Fifteen minutes later, a silent shadow flickered on the edge of the private balcony. The bodyguard stepped into the dimly lit room, bowing respectfully as he handed over a leather folder and an audio recorder.
I opened the file first. Inside were crisp surveillance photos of Tan Young purchasing high-grade aphrodisiacs from an underground dealer. Pressing play on the recorder, Tan’s smug, arrogant voice filled the room:
"Clara actually turned me down for a dance at the party? Who does she think she is? Once she signs the contract and drinks the tea, she’ll find out what happens to women who reject me..."
I calmly clicked the recorder off and set it on the desk. My face remained expressionless, but the temperature in the study plummeted.
"Castrate Tan Young," I said, my tone eerily cold. "Then gather every piece of evidence on his past illegal activities and dump it straight on the police chief’s desk. Make sure he’s arrested within thirty minutes."
The operative paused slightly. "Sir, carrying out the task is simple. However, the Young family is one of the top five prominent families in Metro City. If they realize what happened, they will retaliate."
"Let them," I replied smoothly, adjusting my cuffs. "If they choose to stand in my way, I’ll tear the Young family out by the roots next. Just execute the order."
"Understood, Boss." The shadow dissolved back into the dark.
Descending the marble staircase into the main hall, I arrived just as a heavy moving truck pulled up to the entrance. Sophia walked through the front doors, carrying a few personal bags with Daisy holding her hand.
I pulled out my phone and dialed my senior secretary at the Cosmos Group.
"Boss?"
"Daisy Starling is the daughter of my personal physician," I instructed calmly. "Send a team to the villa tomorrow morning to collect her information. I want her transferred to the best private kindergarten in Metro City before noon."
"Consider it done, Mr. Vance. I will handle all the paperwork personally."
Hanging up, I walked over with a warm smile. "Welcome to your new home, Sophia."
I gently scooped Daisy up into my arms. "How do you like the house, little one?"
Daisy looked around at the towering ceilings, crystal chandeliers, and grand staircases, her eyes wide with awe. "It’s so big..." she whispered in her adorable voice. "It’s even bigger than the castles on TV!"
"Do you like it?" I chuckled, touching her tiny nose. "Because this is where you’re going to live from now on."
Daisy looked back at her mother with bright, hopeful eyes. "Mommy, is this really our new house?"
"Yes, sweetheart," Sophia said softly, a look of profound relief softening her mature face. "Mommy works for Mr. Vance now."
"Come on, Sophia. I’ll show you to your quarters. The staff will bring up the rest of your luggage," I said, leading the way upstairs.
I stopped in front of the master suite directly across from my own. Opening the double doors, I revealed a massive, beautifully furnished space with a private balcony, a sitting area, and an adjoining children’s room.
"This suite is right opposite mine," I said, setting Daisy down. "If you ever need anything, Daisy, you just come right across the hall and knock on my door, okay? I’ll take care of it."
I turned to Sophia, my tone turning genuine and supportive. "And that goes for you too, Sophia. If you run into any trouble—whether it’s professional or personal—my door is always open."
Sophia felt a wave of warmth in her chest. She gave a subtle nod, her eyes shining with gratitude. "Thank you, Julian... I will."
Hearing footsteps down the hallway, Sophia looked past me with a slight smile. "It looks like your girlfriends are coming."
I turned around to see Clara and Seraphina walking over, having just finished unpacking Clara’s belongings.
"Clara’s room is completely set up," Seraphina announced smoothly. Looking into the opposite master suite, she smiled at Sophia. "I see you’re settling in as well."
"Since this suite is as spacious as mine, Sophia and Daisy can live here comfortably," I said.
Clara knelt down, holding her hands out to Daisy with a sweet smile. "Sophia, why don’t you let the staff help you unpack while Sera and I take Daisy to play in the living room?"
Sophia looked a bit hesitant. "Are you sure? If she gets fussy—"
"If she gets fussy, we’ll put on cartoons or play games with her!" Seraphina chimed in effortlessly.
