The whole night had passed. It was 6:00 a.m. The first hazy rays of sunlight entered the archive room through its tiny window, illuminating the swirling dust particles dancing in the light.
In the middle of the room, a mountain of files was stacked. Anya sat on the floor, her head resting against an old wooden table. A pencil still lingered in her hand, and a black smudge of dust marked her cheek. She slept deeply, her tired breaths echoing softly in the stillness of the room. The screen of her laptop on the table was still glowing, displaying the brilliant and modern blueprint of Project Phoenix.
❄️ The Devil's Arrival
Zain Yan usually didn't arrive at the office this early, but today, restlessness pulled him in. He walked straight toward the basement. The sound of his expensive Italian shoes echoed through the empty hallway—"tick… tick… tick…"
He opened the heavy door of the archive room. The air smelled old and suffocating. His eyes landed on Anya, asleep on the floor.
Zain approached her, hands in his pockets. He noticed how small and innocent her face looked, exactly like his sister Jia when she slept. For a moment, his expression softened. He reached out, as if to push the scattered strands of hair off her forehead.
But the memory of his family's tragic deaths hit him. His hand froze in the air, fists clenching.
"No… this is not the time for mercy. This is the time for revenge," he whispered to himself.
Anya's sleep broke. She rubbed her eyes, and as she saw the long shadow of Zain looming over her, she startled upright.
"S-Sir! You're here?"
In panic, her foot hit a file, almost causing her to fall—but Zain quickly grabbed her waist.
🔥 Electric Chemistry
Time seemed to freeze. Anya's breath brushed against Zain's face. His icy eyes pierced through her scared yet shining gaze. The same perfume from last night enveloped her senses, intoxicating like a soft drug.
Zain jerked her upright and stepped back.
"Work, or just planning to sleep?" His voice remained cold and distant.
Anya shakily turned her laptop toward him.
"Sir… I've done it. I combined the old maps with modern designs to create a structure that will reduce the company's cost by 30%," she stammered.
Zain's eyes widened as he examined the screen. It was an incredibly complex design—something even top engineers could not solve. Not only had Anya completed it, but she had also added a level of creativity that was unmatched.
Zain was internally astonished, but he showed no emotion on his face. He closed the file.
"Okay. But this is just the beginning. Prepare it for the presentation room. The Board of Directors will review it."
🍫 Kian's Sweet Surprise
As Anya stepped out, Huan Jing was waiting with breakfast.
"Anya! Are you okay?"
From behind, Kian approached. He noticed the fatigue in her eyes and smiled.
"Excellent work, Miss Lu. The boss has sent your presentation file to me. You are truly talented."
He handed Huan Jing a small bag.
"Miss Jing, some fresh waffles. You both will need energy."
Huan Jing blushed and took the bag.
"Thank you, sir… You're very… very kind."
Kian gave a slight bow and walked away.
Jing looked at Anya.
"Wow! Kian is perfect… but your boss… he really is like a terrifying dragon."
Anya felt the memory of Zain's touch on her hand and looked out the window.
"He is the dragon, Jing… but somehow, behind that hatred in his eyes, I can see a deep pain…"
Z.Y. Empire Main Meeting Hall
The main meeting hall of Z.Y. Empire was entirely built with glass and steel. The tension in the room was palpable, almost touchable. The Board of Directors—elderly and proud men—sat around a massive table.
At the head of the table sat Zain Yan, face calm but eyes carrying an authority no one dared challenge.
Anya stood in a corner with her presentation files, heart pounding.
🐍 The Web of Jealousy
Suddenly, the Creative Head, Mr. Wang, stood up. He intended to claim Anya's hard work as his own. He grabbed the pen drive from her hand and projected it on the screen.
"Gentlemen," Mr. Wang said proudly, "this is the design of Project Phoenix, which my team and I completed overnight. It is flawless!"
Anya paled. She couldn't believe her work was being stolen in front of everyone. She looked at Mr. Wang, but he gave her a look as if she were an insect.
The board members were amazed by the design.
"Excellent! Truly revolutionary! Mr. Wang, you've done incredible work," they said.
Anya clenched her fists. Tears welled in her eyes, but she refused to give up.
"But sir… this design—" she whispered.
"Quiet!" Mr. Wang interrupted sharply. "Interns have no permission to speak in meetings. Go make us coffee."
The board laughed. Anya felt humiliated, believing she should quietly leave.
At that moment, Zain watched everything. Suddenly, a deep and heavy voice resonated across the room:
"Sit down, Mr. Wang."
Zain Yan leaned back in his chair, his piercing eyes locked on Mr. Wang. Silence fell over the room.
"Sir… are you going to compliment me?" Mr. Wang asked with a sycophantic smile.
Zain slowly stood and began pacing around the table. His movements were leopard-like—dangerous and precise. He stopped beside Anya.