Lucian had barely stepped out of the CEO's office—a place many Kynix employees privately referred to as the "Chamber of Doom"—when the sharp sound of something shattering erupted behind him. The crisp, piercing crash was laced with Seraphina's barely contained fury.
To enrage the most revered beauty in all of Solviva Tower to the point of losing control—Lucian might just be the first man in history to accomplish such a feat.
"No manners whatsoever. Doesn't she care about disturbing the hardworking folks downstairs?" Lucian muttered, gently closing the office door behind him as if defending the honor of his soon-to-be colleagues.
He hadn't waited long when the lawyer reappeared, looking utterly disheveled.
Hunched over and retreating backward, the man finally closed the door with a trembling hand and wiped the sweat from his brow in relief. Forcing a smile at Lucian, who was casually leaning against the wall smoking, he sighed, "You've really done a number on me, my friend."
"When I get my first paycheck, drinks are on me," Lucian replied cheerfully. "Now come on, Mr. Deng. Show me to the security department. I can't wait to start contributing to the glory of Kynix."
The lawyer laughed bitterly to himself. This guy's a true oddball. A rare specimen. To insult Seraphina—the woman everyone in this building treated like a goddess—and still be cracking jokes? He couldn't decide if Lucian was fearless or just plain stupid.
As they walked, the lawyer gave Lucian a quick rundown of Kynix's internal structure and its extensive reach in the business world. Being a man himself, he also offered Lucian a few... practical tips for survival—chief among them: never get involved in romantic entanglements at work. And secondly—just to be clear—absolutely never get involved in romantic entanglements at work.
"Do I look like some kind of breeding boar to you?" Lucian asked, pointing to his nose in disbelief.
The lawyer chuckled. "Kynix employs nearly a thousand people. Apart from the thirty or so security personnel and less than twenty men in tech or field sales, everyone else here is female. Not just in this building—Kynix is a literal paradise for men throughout Solviva."
"Well, I do have high standards when it comes to women…" Lucian said, lips twitching as he tried to hide a grin.
"That much is obvious," the lawyer nodded with a knowing smile.
"Oh, one more thing," Lucian said, suddenly serious. "I need you to keep something confidential."
"What is it?" the lawyer asked, his curiosity piqued. He had taken a liking to Lucian and saw no need to act all high and mighty. Besides, anyone who dared tease Seraphina without fear surely wouldn't care about his own seniority in the company.
"I'm sure Seraphina trusts you immensely—otherwise she wouldn't have let you handle our marriage contract. But I still need you to promise me you won't reveal the nature of our relationship to anyone," Lucian said solemnly. "I have my pride, you know. Even if the whole company were to bow down before me, I wouldn't feel any joy if it came from being Seraphina's… special someone. I'd rather earn my place honestly than mooch off a woman."
"…I swear I won't tell a soul," the lawyer replied, eyes twitching slightly. Unbelievable. The man's married to Seraphina, and still puts on this whole 'I'm a man of integrity' act?
He wanted to scream, Do you have any idea how many men would sell their souls just to shake hands with Seraphina? Even a contractual marriage with her is a dream come true!
Of course, even without Lucian's insistence, the lawyer had no intention of spilling the secret. He had signed a confidentiality agreement with Seraphina long before getting involved in this whole mess. If he dared leak a single word, with Seraphina's temperament, he'd be sued into homelessness.
Kynix occupied twenty floors of Empire Tower, from the 68th to the 88th—undisputedly the building's biggest tenant. The security department was logically stationed on the 78th floor, a central location that allowed for quick deployment in emergencies. With the majority of employees being young women, Kynix demanded high standards from their security team—not just physical strength and quick reflexes, but also the ability to avoid messy entanglements.
After all, where there are women, there are stories. And with a company like Kynix, brimming with beauties? Drama was practically a given.
Thanks to the lawyer's explanations, Lucian now had a basic grasp of how the company functioned. He couldn't help but admire Seraphina for managing such a massive enterprise. At the same time, he concluded that for a woman to achieve what she had—being twenty-seven, never having dated, and despising men (especially top-tier ones like himself)—she had to be psychologically twisted on some level.
"There it is, the security division," the lawyer said as they neared the department, passing by a corridor filled with marketing girls who had nearly short-circuited Lucian's brain.
"The marketing team shares this floor with security. This'll be your work and break zone from now on."
Lucian nodded, clearly pleased. "Friendly coworkers, a beautiful environment… what a fulfilling job. I'll definitely give it my all."
"Then go on in. I've already informed them you're coming." The lawyer turned and left a few meters short of the entrance.
Lucian noticed the slight unease in the man's expression and posture. Something told him the Kynix security department wasn't as ordinary as it appeared.
Ding ding—
Just as Lucian was about to make his grand entrance, a shrill ringtone blared from his pocket.
It was his first proper job, and nerves were getting to him. He instinctively reached to hang up—only for the phone to answer itself. Lucian nearly chucked it into the nearest toilet out of pure frustration.
