It was a late afternoon, and the sun was lazily hanging from the sky, casting a soft golden hue over the expansive estate of the Han family. The sprawling mansion stood majestically on the hill-a symbol of affluence and power that was coated with immaculately trimmed hedges and fountains that sparkled under the radiant rays of the sun. From the shining marble pillars to the posh cars lining the long driveway, every minute detail of the estate screamed affluence.

Inside, the grand foyer was truly a work of elegance: chandeliers dripping with crystals, the soft click of heels echoing against the polished floor, and priceless artwork donned the walls. Every inch of the mansion was a testament to the Han family's opulence.

Their youngest daughter, Lianna Han, had just returned from her graduation abroad. For her beauty and charm, she had always been the family's pride and an indulgence. At this moment, she was attired in a designer outfit, with a flow of long jet-black hair cascading down her back as she entered the house nonchalantly.

"Lianna, dear," her father, Chairman Han, called from the grand sitting room. The voice was commanding, as it had always been, and yet today something more. final.

Lianna looked toward the room, her sharp eyes immediately catching the figure of her father as he sat beside the large mahogany desk. As always, he was impeccably dressed in a tailored suit, graying hair combed backward. Chairman Han was not only a father but also an empire builder, and one thing that everyone who had ever dealt with him knew was that his word was law.

"Father," Lianna replied as she stepped inside; the sound of her heels echoed against the cold marble floor. Her voice was casual, almost bored, like nothing in the world could surprise her. She had lived her whole life in luxury-what else could life possibly throw at her?

Chairman Han watched her for a long moment, his keen eyes cutting through the veneer of coolness that was standard issue with this woman. "Sit down," he said quietly, his hand gesturing to the plush chair opposite him.

Lianna's eyebrow winged up, but she did as she was bid, seating herself in the chair as if attending yet another of her high-class galas.

"There's something quite important I need to discuss." His voice was even, his eyes never looking away from hers.

A flicker of irritation crossed Lianna's face. Only just returned from years abroad, couldn't they save the serious conversations for later? "What is it?" she asked, her voice carefully controlled though a hint of impatience crept in.

The Chairman threw himself back into his chair, his fingers lightly tapping against the armrest. "You've been abroad for quite some time, and now that you are through with graduation, it is time to focus on your future."

Lianna's eyes narrowed a little. There was something in his tone that made her feel a little ill at ease, though she couldn't exactly pinpoint her finger on it.

"I've arranged a marriage for you," he said forthwith, the words cutting cold as a blade through the air.

Lianna stared, in a moment unblinking, before bursting into laughter-light, carefree, as though he had just told her some ridiculous joke.

"You're not serious," she said, her laughter dying off into a confused smile. "I just came back home, Father, and already you want to marry me off? To whom?"

Chairman Han's face didn't change. "A young man from the Zhao family. He is the firstborn son and is destined to inherit all the family business. It's a perfect match-both our families' benefit in union.

In an instant, the smile on Lianna's face vanished; her eyes were disbelieving. "You actually want me to marry a stranger? A man I have never seen, only because it would 'benefit' the family?" Her voice was indignant now, breaking through her calm exterior.

"It's already been decided." Chairman Han's voice was firm, unyielding. "The engagement will be announced next month at the gala."

In one bound, Lianna sprang from the chair and onto her feet, where with flashing eyes and rising voice, she interrupted, "No! You can't do that, sit there and dictate my life to me like this! I refuse to marry some. stranger for your business dealings!"

Her father's eyes did not warm up; his face did not change. "You have been coddled all your life, Lianna. Whatever you have wanted, you have received on a silver platter. It is high time that you realize life is not always about what one wants."

Lianna's eyes flashed at him as her hands shook in anger. "I'm not some pawn in your business games, Father."

Chairman Han's eyes gentled, but his voice didn't waver one whit. "You're part of this family, and with that comes responsibility. The engagement isn't up for discussion."

Lianna was starting to feel claustrophobic. Marrying a person she did not know, just because of a business deal, felt stifling. Then a thought struck her-a way out.

"What if." she began slowly, her voice now quieter, but an edge to it. "What if I could prove to you that I don't need this marriage? That I can make it on my own?"

