Zain sat leaned back in his plush leather chair. His fingers were interlaced, and his face wore that stiff, cold smirk that only Kian was allowed to witness. Kian stood perfectly straight before him, holding several files, but his eyes were busy reading the shifting expressions on Zain's face.
Looking out the window, Zain asked in a low, heavy voice:
"So Kian... how was my 'wife's' first day? How is her experience of living as my real wife going so far?"
Kian bowed slightly and replied, "Sir, Miss Lu—I mean, Mrs. Yan—is a bit rattled. In the parking lot, she was trying to compose herself in front of Huan Jing, but your mention of 'Byeon Woo-seok' from that night has deeply unsettled her. She is still struggling with the memories of that drunken night."
A deep, lethal glint flickered across Zain's lips. "Unsettled? She should stay unsettled, Kian. She must realize that the 'Oppa' she used to dream of is, in reality, standing before her as her Master."
He twirled his gold pen on the desk. "What are the office people saying about her? I know everything. They are mocking her, thinking she's just an ordinary girl. They have no idea that the girl they consider weak is the true 'Empress' of this empire—even if she is currently thrashing about in this cage."
Kian stepped forward with a file. "Sir, the Dragon King's men are still watching. They suspect Anya knows Lu Kang's final secret. Do you think it's safe to leave her alone in the office?"
Zain's eyes darkened instantly. He jerked his chair forward and stared directly into Kian's eyes.
"Not even death can touch her without my permission, Kian. My purpose in bringing her to the office isn't just to intimidate her, but to keep her right under my gaze."
Just then, there was a knock at the door. Zain closed his file and returned his voice to that icy, 'Boss' tone.
"Come in."
Anya entered. In her long skirt and glasses, she looked utterly innocent, but that same 'wildcat' rage was shimmering in her eyes for Zain. Kian gave her a small nod and began to exit the cabin, but as he left, he shot Anya a 'stay cautious' look.
Anya stood before the desk. "You summoned me, Sir?" She placed such emphasis on the word 'Sir' as if she were mocking him.
Zain stood up, walked around the desk, and came so close to her that Anya felt a shiver run down her spine. He lifted her chin with his fingers.
"Rule Number 10, Anya. Here, you are my employee. And a good employee greets her master upon arrival. Didn't you receive your training?"
With a faint smile, Kian stepped out of the cabin, and the heavy door closed with a deep echo. Now, in that luxurious and cold 100th-floor cabin, there were only Zain and Anya.
Anya tried to control her heartbeat and greeted him as per his command. "Good morning, Sir," she said, lowering her gaze as if she truly were an obedient employee.
But Zain had no concern for her innocence. He slowly closed in on her. Anya remembered Rule Number 4—Ownership of the Body. Zain's hand moved slowly to Anya's waist, and he pulled her toward him.
Anya's body stiffened, but she didn't give up. She cast a mischievous and challenging look at Zain.
"Sir..." Anya whispered, "people will get the wrong idea. Remember Rule Number 10? In the office, we are just Boss and Employee. A Boss shouldn't stay this close to his employee. Are you breaking your own rules?"
A victory smile played on Anya's lips. She thought she had trapped Zain in his own web.
A deep, dark flash appeared in Zain's eyes. He tightened his grip on her waist, causing Anya's breath to hitch. He leaned his face toward her ear.
"I made the rules, Anya... and I decide when to break them," Zain's voice had a lethal edge. "And as for people getting the wrong idea... no one in Yan Corporation has the audacity to question my decisions. If I hold you in my arms here, it is my 'right,' not my 'mistake'."
He lifted her chin so she was forced to look directly into his eyes.
"You're trying to provoke me? That's like playing with fire. And remember, if you want to be an 'employee' in this office, your first task is—make that coffee for me. And while you make it, I'll tell you just how many ways a 'Boss' can punish his employee."
He released her from his arms with a jerk, causing her to stumble.
"Go. Prepare the coffee in the kitchen. And bring it straight to my desk."
Anya adjusted her clothes in anger and turned. She realized it was impossible to defeat Zain using his own rules. But as she walked toward the door, she thought to herself— "Fine, Mr. Wolf, you'll get your coffee... but it will definitely have a little 'extra' spice from my side!"
Anya headed toward the pantry, her face flushed with rage. She was cursing Zain in her mind, "Such a coffee lover! Can't he move his own hands and feet? Sitting on the 100th floor, this Chinese Wolf only knows how to bark orders!"
As she reached the coffee machine, Huan Jing crept up from behind and pinched her waist.
"Oh! So is our 'Miss Lu' now the new Head Designer of Yan Corporation or Mr. Yan's personal coffee chef?" Huan Jing teased. Mischief sparkled in her eyes.
Anya grabbed the coffee mug, embarrassed. "Shut up, Huan! You know what a strict boss he is. He wants his 'special' coffee, and unfortunately, I know exactly how it's made."
Huan Jing leaned in and whispered, "Tell me the truth, Anya, what happened inside the cabin? When you came out, your hair was a bit messy and your face... looked extra pink. Was there some 'violation of rules' between the Boss and Employee?"
Anya's heart began to race. She could feel Zain's firm hand on her waist and his cold breath near her ear once again. She frantically straightened her hair.
"Nothing happened! He was just... he was just explaining the work to me," Anya stammered.
Huan Jing let out a wistful sigh. "Work? On the 100th floor, behind closed doors, in such close proximity? I wish my boss would explain work to me like that! By the way, Mr. Kian was there too, right? He looked like such a 'gentleman' today."
Anya stirred the spoon in the coffee mug vigorously. She ignored Huan Jing's chatter and brewed a devious thought in her mind. She stealthily picked up the salt container and was about to put a pinch of salt in the coffee when she remembered Rule Number 9.
Her hand froze mid-air. "No... if he finds out, he won't spare Wei."
Dejectedly, she put the salt back and prepared a bitter, black coffee—just like Zain's heart.
"Huan, I have to go. Otherwise, that wolf will start roaring again," Anya picked up the mug and headed for the elevator.
As she reached the cabin, she saw Kian standing at the door talking to someone on the phone. Kian looked at Anya, and his gaze went straight to the coffee mug. He gave a small smile, as if he understood exactly how much Anya dreaded going inside.
Anya placed the coffee mug on the table in anger and turned to leave without looking at him. But just as she grabbed the doorknob, Zain's flat, cold voice echoed from behind.
"Stop, Anya."
Anya stopped but didn't turn. Her heart began to pound again. Zain took a sip and, leaning back in his chair, said, "Get home early this evening. My Mom and Dad are coming... and my sister Fengning too."
Anya spun around, her eyes wide with shock. "What? Your parents? But they don't know anything about 'this' marriage, do they? And Fengning... she is..."
Zain put the coffee mug down and stood up to walk toward her. He placed one hand on the door, trapping Anya between himself and the door. His handsome face was now utterly serious.
"To the world, you are my employee, but inside the house, you are 'Mrs. Yan.' My parents believe we married out of love. So this evening, hide this 'wildcat' side of yours and play the part of the perfect daughter-in-law."
Anya stared into his eyes with fury. "An act? Your whole life is an act, Zain Yan! And Fengning... what if she recognizes me?"
Zain leaned down and whispered near her ear, "That is exactly your trial. Fengning is a bit stubborn and arrogant, just like me. If you make a mistake, remember Rule Number 9? Lu Wei's job at the café... or perhaps something even worse."
Anya's face turned white. She understood that this evening was going to be a death trap for her. On one side, strict in-laws, and on the other, that arrogant sister-in-law, Fengning—who was also her neighbor and had been relentlessly pursuing Lu Wei.