Storming into the public restroom, he plopped down on the toilet lid and barked, "Eagle Eye, what the hell did you do to my phone? Delete whatever spyware you planted, or I'll make sure you never find work on this planet again!"
"I'm innocent, boss!" Eagle Eye cried on the other end. "It was Big Bear and the others—they insisted! Said they were scared we'd lose touch with you!"
"Put them on," Lucian growled, lighting a cigarette. In an instant, his demeanor shifted. The air around him changed.
"Bro! What're you doing? I've missed you like crazy!" came Big Bear's booming voice.
"Spare me." Lucian exhaled smoke in annoyance. "What do you want?"
"Better let Cannon explain!" Big Bear shouted.
After some background chaos, a deep baritone took over the line. "Boss, Lisa's gone nuts. She's okay when she's working, but the moment she's free, she takes it all out on us. She beat Weisen so bad he's in the hospital—three fractured ribs. Doc says he's out for a month."
Lucian frowned. "Can't you idiots run?"
Cannon, known for his beast-like resilience, had once killed a 300-pound black bear with his bare hands. If even he was complaining, Lisa was clearly on the warpath.
"She knows all our hideouts! Where the hell are we supposed to go?" Cannon groaned. "Boss, you need to come back and calm her down before someone actually dies."
"She's not that far gone," Lucian said, rubbing his temples. "Her punches have limits. I'll talk to her when the time's right."
"Thanks, boss. Hey—how's the new job? If it sucks, just come back. You don't need to go all the way to Novaterra for work."
"What do you know?" Lucian snapped. "Novaterra is my home. If I've turned over a new leaf, I want to do it there. And for your information, I've found a promising new job—one that could make up for everything I've missed over the past twenty-five years."
"What kind of job could be that amazing?" Big Bear squealed.
"Security guard," Lucian said proudly.
His first real job. He was genuinely proud.
"WHAT?!" Big Bear screamed. "Bro, seriously? You crossed an ocean just to be a damn guard? Are you even my brother?!"
"…Maybe he's guarding the president of Novaterra," Cannon offered weakly, trying to console both Big Bear and himself.
"I got it!" Big Bear gasped. "Bro, this is a cover, right? You're going undercover to get close to some big shot? That's it, right?!"
"You're overthinking it," Lucian replied coolly. "Just a regular security job. Nothing complicated."
"No! I don't believe it!"
"My faith is crumbling!"
"My spiritual pillar has collapsed!"
Cries of despair rang out on the other end of the line.
"Enough. You've wasted half an hour already. I need to go report in. We'll talk later," Lucian said, then added darkly, "And remember to cover for me. If Lisa finds out where I am, I'll personally make every one of you pay."
That last sentence carried a killing intent so sharp, the battle-hardened men on the other end went cold with fear, as if plunged into an ice bath.
...
Kynix Security Division was located on the 78th floor of the Empire Tower, on the east wing, separated from the marketing department—famous for its sea of beautiful women—by nothing more than a fully automated glass wall.
As soon as someone approached, the wall would split down the center and slide open soundlessly to either side. It was impressively high-tech.
Lucian took a few steps forward, just about to cross the vile piece of glass that had long hindered inter-departmental friendship, when his eyes caught a warning sign on the door that made him pause.
"No women or dogs allowed."
"What the hell?" Lucian raised an eyebrow, his tone filled with curiosity and mockery.
"We work in the same damn company, on the same damn floor. You'd think that's fate bringing us together. And yet the security division has to act like a bunch of grumpy old monks, banning the girls from marketing from even stepping inside? That's just cold. I'm starting to question whether this job is worth it."
Shaking his head, Lucian stepped inside. He wandered through several offices in a row, only to find each one empty, eerily quiet.
"Where the hell is everyone? Didn't the lawyer call ahead to let them know I was coming? I was expecting at least a lukewarm welcome party…"
He lit a cigarette casually and headed deeper into the security wing.
By sheer coincidence, he pushed open the doors to the conference room, the break room, and even the control center with its walls of surveillance monitors.
Each one was deserted.
Brow furrowed in confusion, Lucian made his way to the room labeled "Security Chief."
"Guess that lawyer didn't have as much pull as I thought…"
Knock knock.
Lucian stopped at the door and knocked politely. "Anyone in there?"
"Come in," came a woman's voice from inside—low, laced with sarcasm and menace. It wasn't loud, but it sent a chill up his spine, like someone who had swallowed a gallon of venom and was itching to spit it out.
Click.
Lucian turned the handle, and what he saw inside nearly made him choke on his cigarette.
The Chief's office was massive—easily several times the size of the standard four-person rooms outside. Floor-to-ceiling windows bathed the space in natural light, giving it an open, commanding feel.
Nearly twenty uniformed security officers stood inside at full attention, legs apart, hands clasped behind their backs, lined up in two perfect rows.
