Chapter 9

Suddenly, a strong hand grabbed Sophia's wrist just in time— "Ouch, let go of me!" she squealed, wincing from the pain. She looked up and saw a tall man step in front of Samantha, firmly holding onto her wrist. The anger in Sophia's eyes instantly froze when she saw him. Seriously, how could someone look this good?! He was well over six feet tall, dressed in a perfectly tailored cream-colored dress shirt that subtly hinted at a sculpted six-pack beneath. His face looked like it was carved by the gods—sharp brows, deep eyes, a chiseled nose, and lips with the kind of refined curve that made people stare. But what truly made him stand out was the way he carried himself—like someone born into privilege. His expression was cool and detached, his presence so commanding it made people instinctively fall silent. Who was he? And why did he have to be so ridiculously attractive? Sophia's heart started racing. She stared at him, dazed, forgetting all about the pain in her wrist. "You think this is the Perkins household and you can do whatever the hell you want?" Alexander frowned slightly, his voice low and unreadable, clearly annoyed. "I..." Sophia's heart skipped a beat, thinking he was speaking to her. Just as she opened her mouth, she was cut off. "Funny. You know it's not your house, but think you can butt in anyway?" Samantha didn't even look up as she neatly adjusted her sister's clothes, snapping back with zero hesitation. "Wait, I—" Sophia's face dropped when she realized Alexander wasn't even talking to her. It was that woman. That awful woman. "This is the Perkins Mall. Creating a scene here—what are you even thinking?" Alexander ignored Sophia completely, locking his gaze on Samantha with contempt in his eyes. Samantha scoffed coldly. "How are you so sure I'm the one making trouble? Ever think it might be someone else? I don't back down when I'm wronged, that's just not me." Sophia tried to step in, wanting to explain, but once again, Alexander didn't spare her a glance. He looked past her, face impassive, and warned Samantha, "Pull one more stunt like that, and next time, I might not stop someone's hand in time." "Oh, save your breath," Samantha snapped, rolling her eyes. "It's not like you showed up out of concern for me. Looks like you're more worried about someone else getting hurt." Alexander: "..." Sophia immediately stepped closer, faking a pitiful look. "She hit me first!" She put on her best damsel-in-distress act—but got nothing. The man's face was like ice, his voice even colder. "Caitlin, go home. Keep stirring trouble and you'll find out exactly what that means." When Sophia heard him say "go home" to that woman, it felt like a knife had gone straight through her. That awful woman—she couldn't possibly be... his family? Sophia's chest tightened, anxiety twisting her insides. No. Please, not that. Don't let her be his wife. Anyone but her. Still being held by Alexander, Samantha yanked her hand away, glaring at him. "Alexander, how did you even know I was here? Were you following me?" "You honestly think I need to stalk someone? Please. Mrs. Perkins strutted into the Perkins Mall all on her own. What—do you think my people just sit around twiddling their thumbs?" Alexander let out a cold laugh, his presence alone making every employee in the room tense up. Mrs. Perkins... So she really is his wife? Alexander, the CEO of Perkins Corporation, worth billions and ridiculously good-looking—who would've thought he'd marry a woman that brash and overbearing? Sure, Caitlin wasn't someone easy to mess with—Sophia could admit that much. But so what? When she wanted a man, she got him. No questions, no competition. She had never lost before, and she didn't plan to start now. Alexander was hers. End of story. Over by the racks, Alexander and Samantha were still in a standoff, completely ignoring Sophia's existence. "Come home with me," Alexander said, reaching for Samantha's hand again. "I've got legs, I'll walk myself," she fired back, dodging his hand and walking away like he wasn't even there. Watching the two of them leave one after the other, Sophia's lips curled into a chilly smirk. Their relationship didn't seem all that solid after all. Once they were gone, the store's employees couldn't help whispering among themselves. "Wow, Mr. Perkins is seriously hot." "Right? Rich and hot? He must've rescued a puppy and solved world peace in a past life." "Nah, I'd say Mrs. Perkins is the one who did. Marrying Mr. Perkins? She's won life." "Oh come on, Mrs. Perkins is stunning, has a killer body, and she's a featured designer for Aurelune. She's definitely on his level, maybe even above." Hearing all this, Sophia's face instantly darkened. Her anger spiked as she shouted at them, "Shut up! That woman doesn't deserve Alexander at all. Mrs. Perkins? What a joke. Just wait—I'll bring her down sooner or later." Back at the villa, Samantha ignored Alexander entirely and headed straight for the upstairs floor. "Stop right there," Alexander ordered. Samantha paused, leaned against the staircase railing, and glanced down at him. "What, still not done arguing? Didn't get enough drama at the mall? You got so much energy, why not hit the gym? I'm wiped, I'm not playing along anymore." Alexander couldn't stand the way she looked down at him from above. The sharp edge in her gaze, the way she stood so confidently—it made him feel like she was actually looking down on him. "Where were you tonight? Whose car did you get into? Why did you even go out?" His eyes were dark with a chill that sliced clean. "You chased me all the way to the mall, right? So you should already know the answers. Now you wanna hear it straight from me? What, hoping I confirm your little suspicions?" Samantha's eyes sparkled with amusement as she looked at him. Alexander's face turned a shade darker. "..." With his frosty glare fixed on her, Samantha walked down the stairs slowly. The outfit she wore hugged her perfectly, exuding this queen-like energy that actually sent a strange ripple through Alexander's chest. Caitlin, standing right in front of him now, was drop-dead gorgeous. Sexy, powerful, untouchably confident—she had a presence that made you want to look up, not down. He'd never met a woman quite like her. Her beauty was so potent, her gaze alone could make a man unsteady. That timid, quiet version of Caitlin from before? She didn't even exist anymore. She hadn't just changed—she'd obliterated her past self. Watching her come closer, Alexander couldn't help but remember the moment he'd kissed her—how sweet her lips tasted. And somehow, he wanted it again. His throat bobbed visibly.