The words glared from the top of the document in bold letters.Marcus hurled the papers back at the attorney and immediately dialed Sophie’s number. To his surprise, she answered.“Sophie, what does this mean? Why is your lawyer handing me separation documents? Divorce papers? After you’ve been unfaithful and manipulating me for years?”It was the first time Marcus had ever raised his voice at Sophie. His patience had evaporated. The anger he’d been holding back came pouring out.“I could take legal action against you,” he said harshly.But a sharp, mocking laugh burst through the speaker, making his eyes narrow with fury.“Listen to you. I’m the Regional Finance Director now, a woman of substantial wealth. You want to pursue legal action against me? You’d end up incarcerated.”“Damn it.” He clenched his fists so tightly his nails dug into his palms. If she were standing in front of him, he would have confronted her physically. He’d lost everything anyway. What else did he have to los

The officers had already secured his wrists with restraints and were preparing to transport him when a melodic voice pierced through the crowd. Everyone’s attention shifted toward a young woman sprinting through the masses toward Marcus and the police.Gasps rippled outward. It was the mayor’s daughter. Victoria Hart, the billionaire hospitality entrepreneur. Compared to Sophie, Victoria was incomparable. Golden hair cascading down, luminous skin with an almost supernatural radiance, eyes that seemed almost otherworldly, sharp cheekbones. Her figure surpassed any runway model Marcus had ever seen. His breath caught involuntarily.His thoughts raced. He mentally sifted through the countless individuals he’d rescued from dangerous circumstances. This face, it registered somewhere in his memory.“You’re…” Marcus struggled to form words, his gaze locked on Victoria.“Yes, it’s me. I apologize for the delay in finding you. It appears you’ve been in some altercation?” Concern shadowed her e

“By seeking medical intervention?” The physician’s amusement was evident, prompting Alan to elaborate further.“I need you to fabricate the severity. Document on the medical record that the assault caused critical damage and I sustained extensive facial trauma. It’s transactional. State your compensation.”Marcus smiled beneath his concealment, his expression invisible.“Truly?” His delivery remained casual and relaxed.Alan and his two companions were already animated with excitement. “Elena confirmed Dr. Mitchell is accommodating and flexible. If we’d encountered a rigid practitioner,” Ivy told her mother.Elena was her closest confidante. She’d worked alongside Dr. Mitchell previously at Westbrook. Marcus recognized this and suppressed another internal smile.“This operates through absolute discretion,” Alan continued expansively. “Once I obtain your documentation, I’ll initiate litigation, assault with intent to murder, guaranteeing incarceration.”“Naturally, certainly,” Ivy rein

Witnessing Marcus neutralize over eight muscular, substantially larger adversaries proved genuinely astonishing. The bald operative experienced overwhelming dread. His entire existence had proceeded without defeat, and he’d never envisioned someone of Marcus’s stature could overpower his entire unit so effortlessly.Desperation consumed him regarding Marcus’s genuine identity and capabilities.“Fascinating,” Victoria murmured softly.Her expression brightened with intrigue, and a subtle grin materialized across her features. She discreetly repositioned the firearm concealed within her accessories. Initially, she’d anticipated Marcus would experience difficulty confronting such formidable opposition. Yet he’d dispatched them with remarkable ease, demonstrating superior proficiency compared to her elite-trained protective detail.“Such an impressive, attractive man,” she contemplated internally, exercising restraint from vocalization. She simultaneously recalled her matrimonial pledge c

Sophie suppressed her prepared commentary, offering a constrained acknowledgment instead. Her delivery manifested rigidity, particularly observing Victoria’s proximity. She’d presumed Victoria merely accompanied him temporarily for this gathering.Had someone proposed this represented her estranged spouse’s romantic companion, she’d have dismissed it as fabrication. Yet confronting this reality proved unavoidable.Despite matrimonial dissolution, Sophie experienced unexpected discomfort witnessing Marcus with alternative feminine companionship. A subtle envious sensation infiltrated her consciousness. She dimly recalled his profound emotional attentiveness and his dedicated nurturing. Theodore demonstrated no equivalent temporal investment.“Marcus, do you maintain acquaintance with this individual?” Victoria inquired, her ocular examination traversing Sophie’s entire physiognomy as though conducting assessment. Her intonation carried subtle mockery, suggesting preexisting familiarity