Sinclair Empire.

Jade's POV

After struggling in the bathroom to take a bath, style my hair, and get dressed, I finally made my way to the dining room for breakfast. But the moment I stepped inside, my gaze unwillingly landed on Tristan's body first, his bare chest, his toned muscles, the way his shirt hung loosely with half its buttons undone.

Why did he leave his shirt like that? Was he trying to gain my attention?

He'll have to try harder.

Scoffing inwardly, I shut his entire existence out of my mind and sat down to have breakfast only to nearly gag at the first bite. The food was absolutely disgusting. I glanced at my plate, then at Alexander, the so-called chef of the morning.

How could anyone call this thing food?

I knew all of this, the events unfolding before me had already been written down, destined to happen. Everything was carefully orchestrated to ensure my husbands suffered the same abuse they had inflicted on that poor woman.

I had dismissed every maid and turned my three husbands into my personal servants. If they made mistakes, I would suffer alongside them, just like this morning's disaster at the dining table.

The faint sound of approaching vehicles soon caught my attention.

I frowned, my eyes narrowing as a swarm of cars began pulling into the mansion's driveway.

Reporters?

I folded my arms across my chest, dismissing the thought almost immediately. No, if they were reporters, I would have been met with flashing cameras and a barrage of questions. Instead, the cars simply idled, their tinted windows concealing whoever was inside.

Ah, I see.

They're afraid I'll retreat inside if they rush at me with microphones. That's why they're staying put.

A scoff left my lips at the sheer absurdity of it all.

Finally, after a few moments, the doors of one of the vehicles swung open, and a young man stepped out. He was dressed casually, nothing flashy yet his confident posture and wide, almost too-pleased smile made it clear that he was here on business.

He walked straight toward Tristan, offering a respectful bow before speaking, ignoring I and Kira as if we don't exist.

"Greetings, Young Master. These are your belongings."

My brows shot up.

Belongings?

I turned my gaze to Tristan, who, much to my amusement, looked absolutely mortified. He ran a hand down his face, exhaling as though he already regretted whatever was about to unfold.

"What's going on, Mr. D'Leon? You know this man?" Kira asked, curiosity lacing her tone.

Tristan sighed, rubbing his temple. "Yes. This is Valen, my trusted aide." He cast a wary glance at the man. "And apparently, he's here to deliver my belongings."

Without waiting for further instructions, Valen clapped his hands twice.

Immediately, the doors of the remaining vehicles opened, and a group of men dressed in sharp black suits emerged. One by one, they began unloading an absurd number of items, suitcases, travel bags, large boxes.

By the time they were finished, the mansion's front yard looked like a luxury department store had exploded onto the pavement.

My mouth parted slightly as I took in the sheer volume of it all.

I turned to Tristan, arms folded tightly across my chest. "You own all of this?"

Tristan, now regaining his composure, offered me a warm smile. "Yes, Jade. All my belongings represent me. Since I'll be living here, it's only right that I bring them with me."

I scoffed. "Represent you, my foot!"

I had been patient. I had tried to be reasonable. But this? This was pure nonsense!

"Where exactly are you planning to put all of this?" I demanded. "Even I, the actual owner of this house, don't own this much stuff!"

"Don't worry," Tristan said smoothly, as if his absurd answer would magically soothe my frustration. "Everything will be placed in my room."

I gaped at him.

Then, without missing a beat, I turned to Valen.

"Take them back," I ordered, my voice sharp. "I don't want any of this under my roof."

Valen hesitated. "But...."

"No," Tristan interrupted, his voice calm yet firm, effectively silencing Valen before he could argue.

Satisfied that Tristan had chosen to respect my wishes, I turned on my heel and climbed into the Rolls-Royce. Kira slid in beside me while Tristan took the passenger seat next to the chauffeur.

As the car pulled away from the mansion, I allowed myself a small, victorious smirk.

Valen and his men remained behind, undoubtedly confused, but I didn't care.

This was my house.

And in my house, I made the rules.

______________________

Tristan D'Leon's POV

I had known Jade would be furious the moment she saw the mountain of belongings Valen had brought. Yes, every one of those items represented a piece of me, but I had deliberately chosen not to bring them into her mansion. I had already made up my mind, I would return to my own estate every night, ensuring that I had access to all my possessions without disrupting her space.

But Valen, in all his well-intentioned loyalty, had taken it upon himself to deliver my things anyway.

