Chapter 5 Master Lee Doesn't Leave Debts Unpaid

Thirty minutes later, Khalid arrived at the luxury jewelry boutique with his bodyguards.

But the girl wearing the obsidian ring had already left.

A nervous saleswoman entered the VIP room where the most powerful man in Eldoria stood, his presence icy and commanding.

"She was a new customer, sir. We don't know her well," the woman stammered.

"But her friend mentioned her last name... I think it was Jones."

"I clearly remember - she wore a pendant that matched the obsidian ring in this photo. It had small diamonds around it, very distinct."

"Also... her perfume - it was Yulan Blossom. The scent was strong."

The clerk gave every detail she could recall, but the store's security cameras had been down for maintenance.

Not a single image of the mysterious Miss Jones had been recorded - only her surname remained.

***

Meanwhile, Octavia had already transferred the entire million dollars to her mother's hospital account without hesitation.

She sat on the edge of the quiet hospital park bench, staring down at the slip that confirmed the full deposit into her mother's hospital account. The million dollars were gone transferred without hesitation. She hadn't kept a single cent for herself.

Her phone buzzed violently in her pocket.

"Octavia!" her aunt's sharp voice screeched the moment she answered. "The hospital said you paid for your mother! How much did you sneak off with, you ungrateful brat?"

Octavia's fingers tightened around the phone. "Why did you do it?" she asked quietly. "Why did you sell me out like that? You handed me off to some stranger in exchange for money like I'm nothing."

There was a pause, then a cruel, mocking laugh on the other end.

"Don't pretend like you're better than your mother," her aunt spat. "She sold herself for survival too. At least this time you got married to some old man who's probably just as shameless as you are!"

Octavia's eyes burned, but she said nothing. She ended the call and slowly exhaled, as if releasing every tie she had left with the Jones family.

Just then, a sleek black car rolled up to the curb. The back door opened, and a composed man in a dark suit stepped out.

"Miss Octavia?" he asked.

She looked up, instantly recognizing the man from the marriage registry office.

"I'm Uncle Moore, steward of the Lee family. Master Lee asked me to take you to the apartment he arranged. It's already prepared."

Octavia blinked. "I didn't think I'd see him again. I thought we were done."

Uncle Moore's tone was calm. "Master Lee doesn't leave debts unpaid. You're not going back to that house. He's made arrangements. And don't forget you accepted his money."

Octavia stood, the sting of her aunt's words still fresh in her chest. But she nodded and followed him toward the car, each step pulling her further from the life she once knew.

***

The car stopped in front of a modern one-story villa with tinted windows and a long driveway. It was beautiful, but quiet... almost too quiet.

"This is where you'll be staying," Uncle Moore said as they walked in. "Master Lee prefers privacy. You won't be living in the main Lee household. Your identity hasn't been made public."

Octavia looked around. Everything inside was spotless and minimalist. She didn't see any maids.

"Will I be staying here alone?"

"No," Uncle Moore said. "You and Master Lee will live here. There are cleaners who stop by when he's away, but you'll handle his meals and day to day needs. As his wife, it's expected."

Octavia frowned. "I thought he'd have people to take care of him."

"He doesn't like strangers around," Uncle Moore replied. "And you've accepted his money. So, I suggest you get used to it. This is your role now, Miss Octavia."

Octavia stood in the middle of the living room, realizing her new life had already started... and there was no going back.

****

That evening, Octavia wandered into the kitchen. She had no idea what Master Lee liked to eat, but she still wanted to do something-anything-to feel useful.

She rolled up her sleeves and cooked something simple: steamed rice, stir-fried vegetables, and braised chicken. She even set the table carefully, placing everything neatly like she'd seen in fancy homes on TV.

Then she waited.

Minutes turned to hours. The quiet villa felt colder as the sky outside darkened. At exactly 9 PM, the sound of tires on gravel made her heart skip.

Khalid walked in without a word, cold and sharp in a dark suit, his eyes full of distance. He glanced at the dining table, then at her.

"You cooked?" he asked flatly.

"Yes," Octavia said softly, her hands clasped nervously. "I wasn't sure what you liked, but I tried..."

Khalid took a few steps closer, the smell of food filling the air. But instead of sitting down, he pulled off his blazer and dropped it on the couch.

"I don't eat home-cooked food," he said with a cold edge. "Especially not from someone I don't trust."

Octavia's face fell. "I just thought-"

"Don't think," he cut her off sharply. "You're here to do your part and stay out of my way. Don't act like a wife. You're not one."

Those words hit her harder than she expected. Octavia swallowed the lump in her throat and lowered her gaze.

"I understand," she whispered.

***

Once she had locked the door and sat on the edge of the bed, she gasped for air, her heart pounding in her chest.

She pulled the blanket over herself and turned off the light, trying to fall asleep.

That night, Octavia had a strange dream.

She dreamed she was back at the top floor of the Nightshade Club. The room was dim, heavy with the scent of cologne and silence. A tall man with a bare chest pressed her against the door. Their bodies tangled in the shadows, and when she looked up-

It was Khalid.

Octavia's eyes flew open. She sat up quickly, her chest rising and falling, her back drenched in cold sweat.

"What kind of dream was that..." she whispered, rubbing her temples.

The man in her dream-the one who had taken her virginity was Khalid. It was too real, too intense, and far too terrifying.

Just then, her alarm clock rang, pulling her out of the lingering haze of the dream.

She glanced at the time: 7:30 a.m.

Octavia jumped up and headed to the kitchen.

Before leaving, Uncle Moore had clearly told her khalid's routine: he woke up at 7, exercised, took a shower, came down for breakfast at 8, then left for work. He'd return home around 7:30 p.m. for dinner.

So as Mrs. Lee even if only in name Octavia needed to have breakfast and dinner ready at those times.

By 8 o'clock sharp, she had breakfast set neatly on the table.