---- Chapter 114, Tara said quietly, ''We'll see." Her vague response didn't faze Lance. His expression stayed as calm and cold as ever. He didn't care what Tara thought. She always seemed to want to distance herself from him, though he couldn't understand why. Tara, on the other hand, was still worried about the story's plot. She doubted it would change so easily. Avoiding the male leads seemed like the safest way to prevent disaster if things really went off-script.

But when she looked at Lance sitting across the table, his words made it clear -he wouldn't let her walk away on her own terms. She wondered if it might be easier to just go along with it. Around 9:00 pm that night, someone knocked on Tara's front door. Lance was in the shower, and she was watching TV in the living room. When she heard the knocking, she was confused. Who would show up at this hour?

She hadn't ordered food, and delivery drivers usually left packages in the locker ---- downstairs. The knocking continued. Tara peeked through the peephole and saw Soren standing outside. Impatience was written all over his face. He had been knocking for a while without a response and was clearly eager to see her. Panic rose in Tara's chest. How did Soren even find her here? She glanced toward the bathroom. Lance was incredibly possessive. Then she looked back at the door.

Soren, just as possessive and not easily fooled, was still knocking. This was bad. What if the two of them ended up fighting over her? Tara was frustrated. She had no intention of opening the door and hoped Soren would just give up and leave. But reality was rarely so kind. He had already found out where she lived; he wouldn't leave without seeing her. And even after seeing her, he still wouldn't back down. Taking a deep breath, she knew her window was narrow.

With Lance still in the shower, she had to open the door quickly and somehow make Soren disappear. Otherwise , ---- the door was going to open regardless. If Lance came out, heard the knock, and saw Soren through the peephole... he'd open it and... Tara shivered at the scene that played out in her mind. She didn't even dare imagine how disastrous that confrontation would be. Steeling herself, she opened the door. Her heartbeat pounded in her ears.

Soren's eyes landed on her the moment the door opened. Tara stood in an off-white nightgown, her dark hair hanging loosely around her shoulders. Her stunning face was bare, but she looked ethereally beautiful. It was the first time he'd seen her like this, and he took a long, measured look at her. Then he laughed softly. "Tara, you disappeared without even saying goodbye. Is this how you treat me?" Tara looked anxious. "I have my reasons. Can we talk another day?

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Or maybe over the phone?" Soren narrowed his eyes. She was clearly forcing herself to stay calm. Her eyes kept darting toward something inside the apartment. Then he remembered. Lance had left the villa a day before he did. His expression darkened. ---- Just as Tara tried to close the door, Soren blocked it with his hand and pushed his way inside. Watching him barge in, Tara's panic finally showed. + Right then, Lance came out of the bathroom, wearing only a thin bathrobe.

He casually walked into the living room, showing no surprise at Soren's presence. When Soren saw Lance emerge from the bathroom ina bathrobe, the truth of the situation became instantly clear. Fury filled his eyes. "Lance, what are you doing here?" he snarled. Without hesitation , Lance wrapped an arm around Tara and pulled her close. She shrank against him, and he slowly ran his hand along her arm-whether to provoke Soren or comfort her was unclear. "Tara is my girlfriend .

Of course I'm here," Lance said coolly. Soren's gaze shifted to Tara, who stood silently, avoiding eye contact . His expression grew colder and even more intimidating. "I'm afraid you're mistaken , Lance. She's my girlfriend , not yours." Lance laughed and said unhurriedly , "We have a really close relationship. Physically, too." ---- Soren looked at Tara again. She was nervously picking at her fingers with her head down. He knew how sensitive she was. "You seduced her.

For someone like Tara, who's that sensitive, it's only natural she couldn't resist," Soren said, turning toward her. "Tara, who do you want to be with?" Tara looked at Soren, then at Lance. The latter's grip on her tightened, his entire presence radiating cold pressure. It felt as if she even hinted at wanting to leave him, he would push her past her limit again -just like last night. She decided it was best to end this quickly .

If she could make Soren give up, maybe things wouldn't escalate further. She said, "Mr. Swain and I are already a couple. We've been intimate. I shouldn't have lied to you just to get away. And those 'four months ' I mentioned -that was just how long my contract was supposed to last." Lance visibly relaxed. At least she had treated them both equally. Soren didn't blame her. He could tell she was telling the truth, and that she didn't want to be with either of them. He turned to Lance.

"Don't push her. She doesn't want to be with you. Let her go." ---- Tara glanced at Lance. Would he actually let her go? Instead , he pulled her in tighter. "This is between Tara and me. It doesn't concern you." Soren met his gaze coldly but didn't push the issue with Tara standing right there. He didn't want to upset her. Besides, there was still time. No one could say how things would end.

Lowering his voice, Soren said to her, "Call me if you need anything." He didn't bring up the fact that Tara had blocked his number. Not in front of Lance. Tara gave him a small nod after glancing at Lance. She hadn't expected Soren to act this way. Given his temper, she thought he'd lose control and fight. But he didn't. In fact, while he looked like he was confronting Lance, he was actually trying to help her. In that moment, Tara's impression of Soren changed for the better.