Chapter One: "I’m going to get fired. That’s what will happen!"

"Noone? She was here?" He immediately scanned the hallway, but he saw no one except his butler and some armed men passing by.

"She left just a moment ago, Master Zeus," the butler said, "She only brought your breakfast for this morning," he added, pointing to the food on the side.

Zeus entered the room, followed by his butler carrying the food. They headed to the living room, and the butler placed the food down as the young man sat on a single sofa. The butler remained standing at his side, waiting for instructions.

"Why is she the one bringing my breakfast? Have we run out of other maids?" Zeus asked coldly while drinking his coffee, which was almost cold. He had only taken a sip before he was already tired of it. He had no mood for coffee.

"The maid assigned to bring your food is not feeling well, so Miss Noane delivered it," he explained immediately. "Aren't you going to check on your sister, Master?"

"She's not my sister, Butler Hanz. How many times should I tell you?" He gave the butler a sharp glare. "As long as she's inside this mansion, she's out of my concern. You're dismissed. Also, take that woman out with you, too. I can't stand her face." He was referring to the woman who could barely stand up, lying exhausted on his bed.

Zeus was left alone in the room, sitting with his legs crossed, his attention focused on his tablet. He looked at the only photo he had of himself with Noane when they were children. He stared at it, filled with no emotion, remembering the past as if it were a great nightmare.

When he got tired of it, he started eating the food before heading to the bathroom. He had managed to get some rest, so he needed to return to his responsibilities. After showering, he changed into his usual attire when he went out—a business suit. He rarely wore the black coat and necktie, only if he is in a formal meeting. The sleeves of his white polo were rolled up twice, revealing the thick veins in his hands. The top two buttons of his shirt were unbuttoned, exposing his muscular chest. His hair was combed, but it still looked messy, despite that, he still looked handsome anyway with his messy hair look.

​Zeus walked out of the room, carrying only his coat and his tablet. The men he passed greeted him, but he walked past them as if they were nothing but air. Before he could fully make it down the stairs, he ran into the butler, who was on his way to fetch him from his room.

"Who the hell are you?" Zeus asked coldly when he noticed the man sitting on the sofa.

"Master, he is—"

Zeus signaled with his hand to stop. "I wasn't asking you, Butler Hanz." He didn't take his cold gaze off the man in front of him. "I said, who are you?"

"My apologies." The man stood up immediately and said with a smile, "I'm Shaun Albertz, and I'm Miss Noane's personal teacher. I’m very pleased to meet the master of this mansion." He extended his hand for a handshake, but it wasn't accepted. He felt embarrassed.

"Butler Hanz." He called out firmly without taking his eyes off the man. "You didn’t tell me that her teacher is a he."

"Mr. Albertz!"

The tension in the living room was broken when Ashley interrupted with an awkward smile. She knew she could be fired for what she did.

"A-ah... just... wait for Miss Noane in the library," she said, then sprinted back to the kitchen.

"What happened? Tell me." Noane whispered, trying to hide herself under the table so she wouldn't be seen.

"I’m going to get fired. That’s what will happen!" She fanned herself because she was sweating from what she did. It was a life-risking task.

"What happened?!"

"I already told Mr. Albertz. But you know..." Ashley leaned down in to whisper, "You won't believe what I'm going to say," she added, unable to hide her excitement.

"Did something happen there?" she asked curiously, still not leaving her spot. "Was there a fight? Or did someone die?" she asked unable to wait.

"Master Zeus is handsome. Hihihi."

Noane grimaced in disappointment and pushed her friend away. "You're gross! Just check if they're still outside. My knees are aching."

"As you wish, Miss Noane," Ashley replied with a hint of mockery.

"Stop it! I told you not to call me that!"

Meanwhile, Zeus didn't waste time and headed straight to the car with his butler. There are two vehicles who's following them from behind, carrying his men. They were armed and always ready for anything. The mansion was also heavily secured, inside and out, surrounded by guards with large guns. That’s why it was impossible for any thief to enter. Even if they tried, they already dead before they could enter.

"I want you to replace that Shaun," Zeus commanded with authority while studying the company data.

"Master Zeus, Miss Noane is going to be in her last year of high school. It will be a huge adjustment if you remove Mr. Albertz as her personal teacher," the butler explained, hoping to change the man's decision.

"Would you like that man to be killed before you replace him with someone else?" he asked coldly without taking his eyes off the tablet. "Replace him with someone else. That’s an order."

"As you wish, Master." Even though the butler wanted to say more, he just chose to comply.

Zeus put down the tablet when he was done studying. He massaged the bridge of his nose while his eyes were closed tightly because of a headache. He hadn't had a good sleep for almost a month due to his busy schedule, which is why his headaches were becoming frequent. "I will take a break after the meeting," he broke the silence in the car.

In all the years, his butler had never heard him say those words, so he was surprised. "Master Zeus, that is a good decision," he agreed happily.

"It’s just a month. While I'm gone, you're in charge of everything..."

A few moments later, when Noane was sure there was no one left in the living room, she quickly removed her apron. She wondered why her personal teacher arrived early and why Zeus left so early. She didn't think much about the second point regarding her stepbrother, as she knew he only had one thing on his mind—work.

"Hey, we still have dishes to wash," Ashley stopped her.

"You can handle it. They’re just plates, and you’re Ashley. Fighting!" she teased.

"Go on, Miss Noane, go see Mr. Albertz. I’ll just bring you food there later," said Gracia, who was checking the remaining food stock in the refrigerator.

"Bleh!" she teased her friend before running out of the kitchen.

Noane went straight to the library, where she found Shaun looking around. He had been her personal teacher since Zeus decided to reconsider her education, although through homeschooling. He had been her teacher from the start, which is why they were so close—like siblings.

"Teacher Shaun!" Noane called, running toward him.

"Miss Noane," he replied with a smile. "And you don’t look like a miss today," he said with a laugh when he saw her outfit.

"Maybe I should change first. It’s embarrassing." She scratched her head and smelled herself. She grimaced. I still smell like the kitchen. Goodness!, she thought I her mind.

"It’s fine. I’m just teasing you," Shaun laughed. "Let’s go. I have something for you." He took her hand and led her to the long table in the center of the room. "This is for you, like I promised." He handed her a box of imported chocolate.

"Wait… does this mean I aced all my exams?" she asked in disbelief, as that was the only deal they had for a gift.

​"Yes, Ma'am," he said proudly. "And in just a few weeks, you'll be finished with your third year of high school. Then you’ll be graduating next year."

​The smile on Noane’s face was slowly replaced by disappointment. "I wonder what it feels like to graduate at an actual school?" She slumped her shoulders and sat down. When she graduated from elementary, Shaun just handed her a certificate, and she expected the same thing for next year.

​The man sat down in front of her. "Why don’t you talk to your brother, Miss Noane? Tell him you want to study at a real school next year. You need to push your brother, especially since you’ll be starting college soon."

​Instead of being motivated, Noane felt even more disheartened. She wanted to, but she didn’t know how. She was also afraid to face him. "Wish me luck that I’m still alive by the time I tell it to him."