The old man warned Malayah Smith that this assignment carried a certain level of danger. Not only would she have to protect Ricardo Patterson's life, but she might also face threats to her own, even possibly having to take a life. Malayah was taken aback, her heart nearly pounding out of her chest.

"Seriously, don't freak me out like that! I've got a weak heart, and I can't handle such a scare!" Malayah exclaimed, clutching her chest and casting a nervous glance at her mentor.

The old man chuckled, blending gravity and humor in his tone as he said, "Did you think a ten-million-dollar advance would be a walk in the park? Without some risks, how could it be possible? You're not getting cold feet now, are you?"

Understanding the seriousness of the situation, Malayah quickly put the files and photos back on the coffee table, shaking her head vigorously. "No way! I'm not taking on something so dangerous. Sure, money matters, but my life is more important. Besides, you know how squeamish I am—I faint at the sight of blood..." Malayah rattled off every reason she could think of to avoid the task, trying hard to dodge it.

The old man, however, wasn't swayed by her excuses. "An apprentice should always uphold her commitments. Malayah, are you really behaving like my apprentice?" he said, his voice stern.

"Master, I've made a mistake! You should kick me out of your tutelage!" Malayah's eyes filled with tears as she heard his words. "I don't deserve to be your apprentice! I've embarrassed you—just let me go!"

The old man, seemingly anticipating her tactics, responded unsympathetically, "Alright, you can leave, but you must repay the money you owe me first. Otherwise, forget about leaving."

"Okay, okay! How much, Master? I'll pay it back." Malayah, grasping at a glimmer of hope, quickly pulled out her wallet. She had just received her paycheck that day.

Eyeing her wallet, the old man let out a sarcastic laugh, bent down to pick up the calculator from the coffee table, and said calmly, "From the moment I took you in off the street to this day, let me tally up the costs." His fingers tapped rapidly on the calculator, which beeped occasionally.

"Ah, there it is! A total of nine million, nine hundred ninety-nine thousand, nine hundred ninety-nine. And that coffee you just drank? Let's add one more dollar. That's an even ten million!" The old man held up the calculator for Malayah to see, chuckling. "Pay up!"

Hearing the old man's declaration, Malayah felt like spitting out the coffee she had just drunk. Yet, it was already in her stomach, and she couldn't do anything about it. Tears welled up in her eyes out of frustration.

"Master, you're bullying me! I don't have ten million. There's only a thousand dollars in my wallet, and I'm not worth that much even if you sell me!" Malayah's hands trembled as she held her wallet, her big eyes glistening with tears.

The old man, who knew Malayah's personality well, waved his hand dismissively and chuckled. "You don't have it now, but once you accept this assignment, you'll have ten million! Haha." With that, he stood up, stretched his back and neck, and smiled, "Malayah, there's no other choice—you either take this case or pay me back immediately. I'm heading back to my room to sleep. Think about it." The old man finished speaking and walked away, leaving Malayah and the amused Selena Stewart behind.

"Big Sis, you have to help me! You have so much money—could you lend me ten million? I promise I'll pay you back!" Malayah pleaded, her last hope resting on Selena. She hurriedly sat beside her, almost in tears.

Selena gently tapped Malayah's furrowed brow with her fingertip, smiling affectionately. "You need to grow up, kitten. You're no longer a little girl. If you need money, you should earn it. Besides, I don't have ten million right now either. You know my income is high, but my spending is just as high."

"So, if you really want to repay Master, you should take his advice and accept the case," Selena advised, observing Malayah's tear-streaked face with a smile.

Malayah shook her head vigorously, tears streaming down her cheeks. "Sis, you know I'm not cut out to be a bodyguard. I'm more of a gourmet. My life's dream is to have lots of money and live happily. Protecting others? Someone should be protecting me!"

