The Queenie Building's elevator hummed softly as it ascended, carrying the tense atmosphere between Amy and John. Amy, her posture stiff with disdain, glanced sideways at the man standing beside her. She had worked with Queenie for years, and in that time, she'd learned a lot about the family dynamics. Queenie had a brother named Gary, a lazy man who was always neglecting his responsibilities. Amy couldn't fathom why Queenie would surround herself with such people.
But now, here was John—someone Amy had never seen before, and she was quick to assume the worst. He didn't fit the usual mold of Queenie's companions. With his plain clothes, unremarkable demeanor, and the fact that he wasn't strikingly handsome, Amy found it difficult to understand why Queenie would choose him. He looked more like a bodyguard than a toy boy, and for Amy, that was an insult to Queenie's intelligence.
With a scoff, she turned to John, her voice laced with sarcasm. "I don't know how you deceived my boss, but I suggest you stay away from her. Queenie Group didn't rise to the top by chance, and now that we're about to list the company, if this project fails because of you, you'll regret it."
Her words were harsh, and she made no attempt to hide her contempt for him. In her eyes, people like John had no place in the corporate world. They didn't earn their way up the ladder—they simply took advantage of others to climb higher.
"You need to remember your place. Before you start dreaming about being part of her life, ask yourself if you're even qualified to be close to her. If you're just a frog at the bottom of the well, don't try jumping to the sky. Stay where you belong."
Amy's words were relentless, each sentence sharp enough to cut through the air. She wasn't done yet, though. Her frustration grew as John remained silent, not responding to her insults.
"Are you listening to me?" she snapped, her voice rising in anger. "Or are you too busy pretending to be something you're not?"
But just as she was about to lash out again, the elevator door opened, and she stopped mid-sentence. Her eyes widened in shock as a man stepped in front of her.
With gold-rimmed glasses, a Versace suit, and a Cartier diamond watch, the man oozed wealth and privilege. It didn't take a genius to recognize him—the eldest son of the Holland family, Karl.
"Amy," Karl greeted with a cool smile. "I heard Queenie came back with a toy boy. Is that true?"
Amy's heart skipped a beat, and she forced a neutral expression. She was familiar with Karl's obsession with Queenie, and it was no surprise that he would hear rumors so quickly. As soon as Queenie had returned, word spread like wildfire.
"I don't know who told you that," Amy replied, trying to maintain control. "But Queenie is not the kind of person to fall for someone like that. You know her better than anyone."
Karl looked relieved at her words, and his demeanor softened. "I knew she wouldn't be so foolish." His tone held an unspoken understanding, but Amy couldn't shake the jealousy that gnawed at her. It was always the same—Karl would never look at her, not when he had his eyes fixed solely on Queenie.
But as Amy turned her gaze toward John, she saw something that made her stomach twist with unease. With a straight face, John spoke up. "I'm the toy boy Queenie just brought back."
The words hit Amy like a thunderclap. Her body went rigid as Karl's gaze locked onto John with an icy intensity. The air in the elevator felt like it had frozen.
Amy's face drained of color. "What nonsense are you spouting, John?" she stammered, quickly trying to backtrack. "Queenie has nothing to do with you!"
John, however, didn't flinch. He spoke calmly, as though the truth was already evident. "It's pointless to hide it. Many people saw us when we entered together. The secret's already out."
Boom.
The weight of John's words slammed into Amy's mind, sending her into a panic. This is bad. This is so bad...
Amy's thoughts spiraled. The company is done for. Everything is ruined.
Karl's expression turned dark as he looked at John with a newfound sense of danger. "I'll give you one more chance," he said, his voice cold. "Tell me, what is your relationship with Queenie?"
"I'll protect her with my life," John responded without hesitation, his words ringing with sincerity.
Amy's eyes widened in disbelief. She couldn't process what was happening. Protect her? Who is this guy, really?
Before she could react, she tried to slap John, but he was faster. With a quick motion, he caught her wrist, halting her in midair.
"Let go of my hand," Amy hissed, her voice trembling with anger. "You think I won't do anything just because you're Queenie's friend?"
John's cold gaze held hers, sending a chill down her spine. "I don't care what you think. Don't tell me what to do."
Karl's sneer deepened, and he stepped forward, his voice dripping with condescension. "You really have no idea who I am, do you?"
John's expression remained unfazed. "I don't know, and I don't care."
Karl's eyes narrowed. "I'm Karl Holland, the eldest son of the Holland family. You've never heard of us?"
John raised an eyebrow. "So?"
Karl's jaw tightened. "Well, let me make it clear for you. My family is the largest supplier for Queenie Group. What do you think would happen if we cut off our business dealings with your precious company?"
Amy's heart dropped. She had feared this moment—her worst nightmare was coming true. If Karl withdrew his family's support, Queenie Group would be crippled. It would be a fatal blow, and they would have no chance of recovering.
But even more shocking was John's response. He shrugged casually, as if Karl's threats were nothing more than empty words.
"Even the most powerful families in New York wouldn't dare act like this in front of me," John said, his voice tinged with indifference. "The Holland family? Hardly a threat."
Amy was left speechless, her mind racing. He's going to destroy Queenie Group—no, he's going to burn it to the ground.
In desperation, she turned to John. "You have to apologize to Mr. Holland right now! Kneel and beg him for forgiveness!"
But instead of doing what Amy demanded, John's response was swift and final.
Slap!
The sharp sound of a slap echoed through the elevator. John's hand had met Amy's face, a clear warning that she was pushing him too far.
"I've told you," John said coldly, "Don't tell me what to do."
Amy stood there, completely stunned, as her world crumbled around her. How had it all gone so wrong?
At that moment, the elevator doors opened, and Queenie stepped out, her eyes immediately finding Karl's angry gaze.
"Queenie, you're just in time," Karl said, his voice dripping with fury. "Tell me, who the hell is this guy to you?"
Queenie's gaze cooled as she assessed the situation. "Who I am to John is none of your business, Mr. Holland," she replied firmly.
Karl's face contorted in anger, his frustration mounting. "Don't forget who helped build Queenie Group, Queenie. If you keep this up, I'll cut off all ties with your company!"
"Do as you wish," Queenie replied, her tone ice-cold.
Karl's eyes widened in shock, his anger reaching a boiling point. "You're willing to risk everything for this... man?" he spat.
Queenie's gaze shifted to John, her expression softening. She didn't need to say more. John had always been her protector, and she would stand by him no matter what.
He's my brother, she thought. And I love him, more than anything else in this world.