Victoria reacted immediately. She turned to the dressing table and grabbed the small knife she used for self-defense, pointing it unhesitatingly at Axel. He, with a half-smile on his lips, approached with an unsettling calm.

"What are you doing here, Axel?" she asked nervously, staring into his eyes. She didn't understand how he had managed to get in, knowing she had two bodyguards stationed at the door.

"Ah, my dear Victoria… Things with you have gotten a bit complicated. We had an agreement, remember? But I haven't heard from you in a while," he replied, in a nonchalant tone.

"I told you I would be the one to seek you...