CROWNED WITH LOVE AND REGRET

The Devil CEO

The office fell into a heavy silence.

Hena Prat stood motionless, refusing to avert her gaze despite the intimidating man standing a few feet away. Every instinct told her to lower her eyes, to apologize for reasons she didn't even know, but she had spent too many years fighting life's battles to be frightened by a handsome face and an expensive suit.

The man before her was breathtakingly handsome.

Tall—well over six feet—with broad shoulders that stretched the fabric of his tailored black suit, Dariel Black looked more like a king than a businessman. His sharp jawline, perfectly styled dark hair, and piercing gray eyes gave him an almost unreal appearance. Yet there was nothing warm about him.

His eyes were cold.

Cold enough to freeze anyone who dared to meet them.

"So," he repeated, slipping both hands into his pockets. "You must be Hena Prat."

His voice was deep, calm, and commanding.

Hena nodded. "Yes."

"You're late."

She frowned.

"My appointment was for eight. I arrived at exactly eight."

Dariel glanced at the antique clock mounted on the wall.

"It is eight minutes past."

"The security gate delayed the car."

"I don't accept excuses."

Hena inhaled slowly.

"This wasn't an excuse. It was an explanation."

Mrs. Brooks quietly shut the office door behind her and disappeared, silently praying for the young woman.

Nobody corrected Dariel Black.

Nobody.

The corner of Dariel's lips lifted slightly.

Not a smile.

More like curiosity.

"You argue."

"I tell the truth."

He walked around his massive mahogany desk with slow, deliberate steps until he stood directly before her.

"You've read my employment contract?"

"I have."

"You understand that I reserve the right to terminate your employment without notice?"

"Yes."

"You understand that I dislike disobedience?"

"Respectfully, sir, obedience and blind submission are not the same thing."

The room became eerily quiet.

For a split second, Dariel simply stared at her.

Then...

He laughed.

It wasn't loud.

It wasn't warm.

It was a short, amused chuckle that surprised even him.

"Interesting."

Hena blinked.

She had expected to be thrown out already.

Instead, he turned away and pressed a button on the intercom.

"Mrs. Brooks."

The older woman answered immediately.

"Yes, Young Master."

"Cancel my first meeting."

Mrs. Brooks sounded shocked.

"Sir?"

"I said cancel it."

"Yes, sir."

The intercom clicked off.

Dariel faced Hena again.

"I want to see whether you're as brave as you pretend to be."

"I'm not pretending."

"We'll find out."

He walked toward the office doors.

"Follow me."

Without another word, he strode through the mansion's long corridors.

Hena followed, trying not to stare at the breathtaking interior.

Crystal chandeliers sparkled overhead.

Rare paintings decorated the walls.

Every piece of furniture looked as though it belonged in a museum.

It was a palace disguised as a home.

Servants stepped aside the moment Dariel approached, bowing respectfully.

"Good morning, Young Master."

He never responded.

Not once.

As they walked, Hena noticed something else.

Everyone looked afraid.

Not respectful.

Afraid.

They reached a large playroom filled with books, toys, puzzles, and colorful furniture.

Dariel stopped outside the door.

"Go in."

She frowned.

"Is this where I'll be working?"

"You'll meet your responsibility."

Hena stepped inside.

Silence.

The room was empty.

"There's no one here."

"There is."

Before she could ask another question, something small rushed toward her.

Crash!

A football struck her shoulder.

She stumbled backward.

A little boy, no older than six, stood in the middle of the room with folded arms.

"I don't want another nanny."

His voice trembled with anger rather than fear.

"I'll make you quit too."

Hena looked from the child to Dariel.

Dariel remained expressionless.

"So this is the reason twenty-three nannies left."

The boy grabbed another football.

"I said go away!"

He threw it.

This time Hena caught it before it reached her face.

The boy froze.

"So," she said gently, bouncing the ball once, "is this how you greet everyone?"

He glared.

"I hate nannies."

"That's unfortunate."

She tossed the ball back to him.

"Because I'm staying."

The little boy blinked.

