"Help me!" Sophia's voice cracked as she collapsed onto the stage, her frail body shaking with sobs.Her cries echoed through the room, but no one moved.The crowd of elites, once so eager to please Zack Shaw, now watched in horror, their faces pale.The brutal display of power from the Shaw family had left everyone frozen in place.One of Zack's men approached Sophia, a knife gleaming in his hand.He smiled coldly as he crouched down, pressing the blade to her throat."This is what happens to those who cross the Shaw family," he growled, tightening his grip on the handle.Sophia’s tears streamed down her face, her eyes wide with terror as the knife dug into her skin."Please, no!" she whimpered, her voice barely audible.The crowd gasped, some turning their heads, unable to watch.The tension in the air was suffocating, and no one dared move.Zack Shaw stood nearby, arms crossed, watching with a smug expression. This was exactly the message he wanted to send—total fear and submission
"How could I have let this happen?"Elijah muttered to himself, his eyes fixed on the fresh wounds on Sophia’s face.Her once-smooth skin was now marred with cuts and bruises, a painful reminder of Zack Shaw’s brutality.Sophia lay unconscious on the bed in Arthur Palace, her chest rising and falling unevenly.Sweat beaded on her forehead, her skin pale and clammy.She was burning with fever, her lips quivering as she muttered in her sleep, "Please… no more… Zack, please…"Each word felt like a dagger to Elijah's heart.Guilt surged through him as he dipped a cloth into a bowl of cold water, gently pressing it to her forehead."I should’ve been there," he whispered."I should’ve protected you."Sophia flinched in her sleep, her hands twitching as though trying to fend off invisible attackers.Her soft whimpers filled the room, haunting Elijah.Every sound she made was a reminder of his failure.He reached into his jacket and pulled out a small vial of golden liquid—a precious elixir h
Elijah Norton woke up early in the morning.He felt something soft in his left hand, so he turned his head to the left and discovered a woman with a veil lying beside him.His left hand was gripping her... Elijah subconsciously pinched it.Sophia Donald was startled awake by the pinch, realizing she was completely naked except for the veil on her face."Ah!" Her scream echoed throughout the hotel.Breathless with fear, she clutched the bed sheets tightly to cover her body and slowly moved back to distance herself from Elijah."Who... who are you? What did you do to me?" Sophia asked anxiously."My name is Elijah. It seems we've done everything a young couple can do," Elijah shrugged casually."How could you do this to me? You violated me; you're a criminal!" Sophia was both angry and embarrassed, but more than that, she felt wronged. Tears welled up in her eyes as her voice trembled."That's not true! You were the one who made the first move last night!" Elijah defended himself."No w
"What a small world! This is the fate between us, Sophia" Elijah murmured to himself.He never expected that the woman he had been searching for had just slept right beside him the night before."Sophia, you saved me ten years ago. Now, it's my turn to save you!" Thinking of her difficult situation, Elijah resolved in his heart to make her the happiest woman in the world."Doug, head to the Donald family!""Yes, Dragon Marshal!" ... ... Sophia walked up the steps to the Donald family mansion, her legs feeling like lead.Her heart pounded in her chest, dread settling in her stomach like a stone. She pushed open the door and stepped inside, only to be met with a room full of angry faces.Her fiancé, Alan Shaw, stood at the front, his arms crossed, staring at her, like a predator sizing up its prey.The rest of the family members filled the room, their eyes like daggers, full of judgment and contempt.At the head of the table was Ethan Donald, who's the family patriarch and Sophia's g
"Who dares to cause trouble here?!" Ethan bellowed, his face red with fury.Elijah's gaze fixed on him, steady and fearless, saying confidently, "I do!” His voice calm and commanding, carrying an authority that made everyone in the room tense up."And if you lay another finger on her, you'll regret it."The room fell silent.All the members of the Donald family were in disbelief that someone had barged into their home and threatened them.Who was he? What was he doing here?Suddenly, Reno recognized him and shouted, "It's you!"He then pointed at Elijah and yelled excitedly at Ethan, "Grandpa, he's the one who had an affair with Sophia—the culprit behind the breakdown of our alliance with the Shaw family!""Guards, come quickly and capture this guy!" Reno shouted, trying to summon the guards to seize Elijah.Elijah crossed his arms and scoffed, "No need to waste your effort; the guards outside have already been taken care of by me."Everyone stared at Elijah, sensing the danger he rad
Sophia stared in disbelief as the car pulled up in front of a massive, elegant villa."This… this is where you live?" she asked, her voice filled with awe.Elijah glanced at her and nodded."Arthur Palace," he said casually. "Home, for now."He loved Sophia’s bewildered state.Sophia’s eyes widened as she took in the towering pillars, the sprawling gardens, and the grand entrance. She had never seen anything like it."I thought… I thought you were just some arrogant soldier," she muttered.It’s not that she was from a poor family but it was more than her expectations.Elijah smirked."A soldier, yes. But arrogant? Maybe," he said with a shrug."I like to keep people guessing. Come inside."He encouraged Sophia to walk ahead.Sophia felt the cool air as they stepped in and smelled the fresh flowers that decorated the luxurious interior. She couldn’t help but feel out of place."Why are you helping me?" she asked cautiously."You don’t even know me," her voice was mixed with surprise.As
The morning sun streamed through the window as Elijah and Sophia stood before a modest altar, their hands clasped together.The ceremony was simple but heartfelt. Sophia’s heart pounded in her chest."I do," she whispered, her voice steady with determination.Elijah's eyes met hers."I do," he said firmly, sealing their vows.After the ceremony, they returned to the Donald family home where Sophia's father, Bob, lived in a small, worn-down wing of the estate.His influence in the family was minimal, and it showed in his modest surroundings.Sophia's eyes were saddened at the sight."Father," she called softly, approaching him.Bob looked up, his eyes dull."Sophia?" he mumbled, his voice weak.He hadn’t expected her to visit, let alone look so radiant."I’m back, Father," Sophia said, smiling warmly."And I’m married now."Bob’s eyes widened."Married? To him?" he asked, glancing at Elijah with a mix of confusion and fear.Elijah nodded, stepping forward."Yes, sir. I’m Elijah Norton,
Sophia paced nervously around the room, her hands twisting together."How are we supposed to do this, Elijah? The Yale Group is a multinational corporation. Why would they even look at us?" she muttered, her voice filled with doubt.Elijah leaned against the wall, arms crossed, his expression calm."Stop worrying," he said softly."We’ve got this."Sophia shook her head, still unconvinced."You don’t understand," she said."I know someone there, a high school classmate. Maybe she can help… but it’s a long shot."Elijah blinked."Contact her. It’s worth a try," he encouraged."But I have my own way of handling things. Trust me, by tomorrow, the Yale Group will be begging to work with us."Sophia glanced at him, trying to read his confidence."How can you be so sure?" she asked, biting her lip.Elijah smiled."I’m the Dragon Marshal," he replied simply."And people tend to listen when I speak."Sophia took a deep breath."Alright," she said, nodding."I’ll try my way, and you do yours."