The Next Morning, 6:00 AM - The Gym

Lucian stood in front of the punching bag, throwing precise punches. His muscles tensed with each strike, his breathing controlled.

Cordelia walked in, watching him. “I didn’t know you did this so well,” she commented.

Lucian landed a final punch and turned, frowning as he took in her appearance. “What the heck are you wearing?”

Cordelia looked down at herself. “Oh! My favorite oversized sweatshirt with a new pair of shorts.” She smiled innocently.

Lucian sighed deeply, shaking his head. “Take it off.”

Cordelia’s eyes widened. “Wh-what?!”

“Take off those clothes,” Lucian repeated, clicking his tongue.

“Hey!” she protested, staring at him in disbelief.

Lucian smirked. “You gotta practice here with me from now on. So dress accordingly.”

Cordelia’s face flushed as she realized his intentions. “Oh- oh! Right! I’ll go change.”

“I’ll give you five minutes to get changed and get back here,” Lucian snapped at her.

With a nervous laugh, she hurried out of the gym, her heart pounding in her chest. She wasn’t sure what had just happened, but one thing was clear—Lucian Miller was far more than just the cold, untouchable man she had thought him to be. And she wasn’t sure how she felt about that.

Lia huffed, as she ran to return quickly, wearing a black workout outfit. 

Lucian ignored her, tossing a pair of boxing gloves her way. She caught them on reflex.

“You not only need skills to show the world, but also to protect yourself,” he said firmly.

Cordelia swallowed hard.

“These two years were for your career. Now, these next two months are for your protection,” Lucian stated, motioning toward the punching bag.

Cordelia tightened the gloves around her hands. Two months to train. Two months to prepare. And then… she would get what she desired.

Revenge.

Later at breakfast, Cordelia tapped her fingers on the table as she thought back to the morning’s events. She had always seen Lucian as cold and distant, a perfectionist with little patience for anything less than excellence. But after sitting through his lecture, something shifted. He wasn’t as emotionless as he seemed—there was passion behind his words, a depth she hadn’t noticed before.

“I just realized something…” she murmured, more to herself than anyone else.

Georgia, her mother, lifted an eyebrow. “What?”

Cordelia hesitated before admitting, “Lucian… He… He isn’t that cold, you know.”

Georgia scoffed playfully. “You sure?”

Cordelia nodded, a small smile playing on her lips. “Yup! After listening to him talk for an hour, I’m sure he isn’t the same person I thought he was.”

Georgia gave her daughter a knowing look but didn’t press further. Instead, she turned the conversation toward Cordelia’s training and the inevitable placement in Lucian’s company. “Soon after you finish your training, you’ll be getting into the company…”

Cordelia fell silent, her fingers tightening around the edge of her seat. “That’s right, but…”

Georgia noticed the uncertainty in her voice. “What’s wrong?”

“I just feel weird,” Cordelia admitted, dropping her gaze. “I feel like I’m using connections…”

Georgia sighed, placing a gentle hand on Cordelia’s. “You have talent. Unlike others, you’ve earned this. And it’s not like Lucian will be giving you special treatment.”

Cordelia chuckled, trying to brush away her doubts. “Still, I wouldn’t mind if he did.”

Georgia rolled her eyes. “You’re impossible.”

As the conversation continued, the topic of Lucian’s whereabouts came up.

“By the way, where’s Lucian?” Georgia asked.

Cordelia glanced toward the stairs leading to the gym. “He said he’d take a shower and then come down. He’s already running late for the office.”

Georgia sighed. “That boy… I hate him for this. I thought he’d be leaving later, so I didn’t prepare his lunch.”

Cordelia grinned. “Chill out, Mom. Just ask someone to deliver it later.”

Georgia mulled over it before smirking. “Why don’t you do it?”

Cordelia’s eyes widened. “Huh? Why?”

“Ask him to show you around while you’re there. You’ll have a lot to learn,” Georgia suggested, her tone suspiciously light. “After all, it’s an entertainment company.”

Lia wasn’t s sure if it was a good idea, but she couldn’t refuse Georgia, so she nodded in agreement.