☆CHAPTER 1☆

For two days, Xavier Kincaid barely left his mother's side.

He wasn't the type to show emotions easily,but seeing Stella in a hospital bed, pale and weak, unsettled him in ways he didn't like.

On the morning of her discharge, except for the sisters and Alex , the Kincaid family was gathered at the hospital, ensuring she was comfortable and stable.

But just as they were relieved that finally Stella was coming home. Something felt off. His mother had always been careful with her health, and yet, out of nowhere, a heart attack.

Evening at Kincaids' mansion:

Later that evening, the Kincaids mansion was calm. Stella was resting, and the family was in the living hall, chilling.

But Xavier, feeling restless, stepped outside into the garden.

His mind was all over the place - his mother's sudden health care, the business deals he had ignored for days, and that infuriating woman he bumped into at the hospital.

Her arrogance, the way she rolled her eyes at him, the way she had the audacity to call him a maniac - it replayed in his head more times than he cared to admit it.

A sigh left his lips as he rubbed his temple.

But before he could head back inside, he noticed something - the front gates of his mansion were opening.

Xavier straightened, his sharp eyes narrowing as he saw someone stepping inside.

Her.

Bella.

His brows shot up in disbelief.

What the hell is she doing here?

As she walked in, confident as ever, their eyes met.

A smirk tugged at Xavier's lips as he leaned against the pillar, arms crossed, "Oh? Now, you're following me? You could've just asked for my number, dear."

Bella scoffed in return. "I'd rather set myself on fire than doing any of those."

Xavier chuckled and thought for a moment before replying to her back in the same defiance voice. "Oh, so maybe you're the new maid here, then? Perhaps that explains your lack of manners."

Before Bella could snap back at him, a voice interrupted.

"Xavier! , a voice called out.

Turning his head, he saw two familiar faces - Jake and Amara Christane. His father's childhood best friend and his wife.

Xavier greeted them, masking up his confusion. He knew they'd come to check on his mother and pay a visit to his family, but why the hell she was with them?

Then, Jake smiled, greeting Xavier, "Grown up into a fine gentleman, huh?" While patting Xavier's back to which Bella scoffed bitterly earning a glare from Xavier.

Then, Jake placed a hand on Bella's shoulder. "Xavier, meet my daughter, Bella Christane. She's the next heir to my company, Christ's Empire." Bella smirked at Xavier, teasing him.

Silence.

For the first time in a while, Xavier Kincaid was genuinely

Stunned.

His gaze snapped to Bella, who had a smug smirk on her face, watching his reaction with amusement.

Daughter? Heir?

This was the same woman he had bumped into back then and had just mistaken for a maid. The Heiress to one of the most powerful business empires in New York.

He masked up and retained his expression quickly, giving a tight-lipped smile glancing at her.

"Ah! That's.....Unexpected." He said, heading inside lead by Bella's parents.

Bella tilted her head. "You seem surprised, Mr. Kincaid? Right? " She whispered mockingly.

"Oh, no, not at all," Xavier flattered smoothly. "I just didn't realize Christ's Empire was into hiring such ....unqualified CEOs," he answered her savagely.

Bella's smirk widened but didn't waver. "Says the man who thought I was a maid. I should be worried about Kincaids' industries. Instead, the person who didn't recognize the future heiress of Christ's Empire will he recognize if scams ever affect Kincaids' industries? Question yourself, not my position or my company's choices." Bella snapped at him calmly, which made him roll his eyes at her and shut his mouth.

Bella's parents, oblivious to the tension building between them, steps inside the mansion.

As Jake entered with Amara, Vivian glanced.

The moments Vivian laid his eyes on Jake, his entire demeanor shifted, "Jake, you old bastard!" Vivian's face lit up as he rushed towards his best friend, embracing him like a long-lost brother.

Jake laughed heartily, clapping Vivian's back.

"Still as dramatic as ever, huh?"

"Dramatic? I thought you'd lost your memory," Vivian stepped back, shaking his head.

"Damn! Man, it's been months. How the hell did you not visit sooner?"

Jake sighed a hint of sadness in his eyes. "Life got in the way. Business, responsibilities....but I knew I had to come the moment I heard about Stella."

Amara placed a gentle hand on Jake's arm. "How's she now?"

Vivian's expression softened. "She's stable, thank God. She'll be resting for a while, but knowing hell, she'll be back to bossing us all around soon."

Amara chuckled, "That sounds like the Stella we know."

The warm exchange between the old friends momentarily shifted the atmosphere. Xavier and Bella watched in silence, their expression unreadable as they observed how different their parents looked - genuinely happy.

It was rare. Too rare.

The Kincaids signaled Christanes to settle , They settled into the luxurious couches,as Stella and Vivian welcomed them warmly.

Stella joined, and they spoke about old times reminiscing their youth, their families, and how things have changed.

After the casual chit-chat. Jake leaned forward, his tone shifting to business.

"Speaking of business, I nearly forgot to mention - Bella is officially taking over as CEO of Christ's Empire next month. "

A slow, satisfied smirk tugged Bella's lips as she casually glanced at Xavier.

Moments ago, this man had mistaken her for a maid. And now? He was sitting across from the next CEO of one of the top business empires in NYC.

Xavier rolled his eyes, glaring at her, his jaw clenching slightly. The smugness in her expression made his blood boil.

Jake continued, "We're holding a party on the first week of next month to make the announcement. You and your family should attend. Oliver and other great business personalities will be there, too."

Vivian nodded enthusiastically. "Of course, we'll be there! Right, Xavier? "

Xavier leaned back against the couch, fingers tapping against the armset. "Sure," he said lazily, but his sharp eyes never left Bella's.

Bella lifted a glass of wine and took a slow sip, knowing exactly what she was doing.

The tension between them was undeniable, and their silent war had only just begun.

After the Christanes left, Xaviers's younger sister - Ana, Luna, and Rose - finally arrived with Alex from France. Their reunion with their mother was filled with warmth, something Xavier rarely showed but quietly admired.

Dinner was filled with conversations, laughter, and casual talks about their moments in France. But despite that, Xavier's mind was drifting back to Bella, even in that lively atmosphere.

She was infuriating. Arrogant. Too damn full of herself.

And yet....why did he keep thinking about her?

As he leaned back in his chair, swirling the drink in his glass, only one thought crossed his mind.

Bella Christane was going to be a problem.