Chapter 1 THE COLD MASTER AND THE FRAGILE MAID

At the center of the city is the blackthorn's mansion, a mansion always known to be icily cold. Well guarded iron gates, laced with security cameras and armed guards that warned outsiders to keep their distance. Inside the house, luxury dripped from every cornermarble floors, gold-trimmed furniture, and crystal chandeliers. Yet, despite its grandeur, the air inside was suffocating, thick with silent authority and power.In the grand hall, a line of maids stood stiffly, hands clasped, eyes lowered. Among them was Ava Carter, her uniform freshly pressed, her hands trembling slightly.

She had only been working here for two days, and already, she had learned one thing Dylan Blackthorn was not a man to be crossed.Ava was breathtakingly beautiful, though she did everything to conceal it. Her golden-brown hair was always tied back in a neat bun, and her emerald-green eyes rarely met anyone's gaze. Her delicate features, framed by soft waves that often escaped her bun, hinted at a beauty far beyond a maid's station. But life had not been kind to her. Orphaned at a young age, she had spent her years struggling to survive, forced into servitude to pay off an inherited debt. She had learned to stay invisible, to obey without question, and to never draw attention to herself.The infamous CEO and mafia lord was known for his ruthlessness. Whether in business or in the underworld, he controlled everything with an iron fist. His name alone sent chills through the elite and the criminals alike. And today, Ava would come face to face with him for the first time."Stand straight. He doesn't tolerate weakness," whispered an older maid beside her.Before Ava could process the warning, the heavy double doors swung open. A sharp silence fell over the room.Dylan Blackthorn stepped inside, his presence commanding instant obedience. He was tall, strikingly handsome, with jet-black hair that framed his chiseled face. His piercing gray eyes swept over the staff like a blade, assessing, dissecting, demanding submission. Dressed in a tailored black suit, he exuded danger and control. His features were sharp, almost cruel in their perfection-high cheekbones, a strong jawline, and lips that never seemed to smile.His body was built with disciplined strength, broad-shouldered and powerful, a presence that dominated every space he entered. Yet, beneath his sculpted exterior was a man feared by many. Dylan was ruthless, cold, and calculated a predator in an empire he had built with blood and power. His world was one of absolute control, and he had no tolerance for weakness or mistakes.The maids dipped their heads lower. Ava swallowed hard, trying to shrink into the background.His gaze moved across the line of servants until it landed on her.For a moment, she couldn't breathe. The weight of his stare was suffocating, freezing her in place. Those eyes held no warmth, only calculated curiosity."Who is this?" His voice was low, smooth, yet sharp enough to cut.Ava's heart slammed against her ribs. She couldn't move, couldn't speak.The head butler quickly stepped forward. "Sir, this is Ava Carter, the new maid."Vincent's eyes flickered with something unreadable. Then, he turned away as if she were insignificant."Make sure she knows the rules," he said coldly, before striding past them, his presence like a storm in a suit.Ava exhaled shakily. It was her first encounter with the master of the house. And she already knew-Surviving in this mansion would be harder than she had ever imagined.---Ava's official meeting with Dylan happened unexpectedly the next morning. She had been assigned to clean his private study, an enormous room lined with dark bookshelves and a massive mahogany desk. The scent of leather and rich cologne clung to the air. She moved carefully, making sure not to disturb anything. But as she reached for a crystal decanter on a nearby table, her fingers slipped.The expensive glass tumbled, shattering against the floor.Her breath caught in her throat. Panic seized her limbs as she dropped to her knees, frantically gathering the shards. Her heart pounded-she had broken something. And in this house, mistakes were not tolerated."I don't recall hiring a clumsy maid."Ava froze.That voice.Slowly, she lifted her head, her emerald eyes locking onto a pair of cold, piercing grays. Dylan Blackthorn stood near the doorway, watching her with an unreadable expression. His tailored suit fit him perfectly, exuding power and dominance. He stepped forward, his polished shoes stopping just inches from her trembling hands."I-I'm sorry, sir," she stammered, bowing her head. "It was an accident.""Accidents are unacceptable in my house."His voice was calm, yet it carried an unmistakable edge of danger. He crouched down slightly, his intense gaze studying her like she was a puzzle he intended to solve. Ava could feel her pulse hammering in her ears. She had heard stories about him-about his cruelty, his control. But standing this close, she felt something else beneath the intimidation. Something unreadable.He reached out, and for a fleeting second, she thought he might touch her face. Instead, he grasped her wrist, lifting her hand slightly. She flinched but remained still."Your hands are shaking," he observed. "Are you afraid of me, Ava?"She hesitated before whispering, "Yes."A flicker of amusement passed through his expression. He let go of her wrist and stood up, brushing an invisible speck of dust from his sleeve."Good," he murmured. "Fear keeps people in line."With that, he turned and walked away, leaving Ava kneeling on the floor, her heart still racing. She had met the master of the house now, and she knew one thing for certain-Dylan Blackthorn was a man who would ruin her if she wasn't careful."