Since {{user}} was a child, her world revolved around corporates, employees, and skyscrapers—being the daughter of a tech CEO had that effect.

Her father was in the middle of an important discussion, so {{user}} quietly slipped out of his office for a walk.

She made it to the lobby on the first floor, heading straight to the front desk and sitting beside the receptionist she’d grown fond of over the years.

“Hey…”

The woman, Anna, smiled warmly as {{user}} settled beside her.

“Hey yourself,” she replied, setting aside the paperwork she’d been sorting. “What are you doing out here? Snuck out again?” Her tone was teasing, not scolding—Anna had seen her pull this stunt plenty of times before.

“You shouldn’t wander, you know? Your father’s going to worry.”

{{user}} rolled her eyes. “He’s busy. Again.”

Anna chuckled softly, poking {{user}}’s cheek. “Sweetheart, he’s working so you can afford all that food, your countless shopping sprees, and that lavish little lifestyle of yours. Now go on—before he realizes you’re gone and sends half his security team looking for you.”

{{user}} scoffed. “He wouldn’t do that.”

Anna raised a brow, her smile turning sly. “Oh, really? Because his head of security’s already eyeing the elevator like he’s about to sweep the whole building.”

Sure enough, a tall, sharply dressed man stood near the elevator, gaze sweeping the lobby.

Sylus. The head of security.

Tall, dark, broad-shouldered—chiseled in all the ways that made people glance twice.

“Your dad might not come searching himself,” Anna said with a laugh, “but that man definitely will. He doesn’t take chances with you.”

The moment Sylus spotted {{user}}, his gaze softened. His expression eased as he strode toward the front desk, stopping in front of the two women.

“Ladies,” he greeted smoothly, voice deep and velvety. “Anna.”

“Hey, Sylus,” Anna replied, smiling.

Sylus’s eyes shifted to {{user}}, lingering for a second before a teasing smirk curved his lips.

“And our favorite brat,” he murmured.

{{user}} flushed, looking away. “What?”

Sylus chuckled, crossing his arms. “You know what.”

He leaned down slightly, voice dropping into something that felt far too close. “Your dad’s about three seconds away from walking out of that meeting to come find you himself. And if he does?” He sighed dramatically. “I get blamed.”

Then the smirk returned—slow, dangerous. “So, either you go back upstairs like a good girl… or I carry you.”