"Don't recognize me?" Blaze's voice was calm, almost bored, as he lifted his gaze. With a slight tilt of his head, he beckoned Cecilia to stand at his side. Then, without a shred of hesitation, he ordered, "Fine. Beat him until he does."
His assistant didn't question it. He shoved Bruno back down and rained punches left and right. The grand hall fell silent—so silent that every breath seemed deafening. All eyes were locked on the scene, realization dawning with cold sweat: Blaze wasn't just a guest. He was the real boss behind all this. Cross him, and they'd be ruined.
Jackson trembled, panic flickering in his eyes. He hurried to Blaze's side, trying to play peacemaker. "Mr. Diego, please, this is Bruno. He's an old friend of Cecilia's. Isn't this… too much?"
Blaze turned, expressionless. "Your friend?" His eyes shifted to Cecilia. She paled, her lips parting, but no words came out. Her silence told him enough—she clearly wanted nothing to do with Bruno.
Blaze's lips curved in a humorless smirk. An old friend? Since when? He'd known Cecilia since childhood. He would've noticed if a man like this was part of her life.
"I don't buy it," Blaze said coldly. "Stop wasting time. Send him to the police. Let them check what kind of filth he really is."
"You're abusing your power!" Bruno struggled to his feet, his voice breaking. "I can sue you for this! I only met Cecilia after she married Vincent Charlie. You can't possibly—"
He never finished.
"I think your brain isn't working properly," Blaze cut him off sharply, his voice echoing like a whip. "Cecilia has never married anyone."
A ripple of shock spread through the crowd. Everyone exchanged incredulous looks. Never married? But wasn't she Vincent's ex-wife? The whispers, the rumors—they couldn't all be wrong. Why would Blaze cover for her like this?
Cecilia's face drained of all color. She understood what Blaze meant—this was his way of declaring that he forgave her betrayal, that he was willing to erase the past for her sake. But to her, it was also a harsh reminder: she was the betrayer.
Jackson, sensing danger, quickly grabbed Bruno's arm. "It was a mistake! He must've mistaken her for someone else—"
"Really?" Blaze's voice dripped with disdain. "Funny. Didn't sound like a mistake to me. Sounded more like deep hatred toward Miss Spark." His piercing gaze pinned Bruno like prey.
Bruno clutched his chest, coughing, his arrogance collapsing. Finally, he broke. "I… I was wrong. I mistook her for someone else."
"Yes, a misunderstanding. Mr. Bruno and I still have business to discuss, so if you'll excuse us, Mr. Diego…" Jackson forced a smile, tugging Bruno toward the exit.
But Blaze's voice cut through the room like ice. "Stop."
One glance from him, and his assistant stepped forward, plucking a contract from Cecilia's handbag. He spread it open before Jackson.
"If this was all just a misunderstanding, then an apology is in order. I don't care for empty words. Why don't the two of you sign this investment contract instead? Call it… compensation to Miss Spark."
The unspoken threat was clear. If they didn't sign, they weren't walking out of here.
Bruno's face twisted, fury simmering under his skin. But in the end, he clenched his teeth and signed his name.
When the farce finally ended, the crowd dispersed quickly, the music starting up again as though nothing had happened. Yet no one dared approach Cecilia now.
When the tension lifted, Cecilia gathered her courage. "Thank you," she whispered, glancing up at Blaze. "For helping me out."
Blaze looked at her, his expression unreadable, as if waiting for her to say more.
She faltered, words caught in her throat, before sighing softly. "Anyway… thank you. If you hadn't shown up, I wouldn't have known what to—"
Someone bumped into her shoulder. By the time she looked up, Blaze had already brushed past her, saying nothing, walking away.
Cecilia blinked in confusion. What did I say wrong?
His assistant gave her an apologetic smile before jogging after him.
Outside, the two men walked in silence until they reached the car. Just before getting in, the assistant asked cautiously, "Shall I keep arranging meetings between Miss Spark and the smaller company reps tomorrow?"
After all, her smooth path through tonight's event had been Blaze's doing.
Blaze reached for the folder in his assistant's hands, tore the schedule into shreds, and dropped them into the seat. "Since when did you start meddling?"
