The grand doors of the estate creaked open, revealing an opulent entryway that took Serena's breath away. The sheer magnitude of the house, with its towering spires and intricate stonework, made it look like a castle pulled straight from a fairytale. Serena couldn't help but gape at the surroundings, feeling like she had entered another world.
"Mummy? Daddy? Where are you?" Lila's voice echoed softly as she stepped into the dimly lit foyer. She flipped a switch near the door, but nothing happened.
"Why is it dark in here? Your parents aren't home yet?" Serena asked, her voice tinged with curiosity as she hesitated near the threshold.
"They're usually here by now, but today, it's different. What's going on?" Lila's brow furrowed, her tone laced with concern.
Before they could speculate further, the grand chandelier above them flickered to life, illuminating the room in a cascade of warm, golden light. The sudden brightness revealed an elaborately decorated living room. The space was adorned with golden streamers cascading from the vaulted ceiling, delicate flower arrangements on every table, and candles flickering in crystal holders, casting mesmerizing patterns across the walls.
"Welcome back, my princess!" Albert Valen's deep, jovial voice boomed as he stepped forward with his wife, Michelle Valen, by his side. Their faces beamed with joy as they welcomed their daughter home.
"Oh. So this was the matter you had to settle today—a surprise event for me?" Lila raised an eyebrow, half-amused and half-suspicious. "But wait, you've never thrown a surprise for me before. What's the occasion?" Her gaze flicked to Serena, who stood awkwardly beside her.
"Or is this for Serena?"
Albert and Michelle exchanged a knowing glance, their laughter bubbling up at their perceptive daughter's remark.
"Haha, it's for both of you," Albert admitted. "We wanted to make this evening special to welcome our precious guest."
"Right, Daddy," Lila said with a smirk, clearly not buying the excuse but letting it slide.
"Well, what are you waiting for?" Michelle said, her voice warm as she gestured toward Serena. "Take Serena upstairs to the guest room. I had Auntie Mary prepare it earlier today. Serena, you must be tired from your journey. Go freshen up, and then join us for dinner."
Michelle reached out and squeezed Serena's hands, making her feel instantly welcomed. Lila, on the other hand, rolled her eyes dramatically.
"Come on, Serena," Lila muttered as she grabbed her friend's arm and led her upstairs. The sound of their footsteps echoed against the marble staircase. "Before my mom starts adopting you as her second daughter."
The Valens laughed as they watched the two girls ascend, their playful banter a comforting reminder of normalcy amidst the grandeur of their lives.
After dinner, Serena felt like her stomach was about to burst. Michelle had kept piling food onto her plate despite Serena's polite protests, insisting she try every dish. The warmth and liveliness of the meal were almost overwhelming, but Serena appreciated the genuine kindness behind it all.
Just as she was about to excuse herself to rest, Albert's voice cut through the post-dinner chatter.
"Serena, can you come with me to my study for a moment?" he asked, his tone calm but serious.
Serena knew this time would come. Even though she was nervous, she was ready to face Albert.
Albert led Serena to his study, a grand room lined with bookshelves and dominated by a massive mahogany desk. He gestured for her to sit on the leather chair opposite him. Serena's palms felt clammy, but she took a deep breath, steeling herself for whatever was to come.
"I reviewed your resume," Albert began, his voice measured and authoritative. "Your academic achievements, skills, and multilingual abilities are impressive. But this role requires more than qualifications."
Serena nodded. "I understand."
Albert leaned forward. "Kael is reckless, arrogant, and far too self-centred. His reputation within the company is… complicated. Many see him as unfit to lead, and I can't entirely blame them.
"To be a true leader, having talent or intelligence is not enough. You need to understand the value of your team, to see people as more than tools for achieving your goals. But Kael… he only cares about what benefits him. If someone doesn't serve his interests, they don't exist in his world.
"That's why this role is so critical. I need someone who can not only handle his difficult personality but also challenge him in subtle ways. This isn't just about supporting Kael—it's about helping him grow into the leader he needs to be."
Serena swallowed hard, processing his words. Albert wasn't asking her to be just a secretary—he wanted her to play a part in reshaping his son's future.
"Do you understand what's at stake?" Albert asked.
"Yes, Mr. Valen," Serena replied softly. "I understand."
Albert observed Serena carefully, his gaze sharp as he processed her response. He could see the sincerity in her eyes—she wasn't just eager to please him, she was determined to prove herself.
"I know this job won't be easy," Albert continued, his voice level. "Kael has a way of testing people. He won't make it simple for you."
Serena met his gaze steadily, a quiet strength in her expression. "I understand. I may not have worked in a big company before, but I've always faced challenges head-on. I've been through difficult situations in my life, and I've learned that giving up isn't an option. I will handle Kael, no matter how tough it gets."
Albert raised an eyebrow. "You think you can handle someone like him?"
Serena's voice was calm, but firm. "I've learned to manage people who are hard to deal with, even when I didn't have the experience or the support I needed. Kael won't be easy, but I won't back down."
Albert studied her for a long moment, his expression unreadable. "You're confident, despite your lack of corporate experience. Why should I believe you?"
Serena didn't flinch. "I may not have the credentials, but I have the determination. I won't stop until I find a way to make this work, for Kael and for the company. I've been through enough in life to know that challenges only make me stronger."
