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Chapter 1 All Makes Sense

"Let's just pretend last night never happened," Sophia Lane said, her voice cool and casual.

Alex Carter, still half asleep, shook his throbbing head and blinked at the huge pile of cash spread across the bed. His brain was still struggling to catch up.

When he spotted Sophia, already dressed head-to-toe in designer brands, Alex finally started to snap back to reality.

"Hey, we were both wasted last night. It was mutual, you know. Is there really any need for this kind of disrespect?" Alex smirked. "Besides, do I look like I need your money?"

Alex's eyes lingered on Sophia, drinking her in from head to toe. She was drop-dead gorgeous. No ordinary woman could even hope to compare to those curves.

Feeling his fiery gaze, Sophia blushed.

'Seriously, this guy has zero clue how to treat a lady,' she thought, a spark of annoyance mixed with embarrassment. 'He was so damn aggressive last night that I'm still aching. And god, it was my first time.'

But as she thought about what was ahead, Sophia's face went cold. "So, what do you want?" she said, tone frosty. "Set your price. As long as it's reasonable, I'll pay."

Alex chuckled to himself. He wasn't just anybody; he was the legendary Reaper, infamous war hero of Clusia. His family's credit card could buy out half the billionaires in the country, if he ever bothered to care.

"Hey, I'm not in the business of selling myself." Alex shrugged. "What happened was mutual, right? If I took your cash, it'd be crossing a line. I'm a good citizen, after all.

"If you're really hurting for money, just say a number and I'll treat it like I'm picking up the tab for last night's drinks, alright?"

Sophia let out a scoff, lips curling in a wry smile. She was the boss of Genenova Group in Janlinston, worth hundreds of millions. Money was nothing to her.

"Fine by me," she replied coolly. "Drinks don't come cheap with me. How about 30 million? Honestly, that's a bargain for you."

Alex threw off the covers, ready to pull on his pants and bounce, totally ignoring whatever Sophia was saying. But then he remembered something.

'Holy crap.' Alex panicked in his head. 'I didn't use protection last night. Dammit, I seriously messed up.'

A cold sweat broke out on Alex's forehead.

Sophia just thought Alex was shocked by the price and snorted. "Can't cough it up? Don't talk such a big game if you can't pay. Take the cash; buy yourself something to boost your performance. You really weren't that impressive last night."

With that, she spun on her heel to leave. But Alex wasn't about to let her diss slide. She implied that he hadn't satisfied her. No way he was letting this go.

He didn't even stop to pull on his pants, just charged forward, and pinned Sophia against the wall. "Did you seriously just call me average?" he shot back.

Sophia's heart raced as she stared at Alex's chest, covered in battle scars. That flicker of fear in her eyes was impossible to hide. When her gaze dropped lower, she instantly jerked her head aside, cheeks lighting up bright red.

Putting on a fierce front, she shot back, "You creep! What's that wild look for? Can't handle it; just admit defeat. Or are you seriously planning a morning encore? Fine by me. Let's see who ends up begging for mercy first."

Alex had to call it quits. Not because he couldn't handle her, but because he wasn't prepared. He wasn't about to end up in some cheesy soap opera—a woman showing up with a kid and calling him a deadbeat.

Alex sighed, "Alright, just say a number. Let's forget about the whole thing and move on, okay?"

Sophia smirked, eyes full of scorn. "Wow, that's it? Already waving the white flag? I thought you were supposed to be so tough."

Alex didn't bother to argue. He turned away and threw on his clothes.

Seeing Alex so unfazed, Sophia took a deep breath and steeled herself, ignoring the lingering soreness. "Do I look like someone who needs your money? We're just strangers. Don't expect to see me again."

Just as Sophia reached the door, Alex called out, "30 million—will that satisfy you?" He was already sprawled out on the couch, taking a slow drag from his cigarette, looking completely indifferent.

Sophia stayed quiet, but her face said it all. In all of Janlinston, maybe ten people tops could drop that kind of cash on a whim. No way she'd believe some guy she met at a bar was sitting on that kind of money.

"60 million," Alex said, thinking she wasn't satisfied. "90 million," he added, upping the ante again.

Sophia finally spoke up. "Alright, let's make it a one-time deal—300 million."

Alex just grinned, snuffed out his cigarette, and said, "Alright, you've got a deal."

Sophia was thrown for a loop by how casually he agreed. "Do you even realize what 300 million means? If you can actually show that kind of money, I'll be yours, no questions asked."

Sophia scoffed. 'He starts the bidding at 30 million like it's pocket change. Does this guy really think he's some spoiled rich kid tossing cash around like Monopoly money?'

