The Pristine Company headquarters stood tall over the bustling city, its grand design reflecting the ambition within. While not as towering as some other company buildings, it still commanded attention. Inside, the air was alive with the energy of employees working hard to take the company to new heights.

  “As you know,” Jason Pristine began, his voice carrying the weight of authority, “the Pristine Company is the number one challenger in the market for Polywatches and Clockwork creations. We are still fighting to become the leader and earn our place in Elysium.” The Polywatch is a finely crafted pocket watch embedded with advanced technology, functioning as both a communication device and a multi-purpose tool.

  He strode confidently through the corridors, his daughter Nailah following closely behind. Today was a momentous occasion for her—her first day stepping into her role as his chosen successor. Jason pushed open a grand set of doors, revealing a long table where several men in aristocratic attire sat waiting.

  “As my successor, you’ll begin your formation as soon as tomorrow,” Jason continued. “But for today, let me introduce you to the Pristine Company’s executive staff.”

  The men at the table eyed Nailah with a mixture of curiosity and skepticism. One of them, a middle-aged man with a sharp gaze, raised his hand.

  “Sir, may I ask… what is your secret agenda?”

  Jason blinked, taken aback. “I’m not sure I understand your question, Louis.”

  Louis leaned forward, his expression unreadable. “If you chose that woman as your successor, you must have a true successor in mind. Someone who will eventually marry her, correct?”

  A moment of silence stretched across the room before Jason suddenly burst into laughter. He wiped at his eyes, shaking his head. “Ah, you’re a funny one!” Then, his laughter ceased, and his tone turned ice-cold. “But you should be mindful of what you say, or you might find yourself out of a job.”

  Louis stiffened. “What?!”

  Jason’s voice carried an air of finality. “I chose her because I deemed her worthy of the task.”

  “But—” Jason was about to continue when Nailah interrupted, stepping forward with unwavering confidence.

  “I understand that you are reluctant about the idea of having a female boss,” she said. “It has never happened before.” She turned to Louis, leveling him with a sharp gaze. “Louis, correct? You are an executive, are you not?”

  Louis nodded. “I am! Just as everyone at this table.”

  Nailah crossed her arms. “I’m not sure of your specific role, but generally speaking, an executive’s duty is to supervise and coordinate the company’s activities to meet our goals. Is that right?”

  Louis hesitated. “Generally speaking… yes.”

  Jason gave his daughter a puzzled look. “Nailah, why all these questions? You already know all that.”

  Nailah smiled, though her words carried an unmistakable sharpness with a tiny bit of mockery. “Pardon me, Father. Seeing him judge me while knowing nothing about me made me doubt his qualifications as an executive in our company.”

  A few of the other executives stifled chuckles while Louis turned red with embarrassment. Jason smirked, placing a hand on Nailah’s shoulder. “Well, I’m glad the introductions are out of the way. I hope we can all work together to take this company to new heights.”

  With that, Jason gave a final nod to his staff before guiding Nailah out of the room. As they walked through the grand halls of the company, the weight of her new position pressed on her shoulders.

  They stepped outside, where a horsomobile, a sleek, horse-shaped carriage fused with mechanical ingenuity, awaited them. The chauffeur held the door open, and they settled into the plush interior. As the vehicle started moving, Nailah shifted uncomfortably.

  “Father… I’m sorry,” she murmured, guilt creeping into her voice. “I didn’t mean to be so rude back there.”

  Jason let out a hearty laugh and patted her head. “What are you on about? That’s precisely why I named you my successor!”

  Nailah hesitated, then asked, “May I ask… why did you choose me exactly?”

  Jason’s expression turned thoughtful. “The members of Elysium have been the same for decades. The ruling families: the Wilts, the Bakare, and the Silverlings have always dominated the market. If we want to surpass them, we can’t go about things the traditional way.” He turned to her, pride shining in his eyes. “That’s why I needed a fearless go-getter like you to take charge when I retire.”

  A slow smile spread across Nailah’s lips. Determination settled deep in her chest. Whatever challenges lay ahead, she would face them head-on.

  The grand Pristine Mansion loomed in the evening light, its regal structure a testament to the wealth and influence of its occupants. Outside, the horsomobile stood still, having just delivered its passengers.

  Inside the mansion’s lavish dining hall, the Pristine family sat gathered for dinner. Jason recounted the earlier events with amusement, his laughter filling the space.

  “Then she said: ‘Pardon me, father. Seeing him judge me while barely having any information on me made me doubt his qualifications as an executive member of our company.’”

  Duran, Nailah’s younger brother, nearly jumped out of his seat in excitement. “Sister, you’re amazing!”

