Lucian's guest room came with a private bathroom and a massive king-size bed nearly two meters wide. Beyond the floor-to-ceiling window, a European-style patio set had been placed on the balcony—clearly intended as a spot for sipping tea and relaxing.
Living in a luxurious villa with every amenity imaginable, Lucian felt a rare sense of peace and comfort. For a fleeting moment, he even entertained the thought of spending the rest of his life here.
After a hot shower, he threw on a tank top and shorts and flopped down on the soft bed. His gaze flicked toward the unlocked door, a swirl of anxious and mischievous thoughts dancing in his mind.
What if she sneaks in while I'm asleep?
Should I fight back and protect my chastity… or just go with the flow and grant her wish?
After all, under someone else's roof, I don't exactly have the power to resist...
Caught in that tangle of daydreams, the weary Lucian soon drifted into a deep, sweet sleep.
---
The next morning, he was jolted awake by a shrill ringtone, as jarring as a death knell. Groggy and disoriented, he fumbled for the phone and grumbled, "Interrupting a man's sleep is no different than sabotaging his future… Victor, I don't care if your connections are better than mine—this is crossing the line."
"You're still in bed?!"
Victor's voice exploded through the line, full of urgency.
"It's late already! You wanna get fired on your first official day? Get your ass to the office—Zoe's already losing it!"
Lucian cracked open one eye, lifted his wrist, and glanced at the time.
"It's not even eight-thirty. Company policy says we start at nine."
"Other departments clock in at nine. We're Security—our schedule depends on Zoe. Cut the crap and get moving. If you're late, I can't cover for you!"
Lucian hung up and lazily got to his feet. After washing his face and brushing his teeth, he noticed his hair had turned into a tangled bird's nest. He splashed some water on it and styled it into something that made his face look slimmer. Only then did he saunter out of the room, unhurried.
Out of habit, he headed straight for the kitchen in search of food, only to discover that aside from a few frozen meals, the fridge didn't even have a single cup of instant noodles.
"Man… I'm starting to miss the old lady's cooking. This place is big, yeah, but it's completely devoid of warmth or personality."
Disappointed, Lucian shut the fridge door and headed out.
---
At 7:15, the sound of footsteps echoed down the stairs. Even though the owner of the house was clearly trying to keep quiet, it still woke Lucian from his sleep. Of course, he wasn't naïve enough to believe Seraphina was worried about disturbing him. No—she just wanted to avoid bumping into him. More than anything, she didn't want to risk this shameless man hitching a ride in her car.
The morning air in Solviva was crisp and refreshing. A breeze rolled in from the river, making everything feel cool and clean. Lucian, still taking his sweet time, stopped by a breakfast shop near the villa, ordered a sandwich and a bowl of soy milk, then strolled to the bus stop with a cigarette between his lips, waiting for Route 19 to take him straight to Empire Tower.
During that wait, Victor bombarded him with a series of frantic texts, giving a live play-by-play of Zoe's morning meltdown. The flood of typos said it all—the security department was under siege and in desperate need of saving.
"If I were a few years younger, she wouldn't be the one throwing her weight around," Lucian muttered, claiming the window seat as the bus pulled away. He looked out at the forest of skyscrapers with a complex expression.
It had been five years since he last set foot in Solviva, and the city had changed beyond recognition. If he hadn't grown up here, he probably wouldn't even know which direction was north anymore.
---
By the time he arrived at Empire Tower, it was exactly 10:00 AM. According to Kynix's official work hours, he was already an hour late—never mind that the Security Division operated like a paramilitary unit.
But Lucian had always been a laid-back type. An hour? That was nothing. Calm and unbothered, he strolled into the security department, ready to change into his uniform. Just as he started, a security guard he didn't quite recognize approached him with a sour expression.
"Lucian. The Captain wants you in the gym."
"Right now?" Lucian asked as he buttoned up his crisp new uniform.
"Yeah. She said head straight there as soon as you arrive." With that, the guard turned and practically fled the scene, like he was afraid of catching something contagious.
Kynix prided itself on employee wellness. They'd even converted an entire floor into a fully-equipped gym, importing top-of-the-line equipment from overseas. The facility rivaled the best commercial gyms in the city. Professional trainers were brought in regularly to ensure that even desk jockeys stayed in shape. It was one of the company's more impressive perks.
