At the International Commercial Crime Bureau, the interrogator politely handed over a cup of coffee. "Mr. Knight, sorry for the trouble. Now that the news blew up, we had no choice but to bring you in and go through the motions. Hope the coffee helps."

Alan's temple throbbed. The Bureau had been gunning for Sultan Yorqan for a while now, but the guy was a master of wiping his tracks-every shady takeover he pulled was airtight. The director had reached out, asking Alan to help dig up some real dirt on Sultan.

Alan had been tracking him too. Sultan wasn't just tangled up in some mess from five years ago-he was now messing with Helvaria's core industries and stepping on Knight Group's toes. Alan had every reason, both official and personal, to get involved in the case.

He'd spent over six months setting the trap, finally getting that old fox just where he wanted-only to have it all blown to pieces by this damn media leak.

"Did we figure out how she stole the file?" he asked, voice tight.

"We got it. This is footage pulled straight from your company's security system," the interrogator reported, handing him a folder. "Jessica, real name unknown until recently, posed as a journalist and used the alias Alice Bennett to apply for a clerical job at your firm. Earlier today, she slipped into your office during the shift change for security, opened your safe, and walked out with the contract between you and Sultan's company. Still no clue how she got the safe's password, though."

Alan's grip on the folder tightened, crumpling the edge slightly. Of course she knew the password-it was her birthday. He had never changed it.

"Did you find out where she was these last four years?" he asked, voice low.

Michael shook his head. "I ran a full trace on the Alice identity. It's got a totally clean record in the States. Looks legit. But creating a whole person out of thin air like that? Still no clue who pulled it off."

"Put someone on her. Also find out who's been hiding her all these years," Alan ordered.

"Alan, just watching her isn't gonna cut it," Ethan Morgan cut in, clearly worked up. "That woman's nothing but trouble. Back in the day, she-"

He stopped mid-sentence. That 'back then' was a no-go zone around Alan.

"This time she didn't just crash your wedding-she blew up our entire operation! I say we pick her up right now!" Ethan fumed, practically shouting.

"If anything happens to her now, everyone's gonna pin it on us," Michael warned quickly.

"So what? Let them!" Ethan's eyes burned with fury. "She's Richard Southern's little sister-taking her out wouldn't even be over the line!"

"Richard is untouchable for now! Jessica is his weak spot-having her gives us leverage over him. Just get someone to keep watch on her, that's enough. Has the chief been updated?" Alan asked the interrogator.

"Already done. The chief will be here shortly."

Alan nodded, closing his eyes for a moment. He leaned on his hand, rubbing the bridge of his nose, clearly worn out. She was right there in front of him, alive and real. But damn it-he'd never regretted anything more than forcing her to reappear like this.

The VIP room at the bar was buzzing with laughter and noise.

A bunch of people huddled around the table, deep into a game of Truth or Dare.

The bottle just kept landing on Jessica. No one could remember how many rounds it had pointed her way.

"Jessica, we agreed this time no skipping with alcohol! You've gotta spill-what's the real story with you and President Knight? First love, you said! Come on!" They were all gossip-hungry reporters, even more curious than most.

Ugh. That question again. Honestly, how many shots had she downed over it tonight?

She rubbed her throbbing temples and knocked back another gulp of her drink. "My first love..."

When she was born, her mom had nearly died during childbirth-she was already older, a high-risk pregnancy. Her dad, totally obsessed with her mom, blamed her for it all. If he could've, he probably would've left her on a stranger's doorstep. In the end, her mom's best friend-Alan's mom-took her in.

Well, not exactly Alan's mom... it was Alan who raised her. For fifteen years.

The whole room fell silent. Everyone leaned in, afraid to miss a single word.

"He... he was the first man I ever saw in this world. He was ten then. When I was one, he gave me a bath and saw everything. At two, we were sharing a bed. At five, he told me that when I grew up, he'd marry me. At ten, he stole my first kiss. And at fifteen, he dumped me for his fiancée and threw me out on the street. At sixteen... well, you all know, I ended up being a pawn in a bombing."

She let out a dry chuckle. Fifteen years of a gut-wrenching first love-all wrapped up in a hundred words.

Daniel frowned, her laugh tugging hard at his heart. He gripped her hand tightly, just trying to show her he was there.

Suddenly, the door banged open, slamming against the wall. A cold, intimidating man stormed in, his mere presence making the room feel a few degrees colder.

Seeing those tightly held hands, a chill flickered in Alan's eyes as he let out a low, sarcastic laugh. "Jessica, how come you didn't tell the whole story? When you were ten-you're the one who kissed me. And when you were fifteen-do you even remember why I kicked you out?"

Alan leaned in, his tall frame casting a shadow over her. He hooked a finger under her chin, his eyes glinting with mockery. "What? Cat got your tongue? Want me to say it for you? You stripped naked and climbed into my bed at fifteen, practically assaulted me."

