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.

Alan yanked her straight into his arms, gripping her soaked clothes in frustration. He was beyond pissed-she actually ran out in just a thin nightdress and his suit jacket? He'd ditched the jacket underwater to make swimming easier. Now that clinging, wet fabric was plastered all over her body, making her look even more exposed than if she'd worn nothing at all. There was no way he was letting Paul see her like this.

No way he could carry her bridal style like this-the nightdress was way too short. So, like hoisting a kid, he picked her up vertically with one arm and trudged up from the lakeside.

The chilly wind hit Jessica hard, making her shiver uncontrollably. Her teeth chattered, lips turning an alarming shade of purple.

"Coat!" Alan barked.

Paul quickly shrugged off his own coat and wrapped it around her.

"Alan, you're soaked too! Let Jessica go and wear my coat," Chloe offered, holding out her jacket.

From the moment he rushed over till now, Alan hadn't even looked at her. Chloe already realized she fell into Jessica's trap-but what could she say? Alan had seen everything with his own eyes. She couldn't even make up an excuse.

Panicked and flustered, Chloe's hands trembled as she held out the coat. She knew Alan hated Jessica, but he hadn't acted on it-and if he hadn't, neither could she. Going against his will? Not happening. He was always that kind of guy.

Alan didn't spare Chloe a glance. He just carried Jessica straight into the villa.

"Put me down! I can walk!" Jessica protested, squirming in his arms. She could feel the storm brewing behind his tightly clenched jaw.

She had intended to stir things up between him and Chloe. She knew him too well-he despised manipulative women. But clearly, things hadn't gone the way she'd hoped. Now, she just wanted out of his suffocating hold.

"Don't move. Keep it up and I'll toss you back in," he growled lowly.

Hell no. Jessica inhaled sharply. If only she could take him on-she'd really sock him. Chloe had literally just shoved her, and now he threatened to throw her?

She stayed still-not that it saved her from being dumped into a bathtub the next second.

Ouch! The impact nearly brought tears to her eyes. And before she could collect herself, his hands were already tearing at her clothes.

"What the hell, Alan! You jerk!" she screamed, pounding at him in outrage. That was the only wearable piece she had left, and now he'd ripped it too!Alan didn't even flinch at the small fists hitting him. He grabbed the showerhead and turned it on, letting the cold water stream over her. Her skin turned red from the chill, but he kept the water icy at first, only gradually turning the temperature up.

Jessica's leg cramped up again, worse than before. She couldn't even think about hitting him now, just curled up into a ball in the tub.

"What's wrong?" he asked, frowning at her scrunched-up, pained face.

"My leg... ahh!" Her toes curled in spasms as the pain shot through her.

Alan turned off the showerhead and perched on the edge of the tub, dragging her leg up onto his lap.

"Ah! That hurts! Don't touch me!" Jessica screamed, her voice raw.

Alan held her foot firmly, and his expression darkened. "Shut it."

He chucked a towel straight at her face. "Bite this. If you scream again, I swear I'll deal with you right now."

He practically yelled it.

With both hands, he pulled her leg straight despite her resistance. It was the quickest way to ease the cramp, but painful as hell.

Jessica's body trembled under the water from the sharp pain. She bit down hard on the towel, watching Alan's furious face. He looked like he meant every word.

By the time he was done with both of her legs, sweat was dripping from her forehead. It was only then that she realized just how awkward their position looked.

The water was clear, doing nothing to cover her. Everything about her was exposed right under his eyes.

She jerked her legs back and curled tightly into herself, trying to hide any part she could.

"I-I'm good now. I can wash up on my own..." she stammered. Since turning fifteen, she'd never been able to predict his moods. Whatever she said could end up ticking him off.

Sure, sometimes she messed with him on purpose, but that definitely wasn't the case now. Her tone was soft, almost cautious.

Alan stood, his tall figure looming. He reached out a hand toward her.

Jessica shrank back, but there was nowhere to run-she was backed up against the tub's edge. She hugged herself tighter. "Alan, don't touch me!" Her eyes flared, like a cat ready to claw.

His fingers caught her chin, his voice low and cold.

"I didn't touch you, so that gives you a reason to run to Chloe?"

Jessica froze, needing a moment to catch up to what he meant.

Then her temper exploded. "Alan! Get it straight-it was Chloe who pushed me in!"