The Principessa's Gambit

"How is that possible? Someone like William Lucia—why would he ever be interested in you?"

"Exactly. The women chasing after him could line up from Canhatte to Rooklyn. Sophia? Does she even measure up?"

Jennifer didn't say a word, but her expression had already settled back into calm.

She looked me up and down.

"Sophia, you didn't just find some random guy to pretend to be William and try to fool us, did you?"

I looked at her face—so certain she had everything figured out—and suddenly found it amusing.

"Sure. Believe whatever you want."

I had no interest in wasting another word on her. I turned and headed downstairs.

Outside the apartment building, William was leaning against a black sportscar. When he saw me, he lifted a hand in greeting.

The afternoon sunlight spilled over him—tailored suit, platinum cufflinks catching the light. He was undeniably handsome. No wonder Jennifer had chased him for over half a year.

And that was exactly why I had agreed to date him.

"Have you been waiting long?"

"Just got here. Get in."

William opened the car door for me.

As I slid into the seat, I glanced up. On the apartment balcony, three faces twisted with jealousy stared down at us.

I almost laughed out loud.

William took me to a private shooting club. It was on Muller Island—members only, entry by family referral.

He stood behind me, guiding my hands as he showed me how to hold the gun properly.

My phone rang. It was Jennifer.

"Sophia, are you at a shooting range?"

I frowned slightly. She really was impossible to shake.

"What do you want?"

Jennifer put on a pitiful tone.

"Why are you talking to me like that? I'm just worried about you. I don't want you getting tricked again."

"William isn't going to trick me. And don't call me again."

My voice turned cold as I hung up.

William handed me a towel and gently wiped the sweat from my forehead.

"What's wrong? Did your friend upset you?"

I took the towel from him.

"Yeah. Someone's jealous I found such a handsome fiancé."

He let out a soft chuckle and ruffled my hair.

The next second, a bullet suddenly veered off course and struck the wall beside us with a sharp, jarring crack.

William frowned and turned.

Jennifer came running over, flustered and apologetic.

"I'm so sorry—I lost control. Really, I'm sorry."

She bent down to pick something up. The neckline of her blouse dipped low, her chest swaying conspicuously with the movement.

William raised an eyebrow. His gaze passed over her face without lingering, his expression indifferent.

"It's fine."

He slipped an arm around my waist, ready to leave.

Jennifer grabbed his sleeve.

"I really feel terrible about this. Why don't we exchange contact information? If I've ruined your clothes, I'll replace them."

William lowered his gaze, a flicker of distaste crossing his eyes.

"That won't be necessary. I don't save strangers' contact information."

He turned to me, his features softening.

"Sorry that spoiled your mood, baby. Let's go. I'll buy you a new necklace to make up for it."

I smiled, casting a triumphant glance at Jennifer.

She stood frozen in place, her face dark with fury.

My previous fiancés had all turned Jennifer down in front of me, too. But the heat in their eyes was impossible to hide. And afterward, they would always find a way to contact her in secret.

She thought all men were the same.

Unfortunately for her, this time, she had run into William, a man who couldn't even be bothered to give her a second glance.