The air in the Obsidian Palace was quiet that morning, but the long hallway felt heavy with tension. Elena stood by the big windows, her face red and her eyes sharp with anger. She had just spotted Mei Ling, who was walking toward the balcony with a tray of tea.
"So, it's you," Elena snapped. Her voice was loud against the marble walls. "The little fox spirit who thinks she can just walk in and take what's mine? I was the one who gave Ethan his first kids. I was with him when he had nothing. You're just here for the money and the easy life."
Mei Ling stopped in her tracks. Her hands were shaking so hard that the tea cups rattled on the tray. "Elena, please... I'm not trying to take anything," she whispered. "Ethan saved me when I was in trouble. I just want to help."
"Help?" Elena laughed, but it wasn't a happy sound. "You want his power. But don't forget, I am the mother of Thomas and Athena. You are just a guest here."
Suddenly, the room felt cold. Ethan stepped into the hallway. He didn't look angry or happy; his face showed nothing at all. Both women stopped talking immediately.
"Is there a problem?" Ethan asked. His voice was low and very serious.
Elena bit her lip and lost her confidence. She looked at the door where the babies were sleeping. "No, Ethan. We were just... talking," she said, trying to sound calm. "For the kids' sake, I won't start a fight. I just want them to be safe."
Ethan didn't say anything. He looked at Mei Ling and used his Eye of Discernment. He noticed she looked very pale, like she might fall over.
"Mei Ling, go to your room," Ethan said firmly. "I called Dr. Aris. You aren't going to a normal hospital."
Mei Ling shook her head. "Ethan, I'm a nurse. I can just go to a local clinic. It's probably just a stomach ache."
"No," Ethan replied. "You will use my private doctors. They are coming right now."
After Mei Ling left, he turned back to Elena. She was still there, looking at him with a mix of fear and a little bit of hope.
"Ethan," she said softly. "I don't want to just sit around this palace. I want to work. I want a job in your company. I know how you handle things. I can be helpful."
Ethan stayed quiet for a moment.
He used his Eye of Discernment to see what she was really thinking.
Target: Elena
Loyalty: 72% (Going up)
Ambition: High
Secret Thought: Wants to prove she is better than Mei Ling.
He could see she wanted to be close to him, but she also wanted to make sure her children had a good future.
Ethan sighed. "Fine," he said. "You want a job? You'll be my personal secretary. You'll see everything I do, and I'll be watching you, too. This is a test, Elena. Don't mess it up."
Elena's eyes brightened. "I won't. I promise!"
As she hurried away, looking happy, Ethan started planning his next move. He had one woman working for him and another carrying triplets. His palace was full of guards and his family was growing. He was building his own world, piece by piece, and no one knew just how many secrets he was still hiding.