Connor’s gun fired, striking Nic’s leg.
The shot echoed through the warehouse.
Moments later, Sebastian stormed in with his men, surrounding Evan and the remaining guards.
Another gunshot shattered the helicopter’s cockpit.
The pilot screamed as the aircraft spun out of control.
Lexi squeezed her eyes shut.
The chaos blurred.
Her strength gave out—and Sebastian caught her before she fell.
Everything moved fast after that.
Sebastian had come prepared.
His personal doctor was already on-site.
Within minutes, the situation was contained.
An injection steadied her.
The room stopped spinning.
Through clearing vision, she saw Evan pinned to the ground.
Sebastian kicked him once—hard—rage sharp and controlled.
Evan was dragged up, blood streaking his face.
“Let him go,” Lexi said.
Her voice was steady, though her heart pounded.
Sebastian didn’t look at her.
“This doesn’t concern you.”
“He kidnapped me,” she replied.
“It concerns me.”
Evan coughed, smiling weakly.
“Thank you, Lexi. I’m glad I have a friend like you.”
Sebastian’s eyes darkened.
Without another word, he pulled Lexi away. Visit g.com for the full chapter.
Inside the car, he gave Connor quiet instructions.
Evan would live.
But he would never threaten anyone again.
Lexi never heard those details.
She leaned her head against the window.
“Thank you.”
He turned to her, gripping her chin so she had to meet his gaze.
“That’s it?”
“What else do you want?”
Her defiance, even now, tightened something in his chest.
She had no idea how close she’d come to disappearing.
“You’re stubborn,” he muttered, releasing her.
Then, coldly: “You’re returning to set tomorrow. And no matter who tries to take you—Evan Cole or anyone else—you won’t escape my grasp.”
The image of that helicopter lifting her away had unsettled him more than he would admit.
Evan’s disappearance barely made headlines.
A new male lead replaced him in Fallen Empire.
Lexi’s scenes were now mostly with Lauren.
Ironically, she’d been rewritten as Lauren’s best friend.
The tension between them never left the screen.
“Lauren and Sebastian want to take you to dinner,” Lauren’s assistant told her.
“Nine o’clock. The Crown Hall. Don’t be late.”
That evening, Sebastian came to pick her up.
“I’m not going,” Lexi said flatly.
His eyes darkened.
“Not afraid?”
She straightened.
“Fine. I’ll go.”
At nine, she arrived at The Crown Hall.
The innermost private room had been reserved.
Through the slightly open door, she saw them—Lauren sitting close to Sebastian, far too close.
Lexi pushed the door open.
Lauren slid off his lap smoothly, smiling.
A display.
“Oh, Seb, I left Lexi’s gift in your car. Can you grab it?” Lauren said sweetly.
Sebastian glanced at Lexi, gave a quiet hum, and left.
The moment the door shut, Lauren’s smile vanished.
“Playing my shield must’ve felt important,” she said.
“Eat. Food like this isn’t meant for someone like you. No family. No money. Nothing.”
Lexi set her chopsticks down.
“We grew up together. When did you become this cruel? Without Sebastian, you’re nothing.”
The slap came fast.
“Know your place,” Lauren hissed.
“You think you can climb into his bed?”
Lexi met her eyes.
“I never wanted him. Even if every man on earth died, I wouldn’t choose him.”
Her voice was calm.
She had never chased affection.
Not after that night that changed everything.
A cold voice cut through the room.
“Even if every man died, you and I? Impossible.”
Sebastian stood at the doorway, a gift box in hand, expression unreadable.
Lexi understood instantly.
A trap.
She gathered her bag.
“I’m done. Enjoy your meal.”
She turned to leave.
The box hit the table.
Sebastian grabbed her wrist.
“Did I allow you to leave?”
His voice was low.
Her head remained bowed, silent.
And for the first time that night, something in his expression shifted—anger mixed with something far less controlled.