Chairman Han raised his brow. "What are you suggesting?

Lianna straightened, her chin lifted defiantly. "Give me a year. If I can support myself for an entire year without any help from the family, without using any of our wealth or connections, then you'll cancel the engagement."

For one taut, silent moment, nobody spoke. Chairman Han regarded her closely, the corners of his mouth hiking in humour. "And how exactly do you plan on keeping yourself? You've never worked a day in your life."

Lianna crossed her arms, refusing to back down. "That's for me to figure out. But if I succeed, you'll keep your end of the deal."

Chairman Han leaned forward, and a small smile played across his lips. "Alright," he said slowly, and in his eyes gleamed something that resembled amusement. "You have one year. If you can survive without the family's help, I'll call off the engagement."

Lianna exhaled, her heart released of its burden yet at the same time so determined. "And if I fail?"

"You'll marry Zhao Ling," he replied with his ice-cold indifference.

A deal was struck. Lianna knew her father didn't believe one second that she was capable of keeping herself alive, but the point needed to be proved-to him, to herself, and to the world.

She refused to allow him to call the shots in her life.

The cool, crispness of the morning air filtered in through the open windows of the Han mansion as Lianna sat at the breakfast table, the tips of her fingers tapping a rhythmic beat onto the polished wood. Her father sat opposite her, sipping his tea in a nonchalant manner, eyes never leaving the morning paper held in his hands.

"Good morning , Father," Lianna said, her voice laced with a mix of assurance and defiance. Her mind was prepared for the battle ahead. Today she was to officially begin her journey-one year to prove she could stand on her own.

Chairman Han lowered the paper, focusing his steely gaze on her. Silently, he reached into his suit pocket and laid the black card—her limitless credit card—on the table in front of him. The very symbol of her coddled existence.

"You won't be needing this anymore," he said, his tone indifferent, yet deliberative.

Lianna looked at the card, a trick of anxiety in her stomach. She had lived her whole life on that piece of plastic. It was a representation of everything she was used to: the extravagant shopping sprees, the luxury vacations, dinners at five-star restaurants. All these were going to be taken away.

She tried forcing a smile. "I'll manage."

Chairman Han set his cup down with a soft clink. "You'll need to move out. I'll give you a month. After that, the deal begins." He paused, his eyes narrowing slightly. "No help from anyone. That includes friends, family, or any. favors."

Lianna's heart skipped a beat, but she refused to show weakness. "I understand."

"Good." He returned to his paper, apparently terminating the conversation in his mind. In Lianna's mind, though, it had only just begun.

---

The rest of the week was a string of rejection and failure-things Lianna was not used to. With her master's in business, among years of prestigious schooling, she found that getting a job would be a cakewalk. How wrong she was.

She cast her net as wide as possible, from high-end corporations to even the smallest firms. For the first time in her life, she had been pushed into the real world, out of the cocoon of privilege that had sheltered her so far.

150 applications. 7 days. Just 3 interviews. Each one-a disaster.

She sat in the last interview room, fidgeting with her hands, trying to maintain poised composure, as she had been taught since childhood.

"Miss Han," said the interviewer, a stern woman in her mid-40s, glancing up from her notes, "I'm afraid you're overqualified for this position."

Lianna blinked, not getting it. "Overqualified?"

She nodded, the smile tight. "You have a master's degree in business. We're looking for a person with less experience to fill this position."

Lianna left the building, disbelieving her ears. Her heels sounded loud against the sidewalk. Overqualified? How could that be a problem?

As days turned into weeks, she started to shed some confidence. The rejections mounted, and with each, the weight of her father's challenge weighed heavier upon her shoulder. Where had she gone so wrong?

A week later, Lianna sat in her small apartment that she had rented to get a head start on moving out of the mansion, feeling utterly at an all-time low. Her perfectly manicured nails drummed against the desk while the pile of unopened rejection emails stared back from her screen.

"I just can't believe it," she said to herself as she browsed through job postings once more. She had thought the world would open up its doors for a person with her education. After all, wasn't she raised to lead, to be successful? At least, that was the message the world was giving her.

Her phone rang across the room, piercing her thoughts. She stared at the screen and did not recognize the number.

"Hello?" Her voice was flat, tired of everything.

