Alexander stood rooted in place, shock written plainly across his face, hand pressed to his stinging cheek.

"You... Kylee, do you even know what you're doing?" His gaze hardened. "Stop putting on an act. You're jealous, and you followed me here. Apologize. Now. If you keep making trouble, don't expect me to marry you."

In her last life, she would have just caved and done what he asked.

Back then, everything she did revolved around him. Even when she disliked how close he was with Cathy, she forced herself to accept it.

All her constant patience and compromise had brought her nothing but a bleak future.

This time, Kylee didn't hold back.

Her foot drove forward, striking his knee. "Let go. And stop imagining things. The sight of you two disgusts me."

Pain flashed across Alexander's face. He stared at her, anger and confusion mixing together.

Why was she acting like this toward him all of a sudden?

Just the day before, she had been begging him to propose within a month. Now she had turned into someone else entirely.

Was it because of Cathy? Was that what pushed her this far?

Alexander steadied himself, his expression darkening as he stepped forward and reached for Kylee again.

"Kylee, answer me. Do you still want to marry me? Cathy and I were just talking. Why are you making a big deal out of it? The Wallace family won't accept a woman who behaves like this. If you won't apologize, then get out. You don't belong here. Security, remove her."

The guards exchanged glances before walking over, their expressions carrying faint ridicule.

"Miss Gordon, are you leaving on your own, or do you need assistance?"

They did not know much about Kylee, except that she was the Gordon family's daughter everyone ignored, always following behind Alexander.

Someone like that did not deserve much respect.

A laugh escaped Kylee, sharp with anger.

The Wallace family had once been on the verge of collapse. It was only because of her that Jerold had stepped in to support them.

Yet now, Alexander stood there as if he held all the power.

Today, she had only brought her driver. Against trained guards, that wasn't enough.

Her hands tightened as she stared at Alexander, at the confidence on his face as he waited for her to give in. That earlier slap had been too light.

Alexander caught sight of her clenched fists and let out a cold laugh. "Then apologize to Cathy. Now."

At his cue, the guards closed in, hands reaching toward her.

Just as one of them was about to grab her shoulder, a powerful hand lunged in from the side and knocked the guard's wrist away with brutal force.

A cry escaped the man as he dropped to the floor, clutching his arm, pain written across his face.

When he looked up and saw who had intervened, his expression drained of color. "B-Boss..."

The rest of the guards fell still.

Kylee lifted her gaze, only to meet a stern profile.

A man stood between her and the guards.

His dark gray suit fit him perfectly. His features were sharp, his expression unreadable.

Power seemed to follow him without effort.

Without sparing the fallen guard a glance, his eyes shifted to Alexander.

"That's enough, Alexander." The tone left no room for argument.

Alexander stiffened the moment he recognized him. The confidence he had shown moments ago vanished. "Mr. Yates... this is between my fiancée and me. There's no need for you to step in..."

Elijah Yates cut him off, "Since when did you get to call the shots in this place?"

Alexander's face lost what little color it had left. "She's not on the guest list. I was only enforcing the rules..."

"She is now." Elijah's voice stayed low, almost casual, yet his gaze on Alexander carried open disdain. "But you can leave."

He dug into his pocket, took out a handkerchief, and slowly wiped his fingers with it.

Afterward, he dropped it aside without a second thought and looked toward the security behind him. "Take them out. From this moment on, they are not allowed in any of my properties."

The guards acted at once, grabbing Alexander, who stood frozen between fear and disbelief, and dragging him away before he could argue.

Cathy remained in place, staring at Elijah, her expression filled with shock and something harder to read.

She barely had time to react before guards stepped in front of her and led her out as well.

Only then did Kylee fully recover. She lifted her head and spoke. "Thank you for stepping in... but that man's family isn't weak. This could cause you trouble."

She pulled out her phone. "If he tries anything later, please contact me. I'll deal with it."

The Wallace family held influence in Anestin, and she didn't want someone else paying the price for helping her.

Elijah looked down at her, a faint smile forming.

"I'll take the concern, but he's not someone who can trouble me."

There was certainty in his tone. It didn't irritate her. Instead, it made her curious.

She had seen most of the prominent figures in the city, yet he was unfamiliar. Who was he?

She murmured, "Thank you again... I'll return the favor when I can."

"There's no need." He gave a slight nod. "The auction is starting. Would you join me?"

Kylee stepped back slightly. "I can't. I'll be engaged soon."

Elijah lifted a brow, interest flashing in his eyes. "Then until you decide, I still have a chance."

Kylee paused.

His next words caught her off guard.

