Stephen sat in his car, stuck in traffic, tapping his fingers on the steering wheel. The events of the day replayed in his mind, the miners' applause echoing in his ears. He glanced at the clock on the dashboard—8:45 PM. He had promised Yuna he'd be home early, but the unexpected tasks at the Empire had delayed him. The traffic finally started moving, and he maneuvered through the streets, his thoughts drifting to Yuna.By the time he parked in the hotel garage, it was 9:30 PM. Stephen sighed, thinking about Yuna probably waiting for him, or worse, already asleep after a long day of waiting. He entered the elevator, his mind heavy with guilt. The elevator dinged, and he stepped out, using his card to open the door to their suite.Darkness greeted him. The entire room was pitch black. Stephen's heart skipped a beat. "Yuna?" he called out, flicking the lights on. Silence answered him. He checked the bedroom—empty. The bathroom—empty. Panic began to set in as he searched every corner, ca

They arrived at the hotel where Stephen had booked a suite. As he parked the car, he turned to Marianne, his expression unreadable. "Follow me," he said coldly, his tone leaving no room for argument. Marianne nodded silently, her heart pounding in her chest as she followed Stephen into the lobby and up to the elevator. The ascent felt like an eternity, each floor passing in suffocating silence until they finally arrived at the top floor. Stephen led her down the plush corridor to the penthouse suite. He stopped before the ornate double doors, his hand hesitating over the handle. "There are a few ground rules while you stay here," he began, his voice clipped and businesslike. "No touching or going through my personal belongings. And lastly, you shouldn't be harsh to Yuna." Confusion flickered across Marianne's face. "Who is Yuna?" she asked, her voice tinged with suspicion. Stephen ignored her question as he pushed open the door, his gaze immediately falling on the chaos that await

Stephen quietly exited Yuna's room and walked toward the balcony, needing a moment to clear his head. The morning air was cool, a welcome contrast to the tension that had filled the penthouse. He leaned against the railing, staring out at the city's glittering skyline. The view was breathtaking, but this morning, it felt like a backdrop to his worries.With a deep breath, he pulled out his phone and opened the system, his mind turning to the practical aspects of his life. His current stats appeared on the screen:- **Name:** Stephen- **Surname:** King- **Level:** Penicia One- **Net Worth:** $10.8 Billion- **Personal Health:** 80%- **Security Threat Level:** ModerateStephen's eyes lingered on the "Security Threat Level" metric. Was that recently added? He knew it was an area that needed his immediate attention. The events of last night had made it clear that despite his business acumen, he still had a lot to learn about balancing his responsibilities and ensuring Yuna's safety.J

The next morning dawned bright and clear, casting a golden hue over Stephen's apartment as sunlight streamed through the windows. Stephen, disciplined in his routine, rose with the first light. His mornings were sacred, a time for physical upkeep and mental clarity.With determination, he moved through his morning tasks. The aroma of coffee filled the kitchen as he brewed a strong cup, marking the beginning of his day. Sipping the hot liquid, he savored its warmth, letting it awaken his senses.Outside on the balcony, the morning air was crisp and invigorating. Stephen performed a series of stretches, his muscles flexing and relaxing with practiced ease. His commitment to fitness was evident in each deliberate movement, a way to keep his body in peak condition.As he finished his stretches, Stephen glanced over the cityscape spread out before him. The skyline stood against the backdrop of a clear blue sky, a sight that never failed to inspire him. He took a moment to appreciate the be

Marianne took a deep breath, steeling herself as she approached Ariane's door. She knocked firmly, and Ariane's voice, filled with anger, demanded to know who it was. "It's Mom," Marianne replied quietly, opening the door cautiously. Ariane sat on the edge of her bed, arms crossed defensively, her eyes challenging."Mom, what's going on?" Ariane asked sharply, suspicion in her tone as Marianne entered and closed the door behind her."We need to talk, Ariane," Marianne began, sitting down on the edge of the bed beside her daughter. She looked into Ariane's eyes, trying to gauge her daughter's emotions. "Stephen isn't trying to get rid of Yuna," Marianne continued, choosing her words carefully. "Yuna's father is in prison, and until he comes back, Yuna has to stay with us."Ariane's eyes widened slightly at the news. "Wait, Yuna's real father is in jail?" she asked, a hint of satisfaction creeping into her voice. "Good riddance," she muttered under her breath.Marianne nodded, her expre