The morning at Arinston Corporation began like every other—workers moving briskly across the lobby, documents tucked under their arms, quiet chatter hanging in the air. Selena sat at her small corner desk inside Jace's spacious office, sorting through files and highlighting important points. She had already gotten used to working silently, knowing Jace preferred a focused environment.
But the calm didn't last long.
A sudden wave of whispers echoed through the hallways. Senior executives hurried in a scattered line toward the elevator, straightening their ties and adjusting their badges. Something big was happening.
Within minutes, the glass doors of the building opened, and Grandpa Arinston, the patriarch of the Arinston family and the true power behind the conglomerate, stepped inside with his cane and intimidating presence. His aura alone could silence an entire floor.
Clara, Jace's assistant, rushed to the lobby with the executives.
"Good morning, Chairman Arinston!" they greeted in unison.
Grandpa Arinston waved them off with a grunt. "Where is that stubborn grandson of mine?"
"Sir, he is in his office," Clara replied quickly. "I was about to announce—"
"No need." Grandpa Arinston brushed her off and walked toward the private elevator. "I'll see him myself."
Clara swallowed. Jace is not going to like this…
Inside the office, Selena was arranging documents when the door suddenly swung open with a sharp creak. Startled, she looked up.
An older man—tall, dignified, and sharp-eyed—stood at the doorway, his gaze landing directly on her.
Selena's breath stilled.
"Good morning, sir," she greeted politely, bowing slightly.
Grandpa Arinston squinted at her, studying her face with an unreadable expression. Then, a small, measured smile tugged at his lips.
Before Selena could speak again, Jace's voice came from behind his desk.
"Grandpa?"
He stood abruptly, a faint frown tugging at his eyebrows. He hadn't expected him—not now, not so suddenly.
Grandpa Arinston didn't even spare him a greeting. He walked past Selena and sat down on the sofa like he owned the place… which he did.
Jace inhaled slowly, forcing his expression to stay neutral before walking over to sit opposite him.
"Grandpa," he repeated more formally.
A knock came, and Clara hurried in with a tea set. "Chairman Arinston, here is your tea—"
"Leave it," Grandpa said, waving her off. Clara quickly set it down and exited the room, quietly closing the door behind her.
The moment the door clicked shut, Grandpa snorted loudly.
"So, you still remember I'm your grandfather, you rascal," he said dryly.
Jace sighed. "Of course."
Grandpa leaned forward. "Then why haven't you done what I asked you to do? Or do you think being the only son of this family gives you the right to ignore me?"
Selena kept her head down, pretending to focus on her papers, but she heard everything.
Jace rubbed his brow, visibly irritated. But when he spoke, his voice softened, as if trying to calm a wild beast.
"I'll bring my wife to meet you soon. Don't worry."
Grandpa's stern face finally relaxed into a satisfied smile.
"That's more like it."
His eyes drifted back toward Selena—observing, analyzing, calculating.
"Tell me… why is she working there?"
Jace didn't flinch. "She's just there temporarily. We're preparing her office. Once it's set, she'll move."
"I see," Grandpa murmured, still staring at Selena with curiosity. Then he chuckled quietly.
Jace narrowed his eyes. "What are you laughing at?"
Grandpa simply shook his head. "Nothing. Just thinking."
He stood up slowly, leaning on his cane.
"Well, I won't disturb your work any further. I'll head home to rest. Make sure you visit soon."
"I will," Jace replied.
Jace escorted him to the door. Grandpa gave Selena one last glance and a small nod before leaving.
The moment the door closed, the office fell silent again.
Jace leaned back against his desk and exhaled. "Selena."
Selena lifted her head immediately. "Yes?"
"That was my grandpa."
She nodded politely. "I figured. I heard… everything."
Jace's gaze sharpened with concern. "You're not angry that I didn't introduce you, right?"
Selena blinked, then quickly waved her hands. "No, no. Don't worry. I understand."
Jace studied her closely, as if searching for a hint of disappointment—but she only smiled softly. And somehow, that made something in his chest tighten.
"Okay," he said quietly.
Selena returned to her corner desk, flipping open another file. Jace went back to his seat, but his gaze drifted toward her more than once. Something about her calm acceptance unsettled him—it felt too humble, too forgiving, too gentle.
And for the first time in years, Jace found himself wanting to protect something delicate.
Something that belonged to him.