𝓗𝓲𝓼 𝓞𝓷𝓵𝔂 𝓔𝔁𝓬𝓮𝓹𝓽𝓲𝓸𝓷 by ✧ Lyra 𝒬𝓊𝒾𝓃𝓃 ✧ at Inkitt

Chapter 1

No one had ever stayed under me for long.

It was either they quit... or got fired by me.

No one dared to look into my eyes for too long. My aura alone was enough to make even the higher-ups tremble in fear. My presence felt like torture itself, and my silence alone could throw an entire nation into panic. With just the raise of a finger, companies could be destroyed overnight.

That was why many famous and powerful people desperately tried to stay on my good side no matter what it took.

The name I carried was Sebastian Cross — one of the youngest and most superior men in the business world.

At the age of twenty, I became the heir to my father’s company, Blackwell Global Holdings, one of the biggest and most respected companies in the world. But when I took over as CEO, the company grew even larger and more feared internationally.

Inside and outside the company, I was known asThe Cold Prince— adored, feared, and respected by all.

I had icy blue eyes, perfectly fitted features, heart-shaped lips, fair skin, brown hair, and a deep voice filled with authority. I was the kind of man every girl or woman dreamed of having.

But I had one dangerous flaw.

I was allergic to a woman’s touch.

It was a secret I had to hide because if my competitors ever found out, they would use it against me without hesitation.

As I arrived at the company, I stepped out of the car wearing a perfectly tailored black suit and polished black shoes. As always, my presence alone changed the atmosphere around me.

I stepped into the building while my assistant nervously read out today’s schedule to me. His hands trembled slightly as he spoke carefully.

Well... in case you’re wondering why he looked so terrified...

I fired my former personal assistant last week for embezzling company funds.

As I entered my office, my eyes landed on the person I hated seeing the most.

My father.

He sat comfortably on the couch reading a newspaper. His eyes briefly flickered toward me before returning to the paper.

I dismissed the assistant immediately, and he quickly rushed out before I could even turn toward my father.

Ignoring him, I walked to my desk and sat down. My fingers brushed against a thin layer of dust on the table.

Instantly, my expression darkened.

I pressed the intercom and called for the person responsible for cleaning the office.

Within seconds, the cleaner rushed in trembling with fear. He apologized frantically, cleaned the desk properly, and hurried out of the office.

Only then did my father finally speak.

“You don’t look in a good mood today. Well, as if that matters.”

His cold voice filled the room.

“I came here for serious business. I’ll be holding a grand event on Friday where many important guests will attend, and I need you there whether you like it or not. No excuses. Your elder brother will also be coming.”

He folded the newspaper before standing up.

“And stop wearing black all the time. You look like you’re mourning. Go shop for proper clothes and make yourself useful.”

He finished speaking without waiting for my response and left the office.

He had always been like that since I was a child.

He cared more about business than family. He never cared about our feelings or health.

I never had a normal childhood.

I grew up in a competitive environment where my elder brother and I had to compete over everything. We were taught that being kind or gentle was the same as opening yourself up to danger.

The only comfort we ever had was our mother.

She was always there to protect us whenever our father became too harsh.

But one faithful night...

Everything changed.

During the nineteenth and twentieth anniversary partnership between Blackwell Global Holdings and Virelli Holdings, the atmosphere had been perfect.

Everything sparkled with lights, music, and laughter.

Then suddenly—

A car lost control and sped toward me.

I stood frozen in fear.

But before it could hit me, my mother ran toward me and pushed me out of the way.

The crash echoed through the night.

Her blood spilled onto me.

I still remember the warmth of her trembling hands on my face as tears filled her eyes.

“Be strong...” she whispered weakly. “And don’t become like your father.”

Those were the last words she ever said before her eyes closed forever.

I cried for over a month.

My elder brother blamed me for her death, and his hatred only grew worse after Father announced me as the heir to Blackwell Global Holdings while my brother became CEO of Virelli Holdings.

He believed he deserved my position instead of me.

From that day onward, he kept his distance from me.

Years later, during my graduation ceremony, a female teacher accidentally brushed against my skin while handing me a document.

The moment her hand touched mine, everything changed.

I started screaming as memories of my mother’s death replayed in my mind.

Blood.

Screams.

Fear.

Then everything went black.

I was rushed to the hospital by my father and my brother — though my brother came unwillingly.

After several examinations, the doctor explained my condition.

“He is still deeply traumatized by the incident from the past,” the doctor said. “Physical contact with women triggers severe emotional shock and panic attacks. He should avoid direct contact for now, and therapy is strongly advised.”

But my father saw it differently.

To him, it was not a weakness.

It was an advantage.

Instead of therapy, he ensured all my assistants were male. Any female allowed near me had to sign strict agreements.

That was how cruel my father truly was.

From then onward, I decided to stay away from everyone.

I built cold walls around myself so high that nobody could break through them.

That was how I earned the name...

The Cold Prince.

A knock on the door pulled me back to reality.

My temporary assistant entered carefully.

“Sir, the meeting is about to start.”