The gym was located on the 85th floor. Ignoring the unspoken rule about security staff not using the elevators, Lucian rode up anyway. The moment the doors opened, Victor dashed over, grabbed him by the arm, and hissed in a low voice, "Are you trying to get yourself killed? Didn't I tell you the security team's not allowed to use the elevators during working hours?"
"I ate too much at breakfast," Lucian said solemnly. "Too much exercise might give me cramps."
Victor rolled his eyes. "Look, whatever Zoe says, just go with it. Don't talk back. Don't show attitude. I already covered for you—told her you were late because you had a fight with your wife."
Lucian blinked. "How did you know I'm married?"
"You're actually married?!" Victor looked stunned.
In a cosmopolitan city like Solviva, where late marriage was the norm, tying the knot at twenty-five did seem a bit rushed—not to mention, it meant missing out on plenty of dating opportunities. Victor looked at him with deep regret.
"Yeah. My wife works at Kynix too. She's an absolute stunner."
Lucian didn't seem in any hurry to face Zoe. He casually leaned against the wall and kept chatting with Victor outside the gym.
"She works here too? What department?" Victor asked, already sensing trouble. "Wait… You do know Kynix has a strict no-office-dating policy, right? You're not afraid the boss will find out and fire both of you?"
Lucian's expression turned serious. "Relax. Even if the entire staff got fired, no one would dare lay a finger on my wife."
Victor gaped. "Who the hell is your wife?"
Lucian pointed straight up at the ceiling. "Seraphina."
Victor froze for a beat, then exploded. "Fuck you! What, you think I'm three years old?"
"Knew you wouldn't believe me." Lucian shrugged. "Treat me to dinner sometime and I'll have her join us for a drink."
"If you can actually get the Big Boss to show up for a drink," Victor said through gritted teeth, "I'll take you to Solviva One for a spin."
"You've got a deal," Lucian said, eyes gleaming.
Solviva One was a legendary luxury cruise restaurant, practically a six-star hotel on water. The average white-collar worker couldn't afford a meal there even with a year's salary. It was the ultimate playground for the rich. The only reason Victor made the offer was because he was 100% sure Lucian had no real connection to the Big Boss.
Married to her?
That's even less believable than the idea of our cold-blooded Captain Zoe harboring a secret crush on Lucian!
"Victor. Do you think I won't fire you just because you've got someone backing you?"
Suddenly, a furious voice thundered from the gym entrance.
It was none other than the "eternally irritable young woman" Lucian had just been talking about—the security department's infamously ruthless Zoe!
In the military, time meant life. If roll call was at a certain hour, you'd better be there on the dot. Even being a minute—or a second—late could bring severe punishment.
Zoe had no say in how other departments operated, but in the Security Division, her rules were law. Every guard had to follow them to the letter. Anything less was a breach of discipline—and a direct challenge to her authority.
No one had ever dared to defy the boss's authority in the Security Division.
Lucian was the first.
And she swore he'd be the last.
Under Zoe's stormy glare and fierce questioning, Victor shrank back slightly, bowing his head and murmuring an explanation.
"Captain, you've misunderstood. I was just waiting at the entrance because I was worried Lucian might not know where the gym was..."
"So helpful, huh? Why don't you go find him another job while you're at it?" Zoe crossed her arms behind her back, her eyes sharp as blades.
"My bad..." Victor muttered, clearly defeated.
"Get back to work," Zoe snapped, cutting off any chance for further excuses.
"Yes, ma'am!" Victor turned to leave immediately, desperate to avoid getting caught in the crossfire. But just before he walked away, he gave Lucian a meaningful glance. Lucian caught it and gave a subtle nod in return.
Before Victor had even made it around the corner, Lucian spoke up, trying to explain himself.
"Captain, I was late for a reason."
After a brief pause to organize his thoughts, he continued,
"Last night, I was so excited about landing this promising new job that I couldn't sleep a wink. I got up at seven this morning, all set to leave for work, when my grandmother suddenly insisted I go out and buy her some soup dumplings. I argued with her because I was worried about being late and stormed off to the station. But on the way, I ran into this old lady—probably in her seventies—who had a limp. Her vision was poor, and she was trying to cross the road. Just as I was about to help her, she fell to the ground, grabbed onto my leg, and started screaming for help."
Lucian sighed dramatically, shaking his head.
"In that moment, alarm bells went off in my head. My instincts told me she was a scammer. I called the police right away, which probably saved me a lot of trouble—but it still delayed me. I even skipped breakfast just so I could rush here."
