Still no amount of designer clothes, perfumes, or lavish comforts could change the fact that this wasn't my life.
It was temporary, a gilded cage dressed in luxury. I wasn't meant to stay here forever, and no amount of velvet bathrobes or sparkling champagne could make me forget that.
This world wasn't mine, and I wouldn't let it trap me, no matter how tempting it all seemed.
I'd stay here until Sebastian was settled, until he no longer clung to me like I was his saviour.
But even then, I wasn't planning to stick around forever. I wanted my own life, my own freedom—far from this grand mansion and all its complications. Discover exclusive tales at empire
Both Sinclair and Sebastian were fragile, their health hanging by a thread. They were old, their bodies worn down by years of struggle and stress.
I had to be careful, cautious with every word, every move, so as not to push them over the edge. It felt like walking on glass, tiptoeing around their vulnerabilities, knowing that one wrong step could shatter everything.
I still needed Sinclair before I could stand on my own, after all. He knew it, and I knew it.
That's why I couldn't afford to waste time. Every second mattered. I had to build myself up quickly, before the inevitable moment when Sinclair's influence would no longer be there to lean on.
"Aren't you heading out, Victor?" I asked, noticing how he lingered longer than usual.
He cleared his throat, his usual confident posture faltering slightly as he suddenly avoided eye contact with me. "Sinclair's expecting you for breakfast."
I sighed, nodding. "Alright. I'll get ready."
As I moved to close the door, he hesitated. "Do you have somewhere to go after?"
"Yeah," I replied. "I've got a meeting with Hyun, Claire, Michael, and a couple of investors later."
"Someone's so busy."
"Aren't we all?" I shot back, my eyes trailing over his sharp, tailored suit. "Isn't today your official first day as President?"
He chuckled, the sound low and almost foreign. "Then I suppose I should wish us both luck." With that, he gave me a nod and slipped out the door.
I stared after him, baffled by the change in his behavior. The first time I was here, he'd been cold, rigid—treating me like a prisoner that might do something, every interaction tinged with formality and indifference.
But now? Now there was a softness in his eyes, a gentleness in his voice whenever he spoke to me.
I shook my head, pushing the thought aside. We were allies now, nothing more.
It was only natural that the hostility would fade. We had to work together if we're going to succeed in bringing Sullivan and Stefan down.
After a brief breakfast with Sinclair, Sebastian, and Victor, I was about to head out and attend to my business when Sinclair's voice stopped me in my tracks.
"Don't forget, your bodyguard will be here later. Come back for lunch."
I turned, surprised. "Oh, they're already here?"
He nodded. "That's right. I want you protected 24/7 now that we both know they might try to go after you, or anyone of us."
I smiled. "Alright. I'll come back later. I hope they're good like you claim they are, old man."
"Call me
grandfather
," he said, just as I stepped out the door.
Driving inside my car, I knew going out without protection wasn't the best idea right now.
However, Sophie's birthday disaster was still fresh in everyone's minds, and the media hadn't left us alone since. With all eyes on us, I doubted Sullivan, Stefan, or Sophia would try anything. At least, not for now.
I met up with Hyun first inside his new studio, which was currently under renovation to suit a fashion designer's needs.
"This is all perfect. I never imagined I'd have my very own studio," Hyun said, his eyes shining with excitement. "Thank you so much, Eve. I owe you everything."
"Don't thank me just yet," I replied with a smile. "In the end, I'm still a businesswoman, and you're my investment. You still have to return me my money back, and some profits, of course. But as long as you do what you do best, everything will work out in the end."
Hyun chuckled, his dimples showing at the sides of his cheeks. He was cute—like a puppy, innocent and naïve.
"By the way, don't post any of your designs just yet, alright? Your studio isn't ready, yet. It will be complete within a week, and your staff will be here soon. Plus, I'm assigning you a manager. She'll handle all the business side of things, and all you need to do is design to your heart's content."
Hyun grabbed my hand, his puppy eyes wide with appreciation. "Thank you so much, Eve. I'm really grateful for this opportunity. I promise I won't disappoint you."
"Good, good," I nodded.
"I'll be the best designer there is! Even better than Eva Heart!"
My eyebrow raised. "Eva Heart?"
Hyun nodded eagerly. "Yes! You might not know her because she mostly works in Frizkiel and BlackPine, but she's a famous fashion designer. When she was here, the Johnsons and even the Fays were her clients!"
"Oh, she's that popular?" I was surprised since I hadn't heard of her.
"That's right! But ever since she got married, she's slowed down and moved back to her husband's place," Hyun said, sighing. "I always dreamed of being her student, but I guess that's not happening now. Eva only designs when she feels like it."
"I see . . . a shame, then." I thought for a moment about recruiting her, but if she was retired, I couldn't exactly force her. Besides, Frizkiel was miles away from here.
After my meeting with Hyun, I checked in with Michael to make sure everything was in order for their launch tomorrow. It was a big day, so everything needed to be perfect.
As lunch approached, I returned to the mansion, right on time for my appointment with Sinclair and the new bodyguard. However, when I walked in, I was greeted by an unexpected guest.
Casually seated on the couch next to Sinclair was none other than Cole Fay himself.
What's going on here?!