"Thanks but no thanks. I'm only twenty-five. Relationships are way too much hassle right now," Alex drawled with an easy grin. "But hey, if you're that set on hanging around, maybe I'll make an exception.

"Honestly, women like you don't exactly show up every day." He gave her a bold once-over, not even pretending to look away.

Sophia gritted her teeth, chest heaving with frustration. She had never seen anyone bluff this hard.

"Bank account—hand it over," Alex said, reaching out his hand expectantly.

Sophia didn't hesitate for a second; she just tossed her personal bank card over, convinced there was no way this guy could actually drop 300 million on the spot.

A moment later, her phone buzzed. She glanced at the screen. A notification popped up showing that she received a transfer of 300 million. She blinked, dizzy with her balance.

"Here's your card. See you around," Alex said, passing the card back to Sophia and strolling out of the room, leaving her standing there completely shell-shocked.

It wasn't until Alex had already vanished down the hallway that Sophia finally pulled herself together. She stared around the empty room, still dazed. "Who on earth is he?" she murmured.

Sophia could hardly take it in. She'd gone out drinking just to have fun before she had to marry some womanizing trust-fund brat. She had never thought that she would share a bed with a total stranger.

Besides, she'd gotten an eye-watering pile of cash.

She pulled up her best friend's number and hit call. A few seconds later, Emily Ford picked up, voice thick with sleep. "What's up, boss lady? It's way too early. Can't a girl get her beauty rest?"

Sophia's words stumbled out. "Emily, I-I think I really screwed up."

Emily yawned on the other end, sounding barely awake. "What did you do this time?"

After hesitating for several seconds, Sophia finally said, "I-I hooked up with a stranger and got paid for it."

Chapter 2 Protect Her

The next second, Emily's scream came through the phone. "What? What the hell are you talking about?" Emily was jolted awake, all traces of sleep gone.

"I said I hooked up with a stranger and got paid for it," Sophia said. She was much calmer this time.

"Are you out of your mind? You're supposed to marry Mr. Hackett next month. If he finds out about this, your life is going to be hell," Emily said, her voice full of anxiety.

But Sophia just let out a self-mocking laugh. "Do you really think my life will be any better after I marry him?"

Ever since she met Andrew Hackett, Sophia had never imagined her life would be anything but miserable.

She'd heard more than once about Andrew leaving hotels with different women almost every day. If she married him, she knew her life would be a living hell.

Emily was stunned into silence. After a few seconds, she finally blurted out, "You're the CEO of Genenova Group, worth hundreds of millions. Don't tell me you just got a couple thousand dollars?"

Sophia hesitated, unsure if she should reveal the amount. But after a moment, she decided to say it. "300 million. He gave me 300 million."

Honestly, Sophia was still in shock. She couldn't even begin to imagine who Alex really was. He transferred 300 million without batting an eye.

"Seriously, Sophia, are you drunk? 300 million? That's enough to buy Genenova Group!" Emily clearly thought Sophia was making it up.

For an ordinary person, even ten lifetimes wouldn't be enough to earn that kind of money. That number was beyond anyone's wildest dreams.

"I'm serious. That money is sitting in my private account right now. The guy left, and honestly... I have no idea what I'm supposed to do next," Sophia muttered, totally lost.

That kind of cash was enough to fix every mess in her life. Her parents only wanted her to marry Andrew because of Genenova Group.

These days, Genenova Group was getting squeezed from all sides—by the market, and especially by the Hackett family.

Without enough investment, the experimental new product they'd pinned their hopes on wouldn't ever hit the market. If the funding got pulled, the whole company could crash and burn.

Everyone in Genenova Group had poured everything into this project; failure just couldn't be an option.

If it tanked, the company would collapse, facing canceled partner contracts and massive compensation fees.

Andrew had made it clear that as long as Sophia became his wife, he'd invest 150 million into Genenova Group to keep their research afloat.

"Don't panic. If he's willing to hand over that much cash, he clearly doesn't want any trouble. Just take the money without a second thought. It's yours to use however you want," Emily said, trying to put Sophia at ease.

"But here's the thing. Nobody knows who this guy really is or what his motives are. Anyone who drops that much cash in one shot is definitely not some average guy. You need to stay sharp," Emily warned.

Sophia's nerves started to fray. 'But what if he really does have some hidden agenda? What am I supposed to do if things go south?' she worried, her thoughts spiraling.

"Where are you? I'm coming over right now," Emily said, her concern obvious as she insisted on seeing Sophia in person.

"I'll be at the office. Just find me there," Sophia replied. Hanging up, she stared at the shocking balance on her phone, stunned and unsure of her next move.

