It was the gallery opening of a really famous artist.
Katie sauntered in. Her eyes searched around for the perfect gift for grandpa Russell.
She had always been treated with kindness by him, and she wanted to honor him on his special day.
He really adored art works and getting something unique would make him happy.
She ran her fingers along some pieces.
But then her attention was soon diverted by a familiar face.
Dakota.
Her eyes locked onto Katie’s. A sneer spread across her face.
“What are you doing here?” Dakota sneered. “Do you think a low life like you can come to a place like this?”
Katie’s smirk was swift and confident. “Who’s the low life?” she shot back. “If anybody’s the lov life here, it’s you. Remember, you don’t have any business, you don’t have anybody who loves you you don’t have anything.”
Dakota’s face turned beet red with anger. “You have no right to talk to me like that,”
Katie’s gaze swept over Dakota, her expression dismissive. “Who even let you in here?” she said ‘People like you aren’t supposed to be in a place like this.”
‘You ruined my life! Wrecked my home! And you have the nerve to speak to me with so much arrogance? The nerve of you. You little brat.”
Katie’s eyes rolled in frustration. “I don’t have time for your games, Dakota. I have more mportant things to do with my time.”
Dakota’s smile was sly. “I’ll be the judge of that,”
‘Why are you even here? No, really.”
‘I’m here to pick a gift for Grandfather Russell.”
Katie’s laughter was mocking. “Even if you try to suck up to him right now, he’s not going to d you any good,” she said. “He doesn’t even like you. So let me remind you of that.”
‘You will not tell me who likes me and who doesn’t like me,” she snapped.
Suddenly, Dakota took her wine glass. Then spilled it on Katie’s dress and face.
Katie was horrified but she didn’t flinch. She kept a straight face. The red wine dripped down her face and dress.
Dakota’s smirk was triumphant. “Oh, I’m so sorry. My hand slipped.”
Katie said nothing. Then raised her hand, slapping Dakota hard across the face.
Her eyes flew wide in shock, her hand flying to her cheek.
“How dare you slap me!” she exclaimed, her voice shrill.
Just then, Lucian who just arrived at the venue and saw the scene rushed in to Katie’s side.
He removed his jacket. Then quickly wrapped it around Katie’s shoulders, covering up her
stained dress.
Then handed her a handkerchief to clean up.
His eyes narrowed at Dakota. “What the heck do you do? Do you keep causing trouble everywhere you come to? Is it like your hobby now or something?”
Dakota’s face twisted in a fake smile. “Ah, can’t you see that this little brat actually just slapped me for no reason?”
“Are you talking to a two–year–old?” Lucian asked, his voice rising in disgust. “You can clearly see that she spilled the wine on her first.”
Dakota’s smile faltered, and she tried to salvage the situation. “There was a mistake. My hand actually slipped.”
She tried to approach Katie, but Lucian pushed her off, his hand firm on her shoulder Dakota stumbled and fell to the floor. Her cheeks burned with anger and humiliation.
People around them started staring, pointing, and whispering.
Dakota scoffed as she glared at Lucian. “You pushed me away for her?” she spat. “How can you be so blinded by her? Do you think she loves you more than I do?”
‘You must be very pathetic to talk about love,” he said coldly. “You don’t even know the meanin of that word. Stay on your own lane, or else you would have to make sure that you comply.”
‘Fine then,” she huffed and pushed herself off the floor back to her feet.
She stomped her foot before turning and storming off.
The room fell silent, with all eyes on the drama that had just unfolded.
As Dakota disappeared into the crowd, Lucian turned to inspect Katie.
She smiled at him. “Thank you for showing up for me again,”
Lucian’s expression was serious. “I may have to be taking my bodyguards around you every time Dakota is already a threat to you.”
‘Don’t worry about it. I can handle that little tramp.”
They eventually picked a painting for Grandfather Russell, and Lucian accompanied Katie to his
car.
They drove to the excavation site, where Katie wanted to oversee the work.
As they stood there, watching the workers, Lucian’s phone rang.
“What the heck is going on?” he demanded, his voice rising in anger. “What are these strange poisonings?”
Katie’s eyes locked onto his, concern etched on her face. “Is there a problem?”
His jaw clenched. “Yeah, somebody else has been poisoned in the pack,” he said, his voice tight with anger.
Katie’s face fell, and she nodded. “This is not good,” she said.
He hesitated, then said, “I’ll go take care of it. You stay here and watch over the land. I’ll give you updates on what happens.”
“Okay,”
2/3
3:08 pm
As Lucian left, Katie went further in to inspect the land.
Suddenly, a fire broke out from nowhere, flames licking at the dry earth.
Where did it come from?
Was it an accident, or was someone trying to sabotage the excavation? Her eyes widened in panic as the fire erupted.
She started gasping for air, her lungs burning from the smoke.
Coughing violently, she tried to escape, but the heat was intense.
Her feet caught some wood.
She stumbled, her legs weakening, and fell to the ground.
The fire roared around her, making it hard to see or breathe.
Nobody seemed to know she was there. The workers too far away from the inferno.
Desperate, Katie shouted for help, but her voice was barely audible, a weak whisper lost in the crackling flames.
Just as she thought all was lost, someone swooped in, scooping her up in their arms.
t had to be Lucian again.
Always saving her.
Her eyes fluttered open and closed, her vision blurry.
As she gazed up at her rescuer, she realized it was Liam.
.iam’s face was set in a determined expression as he carried her away from the inferno.
Why him?
But she was too exhausted to push away.
Katie’s head lolled against his chest, her body limp with relief.
You’re safe now,” he said, calmly. “I’ve got you.”
