Chapter 4
The incident happened at a business dinner.
That day, I had just completed my duty watching over Sophia.
I was about to return to my usual post and handle security detail for Nathan.
But Sophia grabbed my arm forcefully, refusing to let me leave.
She said, "Places like this are crawling with all sorts of characters. I need someone right by my side, don't I, Claire? Where do you think you're sneaking off to?
"Or maybe you just can't stand seeing me with Nathan?"
I had no choice but to nod.
I thought that even if something went sideways, I'd make sure Nathan was okay.
The dinner kicked off, glasses clinking everywhere.
Sophia linked arms with Nathan, her smile soft and graceful as she charmed everyone around them.
I maintained a watchful distance, scanning the scene with practiced eyes.
I was on high alert for any sign of trouble.
Everything appeared calm on the surface.
But then I spotted a suspicious-looking waiter.
He was moving with unusual urgency, his fingers curled awkwardly as he walked.
As he passed the champagne tower, his eyes scanned directly toward Nathan.
I realized something was wrong.
I stepped forward immediately.
"Mr. Reed, ten o'clock! Look at the waiter who just passed by. Something's off about him. We need to get you out of here, right now," I warned in a low, urgent voice.
Nathan instantly tensed, his whole demeanor shifting as he prepared to move.
But Sophia wasn't having it. She grabbed Nathan's arm, her grip tight.
Her eyes were practically shooting daggers at me, her tone sharp and biting.
She snapped, "Claire, what game are you playing now?
"It's just a waiter. Are you trying to get Nathan's attention, or do you just want to make yourself look important?
"Honestly, at a high-profile party like this, with security everywhere, what kind of trouble are you expecting?
"I bet you just can't handle seeing me and Nathan together, so you're stirring up trouble on purpose."
Nathan's expression turned cold. "Sophia, stop it. Claire's judgment is never wrong."
"You call that a judgment? Seriously? She's just jealous and dying for attention," Sophia shot back, sarcasm dripping from every word.
Sophia completely lost it, her reaction like a cat whose tail had just been stomped on.
She latched onto Nathan, refusing to let him take a single step.
"Nathan, don't fall for her act. She's just scheming, trying to get between us," Sophia insisted.
Amidst the conversation, barely ten seconds had whisked by.
Suddenly, the waiter whipped a dagger out from under the serving cart.
He lunged straight at Nathan, his eyes blazing with crazed resolve.
As he charged, he snarled something low and unintelligible.
It all happened in the blink of an eye.
Sophia let out a terrified scream, instinctively pulling Nathan behind her.
But that frantic move blocked Nathan's best escape route.
And it also cut off my quickest path to intercept the attack.
"Get out of the way!" Nathan yelled, furious and alarmed, trying to shove her aside, but he was already a split second too late.
"Watch out," I yelled.
My eyes went wide in shock as I barreled sideways, shoving Sophia out of the way and pushing Nathan clear of the incoming threat.
The cold glint of the blade grazed my arm, slashing through my jacket sleeve.
I felt the sharp sting as my skin was sliced open.
But I didn't stop.
With lightning-fast reflexes, I blocked, grabbed, twisted the dagger out of the waiter's grip, and slammed him to the ground.
It took me less than five seconds to do that all.
The lunatic was pinned, arms locked down, while his dagger skittered across the floor.
Only then did security rush in.
The place exploded into chaos, screams ringing out from all corners.
Nathan staggered from the push and then quickly steadied himself, his face thunderous with shock and anger.
He instantly noticed my bleeding arm, his gaze darkening as worry flashed across his eyes.
"Claire, you're hurt," he said.
I caught my breath and shook my head.
Keeping my voice steady, I said, "I'm fine. Just a scratch. It's good you're safe. Let's lock down the area and find out if that guy had backup."
Sophia was still shaken, her face ghostly pale.
She stared at my torn sleeve and the blood soaking through, her lips quivering. Suddenly, she jabbed a finger at me.
"This is all your fault, Claire," she shrieked.
She added, "If you hadn't shoved me and freaked me out, I wouldn't have blocked Nathan. Was this your plan all along? Trying to make yourself look like some tragic victim?
"You just want Nathan to pity you, don't you? You're so heartless."
I was completely at a loss for words.
The way she thought was so wild that I almost burst out laughing just out of pure frustration.
It went way beyond paranoia.
She had straight up lost her mind.
"Sophia!" Nathan's voice was ice cold, sharp enough to cut through all the noise.
"Open your eyes and face the facts. If Claire hadn't moved so quickly, I'd be the one getting stabbed right now," he added.