Chapter 6

"Where are my car keys?”

My voice rose sharply in the main corridor of the campus, which was crowded with students walking back and forth. I stared coldly at the two men in black suits standing rigidly near the large bulletin board. Albert and Doni. Two broad-shouldered bodyguards sent by Alexander, who had been stationed outside my dorm room since six o’clock this morning.

“Your vehicle has been returned to the main residence on Master Alexander’s orders, Miss Selena,” Albert said, his expression completely blank.

“You’ve gone too far. This is campus. Don’t embarrass me in front of everyone,” I hissed, trying to keep my voice low enough not to draw too much attention. But several passing students had already begun whispering and glancing in our direction.

“We are only carrying out orders,” Doni replied softly, but with unquestionable finality.

“Orders to humiliate me? Standing here like statues makes everyone think I’ve committed a crime or that I’m some rich man’s mistress. Get your oversized bodies out of my way.”

I stepped forward, trying to slip between them.

Albert moved quickly, shifting his body to block my path with polite but unyielding firmness. “Master Alexander instructed that you return home directly by taxi after your class ends. You are not permitted to use your own vehicle or ride with anyone else for the time being.”

I clenched my fists until my knuckles turned white. Anger burned in my chest, making my breathing uneven and my heartbeat erratic. Alexander was truly proving last night’s words after confiscating my credit card. Now he had taken my car and sent these two shadows to tie me down. My hatred for the man who had only recently become my stepfather had reached its peak.

“I can get home on my own,” I said sharply before turning away and walking briskly toward my classroom, my steps heavy with frustration.

In class, I could not focus at all on the lecture being delivered at the front. My notebook remained completely empty. My thoughts were entirely consumed by how I would get revenge on Alexander. I would not let that man win and control the rest of my life in such a filthy way. If he thought he could tame me by confining me like this, he was wrong. I needed to show him I was not a obedient doll he could control however he pleased.

Meanwhile, in a skyscraper in the city center, Alexander sat behind his wide office desk. The room was silent, with only the faint sound of his fingers tapping against the polished wooden surface. His phone beside his laptop vibrated once, displaying an incoming message from Albert.

Miss Selena protested the confiscation of the vehicle in the campus corridor and drew attention from several students. However, the situation is now under control and Miss Selena is currently attending her classes.

Alexander read the message without changing his cold, expressionless face. His thumb moved quickly across the screen as he typed a short, firm reply.

Make sure she arrives home on time after her class ends. Report every one of her movements without missing anything.

To Alexander, Selena was nothing more than a spoiled child with a stubborn personality who needed strict discipline so she would not damage the reputation of the family he had worked so hard to build. He knew the girl was holding deep resentment and was likely already planning another act of defiance. However, Alexander was used to controlling situations, and he was ready to cut off every move she might make.

In the late afternoon, the taxi that carried me finally stopped in front of the main residence. I stepped out roughly and walked into the luxurious house with a scowl on my face. In the spacious living room, I immediately ran into Alexander, who was adjusting his tie in front of a large mirror, preparing to leave again.

“You’re home,” he greeted coldly, without even turning to look at me.

“Why was my car taken at campus? Did you intentionally want to humiliate me in front of my friends?” I asked directly, my tone demanding an explanation as I stood a few steps behind him.

Alexander put on his black suit with calm movements, adjusting the shoulders before finally turning fully to face me. “That is a continuation of your punishment for yesterday’s behavior. There are rules in this house you must follow, Selena.”

“You are not my biological father. You have no right to control my life and treat me like a prisoner in this house.”

Alexander stopped moving. He stepped closer, looking at me with sharp eyes that made my courage falter slightly. But I refused to step back or lower my gaze.

“While your mother entrusted your supervision entirely to me, I have full authority over you. And one more thing, I will be coming home very late tonight because I have a lot of work at the office. Do not try anything while I am gone,” he said flatly.

Then he walked past me without another word, leaving behind the sharp scent of his masculine cologne in the air, not waiting for any response or protest.

I watched his tall figure disappear until the front door closed firmly. The moment I heard his car engine leaving the driveway, a sly smile slowly formed on my lips. The anger that had burned in my chest earlier was now replaced by an odd sense of satisfaction.

“Coming home late,” I whispered to myself as I turned toward the stairs.

This was the perfect opportunity I had been waiting for. If Alexander wanted me to obey and stay under his control, then I would give him the biggest chaos he hated most. I knew very well that he valued cleanliness, silence, and privacy in this luxurious house. So I knew exactly what I needed to do to provoke him into exploding with rage.

I quickly ran upstairs to my room, locked the door from the inside, and opened my messaging app. I created a new group chat for my classmates and friends from my circle, totaling around fifteen people.

My thumbs moved quickly across the screen as I typed excitedly.

Guys, there’s a party at my house tonight. My overbearing stepfather is working overtime until midnight. We can swim, drink, and do whatever we want here. Come now. The back gate is unlocked so you can get in easily.

I pressed send. It did not take long before my phone vibrated nonstop with replies from them, all enthusiastically agreeing to my sudden invitation.

I walked to my large bedroom window, looking out at the backyard swimming pool. The water looked calm under the glow of the garden lights that had just turned on as evening fell. I smiled in satisfaction, imagining Alexander’s rigid and arrogant expression when he returned home and found his neat, luxurious house transformed into a loud, chaotic party filled with strangers.

My phone vibrated again. An incoming call from one of my friends, Leo. I swiped the green button and brought the phone to my ear.

“Hello, Leo? You’re coming, right?” I asked without hesitation.

His voice on the other end sounded hesitant and slightly hushed. “Selena, are you sure this is safe tonight? Isn’t your house always heavily guarded by those large men your stepfather sent?”

I laughed dismissively while walking toward my wardrobe, sliding open the glass door to choose my best swimsuit. “It’s completely safe, Leo. Don’t worry. They’re all easy to fool if I make the move. Everyone, hurry up and come before it gets too late.”