Her Vengeful Heart: Dangerously In Love With The Dark Prince

Before I could finish, color rushed up Daniel's neck, his expression turning intense as his voice rasped out, "W-what did you just say? Who are you?" A faint tremor ran through his fingers where they clutched my wrist, the unsteady pressure betraying his emotions. Something unreadable churned in his eyes, like he was searching my features for another woman hidden beneath my skin. The fury that had fueled my outburst vanished in an instant, leaving me feeling hollow. Breath escaping me in a weary sigh, I felt the weight of my own foolishness settle in my chest. Why did I even bother telling him that? To him, I was nothing more than a stranger, and none of it carried the slightest meaning. Calming down, I spoke with deliberate chill. "I know what kind of rotten person Lilah is. She hurt me deeply before. Since you've chosen to stand on her side, there's nothing left for us to discuss. You're not welcome here. Leave this place immediately." A crease formed between Daniel's brows as his gaze dropped, disappointment flickering across his features. "So that's all you wanted to say?" he asked in a low voice. My voice stayed flat as I replied, "What else are you expecting me to say?" After a brief pause, he inclined his head, a faintly mocking curve touching his mouth. "Of course," he murmured, bitterness edging his tone. "How could you possibly be her..." Closing the distance by a single step, he fixed his eyes on me. "So you're angry with me just because I helped Lilah snatch your project?" My temper finally snapped. "Of course! Don't pretend you don't know what I'm talking about!" I shot back, my words sharp. "If someone did that to you, wouldn't you be livid? The way you keep pestering me is making me sick!" Just as I finished speaking, I yanked my wrist free from his grasp and retreated a step. "I don't want to see you right now," I said coldly. "When I come back, you'd better be gone." With that, I turned away to leave without sparing him another glance. The moment the elevator doors slid shut, my strength drained out of me. I wrapped my arms around myself as a familiar ache bloomed in my arm. Five years ago, I fell from the stairs and suffered a comminuted fracture in my arm, an injury that never truly healed. The brief confrontation with Daniel earlier had aggravated the injury again, sharp pain crashing through me in brutal waves as cold sweat soaked my temples and slid down my spine. Using my uninjured hand, I fumbled my phone out of my pocket, fingers trembling as I forced myself to punch in a familiar number. The call connected almost immediately, and a soft, teasing voice drifted through the speaker. "Alexandra? I thought you forgot about me the moment you got back. You haven't reached out to me recently." Agony strangled my throat, leaving me barely able to form words as I ground them out between clenched teeth. "Jacob... didn't you say Dr. Kieran Thorpe got back to the country, too? Where... where is he?" The teasing in Jacob's tone vanished at once. "Alexandra, is your old injury acting up again?" he asked, urgency flooding his words. "I'll send Kieran to you right now. Stay where you are; I'm coming over!" He had barely finished speaking when his assistant's panicked voice cut in; he was clearly trying to stop him. "Mr. Lewis, you can't leave right now! If you do, the entire Luminova Tech project will collapse!" "Enough. Shut your mouth!" Jacob snapped. I was just about to urge Jacob not to do anything rash when a sharp chime echoed, and the elevator doors slid open. My legs wobbled as I stepped out, and before my eyes could adjust, I crashed into a hard chest, my phone slipping from my fingers and clattering to the floor. A strong arm wrapped around my waist in an instant, steadying me before I could fall. Lifting my head, I saw Daniel's piercing gaze, the chill in his eyes unmistakable. Joshua was standing nearby, and Emily was in his arms. She tilted her head and spoke up in her soft, earnest voice. "Daddy, that was your fault—you bumped into her just now. Say sorry to her." Joshua quickly interjected, "Miss Edwards, it was Miss Harris who ran into your father. How could you expect him to apologize for that?" Worry flooded Emily's small face, her eyes glassy as she teetered on the verge of tears. "She looks like she's really in pain—Daddy must have injured her!" she cried, twisting in his arms. "Let me down. I want to check on her!" Seeing Emily so worried about me sent an unexpected warmth spreading through my chest. But Daniel merely lifted an eyebrow, his expression unreadable as he released his grip with careless detachment. The instant his support vanished, my legs gave way, and I staggered before collapsing onto the cold floor. "Daddy!" Emily exclaimed, tears spilling freely down her cheeks. "How could you do that? Take her to the hospital right now!" Her sobs shattered Daniel's composure. The man who was usually distant and cold turned visibly flustered. Without offering a single explanation, he bent down, swept me into his arms, and hurried toward the hospital. The doctor gave me a brisk but careful examination, and by the time he finished, the sharp pain in my arm had dulled to a tolerable throb, but I still felt a bit weak. With trembling fingers, I reached for my phone and saw a message from Jacob—Kieran had already come looking for me but hadn't been able to find me. I sent a quick reply and pushed myself upright, intent on going to see Kieran. No one understood my old injury better than he did, and he was the only one who could treat me. Yet just as I reached the door, familiar footsteps echoed in the corridor, followed by Daniel's low, steady voice. "Why didn't you tell me the person the Apex Group selected for the Heartstring Moments project was Alexandra?" Joshua answered hesitantly, his tone tight with unease, "I'm sorry, Mr. Edwards. I didn't look into it carefully enough." Daniel's voice cooled further. "Make sure it never happens again." After a brief pause, he asked, "Have you figured out the grudge between Alexandra and Lilah?"