Zoe listened in silence, her expression unreadable. Her beautiful, icy eyes flickered with sharp light. Then she clapped her hands slowly.
"With a silver tongue like that, it's a waste for you to be working security."
"In my opinion, no matter what position you're in, as long as you work hard, you can shine and make valuable contributions to Kynix," Lucian replied solemnly, sounding like a motivational speaker from a pyramid scheme.
"You misunderstood," Zoe said coldly. "What I meant was, the Security Division doesn't welcome people like you. You're better off looking elsewhere."
"What?!" Lucian's face changed as he took two steps forward. "You're firing me for helping an old lady? That's not fair!"
"I don't care what you do in your free time," Zoe said flatly. "But the moment it affects your work, I have every reason to terminate you."
"You've got something against me!" Lucian snapped, though deep down, anxiety was creeping in fast.
He'd been back in the country for several months, and his savings had long dried up. The idle life had only worsened his mental state, leaving him restless and increasingly desperate. The emptiness gnawed at him every day, and at night, he would wake up feeling overwhelmed with failure and frustration.
If things kept going this way, he was sure he'd fall into depression.
Landing a proper job meant everything to him—it was his anchor, his last shot at stability.
Now, having finally gotten one, there was no way Lucian would let it slip through his fingers.
"You're right. I do have a problem with you!" Zoe didn't hold back. Her face was cold, voice stern.
"You have a lazy attitude, no sense of discipline, and on your first day, you show up late. People like you—with no sense of responsibility and no respect for rules—don't belong here. I don't think you're fit for this job."
Her words were cutting and unrelenting. It was clear—Zoe had already made up her mind to fire him.
But despite her verbal assault, the anxiety on Lucian's face gradually faded. He lit a cigarette, exhaled slowly, and said with a relaxed smile,
"Zoe, if I remember correctly, you're just the head of Security. Right?"
Calling her by name to her face—Lucian was clearly ready to burn bridges.
"So what if I am? As head of Security, I have the right to weed out the rotten apples," Zoe said, voice low and threatening.
"Sure, if a guard seriously violates company policy, you do have the authority to fire them," Lucian replied, casually blowing out a cloud of smoke. "But I was just late once, and I had a legitimate reason. That's not enough for termination. Even if you are my direct superior, I'm afraid you don't have that kind of power."
Other people might fear Zoe, the infamous tyrant of Kynix.
Lucian didn't.
If keeping his job meant offending her, so be it. Even if she gave him hell later, he'd take it.
Zoe, of course, knew the rules. And she also knew that firing Lucian over one late arrival wasn't within her rights. Unless Seraphina, the big boss, gave the order, no one could do that.
Even if the company let it slide because of Zoe's position, gossip would spread. That kind of move didn't suit her style.
Not to mention—Lucian had connections. That friendly lawyer in Kynix who had his back? It'd only make things messier if Zoe tried to push this.
Most importantly, Zoe could tell Lucian wasn't the type to go down quietly. Try to fire him without cause, and he'd definitely stir up trouble.
Weighing the pros and cons, a flicker of frustration flashed in her sharp eyes.
"You're right," she said, voice cold as ever. "For now, I don't have enough reason to fire you."
"I'll make sure to work hard and not let you down, Captain!" Lucian straightened up, all righteous energy. "Your orders are my mission! Your thoughts are my actions!"
"Shut up." Zoe's eyes turned frosty. "Yes, I can't fire you by company standards. But under Security Division rules, you're not an official member yet."
"But I'm already wearing the uniform..." Lucian said in confusion.
"That's just me doing that lawyer a favor," Zoe said indifferently. "If you want to become an official member of the team, you'll have to pass a few assessments. If you don't meet the standards, I can kick you out."
Lucian raised a brow. "Assessments? For a security guard?"
What kind of job was this? All he expected was a few patrols and the occasional chat to maintain order. And now there were tests? What was this, an online game?
"Follow me," Zoe said coolly. A strange glint flickered in her eyes as she pushed open the door to the gym.
Lucian followed her in. Just as he stepped inside, his phone buzzed with a new message from Victor.
"If Boss Zoe tells you to take an assessment in the gym, my advice: quit immediately!"
Resign on the spot?
Lucian stared blankly at his phone screen, muttering to himself, "I thought only Zoe saw me as a potential threat. Turns out Victor's just as petty. Damn... it's lonely at the top."
Pocketing his phone, Lucian stepped into the gym—and was instantly taken aback.
