He loved her?

A flicker of hope Lit Yana's eyes.

But the Light soon faded as doubt clouded her thoughts.

“No, you're lying to me!"

"I'm not. I'm speaking the truth."

Sanford held Yana's gaze, persistently inching closer

"You outshine Maggie in beauty and charm. From the moment I laid eyes on you, I fell for you."

Expectation and shyness colored Yana's expression.

“Really? Then why did you treat me so harshly?"

“Because..."

Caught in his lie, Sanford was at a loss for words.

Maggie seized this moment of distraction. She stomped on Yana's foot, pushed her away, and darted to Sanford.

Sanford's face darkened. He Lunged forward and swept Yana off her feet with a powerful kick.

"ARI"

Taken by surprise, Yana crumpled to the floor. The knife slipped from her grasp and clattered onto the floor as she cried out in pain.

The security guards, who had arrived just in time, swiftly restrained her.

The frosty aura around Sanford remained, but a sigh of relief escaped his lips.

He turned to Maggie, his gaze taking in her state.

"Are you okay?"

Maggie, still rattled, met Sanford's concerned gaze, a lump forming in her throat as tears threatened to fall.

Swiftly regaining her composure, she nodded.

"I'm fine."