I quickly took out my phone and called James.

"James, Director Sophia seems to have twisted her ankle. Can you come help her upstairs?"

"Alright, I’m on my way," he replied immediately.

Hearing that, I noticed Sophia’s expression stiffen slightly.

I exhaled quietly and shifted my stance, subtly putting more distance between us.

"Can’t stand?" I asked flatly.

Sophia looked up at me, her eyes softening as she nodded.

"Just wait. James will be here soon."

I supported her only lightly now, keeping space between us.

She didn’t respond.

I didn’t either.

After a moment, she spoke again, her voice thinner this time.

"CEO Blackwood... can you just help me to my room?"

Before I could answer, I spotted James approaching from the hotel entrance.

"Boss, I’ll take it from here," he said, quickly stepping in and supporting her.

Sophia’s grip on me loosened reluctantly.

She followed James, but even as she walked away, she kept turning back to look at me.

I watched until they disappeared inside the hotel.

Then I turned away and reached for my phone to call the driver.

Alicia should be here by now.

At that moment—

A black SUV parked across the street suddenly flashed its headlights.

The SUV slowly pulled up in front of me.

Then the back window slid down.

And I saw Alicia leaning lazily against the seat, arms crossed, watching me with a casual smile.

I opened the door and got in beside her.

"How long have you been here?" I asked. "Why didn’t you call me?"

The driver started the engine.

"Not long," Alicia replied lightly. "There were people throwing themselves at you earlier. How could you possibly have noticed me?"

So she had seen everything.

I immediately explained, "I was only helping her up."

Thinking back on it now, Sophia had been deliberate in everything she did tonight.

From the toast...

To following me out...

To the fake injury.

I had sensed she was up to something earlier, but it wasn’t until we reached the hotel entrance that I became certain.

I didn’t believe she had twisted her ankle at all.

Which meant—

Just as Alicia had warned me before...

Sophia might really have feelings for me.

"Why didn’t you take her to the hospital first?" Alicia asked coolly. "Then escort her back to her room after. Who knows? You might’ve received a pleasant surprise."

I glanced at her, then lowered the car window and let the cool wind rush in.

"There’s already a surprise."

She turned to me.

"Hmm?"

"You’ll find out when we get home."

I hadn’t expected Sophia to go this far.

The moment I entered the car, I realized something was wrong with my body.

I had been drugged.

Anger surged through me—

But beneath it was a quieter, far more dangerous thought.

This might be the perfect chance to ease the distance between Alicia and me.

She was still holding back.

By the time we reached the villa, heat was coursing through every part of me.

My throat felt dry.

My breathing had grown uneven.

And yet—

It seemed Alicia hadn’t noticed a thing.

‎Alicia’s POV

‎

‎By the time we returned to the villa, something felt... off.

‎Alexander had been unusually quiet during the ride back.

‎At first, I thought he was tired from work, but the moment he stepped out of the car, his movements seemed slower than usual.

‎When we entered the house, he loosened his tie with one hand and exhaled deeply.

‎Kessy came forward. "Mr. Blackwood, ma’am—"

‎"You can go for the night," Alexander said flatly.

‎She blinked, then nodded quickly and left.

‎I turned to look at him.

‎"Why are you sending her away so early today "

Kessy didn’t live at the villa. She only came by from time to time to clean and make sure everything stayed in order. But ever since Alexander and I arrived, she had started coming early each morning to prepare breakfast and handle whatever we needed before leaving again by nine pm.

But it was only seven-thirty now.

‎He didn’t answer immediately.

‎Instead, he walked past me and braced one hand against the staircase rail.

‎My brows furrowed.

‎"Alexander?"

‎When he turned, I froze slightly.

‎His eyes looked darker than usual, his breathing heavier, and there was a faint flush across his neck.

‎"Are you sick?"

‎He let out a short laugh.

‎"Not exactly."

‎I stepped closer instinctively and touched the back of my hand to his forehead.

‎His skin was burning hot.

‎My eyes widened.

‎"You have a fever."

‎The corner of his lips lifted.

‎"No."

‎His gaze locked onto mine.

‎"It’s worse than that."

‎My heartbeat stumbled.

‎"...What do you mean?"

‎Alexander slowly straightened and took one step closer.

‎"Alicia," he said, voice rough and low.

‎"I think I’ve been drugged."

‎I stared at him in shock.

‎Then before I could react—

‎He suddenly caught my wrist and lowered his head against my shoulder, breathing unevenly.

‎"Don’t move," he muttered hoarsely.

‎"I’m trying very hard to behave."

I stood there frozen for a moment, unsure of what to do.

Then I stepped forward and held him properly.

"Come on," I said softly. "I’ll help you upstairs."

"Mm."

He leaned part of his weight against me, and slowly, we made our way up the stairs to the master bedroom.

Once inside, I guided him toward the bathroom.

"Take a shower. You’ll feel better."

Alexander paused for a moment, studying my face as though trying to read something there.

Then he gave a reluctant nod and went inside, shutting the door behind him.

I went to another bathroom to freshen up using the supplies I found inside.

When I returned to the room, Alexander still hadn’t come out.

I could hear the sound of running water from inside.

I couldn’t help wondering if he was alright.

I entered the walk-in closet to change.

I had forgotten to bring my pajamas, so I searched through the wardrobe while drying my damp hair with a towel.

I was so distracted that I didn’t hear the bathroom door open.

Only when I sensed movement behind me did I turn sharply.

And froze.

Alexander stood at the entrance of the closet.

His hair was damp, droplets still tracing down the side of his neck.

His breathing was uneven.

Our gazes locked.

I instinctively stepped backward until my shoulders touched the corner wall.

Forcing a smile, I said lightly,

"Did you take a cold shower? Last time, you—"

"It’s cold outside now," he said hoarsely, cutting me off as he slowly stepped closer.

"If I take a cold shower, I might catch one."

There was something dangerous in his eyes.

Heat.

Restraint.

Flames barely held back.

"Maybe... maybe you should go to the hospital," I said, trying to steady my voice.

"It’s too late for that."

"Alexander..."

"Mmm—"

The rest of my words disappeared beneath his kiss.

Alexander pulled me close, his hand at the back of my neck, deepening the kiss.

Even in the heat of the moment, there was tenderness in the way he kissed me. His hand, which had been resting on my waist, slid lower, cupping my curves. Alexander’s breath filled my senses, warm and heavy.

The kiss was wet and scorching. I could barely catch my breath. The towel hanging around my body loosened and fell to the floor, but I didn’t even care anymore.

In that small space, the air was thick with tension. His labored breathing mixed with my soft moans. I braced myself against the wall, moving in rhythm. My eyes closed, my face flushed, my lips slightly parted, while his hands kept roaming over my body.

I knew this wasn’t right for me. I knew I couldn’t let myself fall into that whirlpool or become this comfortable with everything happening right now. I still didn’t trust him completely. I still remembered the hurt too clearly. But I just couldn’t help it. My body was betraying me, leaning into his touch and his kisses so naturally, as if it belonged there.

Alexander, still in his bathrobe, scooped me up and laid me on the bed, starting a new round of passion.

On the large bed, our bodies tangled together. He looked up at me, and our gazes locked. His eyes, full of desire, stared into mine as if trying to read me, as if asking for my permission to continue...