Louis didn't look up.

His fingers kept moving over the keyboard, his jaw tight as if he was forcing himself to stay focused.


Cleopatra wasn't buying it.

Her eyes narrowed slightly as she tilted her head, studying him.

'Not even a sarcastic remark for me today?" Her voice was casual, but there was a sharpness behind it.


Louis finally exhaled through his nose, pausing his typing for a moment.

'I have a lot of work to do, Cleo."


That was it.

No teasing. No dry humor. Just a stiff, formal answer.

Now Cleopatra knew something was wrong.

She placed both hands on his desk, leaning in slightly.

'Louis."

This time, her voice was softer, but more serious.

Louis hesitated, his hands still over the keyboard.

He knew she wouldn't let this go.

Slowly, he finally looked up.

And that's when Cleopatra saw it.

The exhaustion. The turmoil. The weight of something heavy in his gaze.

Her chest tightened.

'Tell me."

Louis clenched his jaw, then looked away. He didn't want to lie to her.

But if he told her the truth…

She wouldn't let him go.

And he needed to protect her.

'It's nothing," he finally said, voice firm but distant. 'I'm just tired."

Cleopatra inhaled slowly. Liar.

But she didn't push him further.

Not yet.

She just straightened up, watching him for a few more seconds before saying, 'Fine. But I'm not stupid, Louis. If you think you can shut me out, you're wrong."

Louis swallowed hard, but he said nothing.

Cleopatra walked away from his desk, but the tension in the room didn't leave with her.

Something had changed.

And Cleopatra was going to find out what.

Here's the English translation of your novel excerpt in a casual, easy-to-read American tone while maintaining the original word count.

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Louis stopped typing, but he didn't look at her right away. After a brief pause, he just shrugged. 'I just want to finish my work."

His tone was flat—unlike usual.

Cleopatra narrowed her eyes, studying him more closely.

'Since when did you become the kind of guy who works so hard he forgets to socialize?" she teased, hoping to get a reaction out of him.

But Louis didn't take the bait.

'I just don't want to waste time on unnecessary things."

Cleopatra raised an eyebrow.

Unnecessary?

That was odd. Really odd.

She could feel the distance Louis was creating between them, something that had never happened before.

Something was going on.

When lunchtime arrived, Cleopatra decided to try again.

Louis had just gotten up from his chair when Cleopatra casually walked up to him.

'Let's grab lunch together."

Louis tensed for a second before quickly shaking his head. 'I still have work to do."

Cleopatra stared at him in disbelief. 'Are you sure? I can order something for you."

Louis sighed and finally looked at her, but there was something in his eyes that made Cleopatra want to slap whoever had made him like this.

Doubt.

Fear.

And what surprised her even more was the firmness in his voice when he said, 'Cleo… we need to keep our distance."

Cleopatra froze.

'What?"

Louis looked away, swallowing hard before speaking again. 'I just… don't want you to be in danger."

Cleopatra stepped closer, eyes sharp. 'What danger?"

Louis didn't answer.

Instead, he took a step back, creating more distance between them.

That was enough to make Cleopatra furious.

She studied him for a long moment, trying to figure out what was really going on.

'Does this have anything to do with the threats you've been getting?" she finally asked, her voice lower than before.

Louis let out a long sigh, rubbing his face in frustration. 'Cleo, I just want you to be safe."

Cleopatra let out a small laugh—a laugh filled with restrained anger.

'You think I'll be safer if you stay away from me?"

Louis stiffened.

'I'm trying to protect you."

Cleopatra crossed her arms over her chest, eyes cold. 'That's funny, Toreto. You really think you can protect me by keeping your distance? I can't believe you're being such a coward."

Louis clenched his fists at his sides. 'Cleo, this isn't about being a coward. It's about making sure you're not the next target."

Cleopatra laughed again, but this time, it was colder. 'And you think I'm scared? I've faced bigger threats than this."

Louis looked up, his gaze intense as he stared at her.

'I know you're strong, Cleo. But they won't stop. If something happens to you because of me…" He swallowed, his voice heavier now. 'I'd never forgive myself."

Cleopatra remained unfazed.

She stepped even closer this time, leaving Louis with nowhere to back away.

'Listen to me, Toreto." Her voice was lower, sharper.

'I won't let anyone take you away from me."

Louis held his breath.

Cleopatra leaned in even more, her breath brushing against his face. 'If you keep acting like this, I'll be mad. Really mad."

Louis swallowed, trying to stay composed. 'I just want you to be safe."

Cleopatra gave a small smile, but her eyes were dangerous. 'I don't need you deciding what's best for me."

