In a dimly lit office, the air was thick with a quiet sense of authority. The room was spacious, filled with dark wood furniture that gleamed softly under the muted glow of a desk lamp.
Tall bookshelves lined the walls, filled with thick volumes and important files. A large leather chair sat behind a massive desk, and in it, Mr. Carter—confident, composed, and in his mid-forties or early fifties—sat with an air of quiet dominance.
His salt-and-pepper hair was neatly combed back, and his sharp eyes reflected both wisdom and a hint of weariness.
He was the kind of man who exuded power without even trying.
Perhaps you'd been expecting a handsome, younger man, but here he was—Mr. Carter, a proud owner of "Carter Industries", the most popular and renowned business empire in the city.
A soft voice interrupted his thoughts. "Sir, you have a meeting with Mr. Wang, the Chinese businessman who arrived last week. Should I arrange it?"
Mr. Carter looked up, his gaze steady.
"Yes. Arrange it as soon as possible," he replied, tapping his pen on the desk. His tone was calm but firm.
The woman, tall and lean, looked a little older, with sleek black hair cascading past her shoulders and a warm, professional face.
She nodded and turned to leave. "Right away, sir," she said softly and gracefully stepped out of the office.
As the door closed behind her, Mr. Carter let out a slow sigh.
"Work is frustrating," he muttered under his breath, rubbing his temples briefly. Then, with a small smile, he reached for his phone.
It Rang once--Then it connected.
"Hello, sweetheart," he greeted warmly when his wife answered on the first ring. His voice was smooth, full of affection. "How was your day?"
"Oh, you know," her voice crackled with a hint of exasperation. "Same old, same old. And your day?"
He chuckled softly. "Productive, as always. Just finished a meeting. But I was thinking about you."
"Thinking about me?" she teased, her tone playful but affectionate. "That's dangerous, Mr. Carter."
He grinned. "Dangerous or not, I can't help it. You know you're the only thing that matters."
She sighed, but her smile was evident even through the phone. "You're sweet, but I swear, if I hear one more story about our stubborn son trying to buy his own house when he's almost Twenty—"
"Twenty-two," he corrected with a chuckle. "And he's just trying to be independent, you know how he is."
"And stubborn," she added with a laugh. "Honestly, sometimes I wonder if he inherited his stubbornness from me or from you."
Mr. Carter shook his head affectionately. "Probably from both of us. But I love him, even if he drives me crazy."
They shared a warm laugh. For a moment, the weight of their busy lives seemed to lift, replaced by the comfort of their connection.
"Anyway," she said, "don't work too late. Remember, dinner's waiting, and I've got your favorite baked salmon."
"I wouldn't miss it for the world," he replied with a smile. "Love you."
"Love you more," she whispered before hanging up.
Mr. Carter leaned back in his chair, looking out the window at the city lights flickering in the darkness.
Despite the power and wealth, a part of him longed for simpler days—days when family was all that mattered.
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Footsteps echoed heavy and slow through the grand hall of the mansion, each step sounding as if someone was dragging their feet—rough, deliberate, almost reluctant.
It was Elias Carter, the twenty-two-year-old son of the famous businessman.
Handsome in a way that seemed almost Korean—sharp jawline, high cheekbones, and flawlessly sculpted features—he had big, expressive eyes that shimmered with a bright, emerald green hue, darting quickly from one corner to another.
His dark hair was styled perfectly, slightly tousled, with a natural, effortless charm.
His lips were full and well-shaped—like a perfect bow, soft but with a mischievous glint.
Elias carried himself with a smug yet charming attitude, a slight grin playing on his lips as if he knew a secret no one else did.
His face, usually relaxed, carried an annoying but cute confidence, and his eyes sparkled with mischief.
Soon, he reached a lavish brown door—polished to perfection, with intricate carvings that hinted at old wealth and elegance.
He raised his hand and knocked.
The door swung open abruptly, revealing a woman. She was soft-looking, with a warm smile that instantly put you at ease.
She wore a fitted black dress—so perfect it could have bought a whole mall, though of course, it didn't.
Her short, soft bob hair rested lightly on her cheeks as she tilted her head, giving Elias a gentle yet commanding look.
"Welcome, son. Come in," she said softly. This was Amara, Mr. Carter's lovely wife—the woman Elias loved the most. She was sweet but knew when to be strict.
"Come in quick," she added, her voice firm but kind. Elias flinched for a moment, surprise flickering across his face, but he quickly masked it with a poker face and stepped inside.
Amara closed the door behind him, her eyes warm but serious.
She moved to stand beside Elias, glancing at Mr. Carter, who was sitting comfortably in a large chair, his hands crossed over his lap, a stern expression on his face.
Elara's voice was calm and smooth "Parents, I heard you call me? Elias"
''Yes we did aren't you Elias'' Amara tease.
Elias's eyes flicked toward Amara his mom as he smirked. "Yep, that's me," he said. "You called, and I heard you loud and clear."
Mr. Carter raised an eyebrow, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. "Sit down, son," he said, voice calm but firm. "We need to talk."
Elias strutted further into the room, hands in his pockets. "Alright, alright, I'm listening. But just so you know—" he paused dramatically, "—I'm not leaving this mansion until I get a good reason."
"Son, there's something..." Amara began softly, her voice gentle yet firm. "Your father wants you to move out."
Elias's eyes widened.
His calm, confident demeanor cracked just a little. "Oh no... I'm done acting serious Parents. I'm not going anywhere," he said, shaking his head with stubborn defiance.
"Let us finish," Mr. Carter cut in, eyes sharp.
"Elias, your mother and I want you to become independent. Finish college successfully, find a job, a girl, get married, and have kids..." His tone was no-nonsense.
"Girlfriend? You know I don't need one," Elias said defiantly. "I plan to be a bachelor till the end of my life."
"And I want a rich, well-behaved girl," Mr. Carter added with a smirk. "Someone who fits into our world."
"I'm not going anywhere," Elias declared, his eyes wide with defiance, daring anyone to oppose him
Amara stepped closer, smiling gently. "We've already planned out your life, haven't we?" she teased softly, patting Elias on the back. "You'll be fine."
Elias rolled his eyes. "You've already planned my life? But..." he hesitated, then shook his head. "I'm not going anywhere."
Before he could, Mr. Carter cut in sharply. "There's no place for you in my company anymore. I want you to find a job on your own," he said, voice serious and unwavering.
Mr. Carter smirked, leaning back slightly. "Or... you want Celine to come here and leave with us? She'll go to college with you, and soon enough, she'll be your partner."
Elias's face immediately shifted to annoyed disbelief.
His eyes narrowed. "Ok, I'm leaving," he said dismissively, waving his hand.
"Good," Mr. Carter said coldly.
"You may go now. Don't come back until you find a job. Take whatever you want," he added dismissively. "And be careful—don't mess things up."
Amara, sweet and gentle, added, "And remember, Elias—be careful. Don't mess things up."
Elias sighed heavily and walked out of the office, shoulders tense but trying to hide it.
Amara turned to Mr. Carter with a small smile. "Our son... is moving out."
Mr. Carter stood up, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Yep. You know what that means... we're rid of the pain in the butt," he said with a chuckle.
Amara giggled softly, the warmth in her eyes matching Mr. Carter's playful tone.