young man.

And an older man whose face remained unreadable.

Jessica Fredamo.

Tim Fredamo.

Gilbert Fredamo.

The atmosphere was suffocating.

"Zeke, your grandfather is getting older every year."

Jessica sighed dramatically.

"We're only thinking about the future of the family."

Tim crossed his legs arrogantly.

"Mother is right."

"If someone can't continue the family bloodline, then naturally another successor should be considered."

The room became silent.

Everyone understood the meaning behind those words.

For years, rumors had circulated throughout high society.

Rumors that Zeke Fredamo was cold toward women.

Rumors that he was incapable of having children.

Rumors that he preferred men.

Many of those rumors had quietly originated from Jessica and Tim.

Yet Zeke remained silent.

His expression didn't change.

As though the insults meant nothing.

Seeing his silence, Jessica became bolder.

"Tim is talented."

"He graduated top of his class."

"He understands business."

"If Father agrees, perhaps he should start learning more about Fredamo Group."

Ella's eyes narrowed.

So this was their goal.

They wanted Zeke's position.

The more she listened, the angrier she became.

Finally—

"Adults should behave like adults."

Her clear voice suddenly echoed throughout the living room.

Everyone froze.

Jessica's smile stiffened.

Tim looked up.

Even Gilbert raised his head.

Ella walked forward confidently.

"If you want respect, you should first learn to respect yourselves."

The room fell silent.

Nobody expected someone to interrupt.

Especially not a young woman.

Jessica's eyes instantly sharpened.

Then she noticed something.

The girl had entered through the main entrance.

Comfortably.

Naturally.

As though she belonged there.

A trace of panic flashed through Jessica's eyes.

The same happened to Tim.

Because if Zeke had a woman in his life...

Then years of carefully spreading rumors would collapse instantly.

But unlike Jessica's panic—

Tim felt something entirely different.

Desire.

His gaze traveled across Ella's figure.

Beautiful.

Young.

Radiant.

Far more attractive than any socialite he had ever met.

The greed in his eyes became impossible to hide.

Zeke noticed immediately.

A dangerous chill spread through the room.

His dark eyes turned icy.

Tim suddenly felt a shiver run down his spine.

"Who are you?"

Jessica demanded coldly.

Ella smiled.

Then did something that stunned everyone.

She walked directly toward Zeke.

Bent slightly.

And kissed his cheek.

Silence.

Complete silence.

Zeke's body instantly stiffened.

The familiar scent of lavender filled his senses.

For a brief moment, his mind went blank.

The cold aura surrounding him melted instantly.

His gaze slowly lifted.

Meeting her bright eyes.

Warm.

Determined.

Protective.

His heartbeat became chaotic.

What was this little girl doing?

Meanwhile, Ella naturally sat beside him.

Without hesitation, she slipped her arm through his.

Then smiled sweetly.

"Hello."

"My name is Ella."

A pause followed.

Then she delivered the bombshell.

"I'm Zeke's girlfriend."

Jessica's face cracked.

Tim nearly fell from his chair.

Even Gilbert looked shocked.

Girlfriend?

Zeke had a girlfriend?

The room became deathly silent.

Zeke stared at Ella.

The hand resting against his chest felt surprisingly warm.

A strange emotion surged through him.

For years, everyone had either feared him or wanted something from him.

Only his grandfather had ever stood by his side.

Yet today—

This stubborn little woman had stepped forward without hesitation.

To protect him.

The feeling was unfamiliar.

Dangerously unfamiliar.

Jessica recovered first.

Instantly switching into her usual act.

"Oh my goodness!"

Her face filled with fake excitement.

"Why didn't you tell us sooner?"

She stood up enthusiastically.

"Come sit beside me, dear."

"I've always wanted a daughter."

Ella almost laughed.

The woman's acting skills were impressive.

Unfortunately—

She could see right through her.

Ignoring Jessica completely, Ella tightened her grip on Zeke's arm.

The rejection made Jessica's smile twitch.

Meanwhile, Tim couldn't stop staring.

His gaze irritated Zeke more and more.

Finally—

"Stop staring."

His cold voice sounded.

Tim froze.

Zeke's eyes narrowed.

"This is your Aunt Ella."

The room instantly became awkward.

Tim's expression turned ugly.

Jessica nearly choked.