"Miss Han? It's the human resources department at Sheng Global Industries. We got your application, and we'd like to invite you down for an interview. Can you make this afternoon?"

Lianna's heart skipped a beat. Sheng Global Industries? One of the largest and most powerful conglomerates in the city? How was it even on her radar?

"Y-yes, of course! I can come in," she stammered, trying to regain her composure.

"Excellent. We'll see you at 2 PM."

Lianna hung up, her heart racing. This was her chance-perhaps her only chance-to finally break through the wall of rejection she had been facing.

---

By 1:45 PM, Lianna stood outside the towering glass building of Sheng Global Industries. Her nerves clawed inside her gut to get out and devour her. The structure loomed over her head, silent as a judge, reflecting the afternoon sun off its gleaming windows.

She inhaled deeply and stepped into the lobby, her heels hitting the polished marble floor with confident clicks. The receptionist welcomed her with a professional smile and escorted her to the 15th floor, where the interview would take place.

The elevator ride felt eternal, with each second passing by heavier still. Finally, the doors slid open and Lianna entered a sleek, modern office space where the receptionist pointed her to the conference room.

Inside, a man in his late 30s sat at the head of the table, his dark hair combed, his expression unreadable. He was the CEO's right-hand man, she had learned. Someone who had the ear of one of the most powerful men in the industry.

"Miss Han," he greeted, rising from his seat and extending his hand.

She shook it, her own hand shaking slightly. "Thank you for the opportunity," she said, her voice as steady as possible.

The interview started, and for the first time in over a week, Lianna felt. ready. The questions flowed easily, responses sharp and confident. Not long into it, she had the feeling this interview was going much, much differently than the others.

After nearly an hour, he leaned back into his chair and a small, satisfied smile danced on his lips. "We have reviewed your qualifications, and though you may not have experience as a personal assistant, your business background is impressive. We are looking for someone sharp, quick on their feet, and able to handle the capricious nature of working for a CEO."

Lianna held her breath.

"Congratulations, Miss Han. The job is yours."

She could not believe it for one moment: hers was the job; she had pulled it off.

---

The instant she came out of that building, the weight of the last one week seemed to lift just a trifle. It wasn't much, but it was a start—a toehold in the world she was determined to conquer on her own.

Her phone buzzed once more. This time, it showed a message from her father.

*One week down, fifty-one to go.*

Lianna smirked. It was going to be a long year—but she was ready for it.

Before the large glass doors of Sheng Global Industries, Lianna stood and let her gaze travel up the imposing height. Squaring her shoulders, she reminded herself mentally that this was her first real job, and she could do this. How hard could it be? She had survived the interview; now she just had to get through the next year.

As soon as she stepped into the busy office, a bright-eyed woman greeted her and introduced herself as Sophie. This was a petite young woman who wore an inoffensive smile, veiling the weight of what she would utter next.

"You're the new assistant for Mr. Sheng, right?" Sophie said in a hushed tone, looking around cautiously. "I hate to say this, but. you're unlucky. Everyone who's gotten this job has been fired after the first three days. Mr. Sheng is a perfectionist, and he's hard. If you wish to hold this job, you will have to be perfect. One small mistake, and you are out."

Lianna's confidence faltered for a moment. Three-day firing? She had barely gotten off the elevator, and the stress was already crippling her. But Lianna was determined. She had much to prove, and not only to her father, but also to herself.

She threw a weak smile in Sophie's direction. "Appreciate the warning. Will watch my step."

Sophie nodded sympathetically and led Lianna toward the executive floor. "Good luck," she whispered, disappearing down the hallway.

---

Mr. Sheng's office was sleek, minimalistic, cold-just like the man himself, Lianna quickly realized as she stepped inside and met him for the first time.

He sat behind a huge desk, typing something on his laptop, but the moment he heard the door opening, his gaze flew up and locked with hers. He was young, probably not much older than she was, with sharp features and a cold, calculating gaze. His name was Sheng Rui, the CEO of the company. Without wasting even a single second, he dove into business.

"You must be the new assistant," he said, the chill in his voice rivaling that of his stare. "Coffee. Black. No sugar, no cream. Now."