Then she took a step back, but her gaze never wavered from his.

'I'll find out who did this to you, Toreto."

Louis stayed silent.

Cleopatra wasn't going to let this go.

And this time, she wasn't going to let anyone take Louis from her.

Cleopatra's penthouse had a room no one knew about except for her and Peter Moon—a secret space hidden behind the bookshelf in her private library. From the outside, it looked like an ordinary bookshelf, but with a secret code on her phone, the shelf would shift slowly, revealing a small room with dark-tinted glass walls.

Inside, a large computer screen displayed the company's security network, employee data, CCTV footage from various corners of the Dimitri Group building, and even access to several important organizations' information systems.

That's where Cleopatra sat tonight, her fingers tapping slowly but tensely on the glass desk. Her sharp eyes were locked on the computer screen, while Peter stood beside her, iPad in hand, filled with the latest information he had just uncovered.

'Boss, are you sure you want to dig deeper into this?" Peter asked seriously, watching her with a hint of hesitation.

Cleopatra didn't answer right away. She took a deep breath before finally speaking, her voice cold.

'I can't let Louis face this alone."

Peter nodded slowly. He knew Cleopatra wouldn't back down from a fight.

He tapped a few buttons on his iPad, and a new display appeared on the main screen—a list of names and suspicious phone calls made in the past few days.

Peter frowned, his expression growing even more serious as he zoomed in on one of his search results.

'Boss, this is bad…"

Cleopatra turned to him immediately. 'What?"

Peter pressed another button, and a name popped up on the screen.

'The people threatening Louis… they're connected to Theodore."

Cleopatra froze.

Here's the English translation of your novel excerpt in a casual, easy-to-read American tone while maintaining the original word count.

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Her hands clenched into fists at the edge of the table, her eyes burning with a fury that was starting to boil over. 'I'm going to destroy them."

Peter sighed, placing his iPad on the table. 'Cleopatra, you know this could put us in danger. Theodore isn't just some cunning man—he has connections. If he's already threatening you through Louis, that means he's preparing his next move."

Cleopatra turned to Peter, her expression unreadable. There was something in her eyes—not just anger but a deep, unwavering determination.

'If I have to burn the whole world down to protect Louis, I will."

Peter swallowed hard. He had worked with Cleopatra long enough to know that when she spoke like this, nothing could stop her.

'Alright," he finally said, exhaling deeply. 'But we have to be smart about this. We can't go in without a plan."

Cleopatra tilted her head slightly, then smirked. 'Peter, you know I always have a plan."

Peter started typing faster, digging deeper into the systems. Cleopatra crossed her arms, standing behind him with sharp eyes, watching every detail that appeared on the screen.

'Theodore has made several suspicious transactions in the past month," Peter said. 'He's funneling money into a few untraceable accounts, but I can see a pattern."

Cleopatra narrowed her eyes. 'Enlarge the transaction network."

Peter pressed a few more keys, and the screen displayed connections between Theodore and several influential figures—including a high-ranking police officer in the city.

Cleopatra scoffed. 'I'm not surprised."

Peter turned to her. 'This is worse than we thought. If Theodore has people inside the police force, that means he can cover his tracks easily. We can't take him down without solid evidence."

Cleopatra was silent for a few seconds. Then, a small smile crossed her lips—the kind that always appeared when she was planning something dangerous.

'Then we make him expose himself."

Peter raised an eyebrow. 'How?"

Cleopatra turned around, walking to a bookshelf in the corner of the room. She pulled out a folder filled with important documents, flipping through them to reveal Dimitri Group's financial reports.

'Theodore wants to take down Louis because he wants me to lose faith in him." Cleopatra spoke in a calm tone, but her eyes remained sharp. 'So, we make it seem like his plan is working."

Peter started to see where this was going. 'You want Theodore to think Louis has truly lost his position?"

Cleopatra smirked. 'Not just that, Peter. I want him to think he's already won."

Peter frowned, then slowly nodded. 'That's risky. If we fail, Louis could actually lose everything."

Cleopatra looked at Peter, her gaze more serious than before. 'I won't let that happen."

Peter let out a long breath before finally nodding. 'Alright. I'll set everything up."

Cleopatra gave a small smile, then walked to the computer screen and pressed a button.

'It's time to make Theodore believe he's won… before we take him down."

Cleopatra stared at her phone screen, her expression unreadable. A message from Noah Walter popped up.

"Have lunch with me. I want to talk, Cleo."

She scoffed. How many times had she turned Noah down? How many times had he tried to come back into her life as if their past could be erased?