The atmosphere was military-grade—serious, tense, and completely over the top.
At the end of the formation sat a young woman, leaning back in her chair, her long, toned legs resting unapologetically on her desk. Her arms were crossed, her sharp eyes sizing Lucian up as he walked in.
Her tanned skin and close-cropped hair gave her a tough, no-nonsense vibe—completely different from the sweet or stylish girls over in Marketing.
The tight uniform clung to her curvaceous figure, but somehow it looked more like a military getup than office attire.
She was beautiful, sure—but the ruthless glint in her eyes made her intimidating, almost scary.
Lucian straightened his clothes and forced a polite smile. His instincts told him this was the big boss.
"Nice to meet you. I'm the new guy in Security. Looking forward to working with you, ma'am."
"Who are you calling ma'am?!"
The woman dropped her feet to the floor with a loud thud, her brows furrowed like thunderclouds.
"Don't try to butter me up with that fake smile!"
Lucian froze, caught mid-grin. He was about to explain when the woman abruptly stood, planted both hands on her desk, and narrowed her eyes.
"Do you know how late you are?"
"Huh?" Lucian blinked. "I haven't even officially started yet—"
"A lawyer called me thirty minutes ago, said you were on your way up. And you stroll in now like it's no big deal?" she snapped, slamming a palm on the desk.
"Don't think I won't fire you just because you've got connections. In this department, anyone who pisses off Zoe only ends up one way. Tell him, boys!"
"Kicked the hell out!"
The twenty officers roared in unison, their voices practically shaking the windows.
Lucian's eye twitched.
Was this Kynix Group's Security Division or some kind of cult? They looked like they'd all been brainwashed.
But since this was the only "real" job he'd landed—after shamelessly trading a few smiles with the lawyer—Lucian decided not to argue with a woman whose hormones were clearly out of whack.
He nodded, playing it safe. "Of course not. I'd never dream of offending you, Chief Zoe."
"It's Captain Zoe," she snapped.
"Yes, Captain."
Lucian stood at attention. After a second, he realized he was practically letting himself be brainwashed and slowly relaxed into a more casual stance.
"This is your first and last time being late. Understood?" Zoe barked.
"Yes, ma'am," Lucian replied meekly.
"Louder! I can't hear you!"
Another thunderous slam on the desk. The two guards closest to her flinched, sweating buckets.
"Yes, ma'am!" Lucian shouted, nearly saluting.
"Good." Zoe seemed somewhat satisfied. She sank into her chair and barked, "Victor! Get him his uniform and show him the rules."
"Yes, Captain!" Victor responded at full volume, apparently trained to operate in decibels.
"Dismissed! Everyone back to your posts!"
The officers dispersed like a prison drill had just ended. Victor led Lucian toward the locker room.
"Hey," Victor said casually along the way. "So, what's your deal with that lawyer guy?"
"We're neighbors," Lucian shrugged. "He saw me hanging around doing nothing and got me this job."
"You two aren't enemies or anything?" Victor asked, side-eyeing him.
"Not at all. Why?"
Victor lit a cigarette, muttering, "Just seems odd. Our department doesn't go easy on newbies. I mean, how many other jobs greet their new hires with an ambush like that? Just last month, some kid got yelled at on his first day and literally cried. Quit the next morning."
Lucian chuckled and lit one of his own. "Please, it'll take more than a moody girl to make me cry."
Moody girl?
Victor shivered. He leaned in and whispered, "Dude, you do not want to talk trash about Captain Zoe behind her back. If she hears it, you're screwed."
"Really? She looks like she's barely twenty. How much damage could she do? Maybe just taking out her frustrations after being dumped."
Victor shot him a look. "You clearly don't know her history."
"What history?" Lucian asked.
Victor glanced around like a spy, then lowered his voice.
"Zoe's a retired army officer. She was about to become one of Novaterra's first female special forces, but her family objected, so she quit. Then she became a cop. But she got kicked off the force for beating the crap out of a creep on the street—gave the guy a concussion. Now she's here. And trust me, she's not just tough—she's the only female champion in Solviva City's underground fighting circuit. Even three guys can't lay a finger on her."
"A female war god, huh?" Lucian feigned awe.
"No joke. And she hates people with connections. Thinks they ruin the department. Says, and I quote, 'One rat ruins the rice pot.'"
Lucian smirked. "So you're one of us 'rats' too?"
Victor grinned. "Yeah, well, my aunt's the HR director."
"Damn, your hook-up's better than mine. Guess I'll need you to watch my back." Lucian offered him a cigarette.
Victor accepted gladly. "Alright, first lesson in Security Department survival: Rule number one—don't talk to female employees. Ever. You see that sign at the door?"
Lucian exhaled, already disheartened.
No women or dogs allowed.
Even if the guys here could tough it out, had anyone spared a thought for the poor girls stuck on the other side of the wall?
This was supposed to be a man's paradise…
What a damn scam.