Chapter 1

James Johnson bought me from the black market for five million.

I went from being a mercenary to his bodyguard, and also his plaything to satisfy his desires.

Countless intimate nights gradually changed the nature of our relationship.

Until he risked his life to save me during a gang shootout.

His restrained feelings finally broke free, and he proposed to me.

But today, five years later.

Right after James took control of the Johnson Family, he quickly got engaged to Julia, the daughter of the Smith Family, the biggest arms dealer.

I confronted him, only to overhear his conversation with a friend.

"I told Sophia I'd marry her just to make her give everything for me, even die for me. After all, those brothers fighting me for the inheritance are all crazy."

His friend laughed. "But she's risked her life for you for six years. That's pretty cold."

"Doesn't matter. With her background, she was never fit to be a mafia heir's wife anyway."

I stood outside the door and let out a bitter laugh.

Back in my room, I contacted Marshall Johnson.

"I promised to keep James safe until he became head of the Johnson Family. The mission's complete now. Please give me my freedom as agreed."

Marshall promised to let me leave in a week.

But before leaving, I still had to protect James.

Right after I hung up, James pushed the door open.

"Sophia, I need to talk to you."

I didn't look at him, keeping my head down as I refused.

"Tomorrow's the Johnson Family banquet. I still need to do security checks."

"Mr. Johnson, whatever it is can wait until tomorrow."

I tried to walk past him with my head down.

James hugged me from behind, as affectionate as before.

"Why are you suddenly calling me Mr. Johnson? Is this some new game?"

"The other mafia families have been restless lately. I need the Smith Family's support as arms dealers, so I got engaged to Julia. Don't take it to heart."

His weak explanation made my chest feel tight.

"I won't overthink it. When you said you'd marry me before, I didn't take it seriously."

At that, James looked surprised.

I didn't give him a chance to continue. I turned and quickly left.

At the banquet the next day.

I stood in a corner, my eyes alertly following James.

Julia Smith walked over with her friends, dripping with mockery.

"So you're James's female bodyguard?"

"Bodyguard? She's nothing but a glorified stripper in a uniform!"

"More like a streetwalker who can throw a punch!"

Not stopping there, Julia thrust her half-empty glass toward me. "Here," she sneered. "A little something for your efforts."

"The Johnson Family rules say bodyguards can't drink while working. Please take back your kind offer, Miss Smith."

As soon as I finished speaking, I got slapped across the face.

"I'm James's fiancée! How dare you use the Johnson Family rules against me?"

The commotion caught James's attention.

He quickly walked over.

But Julia suddenly screamed and, with her back to the crowd, splashed wine on herself.

James only saw her wet clothes and quickly took off his jacket to cover her.

"James, I just wanted to chat with Miss Russell since she's your bodyguard. But she said I stole her position and threw wine on me!"

James looked at my swollen face and frowned slightly.

"She's a bodyguard, used to being rough. I'm sure she didn't mean it. How about I have her make it up to you with a drink?"

I stared at James in shock.

Years ago, I foolishly drank for him and nearly suffocated from an alcohol allergy.

After that, James forbade anyone from making me drink.

But now he expected me to apologize to Julia with a drink?

Seeing me standing still, James lost his patience.

He grabbed a drink from a server and forced it down my throat, gripping my chin.

I knelt on the ground, coughing, my collar soaked with wine.

"Enough! Stop embarrassing me! Get out! I don't need you following me tonight!"

The alcohol made my eyes red. I looked up at him.

Our eyes met, and James's panicked expression seemed laughable to me.

But I didn't say anything in the end.

Just seven more days, and we'd have nothing to do with each other.

I stumbled away and barely managed to get medicine before the allergic reaction hit.

But right after taking it, a dozen people rushed at me.

The allergy slowed my reactions, and I took over a dozen punches and kicks.

I heard Julia's voice.

"With skills this pathetic, you call yourself a bodyguard?"

"Beat this trashy thing good! Let's see if she dares seduce James again!"

I leaned against the wall and stood up. A dozen thugs faced me, cracking their knuckles.

If I kept backing down, I'd be beaten to death.

But just as I threw a punch, Julia suddenly rushed forward.

"Ah!"

She took my punch square on and fell to the ground.

I instinctively reached to help her, but someone rushing over kicked me hard in the shoulder.

Then James's furious roar exploded in my ears.

"Sophia! You hit Julia? Who the hell do you think you are?"