Return From Prison

Nexus Innovations Division

As Ren entered the room, a pout formed on her lips, frustration etched on her face. But as she recalled Rys's playful teasing and the way his hand had brushed her cheek, her irritation melted into a blush. She bit her lower lip unconsciously, replaying his words in her head. "We're married now. Sharing a bedroom shouldn't be a problem." The memory made her heart race.

Catching herself, Ren shook her head to clear her thoughts and slapped both her cheeks lightly. 'Snap out of it, Ren!' she chided herself. She walked over to her bed and sat down with a small sigh, her blush still faintly visible. Reaching into her bag, she pulled out their marriage certificate and stared at it. Her lips curled into a smile as her eyes lingered on Rys's name. "My husband is so hot," she muttered to herself.

But then reality hit her. "It's just a contract marriage," she reminded herself, frowning slightly. Still, a mischievous glint appeared in her eyes as she snapped a picture of the certificate. She attached it to a message and sent it to her aunt with the caption:

["I'm married now. Stop trying to set me up with anyone."]

Ren chuckled when her aunt didn't reply, clearly shocked. Feeling victorious, she lay back on the bed and scrolled through her contacts until she found the name "Jane." With a wide grin, she typed a quick message:

["Best, I'm married!"]

She attached the picture of the marriage certificate and sent it off. It didn't take long for Jane to reply.

Jane: ["OMG! FR? My bestie's married? And wow, your husband is HOT!"]

Ren couldn't help but smile. She replied:

["I know, right? He's so handsome. Totally my type, but…"]

Jane: ["But what? Spill!"]

["It's just a contract marriage. I told him I'd take care of him for a year, and then we'll separate."]

Jane: ["What?! Are you dumb? You're just going to let a guy like that go? Wait, does he even know who you really are? That you're rich?"]

Ren laughed, sending a sticker of someone shaking their head. She replied:

["Nope. As far as he knows, I'm just a poor girl. We're staying at one of my old apartments, the one I used when I wanted to be alone."]

Jane: ["Hold up—if you're staying in that tiny place, doesn't it only have one bedroom?"]

Ren's cheeks reddened. ["Yeah, but I didn't agree to share the bed with him! He said he'll sleep on the couch."]

Jane: ["Aww, what a waste. You could've had some real bonding time, if you know what I mean."]

Ren gasped, her face turning crimson. ["What do you mean, ‘what a waste'?!"]

Jane: ["Girl, you're living with a literal Greek god, and you're not going to make the most of it? Tsk, tsk. Such a waste of opportunity!"]

Ren buried her face in a pillow, groaning. ["You're impossible!"] she muttered under her breath before typing back:

["You're the worst, Jane. Seriously."]

Jane: ["You love me, though. Anyway, is your husband there right now? Lemme see him!"]

Ren sat up, glancing toward the door. She got up and stepped out of the bedroom. Her eyes swept the living room, but Rys was nowhere to be seen. His bag was still on the sofa, so she knew he hadn't left permanently.

"Where did he go?" she wondered aloud. Her gaze shifted to the door, where a sticky note was attached. Curious, she walked over and read it:

"Went out to look for a job."

Ren stared at the note for a moment before sighing. "Seriously, this guy." She pulled out her phone to message Jane.

["He's not here. Left to look for a job, apparently."]

Jane: ["OMG, your husband is out job-hunting? He's so responsible. Seriously, don't let him go, Ren. He sounds like a keeper."]

Ren chuckled, shaking her head. ["He's just doing his own thing. Anyway, I'll keep you updated. Talk later!"]

As she put her phone down, Ren couldn't help but wonder what kind of job Rys was looking for and if he was okay.

.....

....

...

Seated in the grand yet austere living room of one of Vanguard's secure properties, Rys looked completely at ease. His feet were casually propped on a sleek glass table, and his sharp eyes scanned through the critical documents in his hands.

On his hands are detailed reports about Vanguard Enterprise, including sensitive data flagged by Kevin. One section particularly caught Rys's attention: files on the Nexus Innovations Division. This department was working on a groundbreaking project, 'AstraDrive', a state-of-the-art autopilot car technology. However, the same department was also implicated in corruption, financial irregularities, and possible sabotage—a major threat to the enterprise.

After finishing his analysis, Rys leaned back, a calculating expression crossing his face. "This department will be the starting point," he murmured.

In front of him, An old man stood silently, awaiting further instructions. Finally, Rys looked up, his piercing gaze locking onto the older man.

"Angelo," Rys began in a commanding yet composed tone, "arrange for me to join the Nexus Innovations Division as an intern innovator. Make sure my identity as the chairman remains hidden. It's been years since the identity of Vanguard's chairman has been kept a mystery, and I want it to stay that way."

....

Earlier that day, Angelo, Kevin's most trusted aide, received a cryptic message from Kevin himself:

["Someone will come to see you. Transfer Vanguard Enterprise to the individual named Emrys Knox Vaughn. Assist him in every way he requires."]

The message was brief but clear. Angelo, a sharp, bespectacled man in his 50s with graying hair, was no stranger to handling delicate and high-stakes matters. He immediately set to work verifying the identity of this mysterious individual. When Rys arrived and confirmed himself as Emrys Knox Vaughn, Angelo wasted no time in executing Kevin's instructions.

