103

Kate’s POV

He was tall and dignified, wearing a formal suit that fit him well. From the way he approached me, I could feel the intensity behind his smile.

"Kate," he called out in a familiar tone, even though I didn't know him. "I wanted to congratulate you on the success of your project. I've long admired your hard work."

I nodded and smiled politely. "Thank you. It means a lot to me."

"Not only is your hard work admirable, but also the way you deal with challenges," he continued. "I see you at events like this all the time, and you always seem so strong and independent. Do you always come alone?"

The question sounded innocent, but there was something about the way he said it that made me feel a little uneasy. "Yeah, I usually come alone. But I'm not really alone," I answered cautiously.

The man smiled wider, his eyes shining with obvious interest. "You know, Kate, I've been watching you for the past two years. And I've never seen you with anyone. I couldn't help but ask..