Her finger hovered over the delete button, but she hesitated.

If she kept ignoring him, Noah would keep pushing. He wasn't the type to take rejection easily. If Cleopatra wanted this to end, she had to face him directly and make sure he never bothered her again.

Finally, she typed a short reply.

"Fine. This is the last time."

When Cleopatra arrived at the French restaurant she frequented, she immediately spotted Noah waiting at a VIP table.

Noah Walter sat with effortless grace, wearing a gray suit that gave him a commanding presence. But Cleopatra wasn't fooled by appearances. Beneath it all, he was still the same man—manipulative and deceitful.

The moment he saw her, that signature smile appeared on his lips. A smile Cleopatra once found charming, but now, it looked like a weapon wrapped in charm.

'I knew you still thought about me, Cleo."

Cleopatra took a deep breath before sitting across from him. Her posture was perfect, her chin slightly raised, her expression calm.

'You're wrong," she replied coldly. 'I just want to make sure you stop interfering in my life."

Noah chuckled, pouring wine into his glass with a relaxed motion. 'Ah, still the same. Always getting straight to the point."

Cleopatra leaned back in her chair, eyes locked onto his. 'I don't have time for your games, Noah."

He raised an eyebrow. 'Oh, but I'm not playing."

He leaned in slightly, his gaze turning more serious. 'I really want you back, Cleopatra."

Cleopatra wanted to laugh. Wanted to. But she held back.

'That's funny," she said flatly. 'You want me back? After everything you did?"

Noah didn't deny it. Instead, he smirked. 'You know I always get what I want."

Cleopatra's jaw tightened. She resisted the urge to throw her wine in his face.

'Unfortunately for you, I'm no longer something you can ‘get,' Noah."

He didn't respond right away. He just looked at her for a long moment before his lips curled into a sly smile.

'Louis isn't my competition, Cleo."

Cleopatra stiffened.

Noah leaned in closer, lowering his voice into a sharp whisper.

'And you know it."

Cleopatra's eyes narrowed.

'Watch your words, Noah."

Noah only chuckled, his eyes gleaming with mischief. 'I'm just stating facts. Louis can't protect you from men like me."

Cleopatra clenched her fists under the table.

'I don't need protection from anyone."

Noah gave a small nod, as if he understood. 'I know you're strong, Cleo. But strength isn't enough. I've seen how this world works. Do you really think Louis can survive in your world?"

Cleopatra lifted her chin. 'Louis is a better man than anyone I've ever met."

Noah let out a soft laugh. 'Better?" He shook his head with a knowing smile. 'I don't need to be a better man, Cleo. I just need to be stronger."

Cleopatra wanted to argue, but she knew Noah wouldn't stop talking until he had said what he wanted to say.

'I know Louis is a good guy, but this world isn't made for people like him. He's not ruthless enough, not strong enough to survive in this game."

Cleopatra looked at him coolly. 'What game, Noah? The dirty game you play?"

Noah smirked, leaning back in his chair. 'Don't pretend you don't know. You were once part of this world, Cleo. A world where money and power rule everything. If you stay with Louis, you'll make him a target. And in the end, you'll lose him."

Something about the way he said it sent a cold chill down Cleopatra's spine.

She didn't want to admit it, but there was a tiny bit of truth in his words. Their world wasn't easy, and Louis wasn't used to this kind of game.

But…

That didn't mean she was going to let Noah win.

Cleopatra leaned back, lifted her wine glass, and took a slow sip.

'You have no idea how far I'm willing to go to protect the people I love, Noah."

Noah's gaze sharpened.

'I just want to see how long that belief lasts."

Cleopatra's eyes turned icy. 'I have more faith in Louis than in anyone."

Noah nodded slowly, watching her with meaning. 'Then I'll enjoy watching you realize you were wrong."

Cleopatra clenched her fists under the table.

'Never underestimate me, Noah."

'I don't underestimate you," he said with a smirk. 'I'm just giving you a warning."

Cleopatra didn't respond. She knew one thing—

Noah wouldn't stop until he got what he wanted.

But this time, Cleopatra wasn't going to let him win.

Here's the English translation of your novel excerpt in a casual, easy-to-read American tone while maintaining the original word count.

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Cleopatra sat in her chair, focused on the documents spread across her desk. Her hands moved swiftly as she flipped through the important files, but her mind wasn't fully there.

Something was bothering her.

Ever since her meeting with Noah, his words had been echoing in her head.

'Louis isn't my competition, Cleo."

'Do you really think he's strong enough to survive in your world?"

