The First Attack
1073 Words
Elena did not sleep well that night.
Even after returning from the Morrison party, the image of Sophia’s cold smile kept appearing in her mind. Her sister’s voice echoed again and again in her thoughts.
“I promise you… I will make your life very interesting.”
Elena turned restlessly in the large bed inside the guest room of Alexander’s penthouse. The room was quiet and comfortable, yet her mind refused to calm down.
Everything had changed too quickly.
Just a week ago she was still planning a future with Daniel. Now Daniel had married her sister, and she herself was suddenly married to Alexander Knight—the most powerful businessman in the city.
And now Sophia had started another attack.
Elena sighed and looked at the digital clock on the bedside table.
7:18 AM.
She sat up and ran a hand through her hair.
Sleep was clearly impossible.
After washing her face, she walked out of the room and into the spacious living area of the penthouse.
Morning sunlight streamed through the massive glass windows, illuminating the elegant furniture and marble floors.
Alexander was already awake.
He stood by the kitchen counter wearing a crisp white shirt and dark trousers, a cup of black coffee in one hand while scrolling through something on his phone.
He looked calm. Completely calm.
Elena leaned against the counter and folded her arms.
“Good morning.”
Alexander looked up immediately.
“Good morning.”
His eyes briefly scanned her face.
“You didn’t sleep much.”
Elena gave a small laugh.
“Was it that obvious?”
Alexander nodded.
“You were thinking about your sister.”
Elena sighed.
“She threatened me.”
Alexander placed his phone down on the counter.
“Yes.”
“And you don’t seem worried.”
Alexander took another sip of his coffee.
“People like her always make threats.”
Elena frowned slightly.
“My sister usually follows through with them.”
Alexander studied her quietly.
“I know.”
Elena blinked.
“You know?”
“I had someone look into your family situation yesterday.”
Elena raised an eyebrow.
“You investigated me?”
Alexander didn’t deny it.
“I needed to understand the situation I married into.”
Elena couldn’t help laughing softly.
“When you say it like that, it sounds terrifying.”
“Only if you have something to hide.”
Elena shook her head.
“I don’t.”
Alexander nodded calmly.
“That’s why I’m not concerned.”
Before Elena could reply, her phone suddenly vibrated on the table.
She picked it up casually.
But the moment she opened the notification, her expression froze.
“What happened?” Alexander asked.
Elena slowly turned the screen toward him.
A news article filled the display.
The headline made her stomach twist.
Unknown Woman Seduces Billionaire Alexander Knight to Secure Marriage
Below the headline were several photos of Elena and Alexander from the party the previous night.
But the images had clearly been manipulated.
In one photo it looked like Elena was desperately clinging to Alexander’s arm.
In another, it seemed as though she had been begging him outside the hotel entrance.
Elena scrolled further down.
Thousands of comments flooded the page.
Gold digger.
She trapped him.
Another woman chasing money.
Elena’s fingers tightened around the phone.
“Sophia,” she whispered.
Alexander read the article without showing any visible reaction.
“So it begins.”
Elena looked at him.
“You expected this?”
“Yes.”
“And you didn’t warn me?”
Alexander met her gaze calmly.
“It wouldn’t have changed anything.”
Elena hesitated.
He was right.
Even if she had known, Sophia still would have done it.
Elena slowly lowered the phone.
“She’s trying to destroy me.”
Alexander leaned casually against the counter.
“She’s trying to provoke you.”
Elena frowned.
“What’s the difference?”
“If you react emotionally,” Alexander said quietly, “she wins.”
Elena let out a slow breath.
“And if I don’t react?”
Alexander’s lips curved slightly.
“Then the game becomes more interesting.”
Across the city, Sophia sat comfortably in a modern café, scrolling through her tablet.
The article had already begun spreading across multiple gossip sites.
Her smile widened with satisfaction.
“Perfect.”
Daniel sat across from her, looking uneasy.
“Don’t you think you went too far?” he asked quietly.
Sophia rolled her eyes.
“Oh please. It’s just gossip.”
“You accused her of trapping Alexander Knight.”
“And?”
Daniel leaned forward.
“That man is powerful.”
Sophia laughed dismissively.
“You’re overreacting.”
She refreshed the page again.
More shares.
More comments.
Exactly what she wanted.
“By tonight,” Sophia said smugly, “everyone will believe Elena married him for money.”
Daniel didn’t look convinced.
“You’re underestimating him.”
Sophia shrugged.
“We’ll see.”
Back at the penthouse, Elena paced slowly across the living room.
“I hate this,” she muttered.
Alexander watched her calmly.
“What exactly?”
“Being humiliated like this.”
Alexander thought for a moment.
Then he asked quietly,
“Do you want revenge?”
Elena stopped walking.
The question surprised her.
A few days ago she would have said no.
She would have told herself to move on and live peacefully.
But Sophia had crossed another line.
Elena slowly lifted her chin.
“Yes.”
Alexander nodded.
“Good.”
Elena blinked.
“That wasn’t the response I expected.”
Alexander smiled faintly.
“I don’t like unfair fights.”
Elena crossed her arms.
“And this is unfair?”
Alexander gestured toward the phone.
“She attacked first.”
Elena exhaled slowly.
“So what happens now?”
Alexander checked the time on his watch.
“She celebrates.”
Elena frowned.
“And after that?”
Alexander’s eyes darkened slightly.
“Then I respond.”
At that exact moment, Elena’s phone vibrated again.
A new notification appeared.
She opened it.
Her eyes widened immediately.
A new headline had just appeared online.
Alexander Knight Responds to False Rumors About His Wife
Elena slowly looked up at him.
“You…”
Alexander calmly took the phone from her hands.
“Yes.”
And somewhere across the city, Sophia had no idea that the man she had just provoked was finally about to enter the game.
- Writer