"Allow me to introduce myself. Elijah Yates. I arrived late, so I apologize for what just happened. I'm honored to be among your choices." He held out his hand. "If you're willing, we can marry at any time. I'll take care of everything. Whatever kind of wedding you want, I'll do my best to make it happen."

This man... was Elijah Yates?

Of the four candidates, he was the one she most wanted to avoid.

Not because he lacked anything. Because she didn't understand him.

She couldn't wrap her head around why someone like him would want to marry her.

Elijah's past wasn't so different from hers. He had lost his mother early.

His father surrounded himself with mistresses and even intended to hand everything over to illegitimate heirs.

Yet, Elijah moved with cold precision, taking over the company and cutting down every rival, from illegitimate siblings to plotting relatives, sparing no one.

A person like that... Getting close to him made her uneasy.

"Mr. Yates, why do you want to marry me?" She paused before continuing, "You already have everything. There's no reason for you to marry me just to gain something. And I'm sure many women admire you."

Elijah's thumb turned the ring slowly, his gaze growing deeper. "You really don't remember me?"

Kylee paused, a hint of confusion crossing her face. "Have we met before?"

Elijah watched her quietly for a moment, then let out a faint smile.

"That's not important. What matters is that we've met now. In that case, would you allow me to accompany you to the auction?"

This time, Kylee didn't turn him down. She gave a small nod.

With a composed gesture, Elijah extended his hand toward her.

Kylee hesitated briefly before placing her hand in his.

The warmth from his palm lingered, sending a slight tremor through her chest.

Side by side, they walked into the auction hall, drawing attention from all directions.

The event featured many valuable items. Kylee picked out a few, but when she went to settle the payment, she was informed Elijah had already handled everything.

Even by the time it ended, she still couldn't recall ever meeting him before.

Later that night, Elijah personally drove her home.

When they reached the Campbell estate, she thanked him and watched as his black Bentley disappeared down the road. Just as she turned to head inside, her phone rang.

The call came from the designer she had hired for her wedding gown.

"Miss Gordon, your fiancé just arrived with another woman. They're trying on the gown you ordered... We tried to stop them, but we couldn't. If you're free, could you come over?"

Kylee's hands tightened.

In her past life, she had poured all her attention into that gown, perfecting every detail as she looked forward to marrying Alexander.

She had once counted down the days just to wear it.

Even if she no longer cared about him, it didn't give him the right to treat her like this.

After ending the call, she told her driver to take her to the boutique.

When she stepped inside, Alexander stood there in a white suit, while Cathy wore the wedding gown.

She tugged lightly at his sleeve. "Alexander, your taste is amazing. I love this dress."

"If you like it, then it's yours," Alexander replied in a gentle tone.

He turned his head, his eyes landing on Kylee with a trace of mockery.

"What brings you here? I thought you'd be busy with Elijah."

Cathy added with a soft smile that carried an edge, "Kylee, Alexander says this looks better on me than it does on you. Maybe the fit isn't right? Do you want the designer to adjust it for you?"

Kylee glanced at Alexander, and a trace of disdain surfaced in her eyes.

He probably thought she came running over just because he handed the gown to Cathy.

"I'm here to take care of something."

With that, Kylee stepped closer to Cathy and picked up a pair of scissors from the counter.

Without hesitation, she grabbed the gown Cathy was wearing and sliced through the skirt, tearing it apart piece by piece.

Alexander's expression changed instantly. "Kylee!"

Cathy lost her balance and fell back, her voice rising in panic. "What are you doing?! I know you don't like me, but how could you destroy my dress like this?"

"Your dress?" Kylee's tone turned cold. "Do you want me to have the receipt brought out so we can see who actually paid for it?"

She let go of the torn fabric and turned her gaze toward Alexander. "I don't want this gown anymore. Anything connected to you makes me sick. But I paid for it, so you had no right to touch it. If you want to please your lover, spend your own money. What, the Wallace family can't even afford a dress now?"

The mood inside the bridal boutique grew cold in an instant.

Alexander's hands clenched, veins showing clearly. "Kylee, do you really have to go this far? I already gave you a way out. Apologize, and I'll let it go. Do you really want me to hate you?"

Kylee's lips curved with cold amusement. "What makes you think you can demand anything from me?"

Alexander looked at her, unsettled by how different she seemed. "Aren't you worried I won't marry you?"

A quiet laugh escaped Kylee, and she was about to answer when a voice drifted down from above.

"Why would she marry you? Do you even qualify?"

A figure stood on the second floor, leaning casually against the railing.

He wore a black leather jacket and loose pants, his hands tucked into his pockets. A black stud rested on his left ear, and his blue hair framed sharp features.

He made his way down the stairs, his gaze sweeping over the scene with interest.

His presence drew attention immediately.

Alexander's expression stiffened. "Ryland Thomas?!"