After laying out my expectations to Belle in the quiet intensity of the study, I turned and walked out the door.
As I stepped into the hallway, I caught a brief glimpse of her standing near the executive desk, lost in deep thought. She was wrestling with a heavy choice: whether to hold onto her past insecurities and walk away, or let them go and step into a completely new life. I didn’t say another word. This was an answer she had to find on her own—a decision that would shape both her future and mine.
If she could let go of her bitterness and choose to walk alongside me, our home would remain as peaceful and harmonious as it was today. But if she brought her unresolved resentment into our family, it would turn this paradise into a living nightmare—something I would never allow. If she chose the latter, I would cancel the engagement without hesitation.
Putting the thought aside for the moment, I made my way down the corridor toward Daisy’s room. Across the hall, soft laughter echoed through the open doorway. I stepped inside to find a heartwarming scene: Seraphina, Clara, and Sophia were all sitting on the carpet, playing a playful game of house with little Daisy.
In the corner of the room stood a beautifully crafted white-and-pink toy unicorn bicycle, complete with a shining bell and small training wheels.
I smiled, walking over to join them. "Are you enjoying your new unicorn bike, princess? I know it was delivered just a little while ago, but did you get a chance to ride it?"
Daisy looked up, her face lighting up with a pure, radiant smile. "Yes, Papa! I love it so much! But Mommy, Mommy Clara, and Mommy Sera all banned me from riding it past the main garden gate. They said it’s super dangerous outside!"
I chuckled softly, reaching down to pat her head. "They’re absolutely right, sweetie. There are lots of heavy cars and fast vehicles passing by outside the estate gates. Riding out there really is very dangerous."
Daisy let out a cute little sigh, puffing her cheeks into a disappointed pout.
Seeing her adorable expression, I crouched down to her eye level. "Tell you what, Daisy—tomorrow is Sunday. How about I take you to the central park, and you can ride your new bike across the open grass as much as you want?"
Her eyes instantly sparkled with delight. "Yay! Thank you, Papa!"
Leaving the women and the little girl to their games, I walked back to my master suite. Resting on my personal study desk was a thick stack of newly delivered documents—labor contracts, updated employee benefit policies, and restructuring plans for incorporating the newly acquired Young Group assets into the Cosmos Group umbrella.
Looking at the mountain of paperwork awaiting my review, I let out a long, weary sigh. I pulled out my chair, sat down, and began reviewing the files one by one. I started with the labor contracts first—after all, without dedicated workers, no corporation or economy can survive.
The first document detailed hiring quotas and operational budgets. I immediately signed off on expanding the workforce as much as possible. Now that Cosmos Group was taking over dozens of half-finished development sites previously managed by the Young Group, we needed every capable worker we could get.
Knock, knock.
A gentle tap came at the master bedroom door.
"Come in," I said, setting down my pen.
The door opened, and Belle stepped inside. I looked up at her, keeping my voice calm. "Have you made up your mind, Belle? There’s no need to rush if you still need time."
Belle shook her head gently, her expression steady and composed. "There’s no need to wait. I already have my answer."
"Oh?" I raised an eyebrow, leaning back in my leather chair. "And what is it?"
"I accept your terms and conditions," Belle stated softly, looking me directly in the eyes. "It might take me some time to completely let go of my past habits and insecurities, but I promise I will try my absolute best."
A warm, genuine smile spread across my face. "Good. If you had claimed you could change completely in fifteen minutes, I wouldn’t have believed you. But I like your honesty. Are you free right now?"
Belle blinked, caught off guard by the question. "Yes, I am. Do you need help with something?"
"As a matter of fact, I do," I pointed to the remaining pile of documents on my desk. "I have to go through all these acquisition files. If you’re free, why don’t you lend me a hand?"
A soft, amused smile touched Belle’s lips. She walked over, pulled up a chair right beside me, and sat down. "Why not?"
For the next hour, we worked side-by-side. We reviewed employee policies, discussed corporate growth strategies, and streamlined administrative procedures. As we worked, the stiff, formal tension between us slowly melted away into natural teamwork. We shared light conversation, and she even let out genuine chuckles at a few of my terrible jokes.