*****

On the other side of town, Alex made his way over to the Genenova Group headquarters. He glanced down at the slip of paper in his hand—just an address, nothing more. And a single name: Sophia.

Alex honestly couldn't figure out why his teacher, Frederick, was so insistent that he play bodyguard for Sophia, but this was his final mission. Once he wrapped it up, he'd be a free man at last.

This was the longest assignment he'd ever had—three whole years. After that, the whole world was wide open, and he could go wherever the hell he wanted.

'No clue what she looks like. If she's ugly, I'm stuck with it. But if she's a knockout, I might get lucky,' Alex thought, grinning as he walked into the Genenova Group lobby.

The receptionist, having just been scrolling on her phone, quickly put it away and greeted Alex with a bright smile. The moment she saw him, her heart raced.

'Wow, he's gorgeous. He's just my type,' the receptionist giggled to herself, but quickly straightened up before asking, "Sir, who are you here to see?"

Alex flashed her a charming smile. "Hey, is Sophia around?"

The receptionist froze for a second. "Are you here to see our CEO? Did you make an appointment?" she asked politely. Normally, anyone wanting to meet Sophia had to schedule ahead.

"Nope. I'm here to protect her. I'm her personal bodyguard. Just tell me where her office is and I'll head up myself," Alex replied, cool as ever.

The receptionist chuckled. "Handsome, lay off the web novels. Just because you work out doesn't make you CEO material. What's next, claiming you're the boss's husband? Save that for your dramas."

Alex felt a twinge of embarrassment. She wasn't buying it. He shrugged playfully. "Alright, you caught me. No use pretending. I am her husband, and it's urgent. Can you just point me the way?"

Her romantic vibe instantly evaporated. She shot him a full-on eye roll.

It was public knowledge in Janlinston that Sophia was set to marry Andrew from Hackett Group next month. Now some random "husband" popped up out of nowhere. No one in their right mind would believe that.

"Come on, couldn't you at least pick a story that's a little more believable? Our CEO is marrying Mr. Hackett next month. If he hears you saying stuff like that, you're gonna be in way over your head," the receptionist warned.

Alex frowned and then said, "Relax. Who says being married means she can't have two husbands?"

The receptionist rolled her eyes so hard that it was almost audible. "Go away, or I'm calling security. I don't have time to deal with creeps like you," she shot back.

Just then, the receptionist spotted Sophia, exhaustion written all over her face, slowly making her way into the lobby. She immediately straightened up and greeted her with respect, "Ms. Lane."

Alex instinctively turned around to see who exactly he was supposed to be playing bodyguard for. The moment his eyes landed on her, his mind just went totally blank.

Sophia was just about to head back to her office for a much-needed break when she heard the receptionist's greeting. She glanced up and saw Alex standing there in the lobby.

For a second, Sophia and Alex both froze, shooting each other a matching confused look. In perfect unison, they blurted out, "What are you doing here?"

Chapter 3 Bare-Handed Ashtray Smash

The receptionist couldn't help but stare wide-eyed at how close Sophia and Alex seemed. 'Wait, is he really Ms. Lane's boyfriend? Or... her husband? No way, that's impossible,' she thought.

Sophia took a deep breath, finally realizing Emily hadn't been exaggerating. 'So she was right. This guy actually tracked me down,' she thought, her face icy as she stared at Alex. "What exactly do you want?"

"I—" Alex began.

But before Alex could get another word out, Sophia cut him off. "Come with me," she said, making a beeline for the elevator.

Alex shrugged and followed after her, feeling slightly irritated. 'Why does this woman keep materializing wherever I go? It's like she's haunting me,' he thought.

Then it hit him that the receptionist had just called her "Ms. Lane." Alex's skin prickled. 'Hold up. Is she actually my mission target? If that's the case, then I'm totally screwed,' he thought.

When they arrived at the sixteenth floor, Sophia led Alex straight into her office. She dropped her bag and settled into the chair.

"I thought you said it was over," she said, her tone frosty. "Why are you showing up at my company? What's your deal?"

Sophia glared at Alex, anger simmering in her chest. 'He already paid me, and now he has the audacity to come looking for me? Is he trying to get his money back?' she thought.

"If that's what you want, I'll just refund you, alright?" Sophia snapped. "Take the cash and leave. Lesson learned. I'm done."

Alex's face turned grim when he heard that. He never imagined the woman Frederick wanted him to protect was the same one from that wild night at the hotel.

"As if I'd ever choose this," Alex retorted. "The way you're acting, who would? If it weren't for the..." He trailed off. 'Just my luck to get stuck with her,' he fumed inwardly.

