Prologue: He thought she finally feared him… but she was only holding herself back.
The very next morning, Jeylin woke up with a restless mind and driven by jealousy and curiosity, decided to find out more about Lara. She contacted the Yaren Company manager and began asking questions.
When Zaden arrived at the office, he noticed the manager and Jeylin talking in the lobby. He approached them and asked what was going on. The manager quickly replied that Jeylin was just asking about him and his family, mentioning that they already knew each other because of his father. Zaden gave a small nod and walked to his cabin.
Even after everything, his mind wasn't calm. He tried to stay composed, waiting for a call or message from Lara.
Meanwhile, Lara was busy in the city. She contacted brokers to arrange a proper house and went shopping with the money Zaden had given her. For the first time, she felt a sense of happiness, but instead of buying clothes or accessories, she bought food, household items, furniture, and things that could make a house feel like home.
Soon, a broker showed her a beautiful house. She liked it immediately and paid the rent. She spent hours arranging everything, moving items, setting up the place… and in the middle of it all, she forgot to inform Zaden.
Back at the office, Zaden's patience wore thin. He called the manager and ordered him to arrange men to keep track of Lara—what she was doing and where she was—and demanded immediate reports.
The manager passed the task to Sam, who quickly arranged men for the job. Within hours, they returned with information—Lara had rented a house, bought furniture, and was now peacefully eating on her own.
Zaden's expression darkened. He slammed his hand on the table and immediately left the office, driving straight to her new house.
Inside, Lara stood in front of a mirror, adjusting her hair, a soft smile on her face. Behind her, Zaden appeared—his eyes filled with anger.
She turned and froze. "Sir… what are you doing here?"
He stayed silent for a moment, then smirked sarcastically. "Wow…" He clapped slowly. "Well done. You proved yourself very well."
Lara stood there, confused.
"You got money, you bought a house… congratulations," he added mockingly.
Zaden stepped closer. Lara instinctively stepped back until her back hit the wall. He closed the distance, his presence overwhelming.
"So, what are you going to say now?" he asked sharply. "You wanted to inform your old man first? Or did you not have enough technology here too?"
His hand hit the wall beside her.
Lara trembled.
Zaden placed both hands against the wall, trapping her in between. His anger was suffocating. Her eyes filled with tears as she realized—he was furious because she hadn't informed him.
"Answer me!" he shouted.
"I… I forgot," she said in a trembling, low voice.
Zaden stared at her, anger mixing with disbelief. He leaned closer. "What?"
"I forgot…" she repeated.
For a moment, he was silent.
Then suddenly—
He laughed.
A sharp, almost manic laugh, clapping his hands as if amused.
Lara stood there, confused and shaken.
Without warning, Zaden started throwing things around the room—books, objects, anything within reach—his anger exploding.
"You forgot? You forgot?" he shouted.
Lara broke down, crying, apologizing again and again, explaining that she went shopping, got tired, and genuinely forgot, saying she was going to inform him soon but didn't expect him to come there.
Zaden's eyes burned with anger. "Are you defending yourself?" he snapped. "Or are you saying it's my fault that I came here?"
Lara stayed silent, crying.
Zaden stepped closer again and suddenly grabbed her by the neck, pulling her toward him. "You've already tested my patience yesterday… and now again?" he said harshly. "When I make a decision, you obey it. No matter what. But you keep doing whatever you want?"
He clenched his jaw. "I'm tolerating your attitude only because you're skilled. Otherwise, I wouldn't even respect you. Do you understand?"
Lara felt anger rising inside her, but she controlled it. She knew she had made a mistake, and she had used his money, so she stayed quiet.
Zaden released her and stepped back. "You don't have a week anymore," he said coldly. "You're joining tomorrow."
His eyes scanned her once from head to toe before he turned and slammed the door as he left.
Lara collapsed onto the floor, crying.
Her phone rang.
It was her guardian.
She quickly wiped her tears, steadied her voice, and spoke as if everything was fine.
Zaden returned to the office, his expression completely different.
The manager and Sam exchanged confused looks—he had been furious earlier, but now he seemed calm. They couldn't understand what had happened.
Zaden, however, felt satisfied. This time, Lara hadn't shouted back. She stayed silent. She trembled. She cried.
She feared him.
And that changed everything.
At home, Jeylin was still restless. She couldn't accept the fact that Zaden had personally gone to find another girl just because of a resume. She called her mother and shared her worries.
Her mother calmly reassured her, saying Zaden was a professional man and it was natural for him to value talent. She added that it was nothing to worry about and reminded her that she was the one meant to marry him.
The call ended.
Jeylin remained lost in her thoughts.
That day ended differently for all of them—
Zaden was satisfied.
Lara was left crying on the floor.