The place was massive, decked out with all kinds of modern equipment. Treadmills, dance machines, spin bikes—everything young people loved. But that wasn't all. There were also heavy-duty training setups—massive sandbags, grip trainers, and machines designed to forge explosive strength. This wasn't just a corporate gym. It was a damn training base straight out of a professional fight club.
It was 10:30 in the morning, and most Kynix employees were working at their desks. Apart from six or seven security guards training hard under Zoe's orders, the enormous gym was eerily empty.
Some were lifting weights. Some were hammering away at the sandbags. In the standard-size boxing ring tucked in the back, a security guard was practicing his punches and kicks under the guidance of the second team leader. Each strike landed with a deep, resonant thud on Liu Qiming's padded arms.
This wasn't a company gym anymore. It was the backstage of a professional fight night.
"The security department is responsible for the safety of nearly a thousand Kynix employees—most of them women who wouldn't hurt a fly," Zoe said, walking forward as she spoke, her eyes glancing over at Lucian's uneasy expression. "If anything goes wrong, panic spreads fast. We have to maintain order until the police arrive. So the guards here aren't just security. They're also crisis managers. That means a strong moral compass, fast reactions—and physical strength to match."
"Otherwise, there's no way our female staff can work here safely or create value for the company."
Suddenly, Zoe turned around, expressionless. Her voice fired off like a laser cannon:
"Can you run 10 kilometers in forty minutes?
Can you do 200 standard push-ups in under five?
If an emergency breaks out, can you make it from the 68th to the 88th floor in two minutes?"
Lucian's mouth fell open. "I'm applying to be a guard, not a soldier. Those aren't normal requirements."
"That is the requirement!" Zoe said coldly. "That's the standard of Kynix's security team. If you can't do it, get lost!"
"I can do it," Lucian said calmly, putting out his cigarette.
Zoe's brows twitched slightly, a flicker of surprise in her eyes.
She didn't buy it. Her standards were basically military-grade. Lucian was just a guy who got in through backdoor connections. There was no way he had that kind of physical ability.
She snorted. "Talk is cheap."
"So, which test do you want to start with?" Lucian shrugged.
"Push-ups," Zoe said, signaling to a nearby guard with a build like a tank. She looked at Lucian with a mocking smirk. "You're up against him."
"Yes, ma'am!"
The burly guard gave Lucian a disdainful once-over and said, "Ready when you are."
"Hold on," Lucian raised a hand. "Need to warm up first. Don't wanna pull something."
The guard sneered. Zoe's pretty face twisted into a look of contempt. Lazy people always find excuses... Just from his attitude alone, there's no way he could finish 200 push-ups in time. Give him a whole day and he might still fall short.
After a minute of light stretching, Lucian dropped to the floor, arms propped, and flashed a grin at the guard.
"Hey, wanna bet?"
"Bet what?" the guard asked, already in perfect position.
"A hundred bucks. Winner's the fastest."
"Make it five hundred," the guard smirked. "Dare you?"
Lucian's lips curled into a sly smile. He looked at Zoe. "Ready when you are. Holding this pose makes me feel exposed."
"Begin!" Zoe barked.
The two of them exploded into motion. Every rep was textbook.
Soon, the spectacle drew a small crowd—other guards came over to watch, including Hyin, who had been training a man on the boxing ring.
Hyin, the second team leader, had no love for Lucian. He hated seeing someone use connections to climb the ranks—especially since Victor, his biggest rival, seemed so keen on recruiting Lucian to his camp.
Hyin had joined Kynix on merit. A retired soldier and top-tier elite during his service, he'd been personally scouted by Zoe, who shared his disdain for nepotism. Naturally, Hyin had risen to become Zoe's right-hand man. Victor, on the other hand, relied on his family connections, constantly butting heads with Hyin.
The security department had split into two factions: one loyal to Hyin, the other rallying behind Victor. In a normal company, someone like Hyin—without backing—would've been ousted long ago. But Zoe wasn't a typical leader. She didn't tolerate favoritism. That kept Hyin afloat.
Now with Lucian showing up as a potential new pawn for Victor, Hyin felt threatened. He was eager to see Lucian crash and burn. But within ten seconds, Lucian's monstrous speed shattered that fantasy.
"One hundred... one hundred and one..."
"Fifty... fifty-five..."
Lucian was pushing at twice the speed. The five hundred bucks were as good as his.
The guards around them looked stunned. Even Zoe's eyes widened slightly.
This guy... has some real physical prowess. Not only fast, but consistently fast.