"You!" Sophia barked, her voice sharp with anger as she snapped up from the chair, stabbing a finger toward the office door. "Get out. I'll send your money right back. I don't need your dirty cash."

Alex was just as stubborn. He got up, ready to walk out, but stopped short at the door. "Nope, I can't leave. Looks like I'm stuck with you." If he bailed now and Frederick found out, Frederick would definitely kick his ass.

"Are you some kind of pervert?" Sophia snapped. "Why are you trailing me? Want a repeat performance?" She figured Alex just couldn't get enough of her, hoping for a second round.

After all, most guys would be totally mesmerized just seeing her. Plus, last night, she was the one who'd actually made the first move.

Alex gave a fake cough, trying to cover his awkwardness.

Sophia realized she'd lost her cool and forced herself to calm down, but her glare could've killed. If looks could kill, Alex would be dead on the spot.

"Honestly, I'm not here for anything special," Alex said, shrugging. "I just want a job. How about this? I'll be your full-time bodyguard. Wherever you go, I go. As for the pay, I really don't care. You know I don't need the money anyway."

Alex waved his hand indifferently, and then sprawled out on the couch, making himself comfortable like he owned the place.

"You? You can barely keep up, and you want to be my bodyguard?" Sophia scoffed. "Kid, maybe you should go get yourself some tonics or something. Seriously, you need to boost your stamina."

Her words made Alex bristle instantly. Calling him a kid was pushing it. "Who are you calling kid, huh?" he shot back. "You think I'll let that slide? Just wait. I'll show you what a real man can do, sooner or later."

That made Sophia's lips curl into a mischievous smirk. She seemed to remember something, and her cheeks flushed. "Funny, wasn't it you freezing up when I was standing right in front of you?"

Alex was fuming, but the worst part was that she wasn't wrong. If he really tried anything, Frederick would have his hide.

"So, you just called yourself my personal bodyguard, huh?" Sophia said, grinning slyly at Alex, clearly plotting something sneaky.

Alex saw the scheming look and knew what it meant. But Frederick's orders left him no choice. "Yeah," he muttered, shooting a glare. "What's the plan?" He scowled, steeling himself.

"Aren't bodyguards supposed to be tough guys? Prove it. Break a brick or take a sledgehammer to your chest. A simple backflip if that's too much."

Sophia had no real interest in seeing Alex break things. She just wanted to humble him. He was too arrogant, and she wouldn't be satisfied until she took him down a notch.

"You think I'm here for your entertainment?" Alex fired back. "Backflips? Seriously? Why don't you ask someone else for that clown show?" He wasn't falling for it. He could do those things in his sleep since he was five.

"Seems like you're just not bodyguard material," Sophia mocked, clicking her tongue. Those words hit Alex right where it hurt.

'Not good enough? Again?' Alex steamed, thinking. 'She called me average this morning, then a kid, and now she says I'm useless? Enough is enough! Nobody gets to walk all over me like that.'

"Smash a brick, huh?" Alex barked back, eyes narrowed. "Alright, let me blow your mind, tough lady." He scanned the room and spotted the ashtray sitting on the desk.

It was a guest ashtray, made of thick, clear glass, built like a rock. One good hit with that and it would split someone's skull wide open.

Alex grabbed the ashtray and clapped his hands together with a sharp smack. The thing exploded instantly; glass shards scattered all over the floor.

Sophia froze in shock. She'd just been joking around. There was no way she thought he'd actually do it for real.

"So, am I good enough to be your bodyguard now?" Alex threw Sophia a cocky grin, finally satisfied. 'You think you can mess with me? You're not even ready for this game, sweetheart,' he thought.

Sophia snapped back to reality, and nodded with a sly smile. "Not bad," she said flatly. "Now grab a broom and clean up this mess."

A thousand wild impulses shot through Alex's mind. All he wanted was to teach Sophia a lesson she'd never forget. But in the end, all he could do was clench his jaw, walk out, and sweep up every last piece of glass.

Just as Alex finished sweeping up the glass, a cute, fresh-faced girl burst into the office, looking completely frazzled. The moment she spotted Sophia, she breathed a dramatic sigh of relief. "Boss lady, I finally tracked you down."

Chapter 4 My Fault

It was Emily, Sophia's best friend. She glanced at Alex in the office, a little confused. "Is this your new cleaning guy? He's pretty handsome. What a shame for someone like him to be stuck doing cleaning work."

Alex lost his cool, thinking, 'A cleaner? I'm literally the greatest one-man army in the world, and she thinks I'm a cleaning guy?' He snapped, "I AM NOT a cleaner."

