I woke up to the unfamiliar sensation of peace.For the first time in what felt like a lifetime, my mind wasn't a chaotic battlefield of threats and strategies. After the whirlwind of the past few days, my body had simply shut down, pulling me into a deep, dreamless sleep that had lasted for the better part of a day. The exhaustion had been profound, a bone-deep weariness that had finally been washed away by a long, uninterrupted rest.I stretched, my muscles protesting with a satisfying ache, and rolled out of bed. The morning sun was already high in the sky, streaming through my window and painting golden stripes across the floor. I got ready, my movements slow and lazy, and headed downstairs for my morning coffee, the familiar routine a comforting anchor in my increasingly bizarre life.I made a fresh pot, the rich, earthy aroma filling the quiet kitchen. I took my mug and walked into the living room, ready to just sit and enjoy a moment of quiet before the day's chaos inevitably began.And then I froze.The chaos had already started. Mom and Aunt Chris were sitting on the sofa, not in their usual comfortable loungewear, but dressed in outfits that were so sharp, so professional, they looked like they had just stepped out of a high-fashion business magazine.They were both just staring at me, their expressions a mixture of amusement and impatience.I took a slow sip of my coffee, trying to process the scene. "What?" I finally asked, my voice a little rough. "Mom, Aunt Chris, why are you staring at me like that?"Aunt Chris let out a soft, musical laugh. "Look who's finally awake," she said, her lilac eyes sparkling. "It looks like someone completely forgot what he said about starting a company and all that stuff yesterday."I blinked. "I remember," I said, a little defensively. "Then what's going on?"Mom was the one who answered, her voice calm but with an undercurrent of excitement that was impossible to miss. "Then why aren't you ready? There is a very large, very red limousine parked in front of our house."I coughed, sputtering on my coffee. "What?""Your friend, Stacy—or should I say, your partner," Aunt Chris corrected herself with a sly smile, "sent someone to pick you up. And the 'people you were gathering'."The pieces of the puzzle slammed into place in my head. Stacy. Of course. She wasn't the type to wait around. When she decided to do something, she did it with overwhelming force and style.I looked at my mom and my aunt again, really looked at them this time. Mom's outfit was a statement of meticulous control. It wasn't just a suit; it was armor, tailored in a disarmingly soft shade of muted coral. The fabric held its shape perfectly, from the crisp line of her shoulders to the severe cut of the pencil skirt. The severe lines were softened only by the lustrous silk blouse and its extravagant bow, a hint of femininity she allowed as a strategic concession. Every detail was precise: the glint of the metallic buckle on her thin belt, the calculated sparkle of the crystal brooch on her lapel, the discreet click of her heels on the floor. She was a woman who left nothing to chance. She was a CEO.Aunt Chris possessed a stillness that was mirrored in her choice of attire. Her suit, the color of a pale winter sky, was a masterpiece of understated elegance. The blazer was collarless, cut with a clean V-neck that showcased a whisper of an ivory silk blouse draped softly beneath. Its impeccable structure flowed into a high-waisted pencil skirt that fell to a modest length below her knees, creating a long, graceful line. The only embellishments were a delicate, floral-shaped mother-of-pearl brooch and the soft gleam of a fine chain at her throat. Her feet were shod in elegant ivory pumps, an ensemble that spoke of serene confidence and absolute control. She was a brand director.Just as I was processing this, Isabel came walking into the living room, and my jaw nearly hit the floor. Her dress was less an item of clothing and more a declaration of intent. It was a piece of sharp, urban armor, tailored in uncompromising black. The design was aggressively structured—a double-breasted tuxedo dress sculpted to her form, its authority underscored by the severe lines of its padded shoulders and the gleaming brass buttons. The high turtleneck suggested she was guarded, yet the audacious length of the skirt broadcast a defiant confidence. This was not a woman who dressed for approval. This was the uniform of a woman who took what she wanted, a predator perfectly at home in the steel and glass jungle.After seeing these three beauties, all dressed to kill, I knew one thing for sure: today was going to be a perfect day."Are you still going to lie there, sleepyhead?" Aunt Chris asked, her voice pulling me from my daze.Isabel chimed in, a playful smirk on her lips. "Adam, we should get going. We can't keep Stacy and the others waiting.""You need to get ready, Adam," Mom added, her own voice firm but with a hint of a proud smile."Okay, okay, ladies," I said, finally standing up. "I'll get ready. Give me ten minutes."I went up to my room, my mind racing. I hadn't planned on wearing anything professional, but now, with everyone else looking like they were about to take over the world, I had to step up my game. I rummaged through my closet, my eyes landing on an outfit I had bought on a whim a few months ago, a moment of aspirational spending that now felt like a prophecy.I emerged ten minutes later, a completely transformed man. I was wearing a modern take on a tuxedo: a black velvet jacket with satin shawl lapels, paired with slim black trousers and a dark gray turtleneck sweater. I had on a pair of polished black leather loafers, a prominent signet ring with a dark stone on my finger, and a pair of dark sunglasses