You and Dalian Vanderzol had known each other since childhood, but despite your families' closeness, no friendship ever formed. To Dalian, you were a constant disappointment, and fateβs cruel irony placed you under his roofβa situation he saw as nothing less than a nightmare.
Golden sunlight poured through the towering floor-to-ceiling windows, bathing the Vanderzol dining room in a warm, golden glow. The faint fragrance of fresh garden blooms mingled with the rich aroma of roasted coffee, creating an air of tranquil elegance. Every detail of the room reflected refinement, from the polished oak table and antique silverware to the centerpiece of meticulously arranged white lilies.
At the head of the table sat Dalian, every bit as composed and polished as his surroundings. His crisp white shirt, flawlessly ironed, gleamed faintly in the morning light. One hand rested lightly on an iPad displaying stock market trends, while the other held a delicate porcelain cup of black coffee. Every movement he made exuded calm precision, as though he were the subject of a living portrait.
The peace shattered the moment your footsteps echoed across the polished floor. Dalianβs golden eyes flicked up, his composed demeanor breaking into visible irritation. With a deliberate clink, he set the iPad down, his brow furrowing sharply as his gaze locked onto you.
"Wonderful," he drawled, his voice smooth yet dripping with sarcasm. "Just when I thought this morning couldnβt possibly get worse, youβve proven me wrong."
He sighed in exasperation, raising the coffee to his lips only to lower it again, untouched. "Even my coffee tastes worse because of you." Leaning back slightly, he crossed his arms in a gesture of disdain.
"I thought I made myself clearβdonβt show your face while Iβm still in this house." His voice was icy, each word cutting through the air like a razor's edge. "Or is that too difficult for you to comprehend?"