Silence spread across the 27th floor of Z.Y Empire when Zain announced his decision in front of everyone.
Looking into Aanya's eyes, Zain said, "You came here for an interview, didn't you?"
Aanya answered fearfully, "Y-Yes..."
Without wasting a moment, Zain said, "Fine, you are selected. You can work here in the HR department with your friend (Huan Jing)."
Aanya was stunned. Adjusting her glasses, she asked, "But... but I haven't even told you anything about myself? No portfolio shown, no questions or answers?"
Cutting her off in a cold voice, Zain said, "There is no need for that."
Aanya fell into thought for a moment. Looking at Zain's face made her feel afraid, but then she remembered her brother Lu Wei's words and the broken dishes at home. She thought that if this opportunity slipped away, she might never be able to go to Korea. In a suppressed voice, she said, "Fine... I accept."
Huan Jing, who was standing a little distance away, held her head and whispered to herself, "Aanya! What have you done? You're walking straight into the 'Wolf's' mouth? Do you want to die?"
A faint, lethal smile appeared on Zain's lips. Leaning close to Aanya's ear, he whispered, "Right decision. Now you've come here of your own will... but now you won't be able to leave. Without my permission, you won't take a single step outside."
With that, Zain turned and, with his 195 cm imposing physique, walked back toward the lift to his private floor. Aanya remained standing there, all alone. The rest of the office staff stared at her as if they had seen a miracle. Only one thought was in everyone's mind—that this innocent girl had signed her own death warrant.
Just then, Huan Jing came running to Aanya, grabbed her hand, and pulled her aside. As soon as they entered the washroom, Huan Jing grabbed Aanya and started speaking with a face like she was about to cry.
Huan Jing: "Aanya! Are you crazy? I went through so much trouble to save you! When I found out you accidentally went to the 17th floor, my life nearly left my body!"
Aanya: "But what did you even do?"
Huan Jing: "What didn't I do? I ran to Qian (Zain's right-hand man). I grabbed his legs in front of everyone! I said—'Sir, please save my friend! She's a bit of a fool, she doesn't know anything!'"
Flashback: Funny Moment (Office Corridor)
Huan Jing was sitting on the floor under Qian's expensive pants, holding onto his shoes. Qian, who is always a cold and serious man, was completely shocked.
Qian: "Miss... what are you doing? Let go of me! Everyone is watching."
Huan Jing (Crying): "I won't let go! Until you promise that you will stop the Boss, I won't let go of your leg! I'll do whatever you say, just save my friend!"
Qian made a strange face, as if he had seen an alien. People throughout the office were staring at them. Poor Qian turned red with embarrassment. He thought that if the Boss saw this, his job would be gone!
Qian (Nervously): "Fine! Fine! I'm going! Just stand up and stop this drama!"
Present: Washroom
Aanya burst into loud laughter seeing Huan Jing's condition.
Aanya: "Wow! So you turned Qian Sir's dignity into a joke?" She couldn't stop laughing.
Huan Jing: "You're laughing?! You crazy girl, I'm here worrying if the 'Wolf' will chew you up alive or raw, and you're finding this funny?"
Huan Jing shook her slightly and asked with curiosity, "Okay, stop laughing and tell me... what actually happened up there on the 17th floor? How did the Boss let you go? Did he recognize you?"
Aanya took a deep breath and began telling her everything. "Yaar, the atmosphere there was exactly like a horror movie. Out of fear, I even threatened that 'Wolf'! I said—'Stay back! I'll call the police, you're a criminal!'"
Huan Jing (Eyes wide open): "What?! You called the Boss a criminal and threatened him with the police? How are you still alive?!"
Aanya: "I don't know myself! But when I was trying to run away, he suddenly grabbed my wrist and pulled me toward him. I crashed straight into his broad chest! He's so tall that my head didn't even reach his shoulder. And then... he put his hand on my waist and pinned me against the wall."
Huan Jing put her hands on her cheeks, a spark appearing in her eyes. "Yaar, Aanya! You are so lucky! I mean... 'The Great Zain Yan' touched you that closely? He put his hand on your waist? Every girl in Shenzhen could die for that one moment!"
Aanya (Face turning red): "Shut up! I'm not lucky, I'm unfortunate! He was staring at me as if I were some old debt he wanted to collect right today."
Both were standing outside the washroom, talking loudly about all this "Waist and Chest" stuff. Just then, Qian passed by the corner of the corridor.
As soon as Qian heard Huan Jing's voice and their words fell on his ears, he immediately held his head. He thought, "Oh God! This girl has started again? It's impossible to shut her mouth!"
Qian didn't even look toward them and quickly ran away in the opposite direction, as if a ghost were chasing him.
When Aanya saw Qian running like that, she burst into laughter again. "Look! Your 'Sir' started running a marathon just by seeing you!"
