Sophia's face blushed as she explained, “Well, we both needed each other's help so we made a deal.” She saw the worry etched on her friend's face and quickly explained what happened before adding. “Don't worry, Alexander might be cold but he has been nothing but nice to me. He is a good man.”Amelia's face softened again; she grinned at her, “Hey girl, why are you so lucky? He must be a big shot the way you described him and his house.” She added winking at her, “Tell me, is he handsome? The way I see your face, you must have already fallen for him.”Sophia's face blushed deeper and she couldn't believe her friend. She defended herself, “I'm not, and stop it, Amelia. I'm not telling you more, you better give up.”Amelia mock-sighed, crossing her arms. “Fine. Keep your secrets. But you know I’m dying over here, right?”Sophia chuckled, taking a sip of her coffee just as the entrance bell chimed. Her gaze flicked up casually and immediately froze. Entering the cafe, with the haughty gra
Sophia's face blushed as she explained, