Chapter 12

The grand chandeliers illuminated the ballroom, their light reflecting off the gleaming floor and the walls adorned with white flowers.

Guests arrived one after another, men in formal suits and women in elegant dresses, while soft music filled the room, mingling with the sounds of conversations and laughter.

Elena stood beside Sophia, making a small adjustment to the hem of her dress.

Sophia turned toward her and smiled admiringly.

"Didn't I tell you the dress was waiting for an occasion like this?"

Elena laughed softly and ran a hand through her hair.

"I think you were right."

"Of course I was right."

Sophia nodded confidently, then took her arm.

"Come on, before everyone starts standing around here while we look as though we don't know a single person."

They made their way through the guests, stopping several times to greet people Sophia knew.

A few minutes later, Daniel's eldest daughter appeared beside her fiancé, drawing applause from those around them.

Elena smiled as she watched her.

"She's beautiful."

Sophia nodded.

"And the party is magnificent."

"Clearly, Mr. Daniel spared no effort in organizing it so well."

Daniel approached the stage and picked up the microphone.

Gradually, the room fell silent.

Daniel raised his head and smiled at the guests.

"Thank you all for being here tonight."

A few welcoming remarks rose from the crowd as he continued.

"Tonight gives me more than one reason to be happy. First, we're celebrating the completion of an important deal I've been working on for some time. And second..."

He turned toward his daughter.

"We're celebrating my eldest daughter's engagement. Thank you all for coming and sharing this happiness with me. I hope you enjoy yourselves."

Applause filled the ballroom.

Elena smiled and joined in, clapping with everyone else, while Sophia rested a hand on her shoulder.

After Daniel's speech ended, the guests returned to their conversations.

Sophia became occupied talking to one of the women, while Elena wandered a little farther away.

She stopped at the bar and ordered a glass of juice.

Raising the glass to her lips, she took a small sip.

She was looking out at the garden through the glass doors when she heard a voice behind her.

"Strange."

She turned slightly.

A man stood behind her, holding a glass in one hand. His face bore a smile that made her uncomfortable.

"What is?"

He tilted his head slightly.

"A beautiful woman like you standing alone at a party like this?"

Elena turned her gaze forward again.

"I'm not alone. My friend is in the ballroom."

The man chuckled softly and took a step closer.

"But she's not here right now."

Elena tightened her fingers around the glass.

"I'm sure she'll be back soon."

"There's no need to wait."

The man moved until he was standing directly behind her.

Feeling him so close, Elena took a small step forward.

But suddenly, his hand reached toward her waist.

She froze for a moment.

Then she quickly pushed his hand away.

"Please, step back."

The man laughed.

"Relax."

Elena frowned and turned to face him.

"I told you to step back."

He raised a hand as though he couldn't understand why she was upset.

"I didn't mean anything by it."

Elena stepped backward.

But the man approached again and grabbed her arm.

She tried to pull free.

"Let go of me."

"Why are you so tense?"

His grip tightened slightly.

Elena tried to free her wrist, but his hold was stronger.

"I said, let go!"

The man moved closer and reached his other hand toward her waist.

She shoved his hand away, but her attempt wasn't enough to make him back off.

Her expression changed, and for the first time, she raised her voice.

"Get away from me!"

The very next moment—

A powerful punch struck the man's jaw.

He staggered backward, and the glass fell from his hand, shattering against the floor.

For a few moments, the room was stunned into silence.

Before the man could comprehend what had happened, someone seized him by the collar and yanked him forward with force.

Voices rose all around them.

"What's happening?"

"Who is that?"

"Everyone, step back!"

The assailant glared angrily at the person holding him.

His expression stiffened when he saw the man's face.

Alexander stood before him, unwavering, his hand still clenched around the man's collar.

In a low, sharp voice, he said:

"Touch her again, and I'll make sure you never father a child."

Everything seemed to stop for a moment.

As for Elena, she remained rooted to the spot, staring at the man who had suddenly appeared before her...