that added an air of mystery.I walked down the stairs to find the three of them waiting in the entryway. The moment they saw me, their conversation stopped. Their eyes widened, and for a second, they were all speechless.Isabel was the first to recover. "Adam," she breathed, her eyes shining with a mixture of awe and pride. "You look so handsome."Mom was a little flustered, her cheeks flushing a delicate shade of pink. I knew why. "You're the type of man no woman could resist," she said, her voice a soft murmur. Oops, I thought. She just said her internal thoughts out loud.Aunt Chris just looked at me, a slow, appreciative smile spreading across her face. "Who are you trying to impress today, Adam?"I met her gaze, a confident, playful grin on my own face. "All of you, ladies."Aunt Chris blushed, Mom turned a deeper shade of red, and Isabel just smirked, a look that said, Mission accomplished."Alright, Ladies," I said, my voice full of a new, easy authority. "Let's go."We walked out of the house and into the waiting limousine. The interior was a world of plush leather and polished wood, a bubble of luxury that separated us from the mundane world outside. As we settled in, I leaned forward and spoke to the driver."Before we go to the main location, I need you to make a stop at this address," I said, giving him Lily's address. I had already texted her, telling her I was coming to pick her up. Her reply had been a teasing, "Looks like the boss is very diligent towards his employees. I'll be ready."Isabel looked at me, her brow furrowed with a familiar, suspicious curiosity. "Who are we waiting for?""Wait and watch," I replied with a mysterious smile.We pulled up in front of Lily's apartment building a few minutes later. Just as the car stopped, she walked out of the main entrance, and the effect was breathtaking. She radiated a pure, professional aura, wearing a white silk blouse with elegant balloon sleeves, a navy blue high-waisted pencil skirt with a subtle stripe pattern, and pointed-toe stiletto pumps. She was accessorized with a brown structured handbag and minimal gold jewelry. She was no longer a teacher; she was a corporate powerhouse.Isabel's eyes went wide. She looked from Lily to me, her expression a mixture of shock and utter disbelief. "How?" she whispered, her voice full of a new kind of awe. "How did you do it? You actually managed to tame the Demon Queen."Mom and Aunt Chris were equally intrigued, their own expressions a silent question. I just gave them all a smug grin. "It's Adam's magic."Lily got into the car, her presence filling the space with a new, sophisticated energy. "Good morning, Adam," she said, her voice a calm, professional murmur, though her eyes sparkled when they met mine."Good morning, Miss Harrison," I replied, my own tone matching hers.And then, I just sat back, a deep, profound sense of satisfaction washing over me. Here I was, in a massive limousine, surrounded by the most beautiful and powerful women in the world. And they were all here for me. For our future. In that moment, I finally understood what it felt like to be a king.The rest of the ride was a quiet hum of introductions. I kept our true relationships under wraps, of course. Isabel was my normal stepsister, Joyce my kind stepmom, Lily my brilliant teacher, and Christine my charming aunt. It was a delicate dance of half-truths and unspoken secrets, but for now, it worked.We finally reached our destination. The limousine pulled up in front of a towering skyscraper in the heart of Grand Metropolis, a modern marvel of glass and steel that scraped the sky. A few men in sharp, black suits were waiting for us at the entrance. They opened our doors with a respectful nod and led us inside.The lobby was a cavernous space of polished marble and gleaming chrome, a temple dedicated to wealth and power. We were escorted to a private elevator, which whisked us silently to the top floor. The doors opened directly into a massive, luxurious boardroom.And there they were, waiting for us.Stacy was the first person I saw. She wore a sophisticated and timeless outfit, a cream-colored silky halter top with a deep V-neckline, tucked neatly into a high-waisted, form-fitting black pencil skirt. Multiple strands of pearls were layered around her neck, complemented by matching earrings and a bracelet. She looked glamorous, confident, and effortlessly elegant.Anna was a symphony of soft pastels and sharp tailoring. She wore a blush pink blazer over a clean, white turtleneck sweater, paired with coordinating pink shorts. Long, dangling pearl earrings added a classic touch of glamour. She looked chic, composed, and unbelievably sophisticated.And finally, Tiffany. A deep, lustrous bronze silk blouse flowed over her frame, its sheen catching the light with every subtle movement. It was tucked neatly into a pair of tailored, high-waisted black trousers, creating a sharp, clean line. A pair of large, ornate statement earrings flashed against her dark hair, completing a look that was both professionally composed and effortlessly glamorous.I stood there for a moment, speechless, taking in the scene. The boardroom was a masterpiece of modern design, with a massive mahogany table, plush leather chairs, and a floor-to-ceiling window that offered a breathtaking, panoramic view of the entire city sprawling beneath us.I was in a very big, very luxurious boardroom, surrounded by my mom, my aunt, my lover, my business partner, my strategists, and my teacher. My team. My court. I looked at the incredible infrastructure, at the powerful women who had all put their faith in me. And in that moment, I knew that our war against the Ruthless Animals, our quest for justice, our ambition to build an empire… it had all just become very, very real.
