Suddenly, a strong hand grabbed Sophia's wrist just in time-

"Ouch, let go of me!" she squealed, wincing from the pain. She looked up and saw a tall man step in front of Samantha, firmly holding onto her wrist.

The anger in Sophia's eyes instantly froze when she saw him.

Seriously, how could someone look this good?!

He was well over six feet tall, dressed in a perfectly tailored cream-colored dress shirt that subtly hinted at a sculpted six-pack beneath. His face looked like it was carved by the gods-sharp brows, deep eyes, a chiseled nose, and lips with the kind of refined curve that made people stare.

But what truly made him stand out was the way he carried himself-like someone born into privilege. His expression was cool and detached, his presence so commanding it made people instinctively fall silent.

Who was he? And why did he have to be so ridiculously attractive?

Sophia's heart started racing. She stared at him, dazed, forgetting all about the pain in her wrist.

"You think this is the Perkins household and you can do whatever the hell you want?" Alexander frowned slightly, his voice low and unreadable, clearly annoyed.

"I..." Sophia's heart skipped a beat, thinking he was speaking to her. Just as she opened her mouth, she was cut off.

"Funny. You know it's not your house, but think you can butt in anyway?" Samantha didn't even look up as she neatly adjusted her sister's clothes, snapping back with zero hesitation.

"Wait, I-" Sophia's face dropped when she realized Alexander wasn't even talking to her. It was that woman. That awful woman.

"This is the Perkins Mall. Creating a scene here-what are you even thinking?" Alexander ignored Sophia completely, locking his gaze on Samantha with contempt in his eyes.

Samantha scoffed coldly. "How are you so sure I'm the one making trouble? Ever think it might be someone else? I don't back down when I'm wronged, that's just not me."

Sophia tried to step in, wanting to explain, but once again, Alexander didn't spare her a glance.

He looked past her, face impassive, and warned Samantha, "Pull one more stunt like that, and next time, I might not stop someone's hand in time."

"Oh, save your breath," Samantha snapped, rolling her eyes. "It's not like you showed up out of concern for me. Looks like you're more worried about someone else getting hurt."

Alexander: "..."

Sophia immediately stepped closer, faking a pitiful look. "She hit me first!"

She put on her best damsel-in-distress act-but got nothing. The man's face was like ice, his voice even colder. "Caitlin, go home. Keep stirring trouble and you'll find out exactly what that means."

When Sophia heard him say "go home" to that woman, it felt like a knife had gone straight through her.

That awful woman-she couldn't possibly be... his family?

Sophia's chest tightened, anxiety twisting her insides. No. Please, not that. Don't let her be his wife. Anyone but her.

Still being held by Alexander, Samantha yanked her hand away, glaring at him. "Alexander, how did you even know I was here? Were you following me?"

"You honestly think I need to stalk someone? Please. Mrs. Perkins strutted into the Perkins Mall all on her own. What-do you think my people just sit around twiddling their thumbs?" Alexander let out a cold laugh, his presence alone making every employee in the room tense up.

Mrs. Perkins...

So she really is his wife?

Alexander, the CEO of Perkins Corporation, worth billions and ridiculously good-looking-who would've thought he'd marry a woman that brash and overbearing?

Sure, Caitlin wasn't someone easy to mess with-Sophia could admit that much. But so what? When she wanted a man, she got him. No questions, no competition. She had never lost before, and she didn't plan to start now.

Alexander was hers. End of story.

Over by the racks, Alexander and Samantha were still in a standoff, completely ignoring Sophia's existence.

"Come home with me," Alexander said, reaching for Samantha's hand again.

"I've got legs, I'll walk myself," she fired back, dodging his hand and walking away like he wasn't even there.

Watching the two of them leave one after the other, Sophia's lips curled into a chilly smirk. Their relationship didn't seem all that solid after all.

Once they were gone, the store's employees couldn't help whispering among themselves.

"Wow, Mr. Perkins is seriously hot."

"Right? Rich and hot? He must've rescued a puppy and solved world peace in a past life."

