Sophia Laurent woke to a sharp pain. She opened her eyes to find her wrist pinned beneath her, marked with a red line. Beside her, steady breathing filled the silence. The man’s muscular back gleamed pale under the moonlight. She carefully freed her arm and glanced at the bedside clock—5:40 AM. Twenty minutes earlier than usual. Barefoot, she padded across the carpet and pulled a pressed pantsuit from the wardrobe. After dressing, she hesitated for two seconds before reaching out to nudge the man’s shoulder. "Victor, it’s six." Victor Valdemar flipped over abruptly, his fingers clamping around her wrist. His eyes were icy in the dark. "Get out." Sophia withdrew her hand, accustomed. As she turned, her lips twisted into a self-deprecating smile. In the kitchen, she mechanically fried eggs. The hum of the range hood drowned her thoughts—today marked exactly five years with Victor. Five years. Enough for a baby to grow into a child. Enough for a secretary to become jaded. At 7:15 AM, Sophia strode into Valdemar Group’s headquarters in stilettos. Department heads in the elevator instantly brightened at the sight of her. "Good morning, Ms. Laurent." "Morning." She nodded, eyes fixed on the ascending floor numbers. At 7:28 AM, the private elevator chimed open. Victor emerged in a tailored black suit, the diamond on his tie pin glinting coldly. Sophia handed him a tablet. "The meeting materials are ready." He walked past without acknowledgment, straight into the conference room. Mid-meeting, her phone buzzed. Slipping out, she found the secretaries’ group chat exploding. [Victor’s meeting Louis Devonshire tonight?] [That creepy foreigner?] [Whoever goes is screwed.] As she typed a reply, hurried footsteps approached. The new intern, Jason, rushed over breathlessly. "Sophia, Victor wants you." In the CEO’s office, Victor signed documents. At the sound of the door, he spoke without looking up. "Seven PM. The Grand Hyatt." Her grip tightened on the tablet. "Any materials to prepare?" Finally, he lifted his gaze, sharp enough to pierce. "How long have you been with me?" "Five years and one day." Her voice stayed even. "Remember your place." He tossed the file aside. "Just a secretary." Leaving, Sophia realized her nails had dug crescent moons into her palms. Back at her desk, she opened a drawer and slipped a Swiss Army knife into her bag. Bought three years ago, never used. She hoped tonight wouldn’t change that.