Gilbert looked away to hide his amusement.

For the first time that evening, the atmosphere shifted.

And Jessica hated it.

---

Later that night.

Jessica secretly ordered an investigation into Ella.

She needed information.

Immediately.

Anyone capable of affecting Zeke's emotions had to disappear.

Meanwhile—

Tim sat inside his room.

His thoughts filled with Ella.

His eyes darkened.

Growing up, he had always wanted everything Zeke possessed.

And now—

That included Ella.

---

Inside the garden pavilion.

Zeke and Ella sat alone.

The evening breeze carried the scent of flowers.

For several moments, neither spoke.

Then Zeke finally broke the silence.

"Why?"

Ella looked confused.

"Why what?"

His dark eyes locked onto hers.

"Why did you tell them you were my girlfriend?"

For the first time all night, uncertainty appeared in his voice.

Ella smiled.

"You looked lonely."

The simple answer hit harder than any business negotiation.

"You were letting them bully you."

She crossed her arms.

"And I don't like that."

Zeke's chest tightened.

A strange warmth spread through him.

Before he could respond—

His phone suddenly vibrated.

At the same time, Ella's phone rang.

The caller ID displayed:

Stephen Maxwell.

Zeke's expression instantly darkened.

Ella answered casually.

"Hello?"

Stephen's calm voice came through.

"Would you like to discuss our competition project tomorrow?"

The call lasted less than a minute.

Yet Zeke felt increasingly uncomfortable.

For some reason...

He disliked hearing another man ask for her time.

Especially Stephen Maxwell.

---

The next morning.

Gilbert sat inside his study.

A photograph lay on his desk.

Ella's photograph.

His eyes lingered on it.

For the first time in years, he found himself smiling.

"If I had known earlier..."

He shook his head.

"I would've brought this girl to business meetings."

After a moment of thought, he picked up his phone.

And dialed a number.

---

Sunday.

Ella received an unexpected call.

Andrew Eleanor.

She almost ignored it.

Almost.

Curiosity won.

The meeting location was a private restaurant.

After informing the butler, she left.

Upon arriving, she immediately noticed something strange.

Andrew wasn't alone.

Two middle-aged businessmen sat beside him.

The moment she entered, their eyes lit up.

The gazes made her uncomfortable.

Andrew pointed toward a chair.

"Sit."

Ella sat silently.

Then Andrew casually pushed a wine bottle toward her.

"Pour wine."

Ella frowned.

The request felt strange.

The businessmen exchanged meaningful smiles.

One even attempted small talk that quickly became inappropriate.

Ella's patience disappeared.

Soon afterward, she excused herself to visit the restroom.

Unfortunately—

One of the businessmen followed.

The man blocked her path.

His smile was disgusting.

"Miss Ella—"

Before he could finish—

BANG!

A painful scream echoed through the hallway.

Several seconds later.

The businessman lay on the floor holding his stomach.

Meanwhile, Ella calmly dusted her hands.

When she returned to the private room, Andrew's face was dark.

"Are you insane?"

His voice was furious.

"You assaulted my business partner!"

Ella stared at him coldly.

For the first time, she felt absolutely nothing toward the man she once called father.

Then Andrew sneered.

"Why can't you be useful for once?"

His eyes filled with disgust.

"Didn't you become the mistress of some old rich man anyway?"

Ella froze.

Mistress?

Then realization dawned.

The rumors.

The luxury car.

The photographs.

Someone had deliberately spread them.

A cold smile appeared on her lips.

"I don't owe you any explanations."

She stood.

"And don't contact me again."

Her voice was ice-cold.

"If you do, I won't be as polite next time."

Then she walked away.

Leaving Andrew trembling with rage.

The businessmen looked humiliated.

His reputation had suffered.

His business deal was ruined.

And he blamed Ella for all of it.

Hatred filled his eyes.

"If that's how you want to play..."

Andrew clenched his fists.

"Then don't blame me."

---

That evening.

A large sum of money quietly changed hands.

A local media station received an anonymous payment.

Along with several carefully selected photographs.

Photographs of Ella entering luxury cars.

Photographs of Ella dining at Dynasty Restaurant.

Photographs designed to tell a very specific story.

By midnight—

The article was already being prepared.

And by morning...

The entire city would know Ella Eleanor's name.

For all the wrong reasons.