"Nah, I'd say Mrs. Perkins is the one who did. Marrying Mr. Perkins? She's won life."

"Oh come on, Mrs. Perkins is stunning, has a killer body, and she's a featured designer for Aurelune. She's definitely on his level, maybe even above."

Hearing all this, Sophia's face instantly darkened. Her anger spiked as she shouted at them, "Shut up! That woman doesn't deserve Alexander at all. Mrs. Perkins? What a joke. Just wait-I'll bring her down sooner or later."

Back at the villa, Samantha ignored Alexander entirely and headed straight for the upstairs floor.

"Stop right there," Alexander ordered.

Samantha paused, leaned against the staircase railing, and glanced down at him. "What, still not done arguing? Didn't get enough drama at the mall? You got so much energy, why not hit the gym? I'm wiped, I'm not playing along anymore."

Alexander couldn't stand the way she looked down at him from above. The sharp edge in her gaze, the way she stood so confidently-it made him feel like she was actually looking down on him.

"Where were you tonight? Whose car did you get into? Why did you even go out?" His eyes were dark with a chill that sliced clean.

"You chased me all the way to the mall, right? So you should already know the answers. Now you wanna hear it straight from me? What, hoping I confirm your little suspicions?" Samantha's eyes sparkled with amusement as she looked at him.

Alexander's face turned a shade darker. "..."

With his frosty glare fixed on her, Samantha walked down the stairs slowly. The outfit she wore hugged her perfectly, exuding this queen-like energy that actually sent a strange ripple through Alexander's chest.

Caitlin, standing right in front of him now, was drop-dead gorgeous. Sexy, powerful, untouchably confident-she had a presence that made you want to look up, not down.

He'd never met a woman quite like her.

Her beauty was so potent, her gaze alone could make a man unsteady. That timid, quiet version of Caitlin from before? She didn't even exist anymore.

She hadn't just changed-she'd obliterated her past self.

Watching her come closer, Alexander couldn't help but remember the moment he'd kissed her-how sweet her lips tasted. And somehow, he wanted it again.

His throat bobbed visibly.

Samantha stopped right in front of Alexander, eyes locked on him, her gaze sharp and unapologetic.

"As for why I went out... I don't think you'd really wanna know that, Mr. Perkins. Since you've got the skills to have me followed, I'm sure you can dig up all my secrets yourself."

Her breath was warm against his face, the faint sweetness lingering between her words. That look in her eyes-sharp and knowing-made his chest tighten with the urge to silence her lips again, forcefully.

"You better spill the truth now while you still can. Otherwise, the price you'll pay later... might be more than you can handle."

His voice dropped several degrees colder, the storm in his eyes barely restrained as he tried to pull himself back from the edge. Damn it, this woman had this ridiculous ability to rile him up-again and again.

And the worst part? She wasn't even trying to flirt. She was just provoking him.

Samantha's lips curled with a slow, mocking smile. The cherry-red color on them added an icy edge to her otherwise calm face.

"What price? Seriously, whatever it is-I'm game."

Alexander's tone, his presence that usually made people shut up and back off, was completely ineffective on her. A jolt of frustration hit him-hot and sharp.

Without thinking, he yanked her into his arms, slammed his lips against hers in a kiss completely lacking tenderness.

"Ugh-get off!"

She shoved at him hard, breaking free, and the crack of her slap echoed across the room.

"Caitlin, do you have a death wish?!"

His fury erupted, tension thick in the air as if the whole room had dipped below zero.

"You think I'm scared now?"

Her eyes were burning with something darker, deeper. "Back then, I tried so hard to play nice, to get close-and you didn't even look at me. Now that I want absolutely nothing to do with you, you come crawling back like I owe you something? Grow up, Mr. Perkins. Don't be pathetic."

She had the nerve-the actual nerve-to throw reasoning at him like he needed a moral lesson.

A dry, humorless smirk tugged at Alexander's lips. Since when did someone like him get told off by a woman?