  Nailah smirked. “I am, right?”

  Across the table, her older brother Tom’s expression darkened. With a sharp movement, he slammed his fist onto the table and stood abruptly, his chair scraping against the floor.

  “Enough! Not only did you humiliate me, but now you rub it in my face!” His glare burned into Jason. “What have I done to deserve this, father?!”

  Jason remained composed, his tone calm but firm. “The decision wasn’t against you, son. I simply remained objective and chose the most qualified successor, not just the most legitimate.”

  Tom’s face twisted with anger. “Nonsense!” Without another word, he stormed out of the dining hall.

  Jason’s wife, Guinevere, watched their son leave with a concerned expression before turning her sharp eyes toward Jason and Nailah. Her gaze lingered, unreadable yet heavy with emotion.

  Nailah suddenly felt her appetite disappear. She pushed her plate away and stood up. “I’m not hungry anymore…” she muttered before excusing herself.

  The cool night air greeted Nailah as she walked through the mansion’s vast yard, her arms crossed tightly over her chest. The frustration within her boiled over into silent thoughts.

  Why is everyone against me? What is wrong with me being a boss? Am I not allowed to have ambitions?

  As her mind raced, she failed to notice the small step ahead. Her foot caught on it, sending her tumbling forward. A sharp pain jolted through her body as she hit the ground.

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  She groaned, reaching instinctively for her neck. A strange stinging sensation prickled at her skin. When she pulled her hand away, her breath caught in her throat.

  Blood.

  A shadow loomed behind her. A chilling voice cut through the night air.

  “Aren’t you a lucky brat?”

  Nailah spun around, her heart pounding. Standing before her was a hooded figure, a sword glinting in the moonlight. A single drop of blood dripped from its tip, the only sign that she had narrowly escaped a fatal strike.

  “If you hadn’t tripped,” the hitman continued, his voice calm and amused, “your head would’ve been rolling on the floor.”

  Panic surged through Nailah’s body. Her survival instincts kicked in. Without thinking, she turned and ran.

  “Somebody help!!” she screamed, her voice echoing through the estate.

  The assassin was fast, too fast for Nailah. Within moments, she felt a sharp kick to her leg, sending her crashing to the ground. Pain shot through her as she clutched her leg, scrambling to crawl backward.

  The hitman loomed over her, his sword pointed at her chest.

  “Please, leave me alone!” Nailah pleaded, her voice shaking. “Is this also because you don’t want me to make something of myself?!”

  The hitman chuckled. “No, actually, I’m rooting for you.” He tilted his head slightly. “But I’ve been paid to do this… and a job is a job.”

  Desperation took hold of her. “Wait! I’ll pay you twice whatever they offered you!”

  The hitman hummed in consideration before shaking his head. “A tempting offer… but I’m afraid I’ll have to refuse.”

  He raised his sword high above his head. “Nothing personal. I promise I’ll make it quick and painless.”

  Nailah shut her eyes tight, bracing herself for the final strike.

  A sudden clash of steel shattered the silence.

  “I’d rather you not touch my little girl.”

  Nailah’s eyes flew open. Her father stood before her, his sword blocking the assassin’s strike.

  “Father!!!” she gasped, relief washing over her.

  The hitman smirked. “Well, my other target is here. This makes things easier.”

  Nailah’s relief quickly turned to dread. “We should run away! He’s an assassin!”

  Jason remained unfazed, a confident smile on his lips. “Don’t worry, Nailah… I’m quite strong, you know.”

  The hitman scoffed. “You? Strong? Please. Everybody knows that aristocrats don’t fight. Only knights do.”

  Jason shrugged. “Well, I’ve trained with the finest knights… though that was a long time ago.”

  The assassin’s smirk widened. “Looks like I’ll have to kill you both.”

  And with that, he charged.

  Jason barely moved as the assassin lunged at him, twin blades flashing in the moonlight. With a smooth sidestep, he evaded the strike, his movements precise despite his years away from combat. Before the assassin could react, Jason delivered a sharp kick to his stomach, sending him staggering backward. The moment of hesitation was all Jason needed. His sword flashed, cutting through the air toward his opponent.

  The assassin barely managed to block, but the force of the strike sent him flying. Landing hard on one knee, he winced, glaring up at Jason.

  Who is he? the assassin thought. To be able to push me back like this… he must be as strong as a Platinum Knight at least!

  Jason rolled his shoulders, wincing as a dull ache spread across his back.

  “Doing someone’s dirty work, huh?” he said, stepping forward. “You must be a Lowlander. Who hired you?”

  The assassin gritted his teeth. “Don’t act like you’ve already won!”

  With a sharp movement, he drew a second sword. This one with a deep, reddish glow.

  “I’ll be fighting seriously now.”

  The two clashed once more, steel ringing against steel. Jason remained composed, but the assassin’s movements were quicker now, more lethal. A sudden sting on his cheek made Jason step back. Blood trickled down. A shallow cut from the red blade. But Jason didn’t let it slow him down as he parried both assassin's swords upward and with a precise thrust, he drove his sword into the assassin’s stomach as he could not guard himself.

  The assassin gasped, falling to the ground. Jason loomed over him, his expression hard. “Who sent you?”

  The dying man managed a weak chuckle. “Who… are you? You’re no regular aristocrat…”

  Jason sighed. “It’s rude to answer a question with a question, you know?”

  The assassin tried to respond, but his breath hitched. A moment later, he lay still. Dead.

  Jason turned to Nailah, relief washing over him until the air grew heavy. A cloaked figure emerged from the darkness, their presence unnerving. Jason’s eyes widened as the stranger placed a hand on the corpse. A faint glow flickered from beneath their hood, and in an instant, the assassin’s body crumbled into dust.

  Jason felt his stomach drop. He’s using the Arcane Arts…? Wait...! that power…?! What is HE doing here?!

  Before Jason could react, the figure vanished.

  “Nailah… are you alright?” Jason asked, kneeling beside his daughter. She winced, gripping her injured leg.

  “He hurt my leg pretty bad… I don’t think I can walk.”

  Without hesitation, Jason lifted her onto his back. As he carried her toward the mansion, he felt her fingers tighten around his shoulder.

  “Why…?” she whispered, her voice breaking. “Why won’t anyone accept me? Is rejection all that awaits me?”

  Jason’s expression softened. “I know this is hard on you, my daughter… and I’m sorry for forcing this burden on you. But I promise, someday, people will see you for who you truly are. You’ll have people by your side, loyal employees who are like family. That’s when you’ll surpass everything I’ve ever built.” He paused. “I believe in you.”

  Nailah’s grip tightened as silent tears streamed down her face.

  Jason carried her inside, where Edward rushed forward in alarm. “What happened?!”

  Jason barely had time to respond before his knees buckled. He collapsed.

  “Father!!” Nailah cried.

  “Jason!!” Edward’s voice was filled with panic.

  Jason lay pale on his bed, his children gathered around him. His wife, Guinevere, turned to the nurse with desperation. “What’s wrong with him?!”

  The nurse hesitated. “He has been poisoned.”

  Guinevere’s breath caught. “What?!”

  “I’m sorry, but the poison is too powerful. It has already spread too far… there is nothing we can do.”

  Guinevere’s expression twisted with grief and rage. “Leave!! Incompetent wrench!!”

  The nurse scurried away, leaving the room in heavy silence. Jason exhaled slowly, his vision blurring.

  Poison… that assassin’s red sword must have been coated in it. His mind drifted back to the fight, recalling the moment the blade grazed his cheek. It must’ve been then…

  His gaze swept over his family, lingering on each of their faces. I came from nothing, and I made it all the way here… I leave happy.

  But regret clawed at his heart. My only regrets… are not being able to support my dear children further… and not fulfilling my promise to you, my friend…

  His breath slowed. Then stopped.

  Cries filled the room.

  Two weeks later, a knock echoed through the Pristine family estate. Two knights stood at the entrance.

  Henry Fleece, Age: 30. Thedric Minos, Age: 35.

  They stepped forward, facing the grieving family.

  “Hello, dear Pristine Family,” Henry greeted. “We are Knights of the Order of the Laborious Bear. We specialize in violent crimes.”

  Guinevere eyed them sharply. “Did you find the swordsman?”

  Henry’s lips thinned. “Well… there is no physical evidence of his presence.”

  Thedric nodded. “No injuries on the victim except a shallow cut on the cheek.”

  Henry continued, “But Nailah has a very similar wound on the back of her neck, and yet, she wasn’t poisoned.”

  Thedric crossed his arms. “And there’s no way a noble who isn’t knighted could defeat a trained swordsman.”

  Guinevere’s patience snapped. “If you haven’t found anything, what are you doing here?!”

  Henry lifted a finger with a confident smirk. “Milady, don’t be mistaken... we are here to tell you that we have solved the case.”

  The room fell silent. Everyone held their breath.

  Then Thedric stepped forward, producing a pair of handcuffs. “Nailah Pristine, you are under arrest for the murder of Jason Pristine.”

  Shock paralyzed Nailah.

  Gasps filled the room as her family recoiled in disbelief.

  Before she could react, cold steel locked around her wrists. The knights led her away, her fate now resting in their hands.