Sophia burst out laughing, practically glowing with amusement, thinking, 'Cleaner? That might just be the perfect job for this guy.' She said, "Alright, off you go."

Alex held back his frustration and walked out of the office, his face dark and stormy.

Emily shot Sophia a bewildered look, half-teasing. "Whoa, boss—where'd you find this guy? Name your price. My agency needs him. With that look, he'll blow up overnight."

Sophia finally wiped the grin off her face and settled down. She let out a long breath and glanced at the doorway, her eyes mixed with emotions. "Remember what I told you this morning? That's him."

Emily's jaw practically hit the floor, her eyes wide as saucers. She just stared at Sophia, totally floored. "Wait, you can't be serious. The same guy who threw down 300 million just for you, and now he's your cleaner?"

Sophia was totally stumped. She had no clue why Alex suddenly showed up or why he insisted on being her bodyguard. He didn't seem to want anything from her—and that cash he tossed her? Probably just guilt over last night.

"Look, I didn't go after him. He came to me," Sophia explained. "Said he's gonna be my bodyguard, and then smashed an ashtray with his bare hand right in front of me. See the glass in the trash? That's what's left of it."

Emily leaned in for a closer look at the trash can, her eyes practically sparkling with gossip. "You know, maybe he's got a crush on you. It's a classic TV trope. Cheesy, sure, but it does happen in real life."

Sophia's eyes lit up. 'Hey, maybe there's something to that,' she thought.

Honestly, Sophia didn't mind Alex at all. In fact, for some reason, she actually enjoyed bickering with him. Seeing him all worked up and unable to do anything about it just made her feel oddly satisfied.

"No way," Sophia said, shaking her head. "A rich guy like him? Falling for me? I just hope it's not something else he's after..." As she spoke, she glanced down at her chest, a little self-conscious.

"Why not?" Emily shot back. "Think about it. What rich guy would just hand over 300 million dollars, especially at a time like this?"

Emily actually made a lot of sense, and for a second, Sophia almost started to buy it. Out in the hallway, Alex had no clue that they thought he was crushing on Sophia. He couldn't care less about money.

"How about you just call him in and ask?" Emily grinned, a wicked spark in her eyes.

Sophia shook her head. "No, it's better this way. Maybe he really doesn't want anything from me." She sighed, "And I've got the Hackett engagement tonight.

"Even with all this cash, it's not enough. Even if I poured it all into my company, we're no match for Hackett Group. Plus, my parents would never let me call it off."

Emily went quiet. Hackett Group basically ran Janlinston. There were barely any companies out there that could even hope to stand on equal footing with them.

If Hackett Group really decided to crush Genenova Group, the latter wouldn't last more than three months before going under. That was the kind of terrifying power they have around here. Almost nobody was reckless enough to challenge them head-on.

"I'll stick with you tonight," Emily offered, trying to cheer her up.

"It's better if I go alone. I really don't want you getting caught up in this because of me," Sophia said softly, turning down the offer without hesitation.

She had her own backup plan—a trump card she refused to play unless things got desperate. If she ever used it, she'd be completely kicked out of Janlinston, no hope of coming back.

"Alright then," Emily said, "Oh, and what about that loaded guy outside? Is he tagging along with you tonight? Maybe he could bail you out if things get ugly." To Emily, Alex was filthy rich.

"No. I'm not bringing him," Sophia replied with a firm shake of her head. She was dead set on handling this herself. No way she'd let anyone else get mixed up in this mess.

"Hey, you've got your own company to run. You should probably head back," Sophia said, mustering a little smile.

Emily knew that Sophia was hell-bent on facing this alone, and honestly, jumping in wouldn't do much. "Alright, I'm out. Just call me if anything comes up," she said, slinging her bag over her shoulder and heading out.

On her way out, Emily gave Alex one last lingering look.

Noticing Emily's glare, Emily was baffled. 'I didn't even do anything wrong. So why's she looking at me like I'm up to no good?' he wondered.

Sophia sat in her office chair, completely lost in thought. 'What am I supposed to do now?' she thought, feeling totally at a loss.

The day dragged on, and before she knew it, it was already four in the afternoon. Sophia took a deep breath, shut down her computer, quickly touched up her makeup, grabbed her bag, and headed out of the office.

Alex had somehow managed to drag over two chairs and was sprawled out on them, fast asleep.

Sophia's face darkened. She kicked one of the chairs hard. "Get up!"

Alex finally stirred, stretching lazily. "Shift's over. Let's go," he said, getting ready to leave.

Sophia's face turned stormy. "Who's the boss here? You or me?"

Alex stopped in his tracks, stepped aside, and flashed her a grin. "After you, boss lady."