Selena stood up, adjusted her vintage-style dress, and looked at Malayah's tearful face. She bent down to gently tap Malayah's forehead and smiled. "You've grown up, Malayah. Some decisions you have to make on your own. Sometimes, you need to prove yourself, even just a little. Alright, I'm tired. I'm going to sleep. It's been ages since I've rested properly." With that, Selena headed to her room, leaving Malayah alone in the living room.

"How did it come to this? That darn old man! It's just ten million—does he have to push me to the edge? I'm so mad!" Realizing she was alone, Malayah vented her frustration by tossing the couch cushions onto the floor.

Once she calmed down, Malayah turned her attention back to the photos on the coffee table. She picked them up, studying the man in the pictures carefully. Despite the task being dangerous, the client was undeniably handsome, like a movie star, with a natural charm that outshone most celebrities.

"Fine, fine. I can run, but I can't hide. If I don't take this assignment, the old man will nag me forever. My ears will never have peace," Malayah thought, resolutely stuffing the photos and documents into her bag. Slinging the large bag over her shoulder, she stormed back to her room, slamming the door shut behind her. After a day and a night of contemplating, she realized she had no choice but to accept this perilous case. A mountain named "Ten Million" weighed heavily on her, forcing her to make the critical decision to become the personal bodyguard for Ricardo Patterson.

Patterson International Hotel Group, headquartered in Dublin, ranks among the largest hotel conglomerates worldwide. Operating close to 300 hotels globally, it employs over 60,000 people across more than 50 countries. Its innovative management strategies have helped it distinguish itself in the competitive hotel industry, evolving into a globally renowned hotel powerhouse.

To everyone's surprise, the group's leader, overseeing such a massive organization, is a young man of just twenty-five—Ricardo Patterson, the sole heir of the original founder, Leonard Patterson.

Outside Patterson International's Dublin headquarters, two lines of receptionists stood ready. Each wore elegant, vintage-style dresses, looking like they’d stepped off a runway, occasionally glancing down the road, eager to catch sight of the legendary "Son of the Dragon."

"He's here!" someone shouted. Instantly, all the managers lined up in front, and the receptionists straightened, showcasing their warmest smiles.

A sleek silver limousine approached slowly, halting at the main entrance of Patterson's headquarters.

The driver, dressed in a crisp light blue uniform, swiftly stepped out to open the door, standing respectfully aside.

With a firm thud, a pair of polished black dress shoes touched the ground, followed by a hand gripping the door handle. Out stepped a young man who seemed straight out of Greek mythology, reminiscent of the sun god Apollo.

His smooth, jet-black hair was perfectly styled, and his features were as finely chiseled as a sculpture, with his eyebrows subtly arched and his sharp eyes glancing up at the hotel sign.

"Welcome back, Mr. Patterson," the managers greeted in unison, bowing respectfully to Ricardo.

Without speaking, Ricardo gave the managers a quick glance, adjusted his cufflinks, and purposefully strode toward the large glass doors of the headquarters, flanked by the managers in order of seniority.

The receptionists immediately bowed, saying, "Welcome back, sir."

The clean, bright glass doors opened automatically as Ricardo entered the company lobby.

Suddenly, a noise came from above as Ricardo walked into the center of the headquarters lobby.

"Watch out!" A shout suddenly pierced the air. A young man in a silver suit, standing next to Ricardo, quickly grabbed him and pushed him aside.

With a shattering crash, a massive crystal chandelier plummeted from the ceiling, smashing onto the floor.

Glass shards scattered everywhere, and the young man in the silver suit used his body to shield Ricardo, urgently pushing him into a nearby executive elevator.

The elevator doors closed firmly and began ascending.

"Phew, that was a close call!" The young man in the silver suit leaned against the elevator wall, exhaling deeply.

Ricardo's finely-featured face showed little change after the scare. He looked toward the man in the silver suit with concern, "Parker, are you alright? Any injuries?"

The man in the silver suit, Parker Franklin, let out a hearty laugh at Ricardo's concern. "Don't worry about me—I'm Parker Franklin. It'll take more than a few shards of glass to take me down!"

