Paul Leighton instinctively jumped off the bed, completely thrown off by what he was seeing. "Uh, Jess, I've gotta talk business with Alan real quick. I'll come back later, alright?" He bolted out of the room, head a mess of confusion. But one thing he knew for sure-until he figured out how he really felt, he couldn't risk hurting her.

A tall figure in black stepped in from the balcony, voice cold and dripping with anger. "Back for one day and already hooking up with my cousin? Jessica, how desperate can you get?"

Jessica met Alan's glare head-on, her eyes sharp and frosty. A bitter smile tugged at her lips. How pathetic was she, not even able to successfully come on to someone? That familiar pine scent in the air told her he was there. Even after all these years, she could still pick up on him instantly. She'd only meant to mess with him, but somehow ended up being mocked herself.

"What does my love life have to do with you, Mr. Knight? Thinking of stepping in? Oh wait, weren't you worn out after last night? I doubt you've got anything left in the tank."

She sat on the bed, blouse half undone from earlier, revealing just enough to tease. Her fingers tangled through her messy hair, a wicked glint in her eyes. The whole act screamed defiance and bait.

Alan's gaze darkened, a dangerous swirl of red in his eyes. "Do you even hear yourself right now?"

Jessica gave a faint smile, totally unfazed by his rage. Her fingers reached casually for her shirt buttons again. "Since you're clearly out of commission, just do me a favor and call a bodyguard up here, would you?"

"Jessica! You've got a death wish?" he snapped, losing all control. In the next second, he shoved her onto the bed, pinning her beneath him.

"Tell me! Has any other man touched you?" She'd been missing for four years, and this was what she came back as? What the hell had she been doing all this time?

Jessica swung her hand toward his neck. Four years of training weren't for nothing. She might have meant to piss him off, but she wasn't about to just lie down and take his crap.

Turns out, her skills were no match for the hand-to-hand combat training he'd had growing up. After a few quick moves, he had her wrist caught in his big hand and forced above her head.

"Alan, Chloe's downstairs. You really think it's okay to mess around with your sister-in-law upstairs? Don't you feel the slightest bit guilty?" This situation was spiraling way off course-she had to shut it down, fast.

"You didn't seem to remember she was your cousin when you were throwing yourself at me. Now you wanna play family values?" His voice was ice, biting and cold. "Tell me. Did that so-called Count guy lay a hand on you or not?"

"Alan! Get the hell off me, don't touch me!" Jessica couldn't move her arms, so she kicked at him with all her strength.

The man pressed her legs down with his own, trapping her beneath him as he yanked at her clothes, a mocking smile playing on his lips. "I've seen this body countless times since we were kids. What's one more time? Don't let any other guy touch you. Got it?" His voice dropped, icy cold.

Jessica was stunned. He had completely lost it. He was still hung up on his ex, hooking up with her cousin, and now he wanted her to stay chaste for him? Seriously?

"Alan, I must've been completely clueless back then to fall for a jerk like you!" she shouted through gritted teeth, struggling to free herself. There was no way she'd let him do this.

That clearly pushed his buttons. He lowered his head and bit down hard on her lips like a punishment, rough and angry-like he really wanted to tear her apart.

Her mouth filled with that sharp taste of blood. He was dead serious-he looked like he was ready to devour her whole. So that's how much he hated her now? Fine. With all her rage, she bit him back-harder.

"Jessica, ah-!"

The bedroom door suddenly burst open and a woman's gasp followed. Jessica didn't need to look to know-Chloe had just walked in.

Chloe froze at the sight: two tangled figures on the bed, Jessica's clothes torn and disheveled, Alan still latched onto her lips. Her expression turned hard as ice, unable to process what she saw, and she practically bolted down the stairs.

Chloe's voice snapped Alan back to his senses. His grip relaxed for a second.

Jessica didn't hesitate. Like a cornered animal, she lashed out with a fierce kick to his stomach, yanked her arms free, shoved him off, and scrambled onto the floor, hugging herself tightly. That self-defense training finally came in handy. If he tried that crap again, she'd kick him into next week.

Her clothes were a mess and barely holding together, so she ran to the closet and dug through it. Most of the clothes were from when she was a kid-useless. Eventually, she found an old V-neck nightdress and slipped it on.

Alan was still stunned, doubled over, clutching his stomach. He stared at her-it hit him just how much she'd changed. The sweet, obedient girl he once knew was gone. She might still look a little like that sly little fox when annoyed, but when she was mad? She was a whole different person. Not his little doll anymore.

Then came the knock at the front door-Paul's voice.

"Jessica, are you okay?"

Alan immediately stopped her from going to the door. "Put that on! And don't even think about Paul! You're not worthy." He yanked off his suit jacket and shoved it onto her.

