✿ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Odin, one of the largest cities in Country X, lies within Ulber, the third largest nation on the continent.
Odin woke to the rhythm of engines and ambition. Highways choked with luxury cars wound between towers of steel and glass, each one stamped with the name of a dynasty. Billboards flashed the faces of billionaires instead of movie stars, and stock prices rolled across giant screens like scripture. Here, wealth was power, and power shaped everything. Odin didn't look to politicians or kings—the city belonged to ten families whose fortunes could buy silence, loyalty, or even history itself.
At the very peak were the Zorans and the Castros, first and second. The Morpheus family stands as the third among them—wealthy, respected, and influential beyond measure.To the city, the Morpheus were power dressed in tailored suits and glass offices—a dynasty of wealth that needed no crown.
Elite Morpheus, seventy-five years old, is the founder of Golden Jade Enterprise, the world's most renowned company, and the owner of Dreamland—the most luxurious hotel in Odin.
His only son, Sullivan Morpheus, now serves as the CEO of Golden Jade. He is both feared and respected. Elite handed him the company at the age of ten, and by fifteen, Sullivan had fully taken charge. From then on, he devoted his life to work, cutting himself off from the outside world to ensure the company's rise to greatness—and succeed he did.
But the cost was heavy. Sullivan became cold, emotionless, and ruthless. Business consumed his entire being. His parents, though proud, were deeply worried. Elite feared his son's obsession would either destroy him or leave him lonely forever..
Sullivan was a strikingly handsome man, admired like a god. His presence alone was enough to intimidate anyone around him. Yet he had no interest in relationships—neither with men nor women. His mother, Aurora, tried everything to draw him out of his shell: gifts, letters, even warm meals, but nothing touched him. She often blamed her husband for burdening their son with such responsibility too early.
Together, his parents attempted a new strategy: finding him a wife. Many powerful men offered their daughters in marriage, hoping to tie their businesses with Golden Jade. Sullivan rejected every proposal without hesitation.
On his twenty-eighth birthday, his parents introduced him to the most beautiful actress in Country X, hoping she might win his heart. Instead, Sullivan humiliated her, sending her away and asking her to "decide what she really wanted." Furious at his parents, he stormed out of the celebration and disappeared for seven days.
That incident left Aurora sick with worry. The Morpheus family consulted professors, counselors, and ministers for advice, but Sullivan always dismissed their questions. When asked what kind of woman he desired, his reply was always the same: "I'll know her when I see her." His indifference angered Elite, especially since he longed for grandchildren.
"This boy is getting out of hand," Elite muttered. "But I'll show him that I am still his father."
"Morpheus, I think we should stop," Aurora cried softly. "What if… what if he doesn't even like women?"
Elite snapped, "Take that back right now! Fredrick, his PA, already confirmed that isn't the case. What we need to do is find him a wife. Whether he likes it or not."
Aurora frowned. "I don't want to lose my son forever."
"You won't," Elite assured, kissing her forehead. "I have a better plan… but I'll need the help of an old friend."
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ABIGAIL WILFORD
Abigail Wilford, a twenty-one-year-old girl from a poor family, had never attended school because her parents couldn't afford it. Her mother, Elsa, worked as a book cleaner in a manor's bookstore, while her father, Wilford, worked as a gardener.
Abigail herself worked as a cashier in a mall for over three years, helping to support her family with her modest earnings. Despite their struggles, the family lived happily.
One evening, as Abigail returned home, she heard her mother crying in the bedroom. She approached quietly, but stopped when she heard her father's voice. Curious, she leaned against the door to listen.
Inside, Wilford spoke in a heavy tone.
"I received a message to meet Mr. Morpheus at his office," he said. Elsa's eyes widened in shock.
"When I got there, he reminded me of the loan we took from him twenty-one years ago. He said the interest has now grown larger than the loan itself."
Elsa gasped. "Oh my God! I knew this would happen one day!" She broke into tears.
Wilford tried to console her. "Shh, my love. Crying won't help us now."
"But how will we repay him? We don't even have enough to send our daughter to school!" Elsa sobbed. Abigail, listening from outside, felt her heart shatter. She had never known about the debt her parents had hidden all these years.
Wilford continued, his voice grim. "He gave me two choices…"
"Two choices?" Elsa whispered.
"Yes."
"What are they?"
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📖 ✨ Author's note
Hey lovely readers! 💕
Thanks for checking out this book—I hope you enjoyed chapter! If you like what you read, please add it up in your library. Don't forget to drop your thoughts, guesses, or favorite parts in the comments. Your feedback keeps me inspired and motivated to write more for you.
See you in the next chapter!
—[Divine twinkle]—