Sophia picked up the menu and nced over at Lyra, her mind spinning with confusion.


    There was Lyra, practically leaning against Alex, an intimacy that would make any observer assume they were the married couple, not her and Alex.


    "Alex, I bet this is your first time here," Lyra said brightly


    "Sophia and I have VIP status at this ce. Let me rmend a few dishes-I''m sure you''ll love them."


    Alex managed a polite smile. "Thanks."


    Lyra beamed, flipping through the menu. "Order whatever you like. Don''t worry about the bill, I''m covering it tonight."


    Sophia nearly choked.


    Lyra stingy, penny-pinching Lyra-offering to pay? For man, of all people?


    Lyra never spent her money on men.


    Every luxury in her possession was typically gifted by them.


    This was the first time Lyra had ever offered to foot the bill for a


    man.


    Sophia narrowed her eyes. "Lyra... are you feeling alright? Did you forget to take your meds this morning?"


    Lyra raised a cool eyebrow. "What''s with the shock, Sophia? I''ve always been generous. You''re acting like you''ve never seen this side of me."


    Sophia''s jaw went ck.


    She''d known Lyra her whole life, and she had never seen her so willing to part with her money-especially not for


    a man.


    Something was off.


    Before either of them could say more, two men approached their table.


    One sneered down at Alex. "What kind of man lets a woman pick up his tab? No pride or dignity, huh?"


    Lyra''s gaze turned icy.


    Anger simmered beneath her calm exterior.


    She was trying to curry favor with Alex so she could get more of those miracle pills to sell.


    Thest batch had sold like peanuts at prices she never thought people would pay.


    For Lyra, money was more important than pride, dignity, or even her life.


    But she knew that, for some, life and health mattered more than money.


    "Excuse me," Lyra said, her voice sharp, "I''m sure I told you earlier that I''m taken. Why don''t you leave us in peace?"


    The man smirked and gestured toward Alex. "Taken? By him? Just look at the guy-in clothes, cheap shoes. You think he can afford your skincare products?"


    Lyra frowned. Why was this jerk so fixated on Alex''s appearance?


    "No means no. It''s aplete sentence."


    The other man chimed in, oozing arrogance. "Ladies, don''niss your chance, whatever he can give you, I can give ten times more-no, a hundred times. Just give me a chance and you''ll see."


    Lyra suddenlyughed, a bright, mocking sound that rang through the air.


    "A hundred times more? Alright, I''ll give you a chance. How about you pull out a billion dors right here?"


    Their self-assured grins faltered.


    A billion dors was an impossible sum for anyone in Vancouver, except perhaps Alfred Kingston himself.


    "Come on, that''s insane," one of them muttered, annoyed. No one can toss around a billion unless it''s Kingston."


    Lyra shrugged with exaggerated sweetness.


    "Well, he could." She nodded toward Alex.


    The men turned their scrutiny on Alex, all but rolling their eyes. "Yeah, right. Tell


    us, what do you do for a living? Judging by your look, you''re scraping by."


    Alex opened his mouth to answer, then caught Sophia''s eye


    Her gaze was intense, waiting.


    He sighed and gave in. "Fine. I''m just a poor, retired soldier. I''m unemployed at the moment."


    They burst intoughter.


    One of them puffed out his chest, pride radiating from him.


    "I''m a top businessman in this city, featured in magazines, running apany that employs hundreds. If you need work, I might have a cleaning job for you."


    Lyra stood abruptly, fury dancing in her eyes.


    "Shut up and leave. I don''t care how rich or powerful you think you are. He''s worth more than a thousand of you put together." Her voice shook with indignation.


    Sophia stared at Lyra, astonished.


    Her best friend, who usually worshipped wealth and status, was now fiercely defending Alex-the supposed " poor man" against a wealthy suitor.


    It was like the world had flipped upside down.


    The man''s face reddened with frustration. "We''re not leaving until you ept us. Trust me, sweetheart, you''ll regret missing this opportunity."


    Lyra''s face flushed with anger.


    Alex tensed, ready to step in. But before he could, a figure emerged from behind the intruders.


    With a swift kick, one of the men stumbled to the floor, cursing and scrambling up to face his attacker.


    "Marco Ashford!" the fallen man eximed, eyes widening as if he''d just seen a ghost.


    Marco stood tall, dressed in a tailored suit and shing expensive essories.


    His presencemanded the room. Fear flickered across the intruders'' faces, Marco was a name that made men think twice.


    "You know me?" Marco sald calmly, arins crossed.


    +26 BONUS


    "Of course, Mr. Ashford," the man stammered. "Everyone Vancouver knows you. You''re the biggest yer in town now."


    Though he considered himself just a step below Chris Rnd in influence, Chris had recently fallen from grace, his reputation tarnished by criminal allegations. That left Marco as the city''s most sought-after figure.


    Marco tilted his head, unimpressed.


    "These women are my friends," he said, pointing to Lyra and Sophia. "Do us a favor and get out."


    They hurried to obey, helping each other up and disappearing without another word.


    Marco turned his sharp gaze toward Alex. "You''re really not much of a gentleman, are you? Couldn''t even handle two insects bothering these two beauties?" "Marco," Sophia suddenly called out, her voice soft and curious. "Are you here to see Lyra?"


    She knew Lyra had been chasing Marco for a while now.


    Lyra had always aimed for the most eligible bachelors, and since Chris Rnd loved Sophia-and Sophia once loved Chris-Marco had be Lyra''s second choice.


    Marco shook his head. "No," he said quietly. “Actually, I came to see you, Sophia." Sophia''s breath caught. "Me?"


    Marco nodded. "I was supposed to meet you at Cole Finance earlier, but I got held up."


    He offered her a meaningful look, and in that moment, Sophia thought-Marco was


    the one who had secretly helped her.


    He was the reason her burdens had lifted.


    He was the Master.


    He had loved her for a long time, she realized.


    A rush of emotion washed over her: gratitude, confusion, and something else she couldn''t quite name.


    "Charm is a way of getting the answer yes without ever asking a clear question."