"Thank you so much," Sophia said, bowing slightly.
Once Clara and Sera led a giggling Daisy down the stairs, I turned to Sophia. "The private nursing team for Mr. Lin has moved into the staff quarters. They’ll begin their official shifts tomorrow morning, so take tonight to rest and adjust."
"Thank you, Julian," Sophia said, brushing a stray lock of hair behind her ear. "What about Daisy’s school documents?"
"My secretary will be here first thing in the morning to handle everything. Just have her basic records ready," I assured her. "Now stop thanking me. You’re part of the household now."
Leaving five maids to assist Sophia in arranging her wardrobe and setting up Daisy’s room, I walked down to the sprawling living room. Clara and Sera were sitting on the plush carpet, building a block tower with Daisy, their laughter filling the once-quiet villa.
I leaned against the doorway, watching Clara. "Clara, you don’t need to attend that meeting with Young Master Young anymore."
Clara paused, holding a wooden block in mid-air. "Why? Did something happen?"
Instead of explaining, I took the remote and switched on the grand wall-mounted TV.
A breaking news alert flashed across the screen:
"BREAKING: Young Master Tan Young of the Prestigious Young Family Arrested!" "Multiple severe charges—including massive tax evasion, corporate extortion, and attempted assault—have been filed following a massive anonymous leak. Authorities state Tan Young is facing up to fifteen years in prison..."
Clara stared at the screen, her jaw dropping slightly. "He... he was arrested? It’s a miracle we hadn’t signed that joint contract yet, or the Cosmos Group’s stock would have taken a massive hit!"
She looked up at me, analyzing the situation quickly. "Though, the companies tied to the Young family will probably try to pull out now. The old Patriarch of the Young family is going to go ballistic."
Before we could discuss it further, a maid approached respectfully. "Mr. Vance, dinner is served."
"Look at the time," I said, glancing at my watch. "Go call Sophia down for dinner."
When we entered the formal dining room, Clara, Sera, and Sophia were all pleasantly surprised. Placed right next to the head chair at the long dining table was a pristine, high-end wooden booster seat.
I picked up Daisy, setting her comfortably into the seat before sitting down at the head of the table.
Seraphina covered her mouth, a playful glint in her eyes. "Earlier you said Clara and I needed to practice parenting, but it looks like you’re the one showing off. You’re surprisingly natural at this, Julian."
"Well, who says I’m not allowed to spoil Daisy a little?" I chuckled, turning to the little girl. "Right, Daisy?"
Daisy clutched her tiny silver spoon, nodding enthusiastically. "Yes! I love this big house, and I love Uncle Julian, Aunty Sera, and Aunty Clara!"
"See?" I smirked, looking at my two women. "Perfection is just my natural state."
Halfway through the meal, a maid stepped up quietly, holding my ringing personal phone. "Sir, an urgent call."
"Excuse me for a moment," I said, stepping a few paces away to the quiet side corridor. "Speak. It better be important if you’re interrupting my family dinner."
"Boss," the shadow operative’s voice came through the encrypted line. "The Young family is frantically trying to track down who fed the evidence to the authorities. They haven’t traced it to you yet, but the Patriarch is mobilizing their private security forces. If they discover your involvement... should we eliminate the Young family entirely?"
"No need for drastic measures yet," I replied coldly. "Keep them under tight surveillance. If they plan anything stupid, neutralize their moves before they even start. But don’t move on their main household unless I give the word."
"Understood, Boss."
When I walked back to the table, Clara and Seraphina were both eyeing me with subtle curiosity.
"Is everything alright?" Clara asked. "You looked serious."
"Just some business details," I said with a light smile, taking my seat. "Just men’s talk, nothing to worry about."
Seraphina raised a delicate eyebrow, a dangerous, beautiful smile playing on her lips. "Are you really using my line against me right in front of my face, darling?"
"I learn from the best, love," I winked, picking up my wine glass.
The entire table burst into lighthearted laughter, and as the warm dinner continued, the villa felt more like a true home than ever before.