تسجيل الدخول“What is going on? How did this happen? The Sutherland heiress is already married? Since when? Why didn’t anyone know about it?” one of the guests whispered loudly enough for everyone nearby to hear.
Shock spread through the entire ballroom.
No one could deny it. Every guest was stunned by what the young CEO had just announced. Not a single person had expected this. Everyone knew how deeply Katherine loved the soldier she had been dating for years, or at least
“Of course you don’t,” the receptionist said with a smile.She reached for an access card and placed it gently on the desk. “Here. The CEO’s office is on the top floor.”“Thank you,” Steve replied, returning her smile before taking the card and heading toward the elevator.On his way, he passed by the source of the commotion.Richard.Still arguing. Still forcing his way through. Steve had no intention of getting involved, until-----“Hey, you!”Richard’s voice rang out sharply across the lobby.Steve stopped. Slowly, he turned his head.“Why are you stopping me from entering?” Richard barked at the guards, his voice filled with anger. “I’m Katherine’s fiancé! I’ve been coming in and out of this building for years. Even Katherine gave me permission!”He shoved past two security guards and straightened his uni
“He is doing what?” Katherine’s voice sharpened in disbelief.Kimberly had just rushed into her office, slightly out of breath. “Mr. Richard is downstairs, ma’am. He’s insisting on coming up. He’s already arguing with the security guards and even the employees trying to stop him.”Katherine didn’t immediately react.Instead, she calmly turned a page of the document she was reviewing, her expression indifferent.“Let him.”Her tone was light. Unbothered.In her past life, Richard had walked in and out of the Sutherland building as if he owned it.And why wouldn’t he? She had allowed it.She had trusted him, given him authority, even letting him make decisions on business deals. He was a soldier, yet he spent more time inside the Sutherland Group than fulfilling his duties in the military.And it was her fault. She had given him that power.She had allowed him to believe he deserved it.“Boss, if we don’t do something, he might----”“It’s fine,” Katherine cut in, finally lifting her gaz
“Where’s Nerine?” Steve asked.“I already took her to her room. I’ll show you ours,” Katherine replied quickly. She didn’t even wait for him to respond and immediately turned toward the stairs, walking faster than necessary.Steve watched her for a second, amused, then followed behind with a small smile.Get a grip, Katherine. She scolded herself the moment she reached the second floor. You’re acting like a blushing teenager. You married him. Why are you panicking now?She stopped in front of a door and pushed it open slightly.“You can take a shower------”She froze.That didn’t sound right at all.Steve didn’t react. He simply looked at her, calm as always, which only made her feel more flustered.“I mean---- I’ll get you something you can wear. I’m sure you didn’t bring any extra clothes,” she said q
Katherine’s voice trembled, but she forced it to stay steady.“With a wound that deep on your arm, we should have gone straight to the hospital.”She stood in front of Steve and Luke, her fingers clenched tightly at her sides. Luke was still stitching the cut on Steve’s arm with calm, practiced movements, as if this were something he had done a thousand times before.They had just left Richard’s party.Katherine had insisted on taking Steve to the hospital, but Steve refused. He said it wasn’t serious, that Luke could handle it. Only then did she find out that Luke was a military doctor. Still, she wasn’t convinced. The wound was deep---too deep, and she had already seen Luke redo the stitches more than once.“Uncle Luke is a great doctor,” Nerine said proudly, glancing at Katherine as if trying to calm her down. “He treats my wounds all the time.”Katherine gave a tight nod.
Richard let out a humorless chuckle.“Funny, isn’t it, Katherine? Let’s just stop this. Again, I’m willing to forgive you—”His words never found their ending.The moment shattered.In a single, decisive movement, Steve closed the distance between them. His hand slid firmly around Katherine’s waist, pulling her toward him, and before anyone could react, his lips claimed hers.Silence fell.It was as if the world itself had paused, holding its breath.Katherine’s eyes flew open in shock. She hadn’t seen it coming, hadn’t even imagined it.Across the room, Luke reacted instantly, clapping a hand over Nerine’s eyes.“Hey, Uncle Luke!” the girl protested, struggling against his grip.But by the time her vision was freed, the moment had already passed. Steve had pulled away.Nerine pouted, shooting Luke an accusing glare. He only offer
“What is going on? How did this happen? The Sutherland heiress is already married? Since when? Why didn’t anyone know about it?” one of the guests whispered loudly enough for everyone nearby to hear.Shock spread through the entire ballroom.No one could deny it. Every guest was stunned by what the young CEO had just announced. Not a single person had expected this. Everyone knew how deeply Katherine loved the soldier she had been dating for years, or at least that was what they believed.So how could she suddenly be married?And judging by the look on Richard’s face, even he had no idea what was happening.No one understood what was going on inside Katherine’s mind.“Miss Sutherland,” one of the guests finally spoke up. “How are you already married? Just a few days ago----”“I don’t have to explain the details,” Katherine cut her off calmly. “I’m marr
“Have you heard? The famous Phantom has finally returned after his five-year mission,” one of the female officers whispered excitedly.That was the first thing Steve heard the moment he and Nerine stepped inside the grand ballroom of the Velvet Crown Hotel, where the gala and t
“What are you doing here?”Katherine stopped the moment she stepped into the boardroom and saw him sitting there.Richard.He was leaning back in one of the executive chairs as if he owned the place, his uniform perfectly pressed, his expression calm and confident as though nothing had changed.“Wh
“Let me see your hand,” Katherine said firmly, reaching for him again.But Steve pulled his arm away.“I told you it’s nothing,” he said with a faint smile. “Just a small cut. I’ll take care of it myself. It would be a shame if your beautifu
“How dare you!” Richard shouted in fury as he swung a punch at Steve.But Steve moved like lightning.He dodged the punch effortlessly, and a sharp gasp echoed across the ballroom as everyone saw what had just happened.Richard lost his balance because of the missed strike and nearly stumbled forwa