....

Angelo, ever efficient, nodded immediately. "Understood, Mr. Rys. I will make the necessary arrangements right away."

Rys smirked, his tone lightening slightly. "Good. This will allow me to monitor the corruption from within and ensure the integrity of the AstraDrive project."

Angelo's respect for Rys grew as he observed the young man's sharp intellect and pragmatic approach. "If I may, Mr. Rys," Angelo said carefully, "Kevin made an excellent choice entrusting Vanguard to you. The formal transfer of ownership is complete. As of today, you are officially the chairman of Vanguard Enterprise."

Rys nodded, his expression unreadable. He reached for one of the documents and studied it briefly before setting it aside. "Thank you, Angelo. Kevin's faith in me isn't misplaced, and I intend to prove it. Let's start by cleaning out the rot in this company."

"Of course, Mr. Rys," Angelo said, bowing slightly. "I will finalize the intern arrangement within the day and ensure no one in Nexus knows who you truly are."

Before Angelo left the room, Rys spoke again, his tone deliberate. "One more thing, Angelo. I'll be assigning someone as my secretary. He'll arrive tomorrow. Announce him as the secretary of the mysterious chairman of Vanguard Enterprise. Make sure everyone understands her authority."

Angelo nodded respectfully. "Understood, Mr. Rys. I'll ensure everything is arranged properly."

With that, Angelo left to carry out Rys's orders.

Rys stood and exited the grand villa. As he reached the door, a small smile crossed his face. "Well, I just remembered... my beautiful wife must be waiting for me." He glanced at his watch. "Still enough time to buy dinner."

Walking through the bustling streets, Rys stopped at a market to purchase fresh vegetables and premium cuts of meat. With his ingredients in hand, he made his way back to the modest apartment he now shared with Ren.

When Rys entered the apartment, he didn't see Ren in the living room but could hear faint murmurs from the bedroom. A sly grin spread across his face as he heard her talking to someone on the phone. Without disturbing her, Rys headed to the kitchen and began preparing dinner.

Inside the bedroom, Ren was video calling her best friend, Jane. "Wait, what's that smell?" Ren suddenly exclaimed, sniffing the air.

Jane, noticing Ren's distracted expression, teased her, "Ren, what's wrong with you?"

Ren stood up abruptly, her curiosity piqued. "Something smells so good. Someone's cooking my favorite dish!"

She walked out of the room, still holding her phone, and headed toward the kitchen. Ren's jaw dropped when she saw Rys standing by the stove, expertly cooking. "Wow…" she murmured, forgetting for a moment that Jane was still on the call.

From the screen, Jane caught a glimpse of Rys's back. "Wait a second, Ren. Is that your husband?"

Ren nodded, walking closer to see what Rys was making. When she saw the dish, her eyes widened in surprise. "Kare-kare?!" she exclaimed. "This is one of my favorite dishes! Do you know how to cook?"

Rys, hearing her voice, glanced over his shoulder and smirked. "Of course, I know how to cook. I have to make delicious food for my beloved wife, right?" His tone was playful but warm.

Ren blushed furiously, caught off guard by his words. She bit her lip, feeling both embarrassed and flustered.

Jane's loud cough from the phone brought Ren back to reality. "Ahem. Aren't you going to introduce me to your super hot husband?"

Realizing she was still on the call, Ren hesitantly introduced them. "Uh, Jane, this is Rys, my husband. Rys, this is Jane, my best friend."

Rys turned around and gave a casual wave. "Hi, Jane. Nice to meet you."

Jane giggled mischievously. "Nice to meet you, too. Ren, he's even hotter in person. So, when are you two planning to have kids?"

Ren's face turned scarlet, and she bit her lip nervously. "W-We're not… uh…" she stammered, quickly trying to change the subject. "I'm starving! I need to eat!"

Jane burst into laughter, clearly enjoying Ren's flustered reaction. "Fine, fine. I'll let you eat, but don't think this conversation is over!"

Before Jane could tease her further, Ren ended the call with an embarrassed smile.

Rys, who had been plating the food, looked amused. He stepped closer to Ren, who instinctively stepped back until her back hit the wall. Rys leaned in slightly, his face close to hers, and Ren felt her heart race. She closed her eyes nervously.

But instead of what she expected, Rys reached behind her, grabbing a plate from the shelf above her head. "Dinner's ready," he said with a smirk as he walked away.

Ren opened her eyes, realizing what had just happened. She sighed, feeling both relieved and frustrated, before sitting at the table with a shy smile.

....

Next morning, at Nexus Innovations Division, Rys's first day as an intern innovator began. The department's office was sleek, with high-tech equipment and a busy atmosphere.

"Everyone," the team manager announced to the group, "meet Emrys Vaughn, our new intern innovator. He'll be working with us starting today."

Rys gave a polite nod as the team welcomed him. "There's one more intern joining us, but they haven't arrived yet," the manager added.

At that moment, the office door opened. Rys turned around, curious about the new arrival. When the door swung open, his eyes widened in surprise.