Lianna was taken aback by his candidness, but she nodded and quickly scurried out to do his bidding. She couldn't afford to fumble on her first task, not when her job was already hanging by a thread.

She was back in a few minutes with his coffee, setting it on the desk in front of him. Sheng Rui took one sip and immediately grimaced.

"This is terrible," he snapped. "Redo it. This time, use exactly one tablespoon of coffee grounds per six ounces of water. And make sure the temperature is just below boiling."

Lianna reined in the growing irritation in her throat and nodded silently, snatched up the cup, and left the room. Returning the second time, he took a sip; though saying not a single word, the slight assent of his head showed she had done it right.

He spoke again, never once looking up from his work. "I'm sure you've heard the rumors from your coworker about everyone who has had this position being fired after three days."

Lianna tensed but said nothing.

Sheng Rui leaned back in his chair; his dark eyes settled on her with an almost cruel curiosity. "Let me clear things up. I've never fired anyone. They all quit."

Lianna's breath caught. Quit? She had assumed it was Sheng's impossible standards that drove them away, but to hear it so plainly.

"They couldn't handle the intensity of the job," he said, his voice slicing through her confidence like a blade. "Frankly, you don't look like someone who can handle it either. You're fragile, weak. If you want my advice, I suggest you quit while you're ahead."

These words pierced Lianna's chest, yet rather than folding, she stood tall, meeting his cold gaze with one of her own. Pride would not let her back down. She was going to show him exactly how capable she was.

"Sir," she said, the edge of her voice even while there was a storm brewing inside her, "you have a meeting in an hour. It takes forty minutes to get there. I suggest you pack everything you need."

He lifted an eyebrow, interest piqued by her defiance. "I don't have a driver."

"That's because it is my job to drive you," Lianna responded as she rolled her eyes, showing her irritation only just below the surface. "So, if you would be so kind as to hand me the keys, we can get under way."

She could have sworn she saw a flicker of amusement in his eyes, but in the very next instant, it was gone. Saying nothing more, Sheng Rui tossed her the car keys, and Lianna left the room, her heart pounding at the realization that she had just challenged her boss in the first hour of her first day.

---

The drive to the meeting was almost in total silence. Lianna concentrated on the busy streets of the city, while Sheng Rui was reviewing documents on his tablet at the back seat. Every now and then, she would glance up into the rearview mirror to check on him, wondering what he was thinking; his face was stoic.

Once they arrived at the meeting, she followed him in, taking notes as he led the discussion with a confidence that matched his position. She watched him work, and she could see why he was so successful-he was brilliant, no doubt about it, but his cold demeanor made it impossible for her to figure him out.

Sheng Rui didn't say much on his way back to the office after the meeting. It almost felt like the air had been sucked out, and Lianna was on edge by the time they reached the door. Then, something unexpected happened as they walked inside.

"Not bad for your first day," Sheng Rui said in a hushed tone, loud enough for her to hear. A slight trace of a smile pulled at the corner of his lips before he disappeared into his office.

Lianna just stood there, shocked, frozen. Did he just. compliment her?

As she walked to the break room for lunch, she felt several employees staring at her in wide-eyed wonder. Sophie, the coworker who warned her previously, approached with incredulity written on her face.

"Did Mr. Sheng just compliment you?" Sophie whispered, her head bent low lest anyone overhear the exchange. "That's impossible. He never compliments anyone. Ever. He only yells at people."

Lianna shrugged, as if to say, "Oh, well," but inside she was equally shocked. "I guess I'm lucky today," she managed to stammer out, still trying to comprehend what occurred.

---

After lunch, she returned to her desk, and that was when she felt the job was really far from over. Sheng Rui seemed intent on testing her limits, piling more tasks on her and setting impossible deadlines. She could feel his eyes on her, just waiting for her to slip up. However, he made such deliberate attempts that she turned more insistent to work and refused to give him the pleasure of quitting on the spot.

She was totally exhausted by the end of the day. Every muscle in her body ached, and her mind was reeling from the intensity of the day. She had barely reached her home when she collapsed onto her bed, hardly having the energy to keep her eyes open. She had survived day one, but barely.

With a heavy sigh, she shut her eyes, excused from the chaos that awaited her come morning.