Sophia tried to force a smile, but couldn't. Just thinking about what was waiting for her tonight made her feel like she was suffocating under a mountain of pressure.

When they got to the parking lot, Sophia casually tossed the keys to Alex with a half-smirk. "You do know how to drive, right?"

Alex chuckled. "Please, driving's nothing. Don't forget your seat belt."

Sophia leaned back in the passenger seat, her eyes unfocused, clearly weighed down by her thoughts.

Alex glanced her way, a small frown tugging at his face. He could tell she had a lot on her mind, but he kept quiet and just drove on.

Half an hour later, as the car pulled up in front of a sprawling, luxurious estate, Sophia finally spoke up, "Hold up for a second." The car stopped just shy of the entrance.

Sophia took a deep breath, trying to steady herself. "Alright, you can head back now."

Alex blinked, caught off guard. "Where am I supposed to go?"

"Just find somewhere to crash for the night. Come pick me up tomorrow morning," Sophia replied.

Alex cut her off. "Hold on. I'm your bodyguard, right? You won't even help me find a place to stay, and now you're kicking me out to who-knows-where? Worried I'll cramp your style on your date?"

The moment he said it, Sophia's eyes welled up. She whipped around, tears glistening, and glared at him. "Just go. Don't ever come looking for me again," she choked out. "You never wanted to take responsibility for me anyway. Fine. Have it your way."

Alex was seriously thrown by her tears. He could never handle it when a girl cried. In his eyes, Sophia had always been this tough, no-nonsense woman. Her sudden breakdown totally knocked the wind out of him.

"Uh—wait, hold on..." Alex blurted out, scrambling for words. "What did I do wrong? Just tell me and I'll change, okay?"

Chapter 5 No One Can Save Him

Alex honestly had no clue what Sophia was thinking. He hadn't even been the one to make the first move that night, and he'd even compensated her afterwards.

"You can't change it. Just go," Sophia said, her face streaked with tears as she turned to head back into the estate.

Alex stepped forward and grabbed her arm. "Stop right there. Who says I can't change it? Just tell me what to do. I'll do it, as long as you stop crying."

Sophia finally stopped crying, though her body still trembled. She turned to Alex, her voice unsteady. "I'm here to get engaged. The Hacketts aren't to be messed with.

"If Andrew finds out about that night, you'll be in real danger. I can't drag you into this. Please, just go."

That was when she finally told him the real reason. It wasn't Alex who had made her cry. It was thinking about the future and everything that was coming that made her feel so wronged inside.

Alex let out a long breath. 'So it wasn't about me, thank god,' he thought. "You freaked me out. For a second, I thought I made you cry. But come on, you're way off about me being in danger.

"Hey, I'm just your bodyguard. Why would they care about me? I said I'd stick by you and keep you safe. That's what I'm doing. Let's go. It's just an engagement, nothing to stress over. Honestly? Sounds like a sweet deal to me."

To Alex, Sophia getting engaged was no big thing. It wasn't his business anyway. With a firecracker like her, trouble followed whoever dared get close.

Hearing Alex's words, Sophia got so mad that it felt like her chest was about to burst. "Get lost!"

Alex just gave a careless shrug, hauled her back into the car, and then hit the gas and drove straight toward the estate.

Sophia quickly wiped away her tears, putting on a brave face like nothing had happened. But the redness around her eyes was a dead giveaway—no hiding the fact she'd been crying.

The estate was lined with luxury rides. Outside the grand villa, all the big shots from Janlinston showed up to celebrate the Hackett family's engagement.

Alex pulled into an empty spot and swung open the car door for Sophia.

At that moment, everyone by the entrance turned to look. Plenty of gazes landed on Sophia, giving her the full once-over. After all, she was Janlinston's number one beauty.

Andrew stood right at the door. The moment he spotted Sophia, his eyes lit up. "Guys, please, come on in. Let me go get my bride-to-be."

That line got everyone laughing. They all knew Andrew's so-called bride was just another plaything in his eyes.

The women around Andrew rarely lasted more than three days before he dumped them. As for Sophia, with her reputation as Janlinston's top beauty, most people figured she'd be out the door in a week, maybe two, tops.

"Sophia," Andrew said as he quickly walked over, flashing her a smile and trying his hardest to act all gentlemanly.

"Mm," Sophia replied, totally cold and distant. There wasn't a trace of joy about the engagement on her face. She had already steeled herself for the worst.

Seeing her like that, Andrew's face soured instantly.

Just as Andrew reached out to take Sophia's hand, Alex stepped up and grabbed his wrist. "Better show some respect to her, or I'll beat you up."

