"Kneel!" The word cut through the room like a whip. Gary Wang stood frozen, his fingers clenched into fists. His legs ached from hours of standing, but he wouldn’t kneel. Not this time. Around him, the laughter swelled. The Lancaster family, their guests, their servants—they all watched, waiting for the show to begin. William Lancaster sighed, swirling the whiskey in his glass. "I said, kneel, you douche-bag!" A sharp kick suddenly slammed into the back of Gary’s knee. His leg buckled, and before he could catch himself, he was on the floor, a silent grunt escaping his dry lips. Laughter erupted. Someone clapped. A joke was made at his expense, but Gary didn’t hear it. All he heard was his own breathing. Heavy. Slow. He looked up. Across the room, Evelyn stood there, watching. His wife, his wife, who never defended him. His wife, who didn’t look away, was she enjoying the scene? Gary swallowed hard. He couldn’t tell. But he would remember this night like every other night—ever

Gary didn’t waste a second. He snatched a rumpled blue shirt, sprayed some cheap cologne, grabbed his wallet, and bolted from the room, nearly tripping over his own feet in the rush. Going through the living room was a bad idea. Gary knew that the Lancasters were demons and did not care about his grandmother. They’d paid her hospital bills as part of their deal, sure, but after that? She could rot for all they cared. Whatever happened to the old lady after their agreement was none of their concern. So he crept to the kitchen’s back door, silent as a ghost. He eased it shut behind him, praying no one noticed. He made sure to draw no attention The kitchen was unusually dark. The lights were always turned on. Madam Ann hated the dark and made sure her mansion was properly lit, from the underground chambers to the garage and to her room. She believed in vampires and believed that keeping her room properly lit kept them away. Nevertheless, Gary quietly tiptoed until he found the doork

The day was bright, and the sun had barely kissed its light on the surface of the earth. But Gary was already getting dressed up. He was standing in front of a mirror adjusting his tie. Next, he took a shoe polish and polished his shoe to make sure it was coal black and sparkling. First impressions mattered—everyone said so. And today, he needed to nail one. He was interviewing for a cashier gig at The Sun Firm, one of the city’s big dogs. A lifeline. When he got to the living room, everyone was already having the breakfast that he had prepared earlier, and the laughter in the room suddenly died down. His presence was a fly in their soup, especially for Madam Ann, who glared like he’d spat on her plate. “Where you off to this early, all dolled up?” she sneered. “Got a job as a—uh—” “Janitor?” Rose chimed in, smirking. Donald piled on, “Garbage man, maybe?” “My grandmother needs to perform a surgery, and it costs $450,000. So I am going to get interviewed in The Sun Firm. And

Gary sat frozen, too stunned to respond. His eyes locked onto the woman before him, drinking in every detail. She was a blonde, her hair cascading like golden silk, catching the chandelier’s light in a way that made her glow. But it wasn’t just her hair—her face was striking, with high cheekbones and eyes that sparkled like deep blue oceans, holding a sharpness that hinted at secrets. She wore a tailored suit, black and fitted, that spoke of authority, yet the way she moved suggested grace and danger all at once. In a more plain description, the lady was extremely beautiful! “Master Wang?” she repeated gently, her tone pulling him from his daze. She stood tall, her posture perfect, hands clasped in front of her as if ready to serve or strike. “I’m Serena Voss, your personal assistant.” Gary’s mouth opened, then closed, words lost in the storm of his mind. Personal assistant? Him? The man who’d scrubbed floors for the Lancasters, who’d been beaten to death’s door, now had someone

“Can you get me Montague, please?” Gary asked the Nurse beside him the following morning. She nodded and scurried off to fetch Doctor Montague. In the meantime, Gary was left to admire the hospital room. It was like a room cut straight from a sci-fi movie scene, like something Elon Musk and his team would create. The door opened, and doctor Montague walked in, quickly heading towards Gary. “Good morning, sir. I see you are doing well, Master Wang. What do you need me to do for you, sir? Name I,t and I will get it done in the blink of an eye!” Montague said loyally. “I want off! I am okay. Take these drips and needles off my body.” Gary demanded softly. “B.. But sir, you are barely getting better. It’s just been 3 days, sir. You are supposed to be on that bed for a week, sir.” Montague argued. “I am not a weak man, Montague, and I have been through worse in my life. So, do as I say and take these things off me, will you?” Gary became more firm. Seeing how Montague, a doctor