Chapter 3: The First Morning Together

The apartment was unusually quiet.

Soft rays of sunlight filtered through the curtains.

Serenity woke before dawn, just as she always had.

For a brief moment, she forgot where she was.

Then she remembered.

She was married.

To a man she had known for less than twenty-four hours.

A small smile crossed her face.

"Well... this is my home now," she whispered.

She quietly changed into comfortable clothes and walked toward the kitchen.

Opening the refrigerator, she looked at the groceries they had purchased the previous evening.

"Perfect," she murmured.

"Let's make breakfast."

Within half an hour, the apartment was filled with the delicious aroma of freshly brewed coffee, buttered toast, scrambled eggs, and vegetable omelets.

She also prepared a simple bowl of fresh fruit.

"That should be enough," she said with satisfaction.

At exactly seven o'clock, Zachary stepped out of his bedroom wearing a crisp white shirt and black trousers.

He stopped the moment he smelled breakfast.

For a second, he thought he had entered the wrong apartment.

His home had never smelled like this before.

"Good morning," Serenity greeted cheerfully.

"Breakfast is ready."

Zachary looked toward the dining table.

Everything was neatly arranged.

Even the coffee cups had been placed carefully beside each plate.

"You didn't have to do all this," he said.

"I enjoy cooking," Serenity replied.

"Besides, eating breakfast is healthier than skipping it."

Without another word, Zachary took his seat.

He picked up his fork and tasted the omelet.

His movements slowed.

"Is it alright?" Serenity asked.

"It's very good," he admitted honestly.

"Better than any breakfast I've had in a long time."

"Then I'm glad."

The atmosphere was far more relaxed than it had been the previous day.

As they ate, Serenity looked up.

"Can I ask you something?"

"Go ahead."

"What exactly do you do?"

"I work for York Corporation," Zachary answered calmly.

"Management."

"That sounds like a busy job."

"It is."

"No wonder Grandma May said you work too much."

Zachary simply nodded.

Technically, he hadn't lied.

He did work in management.

He just happened to manage the entire corporation.

After breakfast, Serenity packed away the dishes.

"I'll wash these later," she said.

"You're going to be late."

"Thank you," Zachary replied.

As he reached the front door, Serenity handed him a neatly packed lunch box.

"You'll need this."

He stared at it for a moment.

"You made lunch too?"

"Eating outside every day isn't healthy or economical."

"Besides, I made enough for both of us."

Zachary accepted the lunch box.

"Thank you."

It was only two simple words.

Yet they sounded surprisingly sincere.

After leaving the apartment, Zachary entered the elevator alone.

The moment the doors closed, his expression returned to its usual calm seriousness.

Once outside the residential community, a sleek black Rolls-Royce Phantom quietly pulled up beside him.

His personal assistant, Ben, stepped out and opened the rear door.

"Good morning, Mr. York."

"Morning."

As soon as Zachary entered the luxury car, Ben couldn't help asking,

"How was your first night as a married man?"

Zachary glanced at him.

"You're becoming too curious."

Ben coughed awkwardly.

"Sorry, sir."

"Investigate Serenity Hunt," Zachary instructed.

"Everything."

"Her education, business, financial history, friends, and family."

"I want a complete report before tonight."

"Understood."

Ben hesitated before speaking again.

"Do you suspect something?"

"No."

"I simply don't like unknown variables."

The Rolls-Royce pulled away smoothly.

Minutes later, it stopped in front of York Corporation's towering headquarters.

Employees immediately lined both sides of the entrance.

"Good morning, President York!"

Everyone bowed respectfully.

Zachary acknowledged them with a slight nod before entering the building.

Meanwhile...

Back at the apartment, Serenity finished cleaning the kitchen.

She smiled as she looked around.

The apartment already felt warmer than it had yesterday.

"Time to open the bookstore," she said.

She grabbed her handbag and locked the apartment before heading toward Wiltspoon University.

Her small bookstore stood just outside the campus gates.

Although modest, it was filled with books, handmade crafts, and knitted decorations she sold online.

As she unlocked the front door, her business partner and longtime friend, Jasmine Sox, looked up from behind the counter.

"You're late today," Jasmine teased.

"Don't tell me..."

"You actually got married?"

Serenity smiled shyly.

"I did."

Jasmine's eyes widened in disbelief.

"You married the guy your grandma introduced... yesterday?"

"Grandma May introduced him," Serenity corrected with a laugh.

"His name is Zachary York."

"He's actually... not bad."

"Not bad?" Jasmine grinned.

"That's all you have to say about your husband?"

Serenity laughed softly.

"He's polite, responsible... and unbelievably serious."

"Well," Jasmine said with a smile,

"Let's hope that serious husband of yours learns how to smile."

Neither of them realized...

That the quiet man Serenity described as an ordinary company manager...

Was the most powerful billionaire in all of Wiltspoon.