Jessica locked eyes with him, her gaze sharp and defiant. The shocked gasps from around the room stabbed at her ears. Fifteen, already crawling into a guy's bed-how shameless did she seem to everyone now?

Her lashes fluttered, heart stung. If he hadn't suddenly shown up back then with some woman on his arm, saying she was his fiancée, would she have done something that crazy?

He was already twenty-five at the time. Weren't guys supposed to have needs? He spoiled her like she was the only one in the world. Other than her being too young... she couldn't think of any reason he'd leave. She just wanted to prove that whatever that other woman could give him, she could too.

Now, she understood. He meant to humiliate her like this-make sure everyone knew exactly what kind of "cheap" girl she was.

She pulled away, shaking off his hand. Turning to Daniel, she gave a bitter smile. "Yeah... I was reckless and stupid. Guess I was just that cheap, right?"

She was laughing, but it wasn't funny-it was the kind of laugh that made your chest ache. Daniel gripped her hand tighter. "No. You were just a good girl who fell for the wrong guy."

Her heart clenched. Someone had once said that to her, too-that she was a good girl.

Alan's face went cold, jaw tight, lips spitting out just two words: "Clear out."

His bodyguards immediately started ushering everyone out of the room.

Daniel stood up, placing himself in front of Jessica. "Mr. Knight, you two aren't together anymore. A real man doesn't throw a woman's past back in her face like this. That's just common decency."

Alan gave a cold chuckle. "So you're saying I lack class, huh? Well, I don't need your lecture on manners. You-get him out of my sight."

"What are you trying to do? Forty-eight hours in interrogation wasn't enough for you? I can report you for this!" Daniel didn't budge from in front of Jessica.

"Go ahead. Try it if you dare." Alan had clearly had enough. With a wave of his hand, a few bodyguards grabbed Daniel and tossed him out without hesitation.

Jessica stayed put, grabbing a glass of wine and plopping her feet up on the coffee table. Leaning into the couch, she said lazily, "Say what you gotta say, dear ex-brother-in-law."

Alan's foot came down hard toward her leg. "Feet down. Sit properly."

He'd spent fifteen years shaping her into a perfect, obedient girl-a little princess. And now, in just a few years, she'd turned into this defiant mess right in front of him.

Jessica quickly pulled her leg back, and the man's foot hit nothing but air. She didn't even glance his way, just took a slow sip from her drink. "Alan, I'm not the same Jessica you used to know."

Alan's brows knotted tight. That move of hers-sharp, quick-yeah, she must've learned some serious self-defense. He kept a bit of distance, trying to keep his tone calm. "So, who've you been with these past four years?"

Someone had given her a fake identity, taught her how to fight, wiped every trace of her past clean-whoever it was, they weren't average. And Alan was sure it wasn't Richard-he'd been combing the globe for her all this time too.

Jessica paused for a second. Shouldn't he be asking how she'd survived the blast?

"A stranger helped me out. Took me in. Got me patched up." She lowered her gaze slightly, hiding whatever flashed in her eyes.

Helped her, huh? Alan's eyes flickered with too many tangled emotions. His lips pressed into a hard line, holding everything in tightly.

"Who was it?" His voice had turned cold and sharp, almost instinctively assuming it was a man.

"Not your problem." Jessica tossed back the drink in her hand.

Alan's hand shot out and smacked the glass from her fingers, face dark with anger. "Who said you could drink? Who the hell is he?" What else did he teach her? Damn it, who took her away?

Jessica stared at the broken glass scattered on the floor-it didn't sting anymore. She'd gotten over the fragile part of herself long ago.

She turned her gaze on him, eyes sharp. "Alan, what, you mad that I made it out alive? You gonna go kill the guy who saved me too?"

"Yeah! He deserves it! And so do you! Ever stop to think why he picked you?"

Jessica let out a cold laugh. What, was she so worthless that nobody should've saved her?

"At least he didn't want me dead!"

Alan froze. His lips moved slightly, like he wanted to say something, but he held it back-barely.

A long beat passed.

"So, why come back? Revenge? Or you planning to spill the 'truth' from back then?"

"What if I told you Chloe helped me find those kidnappers-would you even believe it?"

"She's dead. And that's on you. Nothing can change that."

Jessica's expression darkened. He'd dodged the real question again. She scoffed, "You don't believe me, so why bother asking? I came back to find out how my parents really died. Did you have anything to do with it?"

Alan flinched, his deep eyes sliding away from hers.

The room went so quiet, even the sound of breathing felt out of place.

Alan didn't say a word, but silence pretty much meant confirmation.

Jessica's hands clenched tightly, her lips trembling. "Alan, I never should've fallen for you. I never should've arranged that fake kidnapping for your fiancée. I just wanted to stage a scene, that's all! I had no idea Chloe brought in one of your enemies. I didn't mean for her to die! I already paid for it with my life four years ago. Besides, if she hadn't died, you wouldn't have ended up with Chloe. So I owe you nothing! But my parents-I will get to the bottom of what happened to them. When I do, it'll be life for a life."

