Stop Fooling Around

Alexander Hayes's expression instantly turned sharp and serious: "If you dare hurt her, don't blame me for turning ruthless."

Sophie White saw that Alexander Hayes was truly angry, and felt both surprised and a little jealous.

Sophie had been by Alexander's side for so many years, but had never seen him so nervous about any other woman.

Sophie White pouted, "I was just joking. Why are you so serious? You nearly scared me to death."

Alexander Hayes kept his face cold, looking sternly at Sophie: "Sophie, you can joke about anything else, but never about the Princess."

Sophie bit her lip and looked at Alexander. "Alex, could it be that you really care for your Princess...?"

"She is the only love of my life, Sophie. You should know what's important." Alexander glanced at her.

Sophie snorted, showing she understood. Instinctively, she glanced back toward Evans Manor, in the direction of Lily Evans's room, a look of disdain in her eyes: Alex is a mighty war god, how could that weak little lady possibly deserve such a heroic general!?

Alexander didn't want to argue further and changed the topic: "Princess Mira and Prince Ling will be married on the Dragon Heads-Raising Festival, the second day of the second lunar month. Once their marriage is complete, Prince Charles Chu will return to the Kingdom of Chu. Before that, you must ensure our demands are met by the people from Chu. Only then can we set a trap for Charles Chu when he returns, catching him completely off guard and powerless to fight back."

Sophie nodded, "Don't worry, Alex. Everything I've arranged in Chu is solid. Those people are all my father's subordinates and are loyal to me. Whatever I tell them to do, they'll do it without question."

Alexander Hayes gave a low hum of approval. If Sophie White was in charge, he could always rest easy.

"Then it's settled. Everything goes according to plan. As long as Charles Chu is in Jin, my hands are tied—but the moment he sets foot back in Chu, I'll settle every score, old and new!" A cold glint flashed in Alexander Hayes's eyes.

Charles Chu had tried to wreck his marriage to Lily Evans by using the Evans father and son, even kidnapping Margaret Evans. Alexander Hayes remembered every single slight—clear as day.

Charles Chu knew perfectly well that no matter how much Alexander Hayes loathed him, he'd never make a move in Jin territory. That gave Charles all the confidence in the world.

But what Charles Chu never expected was that Alexander Hayes had already spread his net throughout Chu, lying in wait for him to walk right into the trap—like a turtle in a jar, with nowhere to run!

Business wrapped up, Alexander Hayes frowned at Sophie White. "Susan, the Firestorm Battalion isn't where you belong. Once your job's done, head back to the Frontier Outpost."

Sophie White's eyes widened, voice rising with indignation. "Alex, are you sending me away just because I’m too clever for my own good? My father’s dying wish was for me to stand by your side. I’m loyal to a fault, and you know it!"

Alexander Hayes pinched the bridge of his nose, exasperated. "Susan, this is not up for debate."

Sophie White squared her shoulders, meeting Alexander Hayes's gaze. "If I abandon you now, I’d be betraying my father’s last wish—and myself. So unless you want a mutiny, you’re stuck with me!"