The Billionaire Thought His Secretary Died Seven Years Ago — Until Her 7-Year-Old Son Reached For His Hand at a Charity Gala

Richard realized he was completely cornered. His arrogant, high-society mask shattered into a million pieces, leaving only a desperate, feral coward.

Instead of dropping the gun, Richard lunged toward the doorway, violently grabbing Sophia by the arm and pulling her in front of him, pressing the barrel of his pistol against her temple.

"Nobody moves!" Richard screamed, sweating profusely, his eyes wide with unadulterated panic. "If you take one step, Xavier, I will blow her brains out right in front of the kid!"

Nathan screamed, terrified, backing into the hallway.

Xavier stopped dead in his tracks. His tactical mind raced. His security team had laser sights painted all over Richard’s chest, but Xavier couldn't risk a stray bullet hitting the woman he loved.

"Let her go, Richard," Xavier said, his voice dropping to a dangerous, cinematic whisper. "You have no money. You have nowhere to run. If you pull that trigger, my men will make sure you don't survive the next five seconds."

"I don't care!" Richard sobbed hysterically. "She ruined my life! She’s mine!"

Sophia was crying, but her eyes locked onto Xavier’s. In that brief, terrifying moment, seven years of forced separation melted away. She saw the fierce, unbreakable love burning in his dark eyes.

"Xavier, protect Nathan," Sophia whispered, closing her eyes.

She didn't wait to be rescued. Sophia violently slammed her high heel down directly onto Richard's foot and threw her elbow backward as hard as she could, striking him square in the ribs.

Richard gasped, his grip faltering for a fraction of a second.