Chapter 35

Daniel Clementson finally cornered Sophia Lowell.

For days, he'd schemed to get close to her, only to be dodged at every turn. Ignored calls. Blocked messages. Not even staking out her office building had worked.

Then Isabella Valentine texted him—Sophia wasn't feeling well. He immediately ordered the most expensive bubble tea delivery, never expecting it to be accepted.

So she was playing hard to get.

Now, under the hallway lights, Sophia stood breathtaking in a crimson dress. Daniel swallowed hard, then curled his lip in disgust. Dressed like that? Shameless.

But his mother's plans demanded cooperation. He forced a smile.

"Accepting my gifts but avoiding me?" He seized her wrist. "Marry me. The dowry—ten million—transfers immediately."

Sophia wrenched free. "Isabella took that delivery. She's been singing your praises nonstop."

Daniel's eyes lit up. "She said that?"

"The whole office heard." Sophia's laugh was ice. "Go find your soulmate."

"An actress could never join the Clementsons." He sneered, gaze crawling over her collarbone. "You're the only worthy candidate."

Nausea rose in her throat.

The audacity of this mediocre narcissist.

"Harass me again, and I'm calling the police." She reached for her phone.

Daniel's expression darkened. He snatched it away. "You refuse the easy way?" Dragging her toward a private room, he hissed, "You're not leaving tonight."

Her stiletto caught. Stumbling, she felt his liquor-tainted breath at her ear. "Drop the act."

"Let go!" Her knee jerked up.

With a grunt, he released her, eyes venomous. "You'll regret this." His hand swung back—

"Enough."

A glacial male voice cut through the air.