The city of Rowton Vale woke slowly every morning, as if reluctant to face another day of quiet struggle. Narrow streets curved between old apartment blocks, their walls faded by time but still standing with stubborn pride. The air carried the scent of dust, fresh bread, and distant rain—an ordinary city for ordinary people, yet one where destinies quietly crossed.

In a small apartment on the third floor of a worn building lived Amiira with her parents. The home was modest, its furniture old and carefully preserved, but warmth lived in every corner. Laughter came easily in that house, even when money did not.

“Amiira, come eat your breakfast,” her father called out, his voice playful.

She rushed from her room, tying her scarf in a hurry. “I’m late for college, Dad.”

He chuckled, shaking his head as he watched her. “You rush every day like this. Tell me, my daughter—will college really feed a family someday?” He laughed loudly, teasing her.

“Dad,” Amiira replied with a smile, “I’m not even married yet. Let me finish my studies first.”

“Go on, eat,” he said, still laughing. “Don’t starve yourself chasing dreams.”

Her father, Karem Hale, was a tall man whose shoulders carried years of hard labor. His face showed age and exhaustion, yet his eyes still held kindness. Her mother, Selene Hale, placed a warm plate of food in front of Amiira.

“What did you cook this morning?” Amiira asked, inhaling deeply. “The smell woke me up.”

Selene laughed. “You think I’m lying? I’ve been awake since dawn.”

Their family was poor, but their days were filled with joy. Poverty had never taken away their love.

“Aren’t you going to work today, Dad?” Amiira asked softly.

Karem hesitated. A faint, sad smile crossed his face. “I’m resting today. Go eat.”

Amiira noticed the change in his tone. Her father never rested. Something was wrong—but she stayed silent. She finished breakfast with a heavy heart, telling herself it must be just a rare day off.

Before leaving, Selene handed her an umbrella. “Take this. I feel like heavy rain will come today.”

“I love you,” Amiira said gently before stepping outside.

---

She took the bus as usual, gripping the rail as the city passed by—shops opening, workers rushing, life unfolding. On her way back home, she would walk. She always did.

When she reached the college, silence greeted her. The hallways were empty. No voices. No footsteps.

She sat in the front seat of her classroom, confused. Why is no one here today?

A security guard entered during his rounds and stopped when he saw her. “Young lady, today is a holiday. Why are you here?”

Her eyes widened. “A holiday?”

She quickly pulled out her small, outdated phone and dialed a number.

“Nazan! College is closed? Why didn’t you tell me?”

“Oh no, Amiira, I’m so sorry,” Nazan said. “I went to a celebration and forgot to call you. Are you already there?”

Amiira sighed and ended the call. She had come for nothing.

She checked her bag. No money.

“Looks like I’m walking today too,” she whispered, forcing a small smile.

Amiira was gentle and shy, but she was not weak. She often hid her struggles from her parents, especially her father. She knew he would blame himself if he found out she walked long distances every day.

As she walked along the roadside, her thoughts drifted to her father. Why did he look so sad this morning? She pushed the thought away. He does everything for us.

A white luxury car passed by—shining, elegant, completely out of place in Rowton Vale. Amiira stared at it briefly.

“If only I had a car like that,” she murmured. “I wouldn’t have to walk.”

The car stopped.

Then slowly reversed.

Her heart skipped. Did he hear me? That’s impossible…

The window rolled down. Inside sat a man with pale skin and piercing blue eyes. His presence was cold, powerful—like someone who ruled worlds without raising his voice.

“Get in,” he said.

She stepped back. “Why would I?”

“Aren’t you going far? Where are you going?”

“Rowton District.”

He frowned. “You were going to walk that distance?”

“Yes. And it’s none of your business,” she snapped. “Leave me alone.”

He stepped out of the car and met her gaze. “Get in. I’ll take you.”

Fear and hesitation battled inside her. Finally, she opened the door and got in.

“What were you doing in that area?” he asked as the car moved.

“I study at the college there. But today is a holiday.”

“You weren’t informed?”

“My family is poor,” she said honestly. “We don’t have access to things like that.”

Something shifted in his expression.

“I understand now why you didn’t recognize me,” he said.

“Recognize you as what?”

He smiled faintly. “What if I became your driver from today?”

She frowned. “I can’t pay you.”

“Don’t worry. You’ll work instead. At a company called Nova Sphere.”

Her breath caught. “Nova Sphere? Adrian’s company?”

“Yes.”

“My father works there.”

“What’s his name?”

“Karem.”

The car stopped abruptly.

“Karem… what?”

She repeated his full name.

Adrian’s expression darkened.

They reached her home shortly after. Before leaving, he asked her name.

“Amiira.”

“Goodbye,” he said, driving away.

The warmth vanished from his face as he picked up his phone. “Find Karem immediately. Check if he still works for Nova Sphere.”

The answer made his hands tighten on the wheel.

Karem had been fired. Because of his age.

---

Adrian returned to the company like a storm. He walked straight into the CEO’s office and slammed his hand on the desk.

“Bring me the dismissal files. All of them.”

Three managers stood trembling before him.

“How long have you worked here?” Adrian asked the first.

“Ten years.”

“Give him ten thousand and fire him.”

The second—eight years. Eight thousand.

The third begged, saying his family depended on the job. Adrian showed no mercy. Five thousand. Dismissed.

Then Adrian turned to the remaining staff.

“These men were fired for growing old,” he said coldly. “Some of them worked here before you were born.”

Silence filled the room.

“This company does not punish loyalty.”

The head of human resources was called forward.

“How long have you worked here?”

“Fourteen years, sir.”

“Fourteen thousand. You’re dismissed.”

Fear spread through the room.

“Bring back every worker who can still work,” Adrian ordered. “Apologize. Pay them. Those who can’t—let them choose replacements. If this happens again, money won’t save you. You’ll leave with nothing.”

A secretary whispered, “Sir, the company will lose money this year.”

Adrian replied coldly, “We will profit by treating people like humans.”

---

That night, a knock echoed through Amiira’s home.

Her father opened the door and froze.

A letter. Money.

An apology.

Tears streamed down Karem’s face. He had never imagined such justice.

The letter offered reinstatement—or the right to choose a replacement.

He chose his daughter.

Nova Sphere agreed.

Amiira was allowed to study and work—a privilege no one else had.

She didn’t know it yet.

But the road she walked that day had changed her fate forever.

And Adrian—the Ice King—had already entered her life.