In less than three minutes, Lucian hit 200 push-ups. His opponent had barely made it past 100.
"Pay up," Lucian grinned mischievously. "Should've raised the stakes—maybe a hundred bucks per second difference. I'd be cashing in ten grand right now."
Flushed with embarrassment, the guard handed over the five hundred with clenched teeth and slipped out of the crowd.
Lucian carefully pocketed the money and looked at Zoe, who was visibly unsettled. "So, what's the next test?"
"No need," Zoe said stiffly. "You passed."
"Cool. I'll head to work then." Lucian turned to leave.
"Who said you could go?" Zoe's voice turned cold.
"I thought I passed the test?" Lucian raised an eyebrow.
"That was just the first evaluation," Zoe said evenly. "You think getting into the Kynix security team is that easy?"
"Fine. What's next?" Lucian said lazily. "Let's add a wager to keep things spicy. More fun for the crowd."
"Arrogant brat!"
Hyin stepped forward, eyes burning. "Let's bet ten grand. You in?"
"Whoever backs out is the loser's son!" Lucian's eyes lit up. "What's the game?"
"Get in the ring with me," Hyin said, his voice hard as steel. "If you beat me, not only do you become a full-time guard, I'll personally hand over ten thousand. But if you lose—pack your things and get the hell out of the department."
"Hyin!" Zoe snapped. "This isn't how we do things here."
She didn't like Lucian, sure—but she didn't want him hospitalized either. This kind of test was crossing the line.
"Don't worry, Captain. I'll go easy on him," Hyin said calmly, though a dangerous glint flashed in his eyes.
Everyone knew how fights went once you stepped into the ring. If Lucian got injured, Zoe couldn't say a word. And even if his connections kicked up a fuss, he knew Zoe wouldn't just stand by and let nepotism win.
"Control yourself," Zoe said with a frown.
She then turned to Lucian, face unreadable. "Let me be clear—I don't want someone like you in my department. If you leave now, I'll make sure you get a full month's salary as compensation."
"A fortune-teller once told me I'd live to a hundred," Lucian smiled. "If you're willing to pay out the rest of my life's salary upfront, I'll walk away right now."
"Shameless!" Zoe snapped.
"A man's gotta have dreams. Otherwise, what's the point of living?" Lucian said, striding confidently toward the ring. He leapt up, landing with a thud. "Hyin, it's almost lunchtime. Let's not waste any more time."
Hyin's face darkened. His fists clenched.
"You'll regret your arrogance."
The reason Hyin had risen to become the leader of Team Two in the Security Department—Zoe's most trusted aide—wasn't just because of his military background. His impressive combat abilities had played a major role. On multiple occasions when the company faced trouble, Hyin had intervened with decisive force and unyielding efficiency. His sharp and professional style earned him Zoe's deep appreciation.
He also gained the respect of many colleagues within the security team, quickly becoming one of the department's star officers.
Hyin wasn't just physically imposing and skilled in hand-to-hand combat—his rugged, chiseled looks made him a standout even among the many attractive departments at Kynix. He was, without a doubt, a celebrity among the guards. Quite a few single female employees, regardless of the risk of violating company policy, took their chances to privately chat with him about life and dreams. He was always in the spotlight.
But now, with Lucian's arrival, the internal hierarchy of the Security Department had been shaken—and Hyin felt threatened. Severely threatened.
One Victor was enough of a headache. Now another wildcard, Lucian? No way. Hyin was determined to drive Lucian out, to make him too ashamed to stay in the department.
"Ready?" Hyin asked, his breath steady, his gaze cutting coldly toward Lucian like a blade.
Lucian answered nonchalantly, "Ready to collect my cash."
"Arrogant bastard."
With a powerful, explosive step, Hyin lunged like a bullet, launching a brutal elbow strike aimed straight at Lucian's left cheek.
Watching her subordinate go for a lethal blow right from the start, Zoe's brows twitched. A flicker of irritation crossed her mind.
She knew Hyin's background—he was a seasoned, elite soldier, a living weapon in the military. Even if Lucian had a foul mouth, there was no need to be this ruthless. If Hyin seriously injured him, who would bear the consequences?
But then again... Zoe loathed Lucian's attitude too. Tardiness, blatant disregard for rules, always stirring up trouble. If someone like him stayed in the Security Department, who knew what kind of chaos he'd bring?
Let him get roughed up a little. A spoiled brat like him needed to taste a bit of pain.