Next Scene:
Zain is sitting in his cabin, watching their entire drama on the CCTV. He pauses for a moment seeing Aanya's laughter, and his gaze was like that of a predator.
And on the screen, looking at Aanya's face with his hand over his own: "You are going to be my prisoner very soon, Miss Lu... or rather, my captive."Aanya and Huan Jing were still lost in conversation when suddenly Zain's Personal Assistant (PA) arrived there. Her face held the same flat and professional expression.
"Miss Aanya Lu? The Boss has called you to his cabin. Your employment contract needs to be signed," the PA said in a commanding manner.
Aanya looked at Huan Jing in panic. Huan Jing gave her a "Don't lose courage" gesture with her eyes. Aanya grabbed her file and started walking toward the lift with the PA.
Zain Yan's Luxury Cabin
Zain's cabin was on the very top floor of the building. As soon as Aanya stepped inside, her eyes widened. It didn't look like an office cabin, but rather a part of a palace.
Expensive Italian marble was shimmering everywhere.
The walls featured rare modern art paintings.
One entire wall was made of glass, from where the whole city of Shenzhen looked like a toy.
The air held that same expensive and masculine 'Woody' perfume scent that came from Zain's body.
Zain was sitting in his large leather chair; in front of him was a black glass table which held only his laptop and a few files. (Aanya's keychain wasn't there; perhaps it was still lying in some corner of the 17th floor).
Zain lifted his head and looked at Aanya. His 195 cm persona, even while sitting in that chair, looked so powerful that Aanya felt her breath being stifled.
"Sit, Miss Lu," Zain said in his cold, velvety voice and slid a file toward her. "This is your contract. Read and sign it."
Aanya picked up the file while sitting on the chair, but her hands were trembling slightly. She saw that the salary in the contract was so high that she could buy a ticket to Korea in just 3 months!
But then her gaze fell on a clause: "Employee cannot resign or leave the city without the CEO's personal written permission for the next 2 years."
Aanya immediately looked up. "Sir, why is there this 'No Resignation' clause? This feels like a jail."
Zain leaned forward slightly, his eyes reading the fear hidden behind Aanya's glasses. "After what you saw yesterday... what did you think? That I would let you go so easily? Sign it, Aanya... or the 17th floor is still right there."
Aanya swallowed hard. On one side were her dreams, and on the other was this terrifying 'Wolf'. With trembling hands, she picked up the pen and signed the contract.
Zain took the file back and said with a cold smile, "Welcome to hell, Aanya Lu."
Aanya steps out of the cabin, her heart still thumping loudly. The contract was signed—now she couldn't turn back. As soon as the door closes, Zain's face turns instantly stony.
At that moment, an encrypted message arrives on Zain's phone. When he opened it, his eyes turned red with rage. His spies had sent a photo—a man with that same terrifying Dragon Tattoo on his neck.
The message read: "Boss, this is the same killer who opened fire on your family 15 years ago. He was spotted at Shenzhen Airport today. He is back."
Zain crushed the phone in his fist. He immediately called Qian and roared, "Qian! I want all the details on this man with the tattoo. His family, his weakness, his most precious thing... everything! I will kill him slowly, making him suffer."
Zain was now under a massive misunderstanding. He thought this man with the Dragon Tattoo was the "Dragon King" and the actual killer of his family. He had no idea that the Dragon King was some other great evil, and this man was merely a pawn. Most importantly—Zain didn't know Lu Kang's name yet, nor did he know that Aanya was his niece.
Home Atmosphere: A Good News and A Shadow
Aanya reaches home exhausted. As soon as she opens the door, her gaze falls on a man sitting in the hall.
"Uncle!!" Aanya screamed with joy and ran to hug him.
This was Lu Kang—Aanya's beloved uncle. Lu Kang smiled and kissed Aanya's head. "How is my doll? I heard you got a job in a big company today?"
Aanya began telling him excitedly, "Yes Uncle! Z.Y Empire! The boss there is a bit grumpy, but the salary is very good. Now I'll take you to visit Korea very soon!"
Lu Kang smiled, but a deep fear was hidden in his eyes. He had returned to Shenzhen, but he knew the Dragon King's men were searching for him. He wanted to keep Aanya away from this bloody game.
Zain's Next Step
On the other side, Zain was looking out of his large office glass window. He looked at the message again—the photo of the Dragon Tattoo.
Zain thought with a cold mind: "You snatched my mother and sister from me. Now I will snatch your most precious thing. If you have a family, your precious possession will now be in my captivity."
Zain felt he was on the right path, but he was unknowingly vowing to destroy his first love, Aanya. He thought Lu Kang was the Dragon King, while the real Dragon King was sitting behind the curtain watching the show.