Irene's phone rang, the name Andrew flashing across the screen. She smiled as she answered.

“Hello, brother.”

“I’m here to pick you up,” Andrew said, his tone hurried but affectionate.

“So soon?” Irene asked, glancing at the time, realizing the day had flown by.

“Princess, it’s already evening,” Andrew reminded her.

“Alright, brother. I’m coming,” Irene said, ending the call. She turned to Tristan, her smile softening. “I have to head home.”

Tristan sighed, visibly disappointed. He pulled her into his arms, hugging her tightly. “I wish you could stay longer,” he whispered before kissing her gently. Irene blushed but leaned into the kiss, savoring the moment before pulling away reluctantly.

“I’ll see you soon,” she promised.

Tristan watched her leave, his chest heavy with longing. He sighed, packing up his belongings and deciding to head home as well.

Meanwhile, Alex was driving to his base when he noticed a commotion ahead. Two women were fighting several men in the street. One of the women caught his eye with her fierce fighting skills. Intrigued, Alex pulled his car over and got out.

“Excuse me, miss, do you need help?” Alex asked calmly.

The woman, mid-fight, barely spared him a glance. “No, I’m fine,” she huffed, her tone dismissive. “Just get lost.”

Alex chuckled, not taking offense. He spotted one of the men pulling out a knife, aiming to stab her. Without hesitation, Alex kicked the man and pulled out his gun, firing a shot into the attacker’s chest. The other men froze at the sound of the gunfire and quickly scattered.

“Are you okay?” Alex asked again, ignoring the blood staining the scene.

“I said I’m fine,” the woman snapped, clutching her injured arm. She turned her back to him, clearly wanting him gone.

Alex didn’t press further. Smirking, he returned to his car, certain she would come to him eventually. He started the engine and drove off, glancing in the rearview mirror at the chaotic scene behind him.

The woman, Ariana, was left covering her friend, both bloodied and exhausted. She saw the group of men returning, this time with reinforcements. Five more? she thought, her heart sinking. Injured and outnumbered, she knew she couldn’t win.

“Run and hide,” she told her friend urgently. As her friend disappeared into the shadows, Ariana decided her best option was to run as well. She took off, her breathing labored as the men chased her.

A car screeched to a halt in front of her, the passenger door popping open. Alex’s voice rang out, firm and commanding. “Get in.”

Ariana hesitated for only a moment before realizing she had no other option. She jumped into the car, slamming the door behind her. Alex stepped out, gun in hand, and took aim at the approaching men. His shots were precise, each one dropping a target with ease. Within moments, the remaining attackers had fled, too terrified to stay.

Ariana stared, wide-eyed, from the car. This man is more violent than me, she thought, a mix of awe and wariness filling her. Alex climbed back into the car, his expression calm as if nothing had happened. He started the engine and drove off without sparing a glance at the carnage he left behind.

The silence in the car stretched until Alex broke it. “May I know your name?”

Ariana hesitated, her guard still up. “Do you need to know my name? I don’t talk to strangers. You can just call me Avery.”

Alex chuckled, shaking his head. “Geez, I help you, and this is the thanks I get? Fine. But what’s your real name?”

She sighed, realizing he wouldn’t let up. “It’s Ariana. But only people close to me call me that.”

“No last name?” Alex asked, his curiosity piqued.

“I’m an orphan,” Ariana answered nonchalantly, wincing slightly as she shifted to ease the pain in her injured arm.

“Who were those men chasing you?” Alex asked, his tone turning serious.

“They worked for someone I had a deal with. I was hired to kill someone, and those were his men,” she said matter-of-factly, as if discussing the weather.

“Kill, huh? So who do you work for?” Alex asked, intrigued by her candor.

“I don’t work for anyone. I take small assignments here and there for money,” she replied with a shrug.

Alex thought for a moment before offering, “Would you like to join me? You’ve got skills, but you could use training.”

Ariana frowned. “Why would I do that?”

“I’m not some creep,” Alex reassured her. “I’m Alex King, leader of the Lotus Clan. If you join me, you’ll get proper training and excellent pay.”

Ariana hesitated, weighing her options. She wasn’t one to trust easily, but Alex had just saved her life. After a few moments, she nodded. “Fine. I’ll join.”

Alex smirked, satisfied. Perfect. Under the guise of friends, she’ll soon be mine, he thought. What Ariana didn’t know was that this wasn’t their first meeting. Alex had noticed her in the past and had been waiting for the right opportunity to approach her.

“Welcome aboard, Ariana,” Alex said warmly as they drove off into the night, their destinies now intertwined.