Parker Franklin was Patterson International's vice president and essentially Ricardo's right-hand man. Parker's father and Ricardo's father were as close as brothers, having built Patterson Group from the ground up together, so Ricardo and Parker had been childhood friends with an unbreakable bond.

The elevator doors opened, and the two returned to the executive office at the top of the company headquarters.

"What luck today! Just back at the company, and this happens. I think you should lie low for a while, or else something might actually happen to you one of these days," Parker said, grabbing a mug and pouring himself some coffee.

Ricardo sat at his desk, appearing unconcerned. "There's nothing to worry about. Just minor stunts. They wouldn't dare do anything drastic."

Parker nearly spat out his coffee at Ricardo's nonchalance. He leaned over Ricardo's desk, looking serious. "My dear Ricardo, these aren't just minor stunts. If I hadn't pushed you away, you'd have been flattened by that chandelier. And let's not forget the time someone flattened your car tires. They're out to get you!"

With a slight smirk, Ricardo said, "They're nothing more than cowards lurking in the shadows. Do you really think I'm scared of those jokers?"

"Oh, heavens!" Parker held his forehead dramatically. "Haven't you heard the saying, 'It's easy to dodge the arrow you see, but not the one you don't see...?'"

"Instead of lecturing me, why don't you investigate the chandelier incident? If you figure it out, maybe I'll grant you a little wish." Ricardo leaned back in his leather chair, a mischievous glint in his eyes.

Parker's interest piqued instantly. He leaned over Ricardo's desk, winking. "Are you saying you could arrange a dinner with superstar Sierra Holland?"

Sierra Holland was a Dublin-based superstar, known for her stunning beauty and voice as refreshing as a sea breeze. Most notably, she was still single, and many wealthy and powerful figures had tried to woo her without success. Sierra had a strong will and never bent to the influential. Though many had tried, only one person could sway her: Ricardo Patterson.

Years ago, when Sierra needed help the most, Ricardo came to her aid without any conditions, and afterward, he severed all contact. Although Sierra seemed untouchable to most, Ricardo held a special place for her, though he never pursued anything further, even romantically.

"If you help me find out about that chandelier, then yes, I'll consider setting up a dinner with her," Ricardo said, a sly smile playing on his lips.

"Deal!" Parker slapped the opulent desk excitedly. "I'll do everything I can to uncover the truth about the chandelier. For Sierra, I won't eat or sleep until I solve this mystery!"

The president of the Royal Falcon Hotel Group, Ricardo Patterson, had just returned from his overseas trip when he narrowly avoided being hit by a crystal chandelier that suddenly plummeted in the hotel lobby. Thanks to Parker Franklin, the deputy manager, Ricardo sidestepped the disaster. "If you can get to the bottom of what happened with the chandelier, maybe I'll play matchmaker for you," Ricardo said with a playful grin, his gaze fixed on Parker.

"Deal! That's a promise!" Parker exclaimed enthusiastically, slapping his hand on the ornate desk in front of him. "For Suzy's sake, I'll get to the bottom of this chandelier mystery, even if it means skipping meals and sleep!"

Seeing Parker's determination, Ricardo sighed lightly and said, "If you showed this much enthusiasm in your regular duties, it'd save me a lot of headaches."

Parker chuckled, "You know I perform best when I'm free. The more pressure there is, the less productive I become."

"Well, there's no pressure this time, but if you don't start investigating soon, I might reconsider what I said," Ricardo teased, his tone icy yet amused.

Parker quickly saluted and said, "Yes, boss! I'm on it, finding out why that chandelier fell. Expect my report soon!" With that, Parker dashed out of Ricardo's office.

Watching Parker's hurried departure, Ricardo shook his head slightly, realizing the influence Suzy had over Parker. He made a mental note to leverage this motivation in the future.

As Ricardo pondered ways to boost Parker's work ethic, a beeping sound filled the office from the plasma screen on the wall. He furrowed his well-groomed brows slightly before picking up the remote to turn on the screen.

An elegantly dressed middle-aged woman appeared, her expression tense and worried. "Ricardo, are you okay? I heard about the incident right after you got back—it scared me half to death!" she said, her kind eyes filled with concern as they locked onto Ricardo.

With a reassuring smile, Ricardo said, "Mom, don't worry about it. It's nothing serious, just a chandelier falling. I'm perfectly fine."

The woman on the screen was Lilah Patterson, Ricardo's mother and widow of the former president, Reginald Patterson. Sadly, Reginald had passed away due to health issues, leaving Ricardo as her only child. Lilah poured all her love and concern into Ricardo, constantly worrying about his safety.

"A falling chandelier is no small issue! It happened the moment you returned to headquarters—there must be some sinister plot afoot!" Lilah declared with anxiety. "Ricardo, please, just stay away from headquarters for a while, alright?"

Ricardo rose from his swivel chair and stepped closer to the screen. "Mom, I'm fine, as you can see. No harm was done," he reassured her with a smile.

"My dear son, waiting until something happens is too late," Lilah lamented. "There are people lurking in the shadows. You might dodge one incident, but you can't hide forever. Please, take some time off at home, okay?"

Ricardo maintained his smile, "Mom, you know I face challenges head-on. Retreating over a fallen chandelier would be out of character, and it'd become fodder for gossip among the staff."

"I couldn't care less about gossip! To me, these businesses are nothing compared to your safety. I only want you safe and sound, that's all," Lilah insisted emotionally. "You're my only child—what would I do if anything happened to you?" She quickly wiped away her tears with a tissue.

Ricardo felt the warmth of her care. "Mom, I've been through a lot and I'm still standing, right? This time won't be any different. I'll find out who's behind it and won't rest until I do."

Seeing his steadfastness, Lilah knew there was no changing his mind. She sighed, as she'd expected this. "Ricardo, since that's the case, I won't push further. But there's one thing you must agree to."

Aware that his mother's plans often led to awkward situations, Ricardo listened patiently. "Okay, Mom. What's your proposal?"

Wiping her tears, Lilah said, "I've arranged for a bodyguard to watch over you full-time."

Here we go again, Ricardo thought. He'd lost track of how many inept bodyguards she'd hired over the years. However, this time he chose not to dismiss her idea, having turned down her concerns too often before.

"Alright, I agree. But tell me more about this bodyguard so I can be prepared to work together," Ricardo replied warmly.

Surprised at his immediate acceptance, Lilah asked, "You really mean it, Ricardo?"

Ricardo nodded, "Absolutely, Mom. You're just looking out for me. Why would I object?"

Overjoyed by his agreement, Lilah's eyes filled again with tears, which she wiped away quickly. "So, about this bodyguard—tell me, who are they?" Ricardo prompted, keen to keep the conversation moving.

Lilah responded calmly, "This bodyguard is quite remarkable—a legendary figure and someone you've always admired."

Ricardo's eyes narrowed with interest. "You can't mean... Adan Bradley?"

"Yes, exactly!" Lilah confirmed with excitement.

The mention of Adan's name sparked excitement in Ricardo. As a child, he'd been captivated by martial arts, especially the combat skills of Adan Bradley, known for taking down notorious hitmen. Adan had retired after a mishap on a case and disappeared from the public eye.

"How do you know Adan Bradley, Mom? You've never mentioned him before!" Ricardo asked, his curiosity growing.

"Twenty years ago, your father and I found him unconscious on a raft during a yacht trip. We saved him, and he promised to help us if we ever needed it," Lilah explained. "I hesitated to trouble him, but you are too important to me."

Ricardo was moved by her words, realizing the extraordinary connection to his childhood hero. "When is he arriving? I can't wait to meet him!"

Lilah, relieved by his enthusiasm, replied, "We've arranged for him to come today. Make sure the staff treats him with the utmost respect."

"I will, Mom. I'll handle it," Ricardo assured her, his anticipation growing for Adan Bradley's arrival.