"Alexander, I'm tired. I'm calling it a night. If you're still not done yelling or throwing tantrums, come back tomorrow, okay?"

Samantha shot him a look that could freeze over hell, her eyes skimming over the red, slap-shaped mark on his face.

"Get lost." His voice was gravel, low and rough. For the first time, he felt something weird, something like... powerless.

Samantha strolled back to her room like nothing happened. She began undressing for a shower and froze when her eyes landed on a stained piece of clothing-her sister's, blotched with black ink.

She knelt on the bed, pulling the fabric to her face, and let the memories wash over her like waves-messy, aching, and full of weight.Caitlin was the last family Samantha had in this world. They had the same blood running through their veins. If Caitlin were still alive, maybe Samantha wouldn't feel so alone all the time.

Ethan had told her that their mother passed away when Caitlin was just ten. After that, Caitlin stayed with the Warrens.

She'd known all along she had a twin sister but never had the chance to reunite because of all the mess in the Warren family.

It wasn't until she met Ethan that she begged him to get Samantha out of the orphanage and place her with a Calverian family in Farsenia to be cared for.

The money that supported Samantha's living expenses and tuition? A chunk of it came from Caitlin. She scraped by, working part-time while saving every penny she could.

Ethan mentioned that even though Caitlin wasn't short of food or clothes back then, life wasn't exactly easy for her. Just to save pocket money, she'd often skip breakfast.

In truth, Ethan became Caitlin's only rock during those years. Though, he later admitted that the first moment he saw her, he fell in love. They weren't just leaning on each other, they were in it together.

Samantha's stable life and her chance to attend the top design school in Farsenia-that was all thanks to Caitlin and Ethan.

It was just tragic that all this time, she never realized she had a blood sibling out there.

Back when she was with the foster family, she used to watch their two daughters bicker and giggle together. Even their fights were full of sweetness. Samantha would sit there, watching, so jealous it hurt.

She'd always been the odd one out, with no one to share her thoughts or secrets with.

And how cruel was fate? By the time she finally knew she had an older sister, there wasn't even a chance to say goodbye.

On the day she returned to the country, Samantha stood by Caitlin's grave. She listened in silence as Ethan told her about all the hardships Caitlin had endured-the injustice, the pain. And deep down, she made a promise: whoever hurt her sister was going to regret it.

Gently, she ran her fingers over Caitlin's favorite soft cotton-linen top, her tears spilling before she even noticed.

"Caitlin!"

The door burst open without warning-Alexander stormed in.

His chiseled face still bore the harsh red imprint of her slap.

Samantha froze. Clad in nothing but bra and panties, she gasped, too stunned to even cover herself properly.

Alexander's gaze fell on her nearly bare figure. His pupils contracted sharply.

She had the kind of figure that could shake a man's soul.

That kneeling pose, her soft curves-it practically had him swallowing hard. For a second, whatever he meant to say just vanished from his mind."Alexander, seriously? You're the big boss of Perkins Corp and you're out here spying on someone getting changed? That's pretty low, even for you."

Samantha's glare could cut glass. She snatched up her clothes and wrapped them around herself, her voice cold and sharp. "Get out."

"I'll give you one minute. Get dressed and come out," Alexander said, unfazed by her outburst. He closed the door behind him and waited outside, oddly calm. His heart, however, was in chaos.

She'd only been gone five days, but came back like a whole different person-hostile and intense. Her whole vibe had changed. It was like she'd turned into someone else... someone magnetic.

And suddenly, he couldn't look away.

Even her style had taken a sharp turn-from plain and boring to bold and eye-catching, just like he liked. Caitlin used to wear these loose, shapeless clothes that completely hid her figure. He'd never realized how stunning she really was until now. Changing her wardrobe had completely changed the way he saw her-her body, each curve, suddenly impossible to ignore.

"Alexander, barging into a woman's room? That's just pathetic." Samantha stepped out dressed in a plain sporty outfit, her hair pulled back in a high ponytail. The look was simple, but on her, it worked-confident, casual, and somehow still gorgeous.