Her eyes fixed on the ring, Zoe waited for Lucian to embarrass himself.
She knew Hyin's level—maybe slightly below her own, but in close-quarter combat, he was top tier. Forget someone like Lucian, who looked lean and casual—even three or four strong men wouldn't be enough to warm Hyin up.
Zoe was sure this match would be over in ten seconds. No suspense.
But she was wrong.
For the first time—Zoe had misjudged someone.
Lucian was far from useless. He wasn't the slacker she had pegged him as. When Hyin charged in like a wolf at what appeared to be a careless Lucian, the so-called "nepotism hire" didn't even flinch. Instead, he kicked—clean and swift.
Thud!
The blow landed squarely in Hyin's side, sending him staggering to the side like a car out of control. The room fell silent. Dead silent.
Lucian's vicious counter stunned Zoe—and left Hyin's teammates wide-eyed and slack-jawed. Was this real? Hyin, the elite they all looked up to, just got knocked back in one move?
And judging by Lucian's technique… he hadn't even gone all out.
"Looks like you're not keeping your thousand bucks," Lucian said casually, his expression calm, like a bystander watching from the sidelines.
Hyin clutched his throbbing waist, his face dark as steel. "We'll see if you really have what it takes."
With those words, he shifted his feet, scraping the floor with a sharp hiss. Letting out a roar, he charged again—this time aiming for close combat.
Zoe knew full well how lethal Hyin could be at close range. His knees, elbows, and even his iron-hard shoulders could all be turned into weapons. If he got close, Lucian would be in serious danger.
She wanted to call it off. But she held back.
First, because she knew Hyin's pride. After being humiliated, there was no way he'd back down. Second… she still didn't believe it. A rule-breaking, lazy, silver-spoon brat—how could he have real skills?
It had to be luck. A lucky strike. Once they really started fighting, Hyin would show who was boss.
So she waited.
But what came next shattered her confidence in Hyin. Completely.
Just as Hyin closed the distance, ready to engage in brutal combat, Lucian's hand shot out like a claw, grabbing Hyin's shoulder. Before Hyin could react, Lucian hoisted him into the air—and threw him.
Then, with a flash of his leg, Lucian delivered a fierce kick to Hyin's chest.
Boom!
Hyin's large body was launched out of the ring, crashing into a sandbag with a heavy thud. The impact sent the bag swinging wildly. Hyin groaned in pain, veins bulging on his face.
The whole place was silent. You could hear a pin drop.
The once-mighty star guard had been wrecked.
Lucian stood tall on the ring, lit a cigarette with one hand, then walked to the edge. He looked down at the writhing Hyin and said, "Make sure I get my money before you clock out. I don't do credit."
His eyes then slid over to Zoe, whose expression had grown rigid.
"Boss Zoe," he said with a smirk, "am I qualified to join the Security Department now?"
Zoe didn't reply. Her face flickered between expressions.
"Don't tell me the final test is beating you?" Lucian added lazily. "Sorry, I don't hit women."
"You don't hit women?" Zoe echoed, her fists tightening.
A cold edge flashed in her eyes.
If there was one thing Zoe hated more than slackers, it was being underestimated for being a woman. That was exactly why she trained herself like a man.
In school, she studied like a madwoman, determined to outshine the top male students. In the army, she squeezed out three extra hours of training every day to ace every assessment. When she joined the police force, she was known as the toughest, most disciplined officer. Even seasoned detectives were impressed by her grit.
She could've relied on her looks—but she refused. That's why women avoided her and men feared her. She'd never had a real friend. Her extreme nature made sure of that.
And now, Lucian had the nerve to say he "doesn't hit women"?
As if women were too weak to be worth fighting?
Everyone expected Zoe to storm the ring and teach this cocky newcomer a lesson—but instead, her expression cooled.
"You beat Hyin," she said calmly. "That's enough to earn your place in the Security Department."
"I knew you weren't someone who went back on their word," Lucian replied smoothly.
Zoe's lips curved into a chilly smile. "From now on, I'm your direct superior. If I tell you to go east, don't you dare head west. If I tell you to stand, you'd better not sit. One more thing—you might not know this yet, but the most vengeful creature in the world… is a woman."
The most vengeful creature in the world... is a woman.
And what if that woman is your direct boss?
Lucian's cocky grin stiffened. He crouched down beside the edge of the ring, looking up at her with mock sincerity.
"If I apologize now," he said solemnly, "would you forgive me for being young and stupid?"