Chapter 24
1341 Words
Ellie's P.O.V.
Muttering under my breath, I stormed out of my room with the ridiculous bill still clutched in my hand.
“Five million dollars for a stupid vase…”
I glared at the envelope as though it had personally offended me.
“What was it made of? Unicorn tears?”
The more I thought about it, the more suspicious I became.
I was a part of a business family. I had attended enough charity auctions and corporate galas in the last two years to know how wealthy people handled expensive antiques.
Nobody in their right mind displayed priceless originals in an ordinary hallway. Such antiques were for lavish living rooms, reception halls, and private galleries.
It was impossible to place them in an inner corridor where servants walked around carrying trays every five minutes.
“It was a replica,” I muttered confidently. “That bully is trying to scare me.”
Determined to expose Zack's ridiculous lie, I marched downstairs looking for him. However, I couldn’t find him anywhere. He wasn’t in his study, room, or library.
Finally, I had to stop a passing servant.
“Have you seen Zack?”
He replied respectfully.
“Master is in the gym, Madam.”
My irritation disappeared for a split second.
“There's a gym in the mansion?”
He nodded.
“Yes, Madam.”
That confirmation made my heart skip unexpectedly.
Although I had paid for yearly membership, I hadn't stepped inside the gym since my wedding. After that disastrous day, I'd avoided public places where someone could recognize me.
But I missed my workout routine.
Exercise has always been my escape. The feeling of pushing my body a little further every day was strangely liberating.
And now this mansion has a private gym; I really hoped to start over again.
A tiny smile appeared on my face before I remembered the envelope in my hand.
“No.”
I looked at the bill again.
“First, I'll deal with the human headache.”
…
The private gym occupied almost an entire floor. Glass walls overlooked the gardens while rows of expensive machines gleamed beneath bright lights.
I walked inside with determination. My loud voice echoed through the room.
“You can't fool me, Zack!”
As soon as my gaze fell on him, my footsteps halted abruptly.
Zack lay beneath a bench press wearing nothing but a fitted black tank top and gray sweatpants.
His broad shoulders strained beneath the weight as powerful arms pushed the bar upward with slow, controlled movements. The muscles along his arms flexed effortlessly
Sweat glistened across his neck before disappearing beneath the collar of his shirt.
Heat crawled up my neck.
Annoying people really shouldn't be allowed to look this unfairly good!
A stopwatch ticked beside Zack. Every dumbbell rested perfectly in place. Even his towel had been folded neatly.
If every gym looked like this. Or rather, if every guy inside looked like Zack, the attendance would probably double. The girls would practically live inside the gym.
Lost in my thoughts, I was still watching Zack when he finished his final repetition, making me snap out of my trance.
What the hell was I even thinking?
I knew I should have looked away, but I couldn’t, my eyes tracking his every single movement
He placed the bar back onto the rack, grabbed his towel, and reached for his water bottle. My throat suddenly went dry as his Adam's apple bobbed with every swallow.
Why was drinking water so distracting?
Zack lowered the bottle. Without turning his head, he said lazily,
“Take a picture. It’ll last longer.”
My soul immediately left my body.
He caught me staring.
Wonderful!
I cleared my throat so aggressively I nearly choked.
“I-I wasn't looking at you."
His lips curved upward.
“I see.”
Dimples formed in his cheeks as his smile widened.
“You were admiring the wall behind me.”
I nodded firmly.
“Exactly.”
He turned toward me.
“The wall must be flattered then.”
Gosh.
Why was this man impossible?
Taking a step forward, I quickly thrust the envelope toward him.
“Explain this.”
Zack’s eyes flicked toward the bill.
“Oh. You received it.”
“Why is it five million dollars?” I folded my arms. “No sane person decorates an ordinary hallway with an original antique.”
Wiping sweat from his neck, he looked genuinely puzzled.
“I don't know how other people decorate their homes.”
His gaze met mine.
“But in White Mansion, everything stays authentic.”
He shrugged casually.
“You are welcome to verify it. Take any art piece to an expert.”
The issue was: I already did. When I searched the internet for this specific vase, the price tag matched the bill, leaving no room for doubt. My best bet was Zack’s lying, but it seemed that he wasn't bluffing at all.
He turned toward another bench and picked up a pair of dumbbells.
“So.”
He started another exercise without the slightest concern.
“How would you like to pay, Ellie?”
He spoke between repetitions.
“Bank transfer or card?”
Well, that was the main problem. I didn’t have money to pay for this vase.
After wedding expenses, I hardly had three hundred bucks in my account. I couldn’t even get a refund because Alice and Jared got married at the venue.
My voice came out weak.
“Actually, I'm experiencing a minor financial disaster right now.”
Zack raised an eyebrow.
“What?”
“I said,” I took a deep breath. “I don't have the money.”
His shoulders shook slightly.
“Oh. That's unfortunate.”
I sighed heavily.
“It's not like I won't pay. I will. But I need a little time.”
He nodded.
“How much?”
I mentally calculated the time I needed to earn five million dollars.
How about thirty years?
Of course, I couldn't say it out loud and forced an awkward smile.
I forced an awkward smile.
“A year or two.”
Zack paused and looked at me.
“A year?”
He set the weights down.
“Ellie, it’s a vase. You aren't applying for a mortgage.”
His words unexpectedly stung.
“Who knows whether you'll still be living here after one year?”
The smile disappeared from my face. Somehow, those words hurt more than they should have.
For the first time since arriving at White Mansion, I'd started feeling like I belonged here.
But that feeling couldn’t last longer. Zack reminded me that my stay was merely a temporary arrangement.
I lowered my gaze.
“Then how long can you give me?”
He watched me quietly for several moments.
“I'm not completely heartless. You can get a good deal.”
Hope returned as he said,
“As we're living under the same roof, I'll offer compensation.”
I stepped closer before I could stop myself.
“What kind?”
His amber eyes sparkled with amusement.
“Thought you'd never ask.”
Something about his tone told me I wasn't going to like this. Even so, I forced myself to focus as he sat up and began.
“It’s a work-pay contract. You'll work for my company. And your salary will be in monthly installments until your debt is cleared...”
For a full five seconds, I simply stared at him, my brain trying its best to process the information.
Work under Zack? Every single day? How was it even possible?
With a boss like him, I'd definitely lose my sanity before the first coffee break.
“No.” I blurted out. “Not a chance.”
His expression didn't change. Zack shrugged.
“As you wish.”
He picked up another dumbbell.
“Then transfer five million dollars within forty-eight hours.”
My confidence cracked.
“Forty-eight hours?”
He smiled without looking at me.
“The choice is entirely yours, Ellie.”
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