Sophia froze, her heart skipping a beat. 'Is he crazy? Does he seriously not know he's dealing with Andrew Hackett?' she thought.

Andrew frowned and glared at Alex. "Sophia, who the hell is this guy?" he demanded, clearly ticked off by Alex's sudden move.

"He's my bodyguard," Sophia said. "Alex, let go of Mr. Hackett."

Andrew narrowed his eyes at Alex, a mocking smirk playing on his lips.

Alex finally let go. "Yes, ma'am."

The moment Alex saw Andrew, he knew he was bad news. That swagger screamed playboy—probably already paying for all those wild nights. 'Why would Sophia pick a guy like that?' Alex wondered. 'Doesn't she worry he can't handle her long-term?'

"So, Sophia, you get yourself a bodyguard just to keep me on a short leash? Or is it that you're actually scared I might cross the line?" Andrew glared at Sophia, the irritation practically written all over his face.

After tonight, they'd basically be a done deal, but for Andrew, Sophia was already as good as his. Sooner or later, she'd end up with him, no matter what.

"Mr. Hackett, you're reading too much into it. I just think having someone to watch my back is the smart move," Sophia answered, cool and composed as ever.

Andrew didn't bother to say anything else and just strode side by side with Sophia toward the villa's main hall. As they got to the doorway, he shot Alex a look and said, "You can leave now. Sophia's not coming home tonight."

'Tonight, Sophia's not getting away,' Andrew thought, his eyes burning with excitement. 'I've waited ages for this, and now that I've finally got her, there's no way I'm letting go.'

Sophia's heart dropped. It was too late to back out now. Her fingers closed around the object in her bag.

She was this close to whipping it out and shoving it in Andrew's face—just to tell him she'd been with someone else and make him look like a complete fool.

"I'm not your damn bodyguard. Who do you even think you are, barking orders at me like you're somebody? Where'd you get the guts to talk to me like that?" Alex spat, pure mockery in his tone.

Sophia froze, stunned. She didn't want Alex to leave, but she definitely didn't want him squaring off with Andrew. This was Hackett Manor, after all.

Sure, Alex could smash an ashtray bare-handed, but there were dozens of guards here. 'He's tough, but no way he can take them all alone... right?' she thought, heart racing.

And to make things worse, Alex had just mouthed off right to Andrew's face. With Andrew's ego and temper, there was no way he would just let Alex off the hook.

Andrew's face went cold. He glared at Alex like he was already dead. "Got a death wish, talking to me like that? Since Sophia's here, I'll give you one chance. Get lost, or I'll snap your legs like twigs."

Alex just laughed, completely unfazed. Most guys who talked to him like that were already pushing up daisies. "Death wish? Break my legs? You've got guts, but you're the dumbest punk I've ever met."

That was the last straw for Andrew. He'd been willing to let Alex go for Sophia's sake—just tell him to get lost. But Alex shooting his mouth off right in front of him made Andrew snap. "You asked for this. Security!"

In a flash, a bunch of suited-up goons strutted over, looking all official but clearly just muscle, swinging batons in their hands.

Sophia instantly panicked, frantically trying to calm things down. "Mr. Hackett, seriously, don't do this. He's just my bodyguard. Just let him go, okay?"

She shot Alex a pleading look, trying to tell him to bail before it was too late. She really didn't want him crippled for life.

But Alex acted like he didn't even notice, giving the security guards a lazy once-over.

Andrew grabbed Sophia's chin, face dark and vicious. "Listen up, Sophia. Nobody in Janlinston gets away with talking to me like that. That guy's done for. I'm telling you now, even Jesus couldn't pull him out of this one."

Chapter 6 Don't Let Me Spoil Your Fun

The air was electric with tension. The security guards had their weapons at the ready, fingers poised and eyes fixated, prepared to swarm in at the slightest move.

Sophia's heart raced. "Andrew, if you touch him, this engagement is over." She'd risk anything for Alex's safety. Even if Genenova Group collapsed, she'd never get Alex caught up in her mess.

Andrew's eyes narrowed into icy slits as he looked Sophia over with a cold smirk. "Sophia, why are you making such a fuss over a bodyguard? What? You two hooking up? If that's the case, I swear he won't leave here alive today."

Sophia froze. Andrew actually guessed right. But there was no way she'd ever let that slip in public.

Just as she hesitated, Alex cut in, scratching his ear casually and pointing at Andrew. "Yeah, you got it. Sophia and I hooked up. She was drunk that night, all over me. Trust me; it was unforgettable. Too bad you'll never know."

The smug look of satisfaction on Alex's face instantly sent Andrew into a rage. He knew Alex was running his mouth just to provoke him, but it didn't matter. Nobody got away with talking about his woman like that.