Cleopatra let out a long breath, trying to shake off the unease. She couldn't let Noah mess with her head. She believed in Louis.

But the silence of her office was suddenly interrupted when Peter Moon walked in with quick, urgent steps.

The moment Cleopatra saw him, she knew something was wrong. Peter never looked this tense.

'Boss… you need to see this."

Cleopatra's gaze sharpened. 'What?"

Peter didn't answer immediately. He stepped closer and handed his tablet to Cleopatra.

She took it with a frown.

The moment she looked at the screen, the world seemed to stop for a second.

A video played—a recording of Louis sitting in a high-end club.

A woman with long hair, wearing a tight dress, sat way too close to him.

Her fingers trailed over Louis's chest in a way that was completely inappropriate.

Cleopatra's eyes narrowed.

In the video, Louis looked surprised, but he didn't immediately push the woman's hand away.

Her heart pounded.

'Where did this come from?" Her voice was flat, but Peter could see the storm brewing beneath her calm exterior.

Peter exhaled. 'The media's already spreading it. Everyone thinks Louis is cheating on you."

Cleopatra kept staring at the screen, her expression unreadable.

But inside, something started to crack.

Louis… did you really betray me?

Peter stood in front of her, waiting for a reaction.

But Cleopatra didn't speak right away.

She simply set the tablet back down on the table, then leaned back in her chair, crossing her arms.

Her eyes stayed on the screen, but her mind was racing.

Peter noticed her jaw tighten.

That was never a good sign.

Finally, Cleopatra lifted her gaze, looking at Peter with an expression he couldn't quite read.

'Who leaked this?"

Peter tapped a few keys on his tablet, then nodded slowly. 'Several gossip news portals. But the first one to release it came from an anonymous social media account."

Cleopatra nodded, still emotionless.

But Peter knew better—this wasn't a sign of calm.

This was a sign that a storm was coming.

'Erase this video from every platform," Cleopatra ordered, her voice sharp.

Peter hesitated. 'Boss, it's already viral. It'll be hard to erase completely."

Cleopatra's gaze darkened. 'Then find out who posted it first."

Peter swallowed. 'I've already traced the digital footprint. There's a high chance that this is—"

'Theodore."

Cleopatra finished his sentence before he could.

Peter nodded. 'Most likely, yes."

Cleopatra took a long breath, but it wasn't out of anger—it was the kind of breath someone takes before making a big decision.

'Prepare a strategy," she finally said. 'If this is Theodore's game, then I'll give him something even bigger."

Peter nodded quickly. 'Understood, Boss."

But before he left, Cleopatra added one more thing.

'And call Louis. Now."

Peter hesitated slightly, but he knew there was no point in arguing when Cleopatra was in this mode.

About fifteen minutes later, Cleopatra's office door swung open.

Louis walked in, his face filled with confusion and worry.

He had just received a message from Peter saying Cleopatra needed to see him immediately.

And the moment he saw her sitting so calmly in her chair, Louis knew—this wasn't just any conversation.

'Cleo… what's going on?"

Cleopatra didn't answer right away.

Instead, she reached for the tablet on her desk, pressed play on the video, and tossed it onto the table in front of him.

Louis looked at the screen, and his face changed instantly.

Cleopatra's eyes never left his face.

'You want to explain this to me, Toreto?"

Louis stared at the video, then back at Cleopatra. 'Cleo, this isn't what it looks like."

Cleopatra let out a small laugh—a laugh full of disbelief.

'Oh? You sure?"

Louis clenched his fists, trying to keep his emotions in check.

'I don't even know that woman. I have no idea how this video got out."

Cleopatra leaned back in her chair, her gaze piercing.

'So you just happened to be at a club, and some woman just happened to touch you like that?"

Louis swallowed hard. 'I didn't allow it. I was caught off guard, I—"

'But you didn't push her away fast enough, did you?"

Louis held her gaze. 'I swear, Cleo. I didn't do anything. This is a setup."

Cleopatra remained silent.

Louis's heartbeat sped up.

He knew Cleopatra wouldn't be convinced by empty words.

Finally, Cleopatra exhaled. 'If this is a setup… then we're going to find out who's behind it."

Louis was surprised. He thought Cleopatra would immediately accuse him.

But instead, she was trying to get to the truth.

Cleopatra's eyes locked onto his. 'But until then… I need you to understand one thing."

Louis held his breath.

'I can forgive a lie. But I can't forgive betrayal."

The tension in the room grew heavier.

Louis looked at Cleopatra, searching for something in her expression.

But all he found was a wall of ice forming between them.

And that was enough to tell him—

He was walking on a razor-thin line.