Alan let out a low, cold laugh. "Jessica, you'll never be able to pay back what you owe me. As for your parents, stay out of it. I'll give you an explanation. For now, get the hell out of Helvaria!"

Her return and sudden meddling wasn't something he saw coming. He wasn't afraid she'd come back out of revenge or anything, but this matter was off-limits to her. Did she even understand what danger meant?

Jessica frowned. So, no matter what she did, she could never repay what she owed him? Was he still so attached to his late fiancée that he couldn't even tolerate sharing the same air with her? Was that why he wanted her gone so badly?

The tense moment was cut off by a sudden ringtone blasting through the room. Alan answered.

"Alan, thank god! Ethan said you're okay. Where are you? I was so scared something had happened-"

Chloe was terrified Alan would dig into the past with Jessica.

"I'm fine, wait for me," Alan replied shortly and hung up. Without sparing Jessica another glance, he strode out of the room.

Jessica stared at his retreating figure and let out a dry chuckle. Just moments ago he was all caught up brooding about his ex, and now he was running off to his new girl like nothing happened. Men really do switch up faster than flipping a page. But if he loved his ex-fiancée that much, why didn't he seem bothered at all about Chloe being involved with those kidnappers?

"Jessica! Are you alright?" Daniel rushed inside.

"I'm fine. I'm Richard's sister-he wouldn't dare lay a hand on me." Her voice was calm. "Daniel, in Helvaria, there are two people you can't afford to mess with. One's Richard, the other is Alan. I'm the person Alan hates the most. Being with me automatically puts a target on your back. He might spare me, but you? He won't hold back."

"You think I'm scared that easily? Come on, I'll take you home."

Jessica didn't argue. She'd already made up her mind to quit. She knew Daniel didn't even qualify to be Alan's pawn-no way she was dragging him into this mess.

The next morning, warm sunlight streamed into the bedroom. Jessica rubbed her temples groggily and stretched out her hand, catching a sliver of sunlight shimmering like a dream.

A scene flashed in her mind-ten-year-old her sitting on a man's lap. He gently combed her long hair, kisses occasionally brushing her cheeks.

"Alan, why do you like me?"

"Because you're my girl."

"So, kissing means you're in love?" The girl looped her arms around the man's neck, her face all innocent as she gently pressed her lips to his.

The man froze for a second. The next moment, his lips brushed softly over hers. "Jessie, you gotta love me forever, okay?"

Jessica's hand clenched instinctively, but no matter how tightly she gripped, she couldn't hold onto even a hint of warmth. Her chest ached. She tapped her forehead a few times-those memories buried for four years had come flooding back the minute she saw Alan again. So much for pretending she was over it.

Her phone rang. No caller ID, but she knew who it was-the man who gave her a second chance at life.

"Alice, where to today?" The guy on the line sounded laid-back, almost like he was just making small talk.

"Heading home. Gotta get back what's mine."

"Alright then. Got a little surprise for you," he replied, voice carrying a hint of mischief.

"What kind of surprise?"

"You'll see when you get there."

Jessica hung up, a small smile tugging at the corner of her lips. A surprise, huh?

It was late autumn. The rose vines twisted along the iron fences had long withered, leaving only bare branches. Red-frosted ivy clung to the walls of the villa's main house.

Jessica wasn't too familiar with the Southern estate. She'd grown up with the Knights, barely spending any time here.

As she stepped into the villa, the staff stared at her in stunned silence.

On the living room couch, a man and woman were locked in a tender embrace, heads pressed close-it almost looked like a painting.

Wow. Great timing-really. Jessica hadn't expected this. So Alan didn't believe a word she said. Not surprising, was it? He hated her. Of course he'd trust the woman he loved over her.

The sudden intrusion clearly caught them off guard. Though still leaning on each other, they were no longer quite so close.

Alan's face showed nothing but cold detachment.

Chloe's face was flushed red with anger. Her voice held no warmth. "Jessica, what are you doing here?" She'd just gotten Alan into that rare sweet mood-and now Jessica had ruined it.

Unbothered, Jessica sat down boldly on the couch across from them. "What, I can't come back to my own house now?"

Chloe's expression stiffened, clearly at a loss for words. No matter how long Jessica had been away, this was still her home. Chloe was just the cousin who moved in later. Sometimes, even she forgot that part.

"I mean... just saying... you could've let me know first so I could have the staff get a room ready for you."

Jessica scoffed, cold and sharp. "Chloe, do I need you to arrange anything for me in my own home? Acting like you run this place now, huh? Someone, get my room cleaned up."

She said it without hesitation, but clearly, things didn't go the way she intended-because the staff just walked in and looked right at Chloe.

Jessica had barely ever been back. The maids and attendants all worked for Chloe now. Of course they weren't going to take orders from her.