Owned By Mr. Verano

"Let's break up, Ysabel. I'm no longer happy with what we have."

Those words echoed in Ysabel's mind even weeks after Marco Verano — the man she loved for four years — said them. No mercy. No explanation. A simple breakup as if everything they had meant nothing.

It hurt. It was even more humiliating. Especially since she had no idea why — until one day she saw him on social media: new woman, new car, new world.

She was left in a small apartment, staring at her résumé, crying as she tried to get back on her feet.

"Ma'am, here’s your caramel macchiato."

Ysabel's memory was cut off by the barista's voice. She took the coffee, half-smiled, then returned to staring at her laptop. One more application. Just one more. And maybe finally... someone will hire her.

So when she received the email from Verano Holdings, she couldn't believe it.

Interview. At the very company owned by her ex’s family.

‘Could my bad luck possibly get this bad?’

But she didn't back out. She had to survive. She couldn't continue like this while her mother suffered from heart disease and her father's daily income was barely enough.

The Veranos' building loomed tall — as tall as the pride she swallowed just to face the people who might one day become family, if Marco hadn't left her.

The reception area was elegant. The aircon blew cold. Expensive carpet, marble floors, and chandeliers. Everything screamed wealth and power.

"Can I help you, Ma’am?" the receptionist asked.

"Yes, an interview for marketing assistant. Which floor is that?"

"Third elevator to your right. 30th floor. Go straight to the Executive Lounge. Mr. Verano himself will be meeting you."

She froze.

"Mr. Verano? Marco?!"

With every step toward the elevator, her feeling grew heavier.

When she reached the 30th floor, she didn't immediately notice the office. It was quiet. No assistant. Just an executive office with its door open.

"Come in," a baritone voice said from inside.

That was not Marco's voice.

When she entered, a man stood with his back to her, wearing a black suit. Tall. Broad-shouldered. He was quietly reading a document. Elegant. Intimidating.

"Sit," he ordered without looking at her.

After she sat, he finally looked up.

And Ysabel's entire world seemed to stop.

Leonardo Verano.

Not Marco.

Leonardo — Marco's mysterious uncle, the CEO of Verano Holdings, and known as the country's 'phantom billionaire.'

There weren't many photos of him circulating. But he was known for being relentless in business. Cold. Quiet. Dangerous when he smiled.

And now… he was sitting in front of her.

"Ysabel Dela Peña," he pronounced her name like it was soaked in water. "Twenty-one years old. Cum laude. Interned at two companies. Good record."

She couldn't speak. Not because of interview nerves, but because of the man before her.

"I know you."

She bit her lip. "I know Marco is your nephew…"

"Yes. He's your ex."

She nodded, her cheeks flushing slightly.

"And yet you still applied here."

"Because I need a job, sir," she replied firmly.

"And what will you do if I decide not to hire you? Because of a conflict of interest? Or because of your history with my nephew?"

She swallowed. "I have no intention of going back to your nephew. And I won't use that connection to get in here. Everything I submitted is based on my abilities."

Leonardo was silent. A kind of quiet that seemed to measure her every move.

Then he suddenly stood and walked toward her.

She couldn't understand why her heart kept beating faster.

He stopped in front of her. Tall. Close. He smelled good.

"You're brave," he said softly. "I like that."

He handed her a folder. "Welcome to Verano Holdings. Starting Monday you'll be working at my company."

Ysabel was overjoyed, but she still felt nervous around Leonardo.

She thought the tension was over. But before she could leave, Leonardo called her again.

"Ysabel."

"Yes?" Her voice still trembled.

"Before you go, I want you to know that Marco wants you back."

It felt like a bucket of cold water had been poured over her when she heard that.

"Sir, it's over between us. It ended a long time ago."

Leonardo smiled. A dangerous, cold smile.

"I know. That's why I'm intervening now."

She swallowed. "What do you mean by that?"

"I can do many things, Ysabel. But I don't want any man who doesn't know how to take care of you to touch you again. So I'll take care of you from now on. If you agree."

"What... kind of payment are you asking for?" she asked.

The man looked at her for a moment, and in an instant the cold CEO became someone who seemed hungry — not for food, but for control over himself.

"Really simple," he said.

He took her hand.

"You will be mine."