William Croft stood in the center of the living room, adjusting the cuffs of his tuxedo with a nervous energy that Sophie had never seen before. He looked less like the “Ice King” who had frozen the world out for a year and more like a man on the edge of a precipice.
“Cynthia expects me to sit in the VIP box and nod while she parades a replacement for Victoria around the stage,” William said, his eyes bright with determination. “She wants to use my grief for her ratings. But I have a different plan.”
Sophie Laurent stood by the fireplace, wringing her hands. “What plan?”
“We are going to hijack the narrative,” William declared, stepping closer to her. “I’m going to walk onto that stage, take the microphone, and propose to you. Live. In front of the world.”
Sophie felt the blood drain from her face. The spotlight was the one thing the “Spy Nanny” could not survive.
“William, no,” she whispered, backing away. “It’s too public. Think of Leo. Think of the scandal.”
“Let them have their scandal,” William said, misinterpreting her fear for modesty. “I want them to see that the ‘Silent Winter’ is over. I want them to see that I chose you.”
He didn’t see the terror in her eyes; he only saw the future he was trying to build. Sophie realized with sinking dread that he was unstoppable.