"You'll leave."

"I won't."

"I'll make you."

"We'll see."

Dariel observed every second without interrupting.

The previous nannies had cried within minutes.

Some screamed.

One had resigned before lunchtime.

Hena did neither.

Instead, she crouched until she was eye level with the child.

"My name is Hena."

"I don't care."

"I know."

"My name is Noah."

"You just said you didn't care."

"I changed my mind."

For the first time, the boy looked confused.

Children expected adults to become angry.

Hena wasn't angry.

She simply smiled.

"Would you like breakfast?"

"No."

"Have you eaten?"

"...No."

"So you are hungry."

"I'm not."

His stomach growled loudly.

Hena raised an eyebrow.

"It seems your stomach disagrees."

Noah's cheeks turned red.

Dariel almost smiled.

Almost.

The kitchen staff stared in disbelief as Hena entered with Noah a few minutes later.

"Miss Prat?"

"I'd like pancakes."

Mrs. Brooks whispered nervously, "Young Master doesn't allow sugar in the mornings."

Hena looked at Noah.

"Fruit pancakes then."

The boy nodded enthusiastically.

Dariel remained standing near the doorway, watching.

Noah had refused breakfast for three consecutive mornings.

Yet somehow...

This stranger had convinced him within minutes.

Interesting.

Very interesting.

After breakfast, Lena spent the morning exploring the gardens with Noah.

He remained stubborn.

He barely smiled.

But he no longer threw things.

By noon, they were sitting beneath an enormous oak tree.

"Noah."

"What?"

"Where's your mother?"

The little boy became quiet.

"I don't have one."

Everyone has a mother.

"Mine died."

Lena's heart tightened.

"I'm sorry."

Noah looked toward the mansion.

"Dad says crying changes nothing."

Hena followed his gaze.

Through the tall windows, Dariel stood in his office, watching them.

Always watching.

Noah continued softly.

"Dad works all the time."

"Do you miss him?"

"He lives in the same house."

His small voice broke.

"But it feels like he lives somewhere else."

Hena didn't know what to say.

She simply wrapped an arm gently around his shoulders.

Inside the mansion...

Dariel turned away from the window.

For reasons he couldn't explain...

Something about that scene unsettled him.

No.

It irritated him.

She had been here less than four hours.

Already Noah trusted her more than anyone else.

That evening, Mrs. Brooks approached Dariel with a report.

"Young Master?"

"What?"

"Master Noah finished his meals."

"So?"

"He smiled today."

Dariel stopped signing documents.

"He what?"

Mrs. Brooks smiled.

"He smiled."

A strange feeling settled inside Dariel's chest.

It disappeared as quickly as it came.

"It means nothing."

"Perhaps."

"She'll resign within the week."

Mrs. Brooks said nothing.

Deep inside...

She hoped he was wrong.

Across the mansion, Hena unpacked her small suitcase into the luxurious room assigned to her.

It was larger than the apartment she rented.

She walked toward the balcony and looked at the glittering city lights.

Everything about this place felt strange.

Too beautiful.

Too quiet.

Too perfect.

Perfect places often hid the darkest secrets.

A soft knock interrupted her thoughts.

Mrs. Brooks entered carrying a tray with tea.

"I thought you might need this."

"Thank you."

The older woman hesitated.

"There is something you should know."

Lena looked up.

"The previous nannies weren't dismissed because they couldn't care for Noah."

"What do you mean?"

Mrs. Brooks lowered her voice.

"They left because they became afraid."

"Afraid of Dariel?"

She slowly shook her head.

"No."

"Then who?"

Before Mrs. Brooks could answer...

The mansion lights suddenly went out.

Darkness swallowed the entire estate.

Then...

A loud scream echoed through the hallway.

It wasn't the scream of a child.

It was the scream of an adult.

Hena and Mrs. Brooks looked at each other in alarm.

Another scream followed.

This time, it came from upstairs.

Hena didn't hesitate.

She rushed out of her room and sprinted toward the sound, unaware that the terrifying secret hidden within the Black mansion was about to change her life forever.