ALINA’S POV.

    “You fucking bitch!” She screamed.

    Seraphina managed to grab a fistful of my hair before she was yanked away by Lucian and roughly shoved into the arms of the already waiting security.

    “We are so sorry about this, Mr. ckwood.” The security guards in charge of watching her to make sure she didn’t pull any stunt like this, apologized quickly, clearly shaken.

    “I will fucking kill you! How dare you do this to me? I will ruin you!” Seraphina shrieked, lookingpletely crazed as she struggled against them, her eyes wild and once perfectly done hair disheveled.

    “Are you okay, doll?” Lucian asked, his voice tight with worry as he scanned my body frantically for any sign of injury.

    “I’m fine… I think.” I said, uncertain. I was still stunned from the sudden attack, my whole body frozen in shock. !--

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    My heart was racing, with a loud thud in my chest, and although I could feel pain, I couldn’t quite pinpoint where it wasing from.

    “You crazy bitch.” Lucian growled, eyes zing as he stormed toward a now wide-eyed Seraphina. But before he could reach her, I grabbed his arm.

    He whipped his head toward me, and I shook mine firmly.

    “Please don’t. People are watching.” I said quietly, my eyes flicking toward the few onlookers outside,some waiting for their rides, others simply enjoying the night air as they now stood frozen in ce.

    “And so?” Lucian asked tly, clearly not seeing why that mattered.

    “Lucian,” I said through clenched teeth, pulling him back again when he made a move toward Seraphina again. “If you do anything rash, you’ll find yourself in the blogs before dawn tomorrow.” I reasoned.

    “I would love to see who will dare.” He said, his voice dark and loud enough for everyone nearby to hear.

    The crowd quickly averted their eyes, as they suddenly rather looked at anything but us.

    “Please… let’s just go. I’m exhausted. And I think… I’m hurt too.” I mumbled, my voice low as I felt something warm trickling down the back of my neck.

    My hand went to the spot, and when I pulled it back, it was smeared with blood.

    Lucian’s expression did an instant three-sixty, panic shing in his eyes.

    “You’re bleeding.” His eyes widened, voice tight with rm.

    Duh. I thought, trying to stay upright.

    I guessed Seraphina had gotten a few scratches in before she was pulled away. Speaking of her, she’d been taken away, luckily for her. I wasn’t sure I had the strength to hold Lucian back a third time.

    Lucian pulled his phone out of his pocket and quickly dialed a number.

    “Maya, get the doctor waiting at the mansion. Alina is hurt.” He ordered, then promptly hung up.

    “Where the fuck is Ace?!” He yelled, his tone growing more agitated.

    “Lucian, calm down.” I said, surprised at how he was reacting. I was the one injured, yet he was the one falling apart.

    “You’re bleeding.” He deadpanned again, like that exined everything.

    “I know, but panicking won’t help. Besides, it’s just a scratch.” I told him gently.

    But I was starting to feel lightheaded, and thankfully, Ace arrived with the car. Lucian gave him a sharp look but didn’t say a word as he opened the door for us.

    The doctor got right to work as soon as we arrived at the mansion.

    Turns out… it wasn’t just a scratch.

    Lucian wouldn’t let me hear the end of it, that was for sure.

    Apparently, Seraphina had stabbed me with a sharp object. The adrenaline had masked the pain, so I had assumed it was just from her yanking my hair.

    “So?” Lucian asked, arms crossed, watching the doctor ce a bandage at the back of my neck.

    “We’ll take out the stitches in a week’s time, Mr. ckwood,” the doctor informed him, removing his bloody gloves and cing them in a disposable bag. “Until then, she needs to keep the wound dry. Make sure you don’t get water on it, Mrs. ckwood.” He added, turning to me.

    “Will do, Doc.” I said, offering him a grateful smile despite the dull throb in my neck.

    “I’lle over every two days to disinfect and change the bandage-”

    “That won’t be necessary,” Lucian interrupted firmly. “I can handle that.”

    “Of course, sir. I’ll be on my way.” The doctor replied respectfully, closing his medical box. Maya walked him out.

    “Ace.” Lucian called.

    “Yes, boss.” Ace answered from the corner of the room.

    “Make sure no bad publicity that could potentially harm Alina or Alinova sees the light of day.” He instructed sharply.

    “Nothing to worry about, boss. I’ve got it all covered.” Ace replied before excusing himself.

    Now, it was just the two of us.

    Lucian stood a few feet away, arms still crossed, his expression unreadable as he stated at me. As I tried to read him, the silence between us grew heavier, and it made me anxious, I found myself fiddling with the sheets under my fingers.

    “Lucia-”

    “Just a scratch,’ huh?”

    We both spoke at the same time.

    Oh boy.

    AUTHOR’S POV

    Meanwhile, back at the venue, Mia sat in the now-almost-empty hall, massaging her sore feet. The echoes of the evening’s excitement still lingered in the air. As she put her shoes back on, a shadow fell over her.

    “Tired?” A cheerful voice asked, prompting her to look up. Standing before her was one of the most attractive men she had everid eyes on. He was gorgeous, with baby blue eyes, dimples, and a charming smile that could disarm anyone.

    “Yeah.” She chuckled, quicklyposing herself and sitting upright.

    “You did a great job, I must say.” The man gestured around the room, his tone appreciative.

    “Uhmm, thanks.” Mia smiled politely, standing up.

    While she found him charming, she still had a few things to do before she could finally retire for the night.

    “Can I help you with something?” She asked as politely as she could.

    “Oh, pardon my manners. The name is Louis, Louis Greyson.” He introduced himself, extending a hand with his award- winning smile.

    “Nice to meet you, Mr. Greyson. I’m Mia Quinn.” She said, taking his hand in a brief shake before letting go.

    I know who you are,” he chuckled. “I think everyone knows who you and your boss are.”

    “Well, I guess,” she shrugged with a small, tired grin. “Do you need something, Mr. Greyson?”

    As nice as the conversation was, Mia was beat and needed to get home to her bed.

    “Oh yes, actually, Miss Quinn. I’m looking to invest in Alinova.” Heinformed her.

    “That’s great,” Mia’s demeanor brightened. She rummaged through her purse, pulling out a business card. “Here, you can send an email to thepany’s address, and we can arrange a meeting.” She handed him the card.

    “Will do, Miss Quinn.” Louis grinned, taking the card from her.

    “Alright then, I have to go. I look forward to hearing from you.” She nodded politely before walking away.

    As Louis watched her go, his smile turned into something more sinister.

    If only Mia had known that this was her first step toward signing a deal with the devil, and it would cost her boss dearly in the future, she wouldn’t have been so easily charmed by Louis’s enchanting personality and baby blue eyes.