Chapter 23
When I heard Kane's question, I quickly shook my head.
"Miss Sophie just told me some things; she didn't bully me."
My eyes were sincere, though a bit evasive. I wasn't sure if her warning counted as bullying.
After all, if it weren't for me, maybe Kane really would be with someone like Sophie, a young lady from such a prominent family.
Kane looked at my face, his eyes narrowing slightly.
At that moment, Sophie had already walked over.
She completely ignored me and greeted Kane cheerfully, her tone completely different from before—sweet and pleasant.
"Kane, there you are. James was looking for you earlier. You're supposed to go on stage later."
As she spoke, Sophie naturally reached to take Kane's arm.
Kane stepped back directly, avoiding her.
"You should be able to see my fiancée is right here beside me. This kind of physical contact isn't necessary. Otherwise, if you make her cry, I'll have to figure out how to comfort her."
After saying this, Kane looked at me teasingly.
I felt Sophie's gaze fall on me, and it was hostile.
I touched my head, a bit helpless in my expression.
Kane was obviously doing this on purpose.
"I'm not that fragile."
My tone was serious. I didn't want Sophie to see me as an enemy.
After all, after the marriage, if she was persistent enough, Kane would probably be willing to accept her.
Sophie felt awkward and took a step back.
Just then, James walked over.
He still wore his signature smile, and seemed to notice the tense atmosphere between us, coming over specifically to ease things.
He first gave Sophie a big hug, then hugged Kane.
He opened his arms and walked toward me, but Kane blocked his way.
"I hope you'll keep a proper distance from my fiancée."
I saw a flash of surprise in James's eyes, then he looked me over.
"No wonder she's the woman he used every means to get. It seems he really likes you."
This comment confused me. Kane used means to get me?
Confusion showed in my eyes as I turned to look at Kane.
Kane's face was expressionless, though his eyes held a warning as he looked at James.
James shrugged, then broke into an enthusiastic smile.
"Alright, time to go on stage. After all, I'm the host of tonight's party, and you need to go up and say what you want to say."
Hearing James's words, Kane let go of my hand.
Bandel immediately came over, standing protectively beside me, nodding to Kane with a calm and steady tone.
"Please rest assured, Mr. Moretti, I will take good care of Miss Sonya."
I watched Kane leave with James, my eyes locked on his retreating figure.
After all, on this cruise ship, Kane was the only person I really knew.
His leaving like this made me feel a bit uncomfortable.
Sophie stood with her arms crossed, watching me coldly. Clearly, she had no intention of letting me off.
It wasn't until Kane went on stage that Sophie walked up to me, her tone full of disgust and jealousy.
"Don't let me find an opportunity to ruin that disgusting face of yours."
I really believed Sophie wasn't just threatening me—she actually wanted to do it.
Bandel stepped in front of me.
Facing Sophie, his expression remained cold, even carrying a warning.
"Miss Sophie, I don't think Mr. Moretti would want to hear words like that. You'd better not threaten Miss Sonya again, or if Mr. Moretti really gets angry, I won't be able to help you."
Annoyance flashed across Sophie's face.
Finally, she turned away and stopped paying attention to me.
It was already evening now.
The ocean night was especially dark. Even with the neon lights on the deck, it didn't look very bright.
All the lights suddenly went out.
Then all the lights focused on the stage in the center of the deck. I saw Kane standing there without saying a word.
But just standing there was enough to attract everyone's attention.
I blinked, looking at him, my heart inexplicably beating fast.
I have to say, Kane really was a dazzling presence. He was just too outstanding.
It made me feel that no one could be better than him.
Kane took the microphone James handed him and cleared his throat.
His voice, amplified by the microphone, sounded even more magnetic, making my ears feel strangely warm.
"Today, all the mafia families have gathered here. I'm very happy, and I also want to announce something."
As he spoke, Kane's gaze fell on my face.
My heart jumped suddenly. Was he going to talk about our marriage?
Sure enough, the next second Kane spoke calmly and steadily.
"I'm sure you all know I'm getting married soon. The date is set for next weekend. If you have time, remember to come to my wedding."
Kane's tone sounded very polite, but it carried an undeniable authority.
I could imagine that on the wedding day, everyone present today would show up.
Kane pointed, and the lights slowly gathered toward me.
I felt a bit nervous.
Just then, I suddenly felt like someone pushed me, and cold liquid splashed all over me.
I turned into a drowned rat, with bright red liquid sliding down my hair. I looked completely disheveled.
Right at that moment, the spotlight focused on me, and everyone present saw me like this.
Kane's expression changed from cold to full of murderous intent. His hand gripping the microphone tightened.
"Who did this?"
His tone was terrible, so terrible that everyone didn't dare to breathe.
Bandel immediately took off his jacket and draped it over me.
Then I saw Bandel move very quickly, grabbing a girl in a white dress.
The girl looked familiar.
She seemed to be one of the three girls who had followed Sophie when she came to bother me this afternoon.
I really didn't understand why they would use this kind of tactic.
A gust of wind blew, and I shivered. At that moment, Kane had already jumped off the stage and walked to my side.
He threw away Bandel's jacket, took off his own, and wrapped me in it.
Kane stared coldly at the girl.
The girl was already trembling with fear.
Before Kane could speak, she hurriedly explained.
"Mr. Moretti, please believe me, it was too dark, I didn't see clearly."
Kane looked like he didn't want to hear her explanation at all. He just raised his hand.
"You're from the Breece family, right? Very well. Starting today, your family will disappear from the mafia."
After Kane said this, I saw horror and disbelief appear on the girl's face.
"Mr. Moretti, this is my own doing. It has nothing to do with my family."