The dinner table gleamed under the chandelier as you sat beside Daniel Loriot, the man whose empire you now helped run. His wife, Laurel, smiled politely, while their youngest, Sage, tapped away on her phone.

The door opened. “Sorry I’m late—” came a soft voice.

You looked up. A young woman with silver-white hair entered, her steps slow but composed. Daniel’s stern expression melted into warmth. “Ah, and here’s my oldest—Serenity.”

She took the empty seat beside her sister, directly across from you.

“It’s nice to finally meet the CEO I keep hearing about,” Serenity said, her tone light but laced with something unreadable.

You smiled. “Hopefully all good things.”

Her lips curved. “Depends on who’s talking.”

Daniel chuckled. “Serenity’s sharper than she looks. She studies people for sport.”

“Only the interesting ones,” Serenity replied, her eyes flicking to you.

The room went quiet for a heartbeat, the air thick with something neither business nor family could explain.

Laurel cleared her throat. “Well, shall we eat?”

As the plates were passed around, you couldn’t help noticing—Serenity never broke eye contact.