Her body had filled out over the years, and that thin nightdress hugged every curve. Just the thought of Paul seeing her like this made Alan's head explode. He didn't even want to imagine it.

Jessica yanked off the suit jacket she'd just put on, her hands shaking with anger. Alan's words had cut deep.

"Alan! You're seriously not worried about what Chloe would think-seeing your clothes on me, especially after what she walked in on earlier? Isn't that a bit much?"

Alan let out a cold laugh. "Seriously? You think you're worth Chloe getting upset over?"

Jessica's jaw clenched hard. Right, how could she forget? The whole damn world knew Alan hated her guts. That mess earlier was never about anything but his twisted way of humiliating her. Of course Chloe would've known.

She stopped struggling, letting him finish dressing her without saying another word. If he wasn't scared of the fallout, why should she care? The moment he buttoned the last snap, she shoved his arm away, pulled the door open, and walked out like nothing happened.

"Paul, I'm okay," she said flatly. Besides the ripped clothes and being thoroughly degraded inside and out, there wasn't really much to fuss over, was there?

Paul turned his eyes away, unable to keep looking. Her swollen lips made him tense with anger, but where would he even direct it? He barely controlled his voice as he said, "Uh, yeah... someone dropped off flowers. Said you had to sign for them."

Earlier, Chloe had gone upstairs with that exact purpose. When Jessica didn't come down but Chloe did, pale as a ghost and storming off, Paul thought it was just some argument. But now, seeing Jessica show up like this, it all clicked into place.

"Oh. Thanks," Jessica mumbled, walking past, head down. When the shame's laid out that clearly, all you're left with is the unbearable awkwardness of it.

Watching her leave, Paul pushed the door open and stepped into the bedroom. Alan was there cleaning up the torn clothes on the bed.

Paul's face darkened, his voice tight. "Alan, what the hell are you doing? No matter what she did back then-she was just a kid! And she's already paid for it once with her life. Isn't that enough?"

Alan's knuckles went white as he gripped the ruined fabric and tossed it in the trash. His voice came out low and sharp. "Everybody answers for what they've done. Kid or not."

She messed with things she never should've touched. That's on her. He'd push her out himself if he had to.

"So that gives you the right to humiliate her like this?"

Alan's whole body tensed, rage simmering under his skin. "And what if I said yes?"

"Then this is the last time you'll ever touch her like that," Paul said, voice cold. "From now on, she's with me. I'll make sure she's safe."

"With you? Paul, come on! The Leighton and Knight families are practically tied at the hip. Richard was my enemy-that makes his sister the enemy of the Knights too! You really wanna marry her? Think about how you're gonna explain that to your board!" Alan's tone was cold as ice, and it cut straight through.

"So what? Worst case, I walk away from this CEO job. Let my sister take over!"

"Step down? Do you even get why rulers always pick power over love? Because only with power can you actually protect the one you love! Lose that power, and forget it-you won't even get to talk about love."

Alan brushed past Paul without a second glance, an unsettling chill trailing behind him like a shadow from hell. "Stay away from her."

If you can't shield her, then just back off.

"Alan, I won't stay away. Even if I'm not strong enough to protect her now, I'll stand with her, no matter what."

Alan didn't bother to reply. His footsteps echoed as he strode down the stairs.

Meanwhile, Jessica held a huge bouquet of rare, crazy-expensive roses gifted by the count. The petals weren't your usual red-they faded from soft yellow at the edges to a warm apricot in the center, each layer folding over the next like a shy girl blushing.

Chloe's eyes narrowed, full of spite. "Jessica, care to talk?"

"Sure. Where?" Jessica didn't even flinch.

"By the lake."

Jessica handed the flowers to Grace, asked her to put them in a vase, then followed Chloe through the backyard.

The Southern estate was massive, and behind it stretched a wide pond. Autumn wind skimmed over the surface, sending small ripples flickering in the gray light.

"Jessica, five years ago you threw yourself at Alan like trash. And now you're pulling the same move? You've got zero shame!" Chloe suddenly swung her arm toward Jessica's face.

But Jessica grabbed her wrist mid-air, grip firm. "Maybe you need a reality check. He was the one who tore my clothes, remember? Paul just carried me upstairs, yet Alan barged into my bedroom. Chloe, this really seems like a 'you' problem-can't even keep your own man in check? Keep him away from me, or next time, I'm charging him with assault."

If Alan dared humiliate her again, she'd go straight to the cops. Let's see who gets embarrassed more.

Chloe yanked at her wrist, face scrunched in pain. Jessica hadn't even used much force-and yet, her words hit harder than the grip, stabbing deep into Chloe's gut.

"You know he hates you. Why the hell would you come back?"

Jessica's lips twitched. So now, coming back to her own home was a crime?