Albert considered her words carefully. He could sense her resilience, her unspoken strength. It wasn't the typical corporate background he might have expected, but perhaps it was what Kael needed most—a different kind of strength.
Finally, Albert gave a slight nod. "Alright, Miss Winters. You're accepted as Kael's secretary. But don't think this will be easy. You'll have to prove yourself."
Serena smiled softly, relieved, but determined. "I will, Mr. Valen. I won't disappoint you."
Serena arrived at Pearl Empire early in the morning, her nerves tightly wound as she stepped through the sleek, modern lobby of the building. The city was buzzing with activity, but her focus was solely on the day ahead. She hadn't yet found an apartment, so for now, she was staying with Lila. Serena had heard about the company's reputation, and she was determined to prove herself capable, despite being new to the corporate world.
She had been told that James Parker, Kael's lead secretary, would guide her for the first few days. Serena wasn't entirely sure what to expect, but the stories Lila's father had shared about the man made her believe he would be far more reasonable than Kael. She didn't even know what James looked like, but she hoped he would be kind and understanding, especially considering how difficult Kael could be.
As she entered the office area, a man in his late twenties approached her with a calm, professional demeanour.
"Miss Serena Winters?" he asked politely.
Serena nodded, slightly surprised that he knew her name. "Yes?"
"I'm James Parker," he introduced himself with a friendly smile. "I'll be guiding you for your first few days here. If you need anything, just let me know."
"Thank you, Mr. Parker," Serena replied, maintaining a formal tone. She appreciated his professional yet friendly approach, especially after hearing about Kael. She felt a sense of relief knowing James would be there to help her through the initial days.
James gave her a reassuring smile. "Please, you don't have to be so formal with me. Just call me James. I'd rather we keep things casual."
Serena blinked in surprise but nodded, offering a small smile. "Alright, James. I'll follow your lead."
James nodded, his expression still friendly. "Shall we go in?" He gestured toward Kael's office door.
Serena followed James down the long, sterile hallway, her heart pounding in her chest. The closer they got to Kael's office, the more she could feel the weight of the situation. She had heard enough about him to be prepared for his cold, arrogant demeanour. Still, nothing could quite prepare her for the moment she would actually meet him.
James opened the door to Kael's office, revealing a spacious, minimalist room with a breathtaking view of the city. At the centre of the room sat Kael, his back to them as he worked at his desk. He didn't even look up when they entered.
"Sir, this is Serena Winters, your new secretary," James announced, his voice respectful but cautious.
Kael didn't respond at first. His eyes remained glued to the papers in front of him. Serena stood there, her nerves mounting, unsure of what to do next. James exchanged a brief look with her before excusing himself and leaving, closing the door quietly behind him.
There was silence for a moment, the only sound being the faint rustling of paper. Then, Kael finally turned in his chair, his gaze locking onto Serena with an air of detached indifference.
"Serena Winters, huh?" His voice was smooth, but it carried an edge. He didn't stand up or even offer her a greeting. "You're the new secretary, then? My father thinks I need help? How amusing."
Serena, trying to maintain her composure, nodded stiffly. "Yes, Mr. Valen. I'll be assisting you with your work."
Kael's lips curled into a thin, almost mocking smile. He didn't say anything at first, his eyes sweeping over her. He didn't hide the way he scrutinized her—looking her up and down, his gaze lingering on her clothes, noting how plain she looked. Unlike the high-maintenance women he was used to, Serena's outfit was simple, almost as if she hadn't put much thought into it.
Kael tilted his head slightly, his gaze never leaving her. "Is this how you dress for work? No stylish flair, no effort to impress. Just plain." He sneered slightly. "And yet, my father believes this kind of human can assist me. Hah, I thought he had higher standards." His voice dripped with disbelief and disdain. Serena felt the sting of his words but refused to let it show. She was here to do her job, not to let his cruelty shake her.
Kael leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms over his chest. "I'm sure you'll be a great help—if you even manage to last here long enough. But honestly, I'm not expecting much from someone like you." He smirked, his gaze sharp. "Prove me wrong. I'd be entertained to see you try."
Serena's fists clenched, but she kept her voice steady and met Kael's gaze with unwavering determination. "I'll do my best, Sir Kael."
Kael's lips curled into a slight, amused smile, his eyes glinting with a mix of curiosity and pride. He leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms as he observed Serena. "Sir Kael, huh? Interesting." His gaze sharpened. "Keep it up, and you might just make this a bit more interesting. But let me make something clear—I'm not interested in your best. I'm interested in whether you'll even last long enough to be useful. Don't waste your time trying to impress me. It won't make a difference."
Serena's patience was nearing its limit, but she refused to show it. "I won't let you down, Sir."
Kael leaned in, eyes narrowing. "Listen carefully, Serena Winters. I didn't want you here. My father's the one who decided to dump you on me. So, don't get comfortable. One mistake, and I'll have you out the door faster than you can blink. Understood?"
Serena's jaw tightened, but she didn't flinch. She met his gaze firmly. "I understand."
Kael's smirk widened, clearly pleased with the power he held over her. "Good. Now, get lost. Don't waste my time."
Serena stood there for a moment, her hands shaking ever so slightly from the intensity of the encounter. But she wasn't going to let him break her. She'd been through worse, and she was determined to prove herself.