Sophia's face went from flaming red to ice-pale in a heartbeat. After all, this was the Hackett family's territory. She just couldn't figure out how Alex had the guts to say all that about last night, right in front of Andrew.

"Good. Now you've really pissed me off. Let me show you how things work in Janlinston. You mess with the Hackett family, you pay for it. Break his damn legs!" Andrew snarled, waving his hand. His goons surged forward, batons raised.

The very next second, Sophia sprang forward, throwing herself between Alex and the guards. The baton smashed right into her forehead with a heavy, sickening thud.

Sophia felt something hot and sticky trail down her face, her head spinning. She wiped at it, and her hand came away drenched in blood. Her knees buckled and she started to slump backward.

Alex moved fast and grabbed Sophia before she could hit the floor, his face going stone-cold. He never thought she would risk herself for him like that.

The guards froze, their eyes wide in shock as blood streamed down Sophia's face. Not one of them dared make another move.

Meanwhile, the business big shots inside the house all heard the ruckus and filed out to see what was happening.

"Andrew, what's going on?" A bearded middle-aged man in a suit walked through the doorway. It was William Hackett, chairman of Hackett Group and Andrew's father.

Andrew's face grew dark and sinister as he kept his glare locked on Alex. "It's nothing, Dad. You and the others go ahead and eat. I'll be in soon."

Everyone could see what was happening, but nobody uttered a word. Everyone knew how the Hacketts played hardball.

William shot a cold glance at Sophia, who was bleeding, and Alex, who was supporting her. "Deal with it. Fast."

Then, with a smile, he addressed the crowd, "Don't let this ruin your night. Let's get back to our drinks."

With that, everyone filed back into the hall, shutting the door behind them.

Andrew's eyes narrowed as he locked onto Alex. "You're gonna pay for running your mouth just now. Get Sophia out of the way and finish him off!" With a wave, the guards started to close in again.

This time, Alex made his move. He carefully laid Sophia down, and then straightened up, his eyes icy and unflinching.

As the guards approached, a chilling smile appeared on his face. Anyone who knew Alex would shiver at the sight. When he got angry, whoever stood in his way might as well start praying.

With a sharp swing, a guard aimed his baton straight for Alex's skull. But Alex caught it mid-air with one hand and, without missing a beat, drove his fist mercilessly into the guy's chest.

A bone-crunching thud followed by a guttural groan, then the guard went flying, ribs cracked and body crumpled on the floor. Whether he was dead or alive, nobody bothered checking.

Seeing their teammate wrecked, the rest of the guards charged toward Alex in a frenzy.

Just seconds later, every last guard was writhing on the ground, their agonized screams bouncing off the walls. Andrew finally realized that Sophia hadn't just hired some regular bodyguard. She'd brought in a monster.

As Alex advanced, Andrew's nerves frayed. He scrambled backward until he was pinned against the closed door, voice shaking with panic. "What do you want?"

Alex didn't say a word. In a flash, he clamped a hand around Andrew's throat. "You talk way too damn much. Alex's palm crashed into Andrew's face and his two teeth went flying.

Andrew, locked in Alex's iron grip, couldn't spit out the blood and teeth clogging his mouth. His eyes went wide, terror frozen on his face.

But Alex wasn't through yet. He cocked his fist and slammed it into Andrew's gut, and then finally let him go.

Andrew let out a guttural cry as he crumpled to the ground, the coppery taste of blood and shattered teeth sliding down his throat. Face twisted in agony, he couldn't even scream anymore.

Alex then walked over to Sophia, shaking his head at the woman who'd just taken a hit for him. "Jeez, Sophia, why are you so damn fierce? This is guy stuff. Why'd you jump in?"

In one smooth motion, he scooped Sophia up from the floor, and then fixed Andrew with an icy glare. Striding toward the door, Alex dropped his voice to a deadly murmur. "Next time, try not to be such a scumbag."

Andrew was still in shock when he heard those words. He snapped his head up. Alex was suddenly right there, that cold, murderous look in his eyes that said, "You're already a dead man."

Before Andrew could even start begging, Alex swung his leg with bone-shattering power, kicking Andrew like a piece of trash. He sent Andrew flying straight through the villa's main doors with a tremendous crash.

The hall fell silent. Everyone turned at the commotion. There lay Andrew—bloody, broken, like a dog hit by a car. No one dared to breathe. People stared, horrified, thinking, 'The Hackett heir might be dead.'

Alex swept his gaze over everyone in the room, his voice calm and collected. "Sorry to ruin your evening. Took care of a beast. Guess none of you mind, right?"