The four heavy-set thugs closed in on Michael, their fists clenched and faces twisted into dark, cruel grins. The air in the cramped office turned thick with tension. Behind Michael, Leo shook like a leaf, clutching desperately at Baron’s trousers. His voice trembled, but instead of gratitude, pure resentment laced his tone. "It’s all your fault, Michael!" Leo cried out, glaring at his father's back with watery eyes. "If my mom were here, she would never let anyone treat me like this! You always make everything worse! You're completely useless!" Baron, recovering his composure now that the thugs weren't directly attacking him, sneered coldly. He patted Leo's head, casting a mocking glance toward Michael. "The boy is completely right," Baron chimed in, his voice full of smug arrogance. "You come here trying to act like a big hero, Michael, but all you do is bring disaster on this family. You can't even handle a simple school disagreement without dragging street thugs into it!" The

The entire office went dead silent.Mrs. Gable gasped softly behind her desk, holding her breath in utter disbelief. Even the fat man grinned wildly, thoroughly enjoying the pathetic domestic drama unfolding right before his eyes.Michael stood completely still. He looked at Susan, his dark eyes staring directly into hers, searching for even a single trace of humanity, respect, or love.There was none. Only cold demand and arrogant authority.A sudden, deep laugh bubbled up from Michael's chest—a cold, sarcastic and tragic laugh that made everyone in the room feel an uncomfortable chill down their spines."You want me to kneel?" Michael asked, his voice dropping into a deadly, quiet whisper."Yes!" Susan demanded sharply, stepping toward him with her arms crossed. "Stop acting so stubborn! You caused this whole mess with your useless pride! If you had just handled things quietly from the beginning, we wouldn't be in this situation! It's just an apology—kneel down, take responsibility,

Michael unlocked the door to his rented apartment and stepped inside, dropping his keys onto the console table. Every bone in his body ached. The long hours at the hospital and then the drama at the school, coupled with the crushing weight of everything falling apart, had completely drained him.Yet, as tired as he was, he couldn't just collapse onto his bed. He had responsibilities here, strange as they were.When he had taken this place, the lease agreement contained three of the most absurd requirements he had ever read: Requirement one: The tenant must be a doctor working at the central hospital. Requirement two: The tenant's name must be Michael. Requirement three: Instead of high rent, the tenant must agree to cook three meals a day for the landlord whenever she is home.At the time, desperate for a clean break and a place away from the Sterling estate, he hadn't questioned it. But tonight, standing in the quiet living room, the sheer oddity of those rules pressed against his mi

Michael woke up early, his mind heavy with the weight of everything that had happened. He got dressed in his medical scrubs, ready to head to Central Hospital. As he stepped out of his bedroom into the quiet hallway, the scent of fresh coffee and fried eggs hit his nose. Standing in the kitchen was Juliana. She turned around slowly, holding a plate with a freshly cooked omelette and a hot mug of coffee. Her eyes were low, filled with regret. "Michael," she said softly, her voice hesitant. "You're up." "Juliana? What's all this?" Michael asked, pausing at the entrance of the kitchen. "I... I couldn't sleep all night," she admitted, setting the plate down on the table. "I felt sick to my stomach thinking about how I acted last night. You came here looking for peace, and I threw myself at you like that. I am so, so sorry, Michael. Please forgive me." Michael looked at the breakfast, then looked at her sincere expression. The tension that had hovered over the apartment since last nigh