Four hours earlier, Sophia received an unexpected call from Gilbert, demanding she apany him to watch a fight at the Paris Arena.


    Sophia despised fights.


    She never had interest in violent sports and didn''t even know the arena existed until Gilbert summoned her.


    "I''m sorry, Gilbert, but that''s not my kind of entertainment," Sophia declined.


    Gilbert leaned close, eyes narrowed threateningly.


    "Do you prefer something bad happening to your mother or little brother instead?"


    Within an hour, she was aboard Gilbert''s private jet, speeding from Vancouver to Paris.


    When they arrived, Gilbert escorted her into an exclusive room filled with Parisian elites, proudly introducing her as his fiancée and boasting about their uing wedding.


    Sophia felt nauseous at the announcement, especially as the elites swarmed around her,plimenting her looks and gushing about how fortunate she was to marry a man like Gilbert.


    It was obvious—they were trying to win her favor solely because of Gilbert''s influence.


    Only then did she discover Alex was fighting in the arena.


    Gilbert''s intentions became crystal clear-he wanted her to watch Alex''s brutal death.


    Sophia silently vowed to herself: if Alex died tonight, she''d follow him.


    But against all odds, Alex emerged victorious.


    Even Lyra, her best friend, hit the jackpot-winning an unbelievable 300 billion just for betting on him.


    "How can life be so cruel?" Sophia thought bitterly.


    "Lyra bes governor of Chicago and wins billions, and here I am trapped in misery."


    She flinched as Gilbert violently smashed an ashtray against his manager''s head in rage.


    Sophia knew with sickening certainty-this would be her future, chained to a violent man whoshed out at anyone who angered him.


    Momentster, Gilbert snatched up his ringing phone, shouting in disbelief, "Alex took down fifty of our men? Are you kidding me? How the hell is he still alive?"


    His icy re shifted to Mr. Theodore, the Paris chief of police, who stood nearby, visibly tense.


    "Chief, Alex just ughtered my people. Can you take your men and eliminate him?"


    "Sir, Alex is a professional fighter. My officers wouldn''t stand a chance."


    "Then call the goddamn military!" Gilbert roared, mming his fist on the table.


    "I don''t care what it takes-I want Alex and Lyra dead tonight. Do you hear me, Theodore? If you fail, someone else will be wearing your badge by sunrise."


    "Yes, sir," Theodore replied stiffly, then hurried off to rally his men and call in military backup.


    While Gilbert raged on in heated talks with his other managers, Sophia quietly slipped out of the room and hurriedly called Lyra.


    "Lyra, where are you right now?" Sophia asked urgently.


    "I''m heading back to Chicago. What''s going on?"


    "Is Alex with you?" Her voice trembled.


    "No, he''s not with me. Why?" Lyra replied, now sounding cautious.


    "Gilbert sent people to kill him! He''s blocked my number-I can''t reach him!"


    "I''ll send you his location. Go now, he might still be there."


    Sophia rushed desperately to the address Lyra provided, her heart pounding wildly.


    When she arrived, dread filled her veins-police and heavily armed soldiers surrounded Alex, their weapons trained directly at him as he calmly enjoyed his drink.


    Theodore stepped forward, gun drawn, and shouted, "Put your hands up, Alex! One wrong move, and we''ll open fire!"


    Alex smirked, shaking his head with mockery. "Is this your best? Even an army isn''t enough to bring me down."


    "You arrogant bastard! Still mouthing off with death staring you down? Kill him!" Theodore ordered fiercely.


    Every gun was raised, fingers tightening on triggers, when suddenly a voice shattered the tension.


    "Stop!"


    Sophia burst through the siege, breathless and frantic, dressed in elegant branded clothes now stained with desperation.


    Alex''s eyes narrowed, frustration etched on his face.


    Why did fate keep dragging her back into his life?


    "Alex, are you alright?" Sophia''s voice trembled as their eyes met, emotions swirling painfully.


    "That''s none of your concern. How many times must I tell you to stay away?" Alex snapped coldly.


    His harshness pierced Sophia''s heart, yet she steeled herself, turning instead to Theodore.


    "Chief, what''s going on here?"


    "Mrs. Guise," Theodore said politely yet firmly. "Please step aside, you might ruin your fine clothes."


    "Chief Theodore, Alex is my friend. Let him go," Sophia demanded firmly.


    Theodore''s eyes hardened. "Your friend? I''m sorry, but Mr. Gilbert gave explicit orders. Alex won''t leave here alive."


    "Then let me talk to Gilbert." Sophia''s voice hardened as she pulled out her smartphone, stepping swiftly toward a quiet corner.


    When Gilbert picked up, his tone was impatient. "Sophia, where the hell are you? I''ve been looking everywhere."


    "Gilbert, call off Theodore immediately. Don''t let him kill Alex."


    "Sophia," Gilbert''s voice dripped with


    dangerous annoyance, "don''t y


    games with me. I slit your


    mother''s


    throat if you interfere."


    Sophia''s eyes zed with determination.


    "Listen carefully, Gilbert. If you don''t stop Theodore right now, I''ll end my own life.


    Then you''ll be left with no bride at all."


    Gilbert''s blood boiled; never before had a woman dared threaten him this way.


    For a brief moment, he considered having Sophia killed instead-yet he knew it wasn''t that simple.


    Sophia was deeply connected to the powerful Montir family.


    He still needed their influence, and Sophia was his link.


    Besides, he had an image to uphold a dream he''d sold to the world.


    Marrying Sophia wasn''t just strategy.


    It was his pride.


    "Fine," Gilbert snapped furiously, "I''ll talk to Theodore. But don''t expect miracles."


    He mmed the phone down, immediately dialing Theodore.


    "Mr. Gilbert," Theodore answered promptly.


    "Is Lyra-Alex''s little sidekick-with him?"


    "No, sir. He''s alone."


    "Damn," Gilbert said, his toneced with venomous calm.


    "Then listen carefully, Theodore. Alex can die any damn day I choose. But Lyra? She needs to vanish before sunrise. I don''t want that woman touching a single filthy coin of her winnings


    "Yes, sir." Theodore quickly ended the call and ordered his men to retreat, shifting


    their focus entirely to locate Lyra.


    Turning toward Sophia, Theodore shed a sarcastic smile.


    "Congrattions, Mrs. Guise. It seems you''ve finally learned to manage


    seemour fiance." He si


    his men, leaving Alex and the ce deserted.


    "Mrs. Guise, huh? How impressive," Alex mocked bitterly, eyes filled with disgust.


    Sophia maintained herposure, though the sharpness of his re pierced


    deeply.


    "I only intervened because I don''t want trouble for you. I''m not asking for


    gratitude."


    "Your concern isn''t needed, Sophia. Stay out of my life."


    She swallowed hard, voice trembling slightly.


    "I understand you despise me, and I''ve wronged you terribly. But someday, I''ll


    make amends."


    "Amends?" Alexughed harshly, shaking his head in contempt.


    "You really think you matter enough for me to care?"


    Sophia''s voice wavered as she asked cautiously, "Then what do you care about?


    Is there anything I can help you with?"


    "No, Sophia. The only help I need from you is to vanishpletely," Alex spat out.


    "Do you truly hate me this much?" Pain clouded her eyes, the ache in her chest unbearable.


    "Absolutely. You treated me like a pathetic dog. Is that what you expect now-a


    grateful puppy at your feet?" Alex''s voice dripped venom.


    Sophia lowered her gaze, crushed by guilt. "I''m sorry..."


    "Save it," Alex sneered, disgusted by her defeated expression. "Your pity means nothing. It just makes me sick."