The night air outside the Grand Royal Hotel was electric with excitement.
Bright spotlights swept across the sky while hundreds of reporters crowded behind velvet ropes. Camera flashes exploded nonstop, turning the entire entrance into a storm of white light.
Fans screamed from behind the barricades.
"ISABELLA! OVER HERE!"
"ISABELLA CARTER! LOOK THIS WAY!"
A long black limousine slowly stopped at the edge of the red carpet.
For a moment, the entire crowd seemed to hold its breath.
Then the door opened.
A silver heel touched the ground.
And a second later, Isabella Carter stepped out of the limousine.
The crowd erupted.
Isabella was used to attention. After all, she was the brightest star in the entertainment industry. Every movie she starred in became a massive hit, and millions of fans adored her.
Tonight, she looked breathtaking.
Her shimmering silver gown hugged her figure perfectly, reflecting the flashing lights like tiny stars. Her long dark hair flowed down her back, and her confident smile instantly charmed every camera pointed at her.
She waved gracefully.
"Thank you for coming!" she said warmly.
The fans screamed even louder.
But inside, Isabella felt exhausted.
Fame looked glamorous from the outside.
But living under constant attention wasn't always easy.
As she walked down the red carpet, reporters shouted questions at her.
"Miss Carter! Who designed your dress tonight?"
"Isabella! Are you working on a new movie?"
Then one voice rose above the others.
"Miss Carter! Is it true someone has been sending you death threats?"
For a split second, Isabella's smile froze.
But years of experience helped her recover instantly.
She laughed lightly.
"Rumors spread quickly in the entertainment industry," she replied smoothly. "You shouldn't believe everything you hear."
Her manager quickly guided her inside before the reporters could ask more questions.
The moment the hotel doors closed behind her, Isabella let out a quiet sigh.
"Finally," she muttered.
Her manager, Sophia Bennett, looked worried.
"Isabella… we need to talk."
Isabella raised an eyebrow.
"You say that every day."
"This time it's serious."
Sophia handed her a phone.
"Look at this."
Isabella glanced at the screen.
Her expression slowly changed.
The message read
You shine so brightly on stage.
But even the brightest stars fall eventually.
Below it were several similar messages.
All sent from anonymous accounts.
Isabella frowned.
"That's creepy," she admitted. "But celebrities get strange messages all the time."
Sophia shook her head.
"This is different."
"How?"
Sophia lowered her voice.
"Someone has been following you."
Isabella crossed her arms.
"Following me?"
"Your filming locations. Your rehearsal schedule. Even your private meetings."
A small frown appeared on Isabella's face.
"Paparazzi?"
"No."
Sophia hesitated.
"They know things that paparazzi shouldn't know."
Isabella sighed.
"So what's your solution?"
Sophia looked nervous.
"We hired someone."
"Hired who?"
Before Sophia could answer, the door suddenly opened.
A tall man walked into the room.
The atmosphere shifted immediately.
He wore a black suit, simple but sharp. His broad shoulders and straight posture gave him a powerful presence.
His dark eyes scanned the entire room carefully before stopping on Isabella.
He looked calm.
Cold.
Unimpressed.
Sophia cleared her throat.
"Isabella… this is Alexander Knight."
The man stepped forward slightly.
"Good evening," he said calmly.
His voice was deep and steady.
Isabella studied him.
Tall.
Strong.
Annoyingly handsome.
But what bothered her most was the way he looked at her.
Not like a fan.
Not like a businessman trying to impress her.
Just… neutral.
"Who is he?" Isabella asked.
Sophia hesitated.
"He's your new bodyguard."
Silence filled the room.
Then Isabella laughed.
"You're joking."
Alexander didn't react.
"I don't joke about security."
Isabella tilted her head slightly.
"I didn't ask for a bodyguard."
"Your agency did."
"And my opinion doesn't matter?"
"No."
Her eyes widened.
"Excuse me?"
Alexander crossed his arms.
"Starting today, I'll accompany you everywhere."
Isabella stared at him in disbelief.
"Everywhere?"
"Yes."
"No."
His expression didn't change.
"My responsibility is your safety."
"I don't need protection."
Sophia sighed nervously.
"The contract is already signed."
Isabella slowly turned toward her.
"You signed a contract without asking me?"
"It's for your safety!"
Isabella looked back at Alexander.
"You're not following me around like a shadow."
"That's exactly what I'll be doing."
Her temper flared.
"You're very confident for someone I just met."
"I'm very professional."
Isabella stepped closer.
Even in high heels, she was slightly shorter than him, but she refused to look intimidated.
"You may scare other people," she said coldly, "but I'm not one of them."
Alexander met her gaze calmly.
"Good."
"Good?"
"Fear makes people careless."
Isabella blinked.
"What does that even mean?"
"It means you argue too much."
She stared at him in disbelief.
No one talked to her like that.
She was Isabella Carter.
People usually tried to impress her.
But this man?
He looked completely unimpressed.
And that irritated her more than anything.
Before she could reply, someone knocked urgently on the door.
"Miss Carter! Your performance starts in three minutes!"
Isabella sighed.
"Fine."
She turned toward the door.
Then she noticed Alexander following her.
She stopped walking.
"Where do you think you're going?"
"With you."
"To the stage?"
"Yes."
"No."
"It's necessary."
"It's embarrassing."
"It's safe."
She turned around angrily.
"You cannot stand on stage with me!"
"I'll stay behind the curtain."
Isabella stared at him.
"Fine," she muttered. "But stay invisible."
Alexander didn't respond.
Moments later, Isabella stepped onto the stage.
The spotlight hit her instantly.
The audience erupted into applause.
Music began playing.
She started singing.
Her voice filled the entire hall beautifully.
Thousands of people watched in awe.
But backstage, Alexander wasn't watching the performance.
His eyes were scanning the equipment above the stage.
His instincts were restless.
Something felt wrong.
Then suddenly
A loud metallic CRACK echoed above the stage.
Alexander's eyes snapped upward.
A massive stage light had come loose.
And it was falling.
Directly toward Isabella.
"ISABELLA!"
Without hesitation, Alexander sprinted forward.
Isabella turned just in time to see him rushing toward her.
Before she could react
He grabbed her waist and pulled her away.
CRASH!
The heavy stage light smashed into the floor exactly where she had been standing.
The audience gasped in shock.
Isabella's heart pounded as she realized what had just happened.
If Alexander hadn't moved.
She slowly looked up at him.
Their faces were inches apart.
His arm was still around her waist.
For the first time since meeting him.
Alexander Knight looked genuinely angry.
His voice dropped dangerously low.
"Next time," he said, "when I say you need protection…"
"…don't argue."
Isabella stared at him, breathless.
Because in that moment…
she realized something terrifying.
Her life was no longer safe.
And the only person standing between her and danger
was the bodyguard she already hated.