Chapter 2

"Hey, Anna. Sorry to keep you waiting tonight," I said, standing by her bedside and gently stroking her hair. The caretaker I hired for Anna didn't work night shifts. "Looks like I'll need to come by earlier next time," I added. "You've got another ulcer." I wet and wrung out a towel and thoroughly wiped down Anna before curling up on the spring cot next to her bed. The next morning, I arrived at the company as usual. I had already arranged the day's meetings the night before. Although Lilith had taken over as chairperson after her father, Her Highness rarely bothered to show up for work. As the chairperson's assistant, I effectively ran the company in her stead—practically an honorary chairperson. However, I knew my place. I wore my humility like a badge and treated everyone with respect. I was a contracted employee living on a paycheck, and I behaved as such. Before the meeting, I silenced my phone. As anticipated, it rang halfway through. Sensing the puzzled glances of my colleagues, I apologized, "Sorry, everyone. I need to take this call." Stepping out of the conference room, I answered the call. A shrill voice blasted through the receiver, "Leon! Where the hell are you? I told you to wait for me outside the hotel room!" "Ms. Storm, I'm at the company right now. I have a morning meeting to attend," I replied. There was a pause before Lilith snapped, "Then who's going to pick me up? Am I supposed to hail a cab?" If the intense ringing in my ear canal was any indication, my eardrum was close to shattering at this point. "I'll pick you up in a bit." Hanging up, I couldn't help but scoff. It seemed the man she spent the night with couldn't be bothered to give her a lift home—or maybe she just enjoyed tormenting me. I got into the car in the basement parking lot and left the company. Now that my contract with Lilith's father was ending, I needed to start planning my next move. … Not long after, I pulled up outside the hotel Lilith had stayed in last night. As soon as she came downstairs, she stormed up to me and slapped me hard across the face twice, leaving angry red marks. "How dare you run off when I told you to wait for me outside the room, you mutt?" she snarled. I covered my stinging cheek and said nothing. "Drive!" Lilith barked as she slid into the passenger seat, arms crossed. I rubbed my swollen cheek and accelerated, heading straight for the Storm villa. The Storms were a wealthy and influential family. Their villa was as opulent as expected, with two lion statues flanking the entrance as we drove in. The butler directed us to the garage. Upon entering the house, Lilith immediately began complaining to her father, an elderly man dressed in roughspun clothes. Yaeger Storm shot a dark look in my direction and said, "I see. Don't worry, my dear. I'll handle this." "Dad, I don't understand why you insist on him following me around!" Lilith whined. She looked resentful as she continued airing her grievances, playing up whatever I did last night like I had committed a crime. However, she conveniently omitted the part where she messed around with some guy she met at the club. She only told her father that I left after she had too much to drink. "You don't understand," Yaeger said firmly after hearing Lilith's grievances. "Leon is the perfect person to keep an eye on you." "Please, is he watching over me, or is he just mooching off our family?" Lilith retorted. Yaeger's gaze darkened despite his affection for Lilith. "Don't speak of him that way. I wouldn't have him do this if not for the incident three years ago." Seeing Yaeger's stern look, Lilith fell silent. She knew there was no point in arguing with him. She turned to me, her ponytail swinging as she sneered, "Don't think I'll tolerate you just because my dad is defending you. You're no better than a pest!"