"I just want to take back what I'm owed. And to find out who really killed my parents."

Her gaze drifted toward the far end of the pond, voice low and sharp. "Chloe, remember what you did when I was six? You tried to drown me right here."

Chloe's eyes flickered, panic flashing through them. "Take back what I'm owed"-what the hell did Jessica mean by that? Was she planning to shove her into the lake too?

She instinctively tried to yank her hand back. The way Jessica had grabbed her wrist just now-quick, precise, and strong-it wasn't normal. If Jessica really wanted to push her into the water, it'd be a piece of cake. And the worst part? She couldn't swim at all.

Chloe's gaze darted around, searching for a way out. Jessica had her back to the pond, while she was standing right in front-technically, she had the upper hand here.

"Jessica, let me go! I get it now, I blamed you for nothing! I'm not mad anymore, really! Just let go of my hand first!"

"Oh? You're over it that fast? That's not really your style, is it?"

"I know... Alan came to find you. This isn't on you." Chloe stammered, clearly forcing the words out. She wasn't thrilled about saying any of this, but she needed her hand free if she was going to do what she planned.

Jessica finally pulled her gaze back from the distance and loosened her grip on Chloe's wrist.

A dangerous gleam flashed across Chloe's eyes in an instant. "Jessica, go to hell!" she screamed, shoving Jessica with all her strength.

Same move, same expression-just like fourteen years ago. She meant it. She really hated Jessica to the bone.

Why was Jessica born as the precious princess of the Southern family, adored by Alan, while she had to grow up as the pitied orphan, the unwanted cousin everyone looked down on?

Back then, she had already wanted her dead. If only a servant hadn't shown up unexpectedly, she wouldn't have had to pretend to panic and call for help.

But today? Today there was no one around. She had made sure of that-no servants anywhere nearby when she walked in.

Chloe watched as Jessica crashed into the lake, water splashing up and hitting her face. A cold smirk crept up her lips, and then-smack-her palm landed hard on her own cheek. Perfect. Now when people showed up, she'd say Jessica attacked her out of jealousy, and in the scuffle, she slipped and fell in.

Flawless plan. She was actually impressed with her own genius. But... why was Jessica smiling? That smug, knowing grin-what the hell?

Could she actually swim? That look... it was like the grin of someone who already won.

So cold. The moment her body hit the icy water, Jessica's first thought was just that-cold. Maybe she should've picked summer to do this. Damn, it was freezing!

She started to regret making this call. She should've thought of a better way-maybe piss Chloe off enough to make her hit her, or just finish her off herself-instead of reminding Chloe about that drowning incident.

Damn it! Her leg cramped! In water this cold, it felt like cold sweat still broke out. Nobody knew that, apart from her combat training, she'd also taken up swimming over the past four years. No matter the situation, she'd never let herself drown... but this time, things were way off track.

Her leg hurt so bad she couldn't move. Her body kept sinking, water rising past her neck, her chin, her nose-

Her last sight was the smug smile on Chloe's face.

Her heart went ice-cold. Four years ago, she'd pinned her hopes on the wrong person. And now? He hated her so much...

She didn't even dare let her thoughts go further.

Paul, where are you? Please, save me! Water covered her completely. She couldn't make a sound.

Shit! She should've listened and practiced diving properly. A face flashed in her mind-that devilishly good-looking one. Not even her miracle lamp could help her now.

Cold water filled her lungs. It hurt. So bad. And in that moment, she truly believed she was going to die.

Out of nowhere, a pair of arms wrapped around her-like she'd found the one thing that could save her. Clinging on tight, she wrapped herself around him. His icy lips pressed on hers, passing her a breath of air.

Eyes shut, she took in that air like her life depended on it. Because it did. There was still so much she hadn't done, she couldn't die now.

Then came the rush of cool wind-he had pulled her to the surface.

The cold wind slapped her wet body, making her shiver uncontrollably. She choked and coughed, desperate for oxygen. Her arms wrapped tight around his neck, like she was terrified he'd drop her.

"Paul... it's freezing..." she murmured, stuck to him, trying to soak in every bit of warmth.

Suddenly, a strong hand shoved her away, and she slipped under again. Instinctively, her eyes opened-just in time to catch the furious storm on the man's face!

An arm shot out, catching her by the shoulder, stopping her from going under again. His rage finally exploded. "You'd better take a good look at me!"

Alan. It was Alan. She hadn't planned for this-but somehow, in the back of her mind, she had.

"Say it. Who am I?" His grip tightened, so hard it felt like her bones were about to snap.

"You're Alan! You're Alan..." she gasped, body trembling from the cold, her shoulder aching where he held her.

"Alan, let me take Jessica," Paul called from the shore, stretching out a hand.

Jessica instinctively reached for him-but Alan yanked her back with one strong pull.