When the last file was signed, I set my pen down and turned to face her. Reaching out, I gently took her hands in mine.
"Belle," I said, my voice warm and steady. "I understand the frustration and anger you carried for so long. But from today on, you don’t have to fight alone or prove your worth to anyone. I will handle the heavy burdens. All you need to do is live freely and be happy."
Belle looked at our joined hands, a soft, touching emotion flickering in her eyes.
Before she could speak, the double doors pushed open, and Seraphina, Clara, and Sophia walked into the master suite together.
I looked up at the three of them with a smile. "Is Daisy’s game of house finished already?"
Sera laughed softly, leaning against the doorframe. "Not quite, but we saw it was already past 6:00 PM. We told her to wrap up her game and start her homework if she wants to go to the park tomorrow. So she went to her study room on the second floor to do her homework with the maid."
"Perfect," I nodded, before turning to Sera with a curious thought. "By the way, who is the maid currently helping Daisy with her studies?"
Sera pulled up her administrative tablet, scrolling through the staff roster. "Oh, she’s a newly hired part-time employee. She works as a household assistant during the late afternoon because she attends university in the morning. She’s twenty years old, studying at Radel University."
I looked at the women, thinking it over. "Send her down to my ground-floor study. Instead of having her work as a general maid, I think she could serve as Daisy’s personal tutor."
Sophia and Clara nodded in agreement. "That’s a great idea, Julian," Sophia said warmly. "It’s much better for Daisy to have structured guidance."
With the matter settled, I stood up from my desk and looked at my three confidantes, gesturing toward Belle. "Now, allow me to officially introduce Belle Young as my fourth romantic partner. Please treat her with the exact same love, warmth, and respect that you show to one another."
Sera, Clara, and Sophia offered Belle welcoming, genuine smiles, easing the last remnants of her nervousness.
Looking at the four women gathered in the room, another practical thought crossed my mind. My relationship with Sophia and Belle was still developing, and because Sophia spent her nights caring for Daisy in her suite, we hadn’t had much quiet, one-on-one time together like I regularly shared with Sera and Clara. As my family grew, ensuring every woman received equal love and attention was crucial.
"Hey," I spoke up, looking at all of them. "Don’t you think we should set up a weekly schedule where I spend dedicated one-on-one time with each of you? That way, everyone gets equal attention, and I can spend quality time with Sophia and Belle as they settle into our family."
Sera and Clara exchanged a thoughtful glance before smiling softly. "That sounds very thoughtful, Julian," Clara said. "We’ll discuss it among ourselves and let you know what we decide."
"Sounds good," I chuckled. "Work it out together and let me know. Oh, and please send down that part-time maid so I can talk to her about the tutor position."
"Will do. Head down to the study, and I’ll send her over with fresh coffee," Sera nodded.
Before leaving the room, I walked over to press a soft kiss onto the lips of Sera, Clara, and Sophia. Then, I turned toward Belle. Caught completely off guard, her eyes widened slightly, but as my lips met hers in a gentle kiss, she relaxed, melting into the touch before pulling back with a deep blush spreading across her cheeks.
"I’ll be down in the study," I smiled, turning to walk downstairs.
As I entered the ground-floor study, my mind briefly drifted back to the pending intelligence report. Why hasn’t the shadow chief returned with the information regarding the downfall of the Lin Group yet?
Just as I sat down behind the dark oak desk, a light knock sounded at the door.
"Come in," I called out.
The door opened, and a young woman dressed in a clean house staff uniform stepped inside, holding a tray with a steaming cup of fresh coffee. She walked over respectfully, setting the cup down on the desk.
When she finished placing the tray down, she stood quietly in front of the desk without leaving.
I looked up from my desk, meeting her eyes. "Is there something else?"
"Miss Sera informed me that you wished to speak with me, sir," she answered politely, keeping her posture neat.
"Ah, right," I nodded, leaning back in my leather chair. "You’re the one helping Daisy with her homework, correct? What’s your name?"
"Yes, sir. I have been assisting Young Miss Daisy with her daily school exercises," she replied with a polite bow. "My name is Maya."