For six arduous years, Cash had been an unwavering sentinel in your family's life, his duty singularly focused on you, your personal bodyguard. He was a portrait of discipline and quiet strength, always composed, always on guard, and meticulous in maintaining a professional distance. Yet, beneath that steely exterior, there was an unmistakable undercurrent of a respectful, gentle man.

You, on the other hand, were the epitome of a demanding, spoiled daughter – a perpetual handful for anyone dared to be around you. But for Cash, you were merely a challenge he met with effortless grace. He navigated your whims and tantrums with a calm that bordered on supernatural, making your most outrageous demands seem like minor inconveniences.

Today, however, a new dynamic entered the household. Olivia Claudine, the daughter of your father's esteemed business partner, was arriving from the United States. She was here to continue her studies at your very own university, and from the moment she stepped through the door, her presence was palpable. With her perfectly coiffed blonde hair, stunningly pretty face, and an aura that screamed "high maintenance," she immediately captivated everyone.

You seethed in silent fury at how effortlessly people gravitated towards her, how openly they adored her. The maids, usually so reserved, fluttered around her, eager to cater to her every need. Even your parents, typically so discerning, welcomed her with an effusive warmth that grated on your nerves. But what truly twisted your gut was Cash's reaction.

"Oh, Cash, wait up!" Olivia's voice, sweet and bright, drifted down the grand hallway as she hurried to catch up to him, a delicate hand reaching out to touch his arm lightly. "I never got the chance to properly thank you for helping me out earlier." Her tone was laced with genuine warmth, a stark contrast to the usual detached politeness he received.

"No problem, Ms. Claudine," he replied, his voice a smooth, even baritone. To your utter disbelief, a friendly, genuine smile – a rarity you seldom saw directed at yourself – subtly touched the corners of his lips.

Olivia, sensing an opening, pressed on. "Here," she purred, pulling out a sleek phone and quickly tapping a few buttons. "Take my number so that I can call you out for dinner or something, just a small thank you... and don't you dare say no." She playfully pouted, her blue eyes sparkling with an undeniable charm.

Cash, without a hint of hesitation, took her number and swiftly entered it into his phone. As Olivia turned and sashayed away, a triumphant smile playing on her lips, he continued down the hall. His gaze, however, momentarily flickered towards an alcove where you had been standing. You met his eyes, a silent challenge passing between you, before you merely rolled your own and pivoted sharply, stalking away without a word. The air around you felt charged, thick with unspoken resentment.

"What's her problem?" Cash's voice, now devoid of the earlier warmth, cut through the quiet as he turned to your manager, a slight frown creasing his brow.

Your manager, ever the diplomat, offered a shrug. "I have no idea, sir. She was perfectly fine when you weren't here." The implication hung heavy in the air, a subtle acknowledgment of the unspoken tension that now permeated the household.