"Depends on the man," Alexander said, furrowing his brow. "Last I checked, I'm still your husband. Legally."

She let out a dry laugh. "Big ego much?"

"Let's go," he said, grabbing her hand without another word.

Samantha pulled away, standing her ground. "Why should I?"

"I don't owe you an explanation," he replied, clearly annoyed.

"Funny. I don't like being touched. And unless you tell me where we're going and why, I'm not going anywhere."

"I need you to cook a Farsenian meal. For someone important. It might be the only thing that can bring them back," he said, his tone serious.

Samantha raised an eyebrow, skeptical. "You think dinner's gonna pull off a miracle?"

"I didn't believe it either. But weird things happen."

She studied him, her curiosity piqued. "So you're saying you need me?"

"Yeah." His eyes narrowed slightly, picking up on her shifting mood. He wasn't sure what game she was playing this time.

"I can do it. But we're making a deal." She gave him a slight smirk, all business.

"Name it."

Of course it wouldn't be that easy. She was barging right into negotiations. His lips curved into the faintest trace of a smile.

"From now on, unless I give you permission, don't so much as touch me. Not even my hand," Samantha said flatly.

"Deal," Alexander nodded.

"Let's go," she replied crisply.

Her flawless, stunning face didn't show a hint of satisfaction after sealing the deal. That calm, composed demeanor had Alexander once again realizing how different she was.

He'd never been a fan of overly shrewd women-once a woman becomes too calculating, it always feels superficial.

But somehow, Samantha's sharpness didn't turn him off-instead, he was intrigued.

She knew how to guard herself, knew what she wanted, and always kept him guessing. That, to him, was unexpectedly refreshing.

Alexander started the car. Samantha, in the passenger seat, was still fiddling with the seatbelt that wouldn't budge no matter how she tried to pull.

"Let me," Alexander leaned over, reaching across her to help with the seatbelt.

As he got closer, he caught that subtle scent on her again. His gaze swept past her slender shoulder, landing on her graceful neck and the delicate lines of her collarbones.

Under the amber streetlights, she looked almost unreal-flawless skin, soft features, like something out of a painting.

Suddenly, his mind dove into that memory of her soft, curvy figure, and he swallowed hard.

"I got it, thanks," Samantha took the seatbelt from him and clicked it into place herself. Her ponytail flicked as she turned her head slightly. "The person who needs the Farsenian meal-is he important to you? Your brother, maybe?"

Just as Alexander was about to sit back properly, her breath brushed against his skin-warm, sweet, leaving him gripping the steering wheel tighter, an unexpected heat stirring in him again.

Damn it. He cursed silently.

She really had a way of messing with his head without even trying.

"Yeah. You're sharp," Alexander said, forcing himself to breathe normally before stepping on the gas.

"Ah... ah..."

As soon as they stepped into the mansion, Samantha heard a low, strained cry coming from inside-like an agitated animal trapped in a cage.

Henrietta sat on the couch, clearly anxious. Doctors in white coats moved quickly through the first-floor hallway. The servants stood off to the side, silent, hands clasped, barely daring to breathe.

"Ah..."

The hoarse cry rang out again. Henrietta sprang to her feet, pacing angrily. "You useless bunch! What's wrong with Nicholas Perkins? He was perfectly fine this afternoon! What happened to him?!"

"Mom," Alexander called out, walking in with Samantha beside him.

At the sight of her, Henrietta's expression instantly turned sour. She pointed a trembling finger at Samantha, her voice thick with anger. "Alexander, why did you bring this vicious woman here? What is she doing here right now?! Get her out of here!"

"Mom, seriously? Now's not the time for this," Samantha cut in before Alexander could say anything.

Without giving Henrietta a chance to reply, she exchanged a faint smile and added with a dry tone, "So this is how the mother of the CEO of the Perkins Group handles things? Not much grace, huh?"

