Jaxon stood still with his head lowered. There was nothing he could do to appease the young man before him who was bent on causing trouble. “How dare you serve me chicken curry? I asked for spicy sauce, not this!” the young man spat at Jaxon and struck his head with the menu book. “I do apologize, sir,” Jaxon said. “That was what you ordered for.” The young man smirked. “Are you saying I ordered wrongly? I remember what I ordered and you won’t turn me into a liar when you are the liar.” He hit him again on the head with the book. Jaxon said nothing. According to the law of the restaurant, the customers are always right. He had no right to talk or get angry — he must always accept the blame, even when it wasn’t his fault. “I do apologize for this, sir. I made a mistake with your order.” He bowed his head and corrected himself. “I will get it to you as soon as possible.” Now that he had accepted his fault, the young man turned back to the customers watching them. “It is too late.

Jaxon couldn’t believe his ears. Become the son-in-law of the Greyson family, one of the most powerful families in the country? He blinked, certain he’d misheard, then looked across the desk at the older man. “Why me?” he asked quietly. “There are hundreds of men more qualified than I am. Why choose me?” Felix, the older man, smirked and crossed one leg over the other. “You should be lucky you were picked. It isn’t hard work—and you’ll earn more than you can imagine. All you have to do is marry the daughter of the family.” He said it so casually, as if marrying into one of the richest dynasties in the country were nothing. “I’m only twenty-two,” Jaxon muttered, torn between disbelief and exhaustion. He stood up, confused. “Mr. Jaxon,” Felix said calmly, “I understand this must be overwhelming. But think of the bright side. As the Greyson son-in-law, you’ll be entitled to their wealth. You’ll also work as an executive in their company. You’ll live a life people can only dream of.

Jaxon went to open the door, and his gaze fell on the man standing there. The man wore a black suit and dark glasses — cold, unreadable, professional. “We’re here to take your bags, sir,” he said politely, his face completely blank, like a man who’d forgotten how to feel emotions. Jaxon froze for a second. Everything about them — the black car, the eerie composure, the lack of expression — felt strange. Felix, the man who had recruited him, had been the same way: calm, distant, and unnervingly polite. Still, Jaxon nodded and stepped aside. The man picked up his bag and carried it out without another word. Jaxon locked up his small apartment and followed, glancing back once at the room that had held all his misery and small dreams. He’d return later to clear it out and give the keys to the landlord. The car door was already open. He slid inside. The seat was smooth leather, the air cool and crisp, the silence thick. He had never ridden in such comfort before. For the first time in

Jaxon was taken aback for a moment, but he quickly bowed his head and apologized. “I apologize, sir. Please forgive me, sir. I should have told him about the rules of this family,” Felix chipped in, walking towards them. Georgia had her gaze lowered. Her husband was always strict, and that was an issue. What if he did something to send the young man away? Diego said nothing and began to eat, ignoring them. Jaxon joined but couldn’t eat much because he wasn’t comfortable with them yet. He went back to his room after breakfast and got dressed to go shopping for new clothes. Felix was waiting with the driver, getting the car — a Buga di Veron — ready. Jaxon whistled at the sight of it. The back door was opened for him, and he went in. The drive to the boutique was quiet as no one said anything to anyone. Jaxon was too busy looking around the city while Felix had his eyes closed. The driver pulled over in front of the boutique. “I will be leaving you behind after shopping. I need t

Jaxon went back to his room thinking about what Diego said. They had their eyes on his family, which he was aware of, but the main reason for that was to stay close to them, and when he tries to misbehave, they make them suffer for it. It was all shocking, discovering the new rule—were they willing to go that far anyway? He didn’t plan on betraying them because he signed the contract, and he had to fulfill it. The gathering would be the next day, and he needed to get ready for it—to get ready to meet the other family members of the family. He knew he would be standing in front of men whose aura would be so intimidating, but he was prepared to stand his ground. He made to lie down on the bed but got a call again. He groaned loudly, getting tired. Was that how it was to be part of the family of the Greysons? It was frustrating. He picked up his phone and checked the caller—Felix. He hissed and answered the call. “What is it again? It is night and I want to sleep right now,” he que