Not wanting to prolong the inevitable argument, I had stopped Valen from challenging Jade's decision. Outwardly, I acted as if I had accepted her wishes, but in reality, I had already given Valen a silent command through our shared mind link.

Being the one who had turned Valen into a vampire, our bond ran deeper than just loyalty, we could communicate telepathically. The moment I left with Jade, he would ensure that my belongings were discreetly moved inside.

∆∆∆

The Rolls-Royce glided to a smooth stop in front of Sinclair Empire, Jade's prestigious company. As soon as she stepped out, Kira and I followed, only to be met with a sea of expectant faces.

The staff, all dressed in immaculate black uniforms bearing the company's signature emblem, bowed deeply in unison before parting to create a clear pathway for Jade.

Their movements were precise, well-practiced, an indication of just how revered Jade was in this empire she ruled.

As we stepped inside, the grand interior of Sinclair Empire unfolded before me.

The lobby was a masterpiece of modern elegance. Marble floors gleamed beneath the warm glow of crystal chandeliers, their intricate designs reflecting light in mesmerizing patterns. Floor-to-ceiling glass walls allowed natural light to filter in, casting a soft radiance over the room.

A subtle blend of expensive perfumes lingered in the air, mingling with the hushed murmurs of conversations and the occasional click of high heels against polished floors.

To the left, a sprawling cosmetics section displayed an array of high-end beauty products makeup stations lined with shimmering palettes, luxurious skincare counters with elegant bottles, and glass cases showcasing exquisite fragrances. Larger-than-life posters adorned the walls, featuring stunning models flaunting the latest trends.

To the right, a lavish furniture showroom stretched out, each piece meticulously arranged in elegant settings. Plush designer sofas, handcrafted wooden tables, and sleek, contemporary chairs were complemented by soft lighting and tasteful décor.

As we made our way deeper into the building, I caught whispers from the staff who had resumed their positions, their eyes flickering toward me every chance they got.

"He's so handsome."

"Is that the boss's new boyfriend?"

"He looks so refined… and dangerous."

I smirked slightly but said nothing.

Just then, Kira, ever the composed assistant, turned to Jade with a warm smile.

"Welcome back to Sinclair Empire," she greeted smoothly. "Your schedule for today has been drafted. You can review it once you're in your office."

Jade gave a brief nod before heading toward the elevator, and without hesitation, Kira and I followed her inside.

∆∆∆∆

The elevator ride was swift, opening into a long, sleek hallway. Kira led the way, her heels clicking sharply against the pristine floors. At the far end, she stopped in front of a door, unlocking it with a practiced motion.

Inside, a spacious office area was revealed, occupied by four employees, two men and two women each engrossed in their tasks. At the sight of Jade, they immediately rose to their feet, bowing their heads in respectful greeting.

Jade, however, paid them no attention. Without acknowledging their gestures, she walked straight past them, following Kira into another room.

A single plaque hung above the doorway:

CEO.

The moment I stepped inside, I could see that this was where Jade truly thrived.

The office was sleek, modern, and commanding. Floor-to-ceiling windows offered a breathtaking view of the city skyline, the skyscrapers glistening beneath the sun. The walls were adorned with sophisticated artwork, while the furniture exuded power and prestige, plush leather chairs, a dark mahogany desk, and a seating area designed for high-profile meetings.

Jade moved toward her desk, where a thick stack of files and documents had already been neatly placed. Without wasting a second, she began sifting through the papers, her sharp eyes scanning the contents with an intensity that spoke volumes about her dedication.

A quiet moment passed before Kira spoke.

"Jade, I've scheduled a meeting with the marketing team at ten o'clock. They'll be presenting the new campaign for the summer collection."

Jade gave a curt nod, still focused on the documents in front of her. "Very well. I'll be there. There are a lot of changes that need to be made in this company too."

Her tone was firm...decisive.

After a brief pause, Kira hesitantly asked, "And what about Mr. D'Leon? Is he going to stay here with you?"

Jade finally lifted her gaze, locking eyes with me for the first time since we arrived.

"He doesn't have any particular role here," she stated coolly, before flicking her attention back to the papers. "But find something for him to do. Create a space for him...upstairs, preferably."

She turned a page. "I don't want to have to shout whenever I need his attention."

Her words were dismissive, yet laced with an underlying authority.