Henrietta was so stunned she couldn't get a word out. Her face flushed red, then pale, and her finger pointed at Samantha was trembling uncontrollably. After a moment, she barked, teeth gritted, "Mr. Wadeson! Mr. Wadeson! Get this woman out of my house!"

Mr. Wadeson stepped forward, giving Samantha a polite but firm gesture. "Madam Samantha, please."

"I invited her," Alexander interrupted coldly, and just like that, Mr. Wadeson froze, not daring to say another word.

"You invited her? Alexander, do you even know what you're doing?! You're letting her put your brother's life in danger!" Henrietta snapped. Her round face twisted with rage, her dominance clear in every word.After all, this was a woman who had stood by her husband for decades and helped build half the Perkins empire-Henrietta was definitely not someone easy to handle.

She'd always been the one calling the shots around Caitlin. Who'd have thought the daughter-in-law, long quiet and obedient, would suddenly turn around and mock her not once, but twice, even poking at the biggest family taboo no one dared to mention? Henrietta's fury toward Caitlin hadn't died down even now.

But Samantha, surprisingly, wasn't angry at all. She gave a calm, almost casual smile. "Kicking me out isn't hard. But getting me to come back? Not so easy. Mom, think it through-don't let your temper mess with Nicholas's condition."

"You think I don't know what you are? I spent fifty million to get you from the Jordan family. In this house, if I say leave-you leave!" Henrietta's voice was sharp, furious at the arrogance in Caitlin's tone.

Samantha raised an eyebrow with a look that said, "Whatever."

Standing to the side, Alexander suddenly said coldly, "That Farsenian dish Nicholas had today? She made it."

Henrietta froze. It took her a while to come up with a response. "Caitlin, how heartless can you be? Are you trying to kill your uncle for the family inheritance? Poisoning Sterling? Is this some scheme from the Jordan Group?"

"Alexander said it's been five years since Nicholas spoke. He's been totally shut off-like a living corpse. But after eating what I made, he made a sound. Ever think that maybe he's trying to connect again?"

Samantha rolled her eyes, scoffing, "So yeah, you can be mad, but don't lose your head. This could be a real chance."

Henrietta stared at her son, dumbfounded.

Alexander didn't miss a beat. "What Caitlin said, I agree. Mom, take a break-I'll have her start cooking."

"Where's the kitchen?" Samantha shot him a look and asked without much emotion.

"I'll show you," said Alexander.

The two of them acted in sync, completely brushing past Henrietta, who was still frozen on the couch, and headed to the kitchen together.

Considering the limited time and what Alexander had told her, Samantha decided to make a steak. As the sauce she had specially prepared sizzled over the hot steak, the kitchen filled with a mouthwatering aroma.

She carefully carried the plate, weaving through the busy doctors and nurses, and stepped into a dimly lit room.

The delicious smell stopped everyone in their tracks.

She finally saw him-a tall, gaunt man curled up in a corner, staring blankly ahead.

That was Nicholas Perkins? He looked completely hollowed out. What the hell had he been through?

With a mix of pity and concern, Samantha walked toward him.

He looked quite a bit like Alexander, though the features on his face were softer, nowhere near the sharp edges of Alexander's.

But Nicholas just sat there lifelessly, eyes dull. If not for the hoarse, low growls coming from his lips, one might easily think he was just a statue.

Samantha slowly crouched down, placing the fragrant plate of food in front of him with the gentlest of gazes.

She reached out, gently brushing his hair like comforting a child, and smiled softly. Her voice was soothing, calm. "Wanna eat something?"

Maybe it was the smell of food, or maybe something in her gentle voice got to him-Nicholas stopped making noise, his head turned stiffly, and his vacant eyes locked onto the steak she held.

Alexander, standing behind Samantha, stared in surprise.

Right now, Caitlin, usually so guarded, suddenly unfolded into someone unbelievably gentle. It was like watching a prickly hedgehog slowly roll over and reveal a soft, vulnerable underbelly.

That damn tenderness.

Alexander's brow twitched slightly, something stirring inside him that didn't feel so great.