The Girl He Was Promised

Chapter 7 — The First Warning

At exactly three o'clock, a black luxury sedan stopped outside the café.

Anastasia looked through the window.

She immediately recognized the car.

"He's here."

Vivian smiled.

"Your fiancé?"

"Unfortunately."

Chloe laughed.

"You don't look very unfortunate."

Anastasia gave her a warning look.

Before she could say anything else, the café door opened.

Alexander walked inside.

He wore a dark suit, his expression as cold and composed as always.

But the moment his eyes found Anastasia, something in his expression softened.

Vivian noticed.

So did Elena.

Chloe simply smiled.

Alexander approached their table.

"Ready?"

Anastasia picked up her handbag.

"Yes."

Then she looked at her friends.

"I'll see you tomorrow."

Vivian stood.

"Wait."

She looked at Alexander.

"You'd better take care of her."

Alexander raised an eyebrow.

"I intend to."

Vivian smiled.

"Good answer."

Anastasia rolled her eyes.

"Ignore her."

They walked outside.

But before getting into the car, Alexander noticed something.

Across the street, a black vehicle was parked.

His eyes narrowed.

"Wait."

Anastasia stopped.

"What?"

Alexander looked toward the vehicle.

"It's been there since I arrived."

Anastasia glanced at it.

"Same car from yesterday?"

"Possibly."

She studied the windows.

"Too dark."

Alexander immediately called his security team.

But before they could approach, the vehicle drove away.

Anastasia watched it disappear.

"They're getting bolder."

Alexander looked at her.

"You're not frightened."

"No."

"Why?"

She smiled.

"Because I'm not alone."

Alexander looked at her.

"What does that mean?"

Anastasia simply opened the car door.

"You'll find out."

---

Inside the café, Vivian watched the black car disappear.

She turned toward Chloe and Elena.

"Did you see that?"

Chloe nodded.

"Someone was watching us."

Elena calmly picked up her handbag.

"Then we should move."

Vivian smiled.

"Finally."

Chloe laughed.

"You were hoping for this."

"Maybe."

They walked toward the back exit.

But instead of heading toward the street, they entered a private training room connected to the café.

Vivian removed her jacket.

Underneath was a fitted combat shirt.

Chloe tied her hair back.

Elena pulled a pair of gloves from her bag.

Their expressions changed completely.

Vivian smiled.

"Do you think they know who they're watching?"

Chloe shook her head.

"Probably not."

Elena looked toward the security monitors.

"Then let's keep it that way."

The three women weren't merely Anastasia's childhood friends.

They had trained together for years.

Vivian specialized in close combat.

Chloe was excellent with tactical planning and defensive driving.

Elena was trained in surveillance and hand-to-hand combat.

They had never needed those skills in their ordinary lives.

But Anastasia's return had changed everything.

---

Meanwhile, inside Alexander's car, Anastasia looked out the window.

Alexander glanced at her.

"Your friends."

"What about them?"

"They noticed the vehicle."

Anastasia smiled.

"Of course they did."

Alexander looked surprised.

"You knew?"

"They're not helpless."

"Neither are you."

She turned toward him.

"You've been investigating me."

"Not yet."

"Not yet?"

Alexander's lips curved.

"I'm waiting for you to tell me your secrets."

Anastasia laughed softly.

"You might be waiting a very long time."

"I have patience."

"You?"

"Six years."

She fell silent.

Alexander looked ahead.

Then his phone rang.

His assistant's voice came through.

"Young Master, we've identified the man from the surveillance photograph."

Alexander's expression became serious.

"Who?"

"The name is Victor Hale."

Anastasia's smile disappeared.

Alexander noticed immediately.

"You know him."

Anastasia looked out the window.

"Yes."

"Who is he?"

She took a slow breath.

"Someone I hoped I'd never see again."

Alexander's hand tightened around the steering wheel.

"Then we'll deal with him together."

Anastasia looked at him.

For the first time, she didn't argue.

Because somewhere deep inside, she knew something Alexander didn't.

Victor Hale wasn't the real threat.

He was only the person sent to find her.

And whoever had sent him—

had finally discovered that Anastasia Smith was back home.