The assistant froze, stunned by the sudden lash of anger. He knew how much effort Blaze had put into preparing that list, working late nights to ensure Cecilia wouldn't struggle. If it wasn't for her, he wouldn't have bothered at all.
"But… Miss Spark—"
"Who told you to worry about that woman?" Blaze snapped.
Cecilia and Vincent's so-called marriage was like a thorn lodged deep in his chest. No matter how he tried to ignore it, the pain was always there. And the more he thought about it, the messier it became.
Did her silence mean she really loved Vincent once? That she really betrayed him?
His thoughts darkened, swirling dangerously. He didn't want to think further. "Drive. And put a man on Bruno. I don't want him making trouble after tonight."
Bruno had always lived a smooth, privileged life. The Charlie Group had been a stumbling block, but once he thought he'd crossed it, he believed the road ahead would be clear. Yet now, he had fallen hard—at Blaze's hands, no less.
"What? Blaze is Cecilia's ex-boyfriend?" Bruno muttered in disbelief, staring at the report in his hands. Suddenly everything made sense. "No wonder he shielded her. They dated three years ago, knew each other for over a decade… and that's it? Just that?"
"Just that," his secretary confirmed.
Bruno sneered, slamming the papers onto the desk. "So Blaze still hasn't gotten over her. Wants to chase after Vincent's leftovers, is that it? A man like him, hung up on a used toy—that's why he came at me so hard!"
The memory of that humiliating night burned him alive. His rage surged, refusing to die down.
"I'd advise you not to go against Blaze," Jackson said carefully. "He's no small fry anymore. Ever since he took over Diego Corp, he's been expanding nonstop. The man practically holds half the market in his hands. We… can't afford to provoke him."
Bruno knew Jackson was right. For now, swallowing his pride was the only way to survive.
But his fists clenched so tightly his knuckles cracked. He kicked a chair, his teeth grinding. "One day," he swore, voice dripping venom, "I'll drag them both down to hell."
The bar was steeped in smoke and shadows, a sultry tune humming through the speakers. Joey arrived late, only to find Blaze already surrounded by empty bottles.
"Whoa. What's this? Drinking alone? Don't tell me you're brooding instead of going home to that little wife of yours?" Joey teased, dropping onto the stool beside him, his braids swaying as he leaned in.
Blaze gave him a sideways glance before turning away, back resting against the counter, lips sealed.
"Seriously? You drag me out here and won't even say why? I left a deal worth tens of millions just to—"
A cold bottle was shoved into Joey's hand. Blaze's gaze was glazed, his voice low. "Shut up and drink."
Joey whistled, taking a swig. "How much have you had, man? What's eating you?" With a grin, he waved over a few women lingering nearby. "Figured this might happen. I brought company. Take your pick."
The cloying scent of perfume hit Blaze's nose. A slender hand slid toward him, but before it could even touch, he shoved her away.
His icy glare swept over the women, voice sharp as a whip. "Get lost."
Joey froze. Blaze never turned down women—certainly not like this. Whatever had happened tonight, it was serious.
They drank in silence until dawn, Blaze refusing to explain, his expression carved in stone. Eventually, Joey had no choice but to call the assistant to haul him back to the villa.
Ding.
The doorbell startled Cecilia awake. She blinked blearily from the sofa, then caught sight of a black Bentley idling outside the window. Her heart tightened. Blaze.
She didn't even bother with slippers, padding barefoot across the floor to answer.
The door had barely cracked open when a heavy weight crashed into her. "Ah—!"
She staggered back, Blaze's tall frame nearly knocking her off balance. Her back hit the wall with a thud, arms instinctively clutching him to steady them both. "Blaze?"
The sharp tang of alcohol hit her nose. His breath was hot against her cheek, intoxicating and suffocating all at once.
"You've been drinking?" she whispered, frowning.
But Blaze didn't answer. His arms locked tight around her waist, his chin dropping onto her shoulder. He buried his face against her neck, exhaling a low sigh that carried more weight than words ever could.
Her heart clenched at the sound. For the first time, Blaze didn't feel untouchable—he felt… breakable.