Chapter 124: Chaos on the Cruise Ship
Sophia's POV
"Mr. Kieran, this question, I..."
I was at a loss for words, flustered, not even daring to meet Kieran's eyes.
Today was our first meeting, but why did he look at me with such sincerity, as if we had known each other for a long time?
"I'm truly sorry, Miss Sophia. You have every right not to answer my question."
Noticing my embarrassment and unease, Kieran apologized to me earnestly, like a perfect gentleman.
I unconsciously bit my lower lip lightly, my cheeks burning hot.
"Fabian's interview is about to end. I need to leave, Mr. Kieran."
In the chaos of my mind, I made up a random excuse, planning to escape from this conference room.
Although my excuse was quite clumsy and easily seen through, Kieran still bid me farewell very seriously.
"Goodbye, Miss Sophia. I look forward to our next meeting."
I clutched my bag and left the conference room in my high heels.
I couldn't wait for Fabian any longer. Every minute and second spent with Kieran made me so nervous I could barely breathe, my heart pounding as if it would leap out of my throat.
I greeted Fabian's secretary: "I'll wait for him in the car. Please let him know."
The driver was already waiting in the car. After I got in, breathing in the scent of the car's perfume, my mood gradually relaxed.
Twenty minutes later, Fabian opened the car door and entered the back seat.
"What happened, Sophia?"
He immediately noticed something was off with me.
I nervously pinched the leather of the sofa beneath me, pretending to be relaxed.
"Nothing happened, Fabian. I just felt the air in the conference room was a bit stuffy and wanted to get some fresh air."
I absolutely couldn't let Fabian know that Kieran had just approached me in the conference room.
He would definitely be furious!
"Really?"
He suddenly leaned closer to me, a trace of danger flashing in his eyes.
His nostrils flared slightly, as if sniffing something: "Why do you have an alpha's scent on you?"
"Oh my god," I widened my eyes, pretending to be surprised. "There were so many alphas present today. I probably accidentally got tainted with the scent."
Damn it, I only shook hands with Kieran. Why was Fabian's sense of smell so keen?
His warm breath fell on my face and neck, making my whole body tremble.
Fabian was too suspicious. I was using all my strength to hide the truth.
"Fabian, don't do this..." I whimpered.
I wanted to remind him that the driver was still in front, but shame prevented me from speaking up.
"Don't be nervous, Sophia. I'm not going to eat you."
Fabian chuckled lightly, returned to his seat, and ordered the driver to start the car.
I suddenly breathed a sigh of relief.
The evening party was arranged on a luxury cruise ship. Logan and Theo had arrived at the venue early.
Almost everyone attending the party was a high-level executive of Ellis Corporation.
Today belonged to the Silver Moon Pack's celebration.
As soon as we entered, Logan extended his hand to me gentlemanly: "May I invite this beautiful lady to dance?"
"Of course." I placed my hand in his palm.
Logan's palm was warm and strong, leading me into the center of the dance floor.
This was my first time dancing a waltz in public, so I inevitably appeared somewhat clumsy.
"Relax, Sophia."
Logan said in a low voice, placing his other hand on my waist. "Follow my steps."
Following the elegant music and Logan's guidance, I gradually found my rhythm, leaning on Logan's shoulder and enjoying the dance.
Just then, a figure appeared within my line of sight.
A man stood at the edge of the dance floor, looking in my direction.
His hand was reaching toward his waist, where something seemed to reflect a cold metallic gleam under the lights.
My body instantly froze, and my steps stopped.
"Sophia?" Logan noticed my distraction and looked at me questioningly. "What's wrong?"
"Logan, I..." My voice was trembling. "I think I saw a man over there with a gun."
Logan looked in the direction of my gaze, but the man had disappeared.
"That's impossible, Sophia. It must have been the lighting that caused you to have an illusion."
He gently stroked my back, comforting me: "Don't overthink it. Let's continue dancing."
But Logan's comfort had no effect on me.
An ominous premonition poured over my entire body like ice water, and my palms began to sweat.
The crowd in the dance floor continued to laugh and dance carelessly.
Suddenly, a sharp gunshot tore through the cheerful music.
Then came the second shot, the third shot...
"Ahhh!!!"
The crystal chandelier overhead began to shake violently.
"Damn it!" Logan cursed and pulled me tightly into his embrace, using his back to shield my body.
I heard screams and panicked footsteps around me. The entire dance floor fell into chaos.
Just then, Logan's body shuddered violently.
"Logan!!" I screamed desperately.
His weight pressed down on me, warm liquid soaking through his clothes and dripping onto my arm.
A silver bullet had shot into his left back, where a startling red stain was rapidly spreading.
"No, no, no...!!"
The gunfire caused complete chaos at the scene. The crowd scattered and fled, screams rising one after another.
"Sophia!"
Fabian's voice came through the chaos. The next second, he and Theo appeared at my side simultaneously.
"Please, save Logan!" I held him helplessly. "If the bullet hit his heart, he'll die..."
Guards rushed in quickly and began subduing the gunmen.
The cruise ship began turning back to shore, emergency alerts blaring piercingly.
After the cruise ship docked, Fabian hoisted Logan up. I followed closely behind them, my hands and clothes covered in Logan's blood.
An ambulance was already waiting at the dock. Fabian carefully placed Logan on the stretcher, and the paramedics loaded Logan into the ambulance.
"Sophia, get in." Fabian grabbed my wrist.
I numbly followed him into the ambulance.
The ambulance sped away, the interior filled with the smell of disinfectant and blood.
The paramedics worked quickly to treat Logan's wound, with Fabian assisting them in the rescue.
I sat to the side, helplessly and nervously watching them.
Upon arriving at the hospital, Logan was quickly wheeled into the emergency room. Fabian and I, covered in blood, stood outside the emergency room.
Footsteps came from the end of the corridor. A middle-aged alpha couple hurried over.
The man had features similar to Logan's.
"Fabian!" The man walked quickly up to Fabian. "How is Logan?!"
"Mr. Carter, Mrs. Carter."
Fabian wiped the sweat from his forehead. "Logan is still in the emergency room. The bullet hit his back but didn't hit his heart. Right now, the doctors are doing everything they can to save him."
Mrs. Carter's body swayed, supported by her husband.
"Oh God, I hope God will bless Logan." She prayed tearfully, her eyes full of grief.
I hadn't expected that my first meeting with the Carters would be under such circumstances.