CHAPTER 32: THIS TIME, YOU’LL REMEMBER ME!

"Sophia... you dared to dress like this, so don’t blame me. Just let me have my fun—having a woman like you, it’s worth it."

The man held her up and started dragging her outside.

Harper was still going wild on the dance floor, completely unaware of what was happening.

Lucas tensed, ready to stand, but hesitated. Too many eyes. If he moved now, he risked being recognized.

"Mr. Hilton, let me go."

Alex stepped forward, but Lucas pulled out a mask, slipped it on, and rose to his feet.

"My God..." Alex’s eyes widened. His boss never stood in public. Ever.

The man was the very definition of prideful—a cold CEO who pretended not to care. But the truth? He clearly cared about Sophia.

"Hand her over."

Louis had barely led Sophia out of the bar when he was blocked by a tall figure. The man wore a large mask that hid his face, but his aura screamed authority and power.

"And who the hell are you? Hand her over? Don’t make me laugh."

Louis’s bravado faltered under the man’s imposing presence. Still, he wasn’t about to give up the prize in his hands. Tightening his grip on Sophia, he tried to push past.

Lucas struck.

In one swift move, he twisted Louis’s wrist back and yanked Sophia into his arms, holding her close as he turned to leave.

"You ruined my fun? I’ll kill you!"

Louis stumbled, enraged, and swung his fist.

Lucas’s eyes went cold. His long leg snapped out in a sharp spin kick.

Bang—

Louis slammed against the wall, clutching his chest in pain.

"You—!"

"And you dare lay a hand on her?"

Sophia, half-conscious, stirred at the noise. Her body burned with unnatural heat.

"So... hot..."

Lucas frowned, lowering his gaze to meet her hazy eyes.

"Let me go!" she struggled weakly.

"It’s me."

That familiar voice made her relax, her strength vanishing. "Lucas..."

He swept her into his arms, ready to leave, when Louis roared behind them—

Grabbing a bottle, Louis charged.

"Watch out!"

Sophia clung to Lucas’s shoulder as he spun, kicking Louis back. The bottle missed its mark but shattered against Lucas’s shoulder.

Shielding her carefully, he drove his heel into Louis’s chest.

"Boss!" Alex finally caught up, throwing a punch that sent Louis sprawling.

"Clean this up. I don’t want to see him again."

Lucas carried Sophia out, placed her in his car, and sped off.

"Stay with me. Stay awake."

But Sophia was delirious, tugging at her clothes, pressing herself against him.

"Sophia!" Lucas’s grip tightened on the wheel as the car flew through the streets.

At the hotel, he hauled her into the bathroom and dropped her into a tub of ice-cold water.

Her eyes flickered open, clarity returning. "Lucas..."

"You still know who I am?" His mask was still in place.

"You’re not... crippled?"

"If I’m not, does that disappoint you?"

He crouched beside the tub, about to pull off his mask—

When a delicate hand seized his tie, yanking him down.

Sophia’s lips pressed to his through the mask.

The kiss deepened. Her wet fingers tugged the mask away, revealing his face.

How could a man look this good?

"Sophia, do you even know what you’re doing?"

Heat flared between them, the air thick with desire.

"You look so familiar... how much do you cost? Free?"

"Free?"

Lucas’s eyes darkened. Free? She really thought it’d be that easy?

"You really dare to think."

"How much do you want? I’ll give you... a hundred bucks? No, that’s not enough... with a face like yours, I’ll add another hundred!"

Sophia had no idea what she was saying—completely delirious.

Lucas’s jaw tightened, his voice like ice through clenched teeth. "You brought this on yourself."

Sophia’s mind was a mess, like a tiny boat tossed helplessly on a stormy sea.

"Sophia. Look at me. Who am I?"

Lucas gripped her chin, forcing her to meet his eyes.

"...Lucas..."

"Then how dare you forget me? You carried my six children abroad for six years? Sophia, you really do have guts!"

His voice was low, almost a growl.

But Sophia lifted her arms, her smile teasing and sweet. "Forget you? That depends—do you have the ability to make me remember?"

Lucas’s eyes darkened, sharp as a blade.

She dares question me?

...

Back at the bar.

Harper darted through the crowd, searching for Sophia.

"Where is she?!" One second she’d been there, and the next—gone.

"Ah!"

She bumped straight into someone.

"Sorry! I’m so sorry!" She rubbed her sore forehead, apologizing in a rush.

"It’s fine. Are you looking for someone?"

What a cute girl.

Ryan’s interest was instantly piqued.

"Yes—did you see the girl who was singing earlier?"

He’s so handsome! Harper’s heart skipped, but she tamped down her excitement, asking without much hope.

"She already left," Ryan said casually. He’d just gone back to find Sophia, only to discover she was gone. She must have slipped out.

"Left?" Harper’s jaw dropped. My bestie ditched me?

"Hi, I’m Ryan. Care to have a drink with me?"

The tone was smooth, but to Harper, it sounded like a creep luring kids. Her good impression vanished instantly.

"Sorry. My mom taught me not to talk to strange uncles. Goodbye."

She spun on her heel and stormed off, calling Sophia’s phone.

It rang, but no one answered.

Ryan’s eyes followed her retreating figure, amusement glinting.

Uncle?

It was the first time anyone had ever called him that.

...

Meanwhile, Harper grew more worried when she couldn’t reach Sophia. She stepped outside—only to hear a voice.

"Miss Carter."

Alex had been waiting at the entrance and finally spotted her.

"Alex? You’re waiting for me?"

"Miss Carter, you’re looking for Miss Morgan, right? She’s with the president. She’s safe. No need to worry. Let me take you home."

"With Lucas? Since when? Don’t lie to me."

Her brows furrowed, suspicion flashing in her eyes. Lucas and Sophia? Together? That makes no sense.

She pressed again. "Why didn’t I see them leave? Did Lucas tell you to wait here—or was it Sophia?"

"Miss Carter, she’s safe with the president. You don’t need to worry," Alex replied with his usual polite smile.

It’s because she’s with him that I’m worried! Harper’s brows knitted tighter. Sophia, you’d better be okay—or how am I supposed to explain this?

...

But in the hotel, Sophia had completely forgotten her friend at the bar.

Outside, the wind had picked up, the night turning colder. Yet inside, the heat only kept rising...

...

The next morning.

Sunlight streamed into the room.

The scene on the bed was undeniably intimate.

Sophia’s body ached, every muscle sore, like she’d been shattered and put back together. Exhaustion weighed heavy.

She slowly opened her eyes, blinking against the light.

Her hand brushed against warm, bare skin.

What was that?

She gave it a squeeze.

A muffled groan rumbled beside her.

Her brain stalled. Slowly, she turned her head.

A pair of deep, piercing eyes stared back at her.

"Good morning, my fiancée."