CHAPTER 4 – DANGEROUS ATTENTION

The Hart mansion was bright with lights that evening.

Music filled the large hall while guests moved around the room, chatting and laughing. Expensive decorations covered the walls, and the smell of fresh flowers drifted through the air.

Tonight was a special celebration.

It was Sylvie’s grandmother’s birthday.

Unlike the rest of the Hart family, her grandmother had always been kind to her.

After Sylvie’s mother died, her grandmother had moved away to live in the countryside. She couldn’t stand the tension inside the Hart mansion after Sylvie’s father remarried.

Because of that, Sylvie had rarely seen her over the years.

But tonight, her grandmother had returned to the city for her birthday celebration.

Sylvie stood near the staircase, nervously smoothing her dress.

Then she heard a familiar warm voice.

“Sylvie.”

She turned quickly.

Her grandmother stood at the entrance of the hall with a gentle smile.

Sylvie’s eyes immediately filled with emotion.

“Grandma!”

She hurried forward and wrapped her arms around the elderly woman.

Her grandmother hugged her tightly.

“Oh, my poor child,” she said softly. “You’ve grown so much.”

Sylvie smiled.

“I missed you.”

Her grandmother gently touched her cheek.

“I missed you too, dear.”

For a moment, Sylvie felt safe.

Like she had returned to a place where someone truly cared about her.

But the peaceful moment didn’t last long.

A loud voice suddenly interrupted them.

“Well, isn’t this touching.”

Sylvie turned.

Vanessa stood nearby wearing a tight black dress. Her expression was full of mockery.

Next to her stood Margaret, Sylvie’s stepmother.

And behind them was Sylvie’s father, quietly watching everything.

Vanessa crossed her arms.

“Grandma, you shouldn’t trust everything you see.”

Sylvie frowned.

“What are you talking about?”

Vanessa laughed lightly.

“I’m just saying that Sylvie isn’t as innocent as she looks.”

Margaret sighed dramatically.

“Vanessa, don’t start trouble.”

But her tone didn’t sound sincere.

Several nearby guests began listening with interest.

Vanessa smiled sweetly.

“I’m not causing trouble. I’m just telling the truth.”

Sylvie’s eyes narrowed.

“What truth?”

Vanessa took a slow step forward.

“I’ve heard some interesting rumors lately.”

The room grew quieter.

“What rumors?” Sylvie asked coldly.

Vanessa pretended to hesitate.

“Well… people say you’ve been spending a lot of time with wealthy men lately.”

Sylvie felt anger rise in her chest.

“That’s none of your business.”

Vanessa laughed.

“Oh please. Everyone knows what that means.”

A few guests began whispering.

Sylvie’s face hardened.

Vanessa continued cruelly,

“They say Sylvie is using her looks to get money.”

She tilted her head with fake innocence.

“Some people might even call that being a whore.”

Gasps spread through the room.

Sylvie’s fists clenched.

Her father remained silent.

As usual.

Her stepmother simply watched with a faint smile.

But suddenly—

A firm voice cut through the room.

“That is enough.”

Everyone turned.

Sylvie’s grandmother stood straight despite her age, her eyes sharp with anger.

“Vanessa,” she said calmly, “watch your words.”

Vanessa looked surprised.

“But Grandma, I’m just repeating what people say.”

Her grandmother shook her head.

“No.”

Her voice was firm.

“You are spreading lies.”

Vanessa’s smile faded slightly.

Sylvie felt a warm hand squeeze hers.

Her grandmother looked at her with kindness.

“My granddaughter is a good girl.”

The room fell silent.

Sylvie felt tears sting her eyes.

For the first time in years, someone had defended her.

Vanessa rolled her eyes.

“You only say that because you’ve been living away from the city. You don’t know what she’s really like.”

Her grandmother looked directly at her.

“I know Sylvie better than you ever will.”

The tension in the room became thick.

Just then—

The main doors of the mansion opened.

A deep voice announced,

“Alexander Knight has arrived.”

The room instantly erupted in whispers.

“The CEO of Knight Corporation?”

“Why would he come here?”

Sylvie froze.

Slowly, she turned toward the entrance.

Alexander Knight stepped inside with calm confidence.

