Gasps erupted from the audience.
Dozens of spectators shot to their feet, eyes locked on the billboard area.
"What kind of safety oversight is this?" someone shouted angrily.
The crowd erupted in curses.
Sophia Sullivan glided across the ice, her peripheral vision catching the accident site.
The supposedly secure billboard had come loose.
Those two got what they deserved—flung straight off the rink.
The combination of high-speed impact and height difference would've been deadly.
If Zephyr hadn't intervened, she'd be severely injured or worse.
A thought flashed through Sophia's mind.
Why would a stranger risk his life for her?
Zephyr must know her.
Chaos engulfed the venue.
Sophia skated toward the masked man, meeting his gaze through the goggles.
"Who are you?"
The sense of familiarity grew stronger.
She tilted her head to study the towering figure.
His full gear obscured his build, but his 185cm height commanded presence.
Ethan Sullivan's voice came out modulated but calm. "Ms. Sullivan, we meet again."
He'd known the disguise wouldn't last.
With Sophia's sharp instincts, discovery was inevitable.
"Keep this between us, if you would."
Understanding dawned.
This was Ethan Sullivan.
Even through the voice modulator, that unshakable composure was unmistakable.
His direct request for secrecy confirmed it.
"Understood." Sophia nodded. "Thank you for today."
Her quick formation adjustment combined with Ethan's seamless cooperation had averted disaster.
——
The rink was cleared.
Judges announced the competition would continue.
Most skaters struggled after the incident.
Only Sophia and Ethan maintained flawless performances.
Cheers erupted as Sophia took first place.
The crowd went wild.
"She nearly got thrown off the ice! How does she stay so composed?"
"Zephyr actually came in second!"
"That Lemon contestant is Sophia Sullivan, right? Liam Winston's ex who joined Sullivan Group?"
"Already a master perfumer, now dominating speed skating too?"
"Did you see Liam? Didn't even make top ten."
"I heard their bet—loser has to kowtow."
Liam Winston stormed off the rink, face stormy.
The accident had thrown off his rhythm.
What infuriated him most was Sophia not only beating him but surpassing Zephyr too.
Amidst the chatter, he marched toward Sophia.
"If those two hadn't crashed, I wouldn't have underperformed."
His voice dripped venom, features twisted.
"This round doesn't count. We're racing again."
Sophia barely registered his words.
Her mind raced about the attackers' identities.
Their build suggested amateurs, but that precision screamed professional hitmen.
Yet real assassins wouldn't fail so spectacularly.
Liam's whining grated on her nerves.
"Are you done, Mr. Winston?" Her tone could freeze lava. "Move. I have a medal to collect."
Liam choked on his retort.
Being dismissed publicly stung.
He opened his mouth to retaliate, then froze.
Sophia's icy glare held something terrifying—genuine lethal intent.
No one had ever spoken to him like this.
Since their divorce, Sophia kept shattering his expectations.