Alia looked at him, slightly surprised.
"Help me? How do you even know I need help?"
The man smiled faintly, opened the car door, and stood to the side with a gentle, inviting gaze.
"This place isn't safe for you. If you come with me, some extraordinary opportunities await you."
Alia stood still for a moment, caught in an inner conflict. Should she accept his offer or remain cautious? But when she realized this might be the beginning of a new path, she slowly stepped toward the car. A new road was opening before her, though she had no idea what pain or danger it might bring.
That man—Sian—his intentions were still unclear. But within this new mystery, Alia wanted to forge herself into someone even stronger.
He gestured for her to enter the car, then suddenly said,
"Boss Victor is calling for you."
Alia froze. A ripple of unease surged through her at the sound of Victor's name. All her inner doubts, resentment, and caution intensified. She knew getting involved with Victor again could be dangerous. Yet there was something in Sian's eyes that made her unconsciously respond.
"Victor? Why? I don't want anything to do with him anymore," Alia said firmly, her voice laced with the anger she had long held inside.
The man stared at her steadily, then replied with calm patience,
"Boss's orders, Princess. He said he has something important to tell you. If you're willing, I'm here to take you. But the decision is yours."
Alia stood there thinking for a few moments. Was it truly safe to meet Victor again? A part of her still recognized how important he had been in her life, and this could be a chance to finally understand his intentions. Yet she also knew—Victor would never let her go easily.
Straightening her shoulders, Alia stepped toward the car, fully aware that whatever Victor was about to say could entangle her in another web of deception. But she had to face it—she had to stand strong. The fire in her soul wouldn't allow her to retreat anymore.
The man opened the door and gave her a warm, respectful smile.
"Please, Princess. The boss is waiting."
Alia got into the car. There was a strange resolve in her eyes now. She knew this journey would bring something significant, and she had to be prepared.
As the car drove on, Alia sat in silence, slightly anxious and restless. Eventually, they arrived at Victor's location. As she stepped out, she found herself facing a grand building. Her eyes caught the silhouette she knew too well—Victor.
She had come here as his wife, but her heart was weighed down with questions and unease.
Victor stood before her, staring straight at her. But today, something about him was different. Gone was the warm, smiling Victor. Now, he looked hardened, unreadable—his face veiled in cold mystery.
Alia paused, then asked in a cool voice,
"What is it, Victor? Why did you call me here?"
Victor smiled faintly, but there was no joy in it—only a strange emptiness. He looked into her eyes with a deep, enigmatic stare.
"Alia, you know… we've been through so much. But I believe the time has come for us both to walk a new path."
His words confused her. Her heart was racing, and she couldn't grasp what he meant. His tone felt vague, distant—and she sensed a hidden agenda behind it all.
"A new path?" she repeated, her voice cold. "How? Are you trying to trap me again, Victor?"
Victor remained silent for a second, then suddenly stepped closer and whispered in her ear,
"You know I've only ever loved one person in this world—and it's you, Alia. Despite everything… I know we can never truly let go of each other."
Alia was momentarily stunned. There was a raw emotion in his words that deeply unsettled her. She knew part of her still felt something for him—but it was a love laced with betrayal, vengeance, and scars of war.
"What you're saying makes no sense," she said shakily. "You never really trusted me, Victor. So why are you saying this now?"
Victor remained quiet for a few moments before speaking again in a deep, serious voice.
"Because, Alia… people like you and me—we don't exist in this world twice. I just want you to understand… we can't live without each other."
Alia stared at him, uncertain of what he truly wanted. She knew she had to grow stronger—because the dangers ahead would only increase.
In fact, right before she came to Scotland, she and Victor had had a violent fight. Their relationship had always been complicated, but that day, they had torn each other apart.
Alia had stood before him and declared,
"I want to find myself again. I can't keep drowning in your false promises."
Victor had stood silently. His eyes were blank, his face unreadable. But there had been something buried deep in his gaze that she couldn't ignore. Alia had been trembling in rage. She knew he had never truly trusted her—and that lack of trust had eaten away at their bond.
"You know what, Victor? I'm done with these games. Everything about you has been a performance. I can't take it anymore!" she had yelled.
Usually calm and collected, Victor had exploded with anger. His eyes were burning. His voice was cold and sharp.
"This whole world is nothing but a game, Alia. If you can't understand me, then you don't deserve to be by my side anymore."
Alia had screamed,
"Your words mean nothing to me! I refuse to stay trapped in this illusion!"
The tension had escalated. In the end, Alia had made up her mind—she would go to Scotland, not because of him, but to end everything that haunted her.
Victor had tried to stop her. He had wanted to start something new with her and bury the darkness of his past. But Alia was resolute. She would no longer be a piece in his game.
After the fight, Victor had left for Scotland first, burdened with countless questions. He faced decisions only time could answer.
Now, when Victor called and Alia was forced to meet him again, she arrived with fire in her eyes and pain etched across her face.
She looked him straight in the eye and said,
"You weren't always like this, Victor. You used to care. Why have you changed so much?"
Victor stared at her for a long time, expressionless. After a pause, he gave her a strange, cold smile.
"Ah… I've changed, haven't I? Maybe. But the Victor you once fell for—that man is gone."
Alia stood in disbelief.
"What are you saying, Victor? I used to believe in the man I saw inside you. But now… now you're nothing but a stranger. And you're betraying me."