He wore a black suit that made him look powerful and intimidating.

His silver eyes calmly scanned the room.

Then he saw Sylvie.

And his gaze immediately softened.

Vanessa noticed the direction of his eyes.

A calculating smile appeared on her face.

“Well,” she said loudly, “maybe we should ask Mr. Knight.”

Everyone turned toward him.

Vanessa walked forward gracefully.

“Mr. Knight, welcome to our party.”

Alexander nodded politely.

“Thank you.”

Vanessa smiled sweetly.

“You arrived at an interesting moment. We were just discussing Sylvie.”

Alexander’s expression darkened slightly.

“Oh?”

Vanessa gestured toward Sylvie.

“People say she has a habit of charming rich men.”

The room became silent again.

Sylvie’s stomach twisted.

But Alexander simply looked at Vanessa calmly.

Then he asked,

“Is that supposed to be an insult?”

Vanessa blinked.

“Well… I mean—”

Alexander interrupted her.

“If Sylvie truly had such power, I would consider it impressive.”

The guests murmured in surprise.

Vanessa’s smile stiffened.

Alexander continued calmly.

“In fact…”

He slowly walked toward Sylvie.

Every step felt deliberate.

Powerful.

When he reached her, he gently took her hand.

Sylvie’s eyes widened.

Alexander looked at the crowd.

“If anyone here has a problem with Sylvie Hart,” he said quietly, “they should speak to me directly.”

The room fell completely silent.

Vanessa’s face turned pale.

Sylvie stared at him in shock.

“What are you doing?” she whispered.

Alexander leaned slightly closer.

“Protecting what belongs to me.”

Sylvie’s heart skipped.

“Excuse me?”

Alexander’s silver eyes glowed faintly under the lights.

“My mate deserves respect.”

Sylvie froze.Behind them, her grandmother watched with a thoughtful smile.

Across the room, Vanessa’s jealousy burned hotter and hotter.

Because suddenly, the girl she had tried to humiliate…

Had become the center of everyone’s attention.

And beside her stood the most powerful man in the city.

Alexander Knight.

But the tension in the room quickly grew worse.

Sylvie’s father suddenly cleared his throat and stepped forward.

“Oh please, Mr. Knight,” he said awkwardly. “I respect you greatly as one of our major investors… but Sylvie is not worth this kind of attention.”

The room fell silent.

Sylvie’s fingers slowly curled into fists.

Alexander’s eyes turned cold.

“Oh?” he said calmly.

Margaret, Sylvie’s stepmother, quickly joined the conversation with a polite smile.

“Yes, Mr. Knight,” she said gently. “You may not know much about Sylvie. She has been… meeting with different men lately.”

Sylvie stared at her in disbelief.

Margaret sighed dramatically.

“We worry about her reputation, of course.”

Vanessa immediately added with a smirk,

“Exactly. She likes wealthy men.”

Guests whispered again.

Vanessa continued cruelly.

“Maybe that’s why she suddenly caught Mr. Knight’s interest.”

Sylvie felt her chest burn with anger.

Alexander’s expression didn’t change.

Instead, he asked quietly,

“Do you have proof of what you’re saying?”

Vanessa blinked.

“Well… people talk.”

Alexander tilted his head slightly.

“So rumors.”

Margaret tried again.

“We’re only concerned about you, Mr. Knight. You are an important man. You deserve someone respectable.”

Just then another voice spoke.

“Actually…”

Everyone turned.

Daniel stepped forward from the crowd.

Sylvie felt her stomach twist.

Her ex-boyfriend looked uncomfortable but determined.

“I think I should explain something,” Daniel said.

Vanessa looked slightly nervous.

Daniel rubbed the back of his neck.

“Sylvie and I used to date.”

Guests murmured in surprise.

Daniel continued quickly,

“But I ended things because… she was spending time with other men.”

Sylvie’s eyes widened.

“What?”

Daniel avoided her gaze.

“I just couldn’t trust her anymore.”

Vanessa immediately stepped beside him and wrapped her arm around his.

“That’s why Daniel chose me instead,” she said proudly.

Sylvie felt like laughing.

The lies were so ridiculous.

Her father sighed loudly.

“You see, Mr. Knight? This is exactly the problem.”

Margaret nodded sadly.

“We only want to protect your reputation.”

Alexander remained silent for a long moment.

Then he slowly looked at Daniel.

“Let me understand this clearly,” Alexander said calmly.

Daniel nodded nervously.

“You claim Sylvie was unfaithful.”

“Yes.”

“And yet,” Alexander continued, “you’re now dating her stepsister.”

Daniel hesitated.

“Well… yes.”

Alexander’s lips curved slightly.

“How convenient.”

Vanessa frowned.

“What is that supposed to mean?”

Alexander looked at her calmly.

“It means your story is very entertaining.”

Vanessa’s smile stiffened.

Sylvie’s grandmother suddenly laughed softly.

Everyone turned toward her.

“My dear,” she said gently to Alexander, “you are very sharp.”

Then she looked directly at Vanessa and Daniel.

“But sadly, not everyone here is honest.”

Vanessa’s face flushed with anger.

“Grandma, you always take Sylvie’s side!”

Her grandmother’s voice became firm.

“Because Sylvie deserves it.”

Vanessa scoffed.

“She’s been embarrassing the family for years!”

Sylvie finally spoke.

“That’s enough.”

The room fell silent.

Vanessa rolled her eyes.

“Oh please. What are you going to do?”

Sylvie stepped forward slowly.

Her voice was calm.

“Vanessa, I tolerated your lies before.”

Vanessa laughed.

“Because they were true.”

Sylvie’s eyes turned cold.

“No,” she said quietly.

“Because I was too kind.”

Vanessa smirked.

“Kind? Don’t make me laugh. Everyone knows you chase rich men.”

Sylvie looked directly into her eyes.

“Is that what you tell yourself to feel better about stealing my boyfriend?”

Gasps spread through the room.

Daniel looked embarrassed.

Vanessa’s face twisted with anger.

“You ungrateful bitch!”

She raised her hand as if to push Sylvie.

But before she could—

SLAP.

The sound echoed loudly across the room.

Vanessa froze.

Her head snapped to the side.

A red handprint slowly appeared on her cheek.

The entire room went silent.

Sylvie slowly lowered her hand.

Her voice was calm but icy.

“That,” she said quietly, “was for lying about me.”

Vanessa stared at her in shock.

“You… you slapped me?!”

Sylvie took one step closer.

“Yes.”

Her eyes were cold.

“And if you spread another rumor about me…”

She leaned slightly closer.

“The next slap won’t be so gentle.”

No one dared to speak.

Even Sylvie’s father looked stunned.

But suddenly—

Alexander chuckled softly.

The sound broke the silence.

Sylvie turned toward him.

Alexander looked amused.

“Remind me,” he said calmly, “never to make you angry.”

Vanessa’s face turned bright red with humiliation.

“You’re all insane!”

She pointed at Sylvie furiously.

“You think this is over?!”

Her voice shook with rage.

“I swear I’ll ruin you!”

Sylvie didn’t react.

Instead, she simply looked at her calmly.

But Alexander suddenly stepped forward.

His voice dropped dangerously low.

“You will do no such thing.”

Vanessa froze.

Alexander’s silver eyes glowed faintly.

“If you threaten Sylvie again…”

His voice became colder.

“You’ll be dealing with me.”

The room felt heavy with tension.

Vanessa trembled with anger.

But she couldn’t say anything.

Because everyone in the city knew one thing.

No one challenged Alexander Knight.

Sylvie slowly exhaled.

Her heart was still racing.

She hadn’t planned to slap Vanessa tonight.

But strangely…

She didn’t regret it.

At all.

However, at that exact moment—

Alexander suddenly stiffened.

His silver eyes flashed sharply.

Sylvie noticed immediately.

“What is it?” she asked quietly.

Alexander’s expression became serious.

His wolf was suddenly restless again.

Danger.

He could smell it.

And it wasn’t coming from inside the mansion.

Alexander grabbed Sylvie’s wrist suddenly.

“We need to leave.”

Sylvie blinked in confusion.

“Why?”

Alexander’s voice was low and urgent.

“Because someone is coming for you.”

And outside the mansion…

In the dark garden…

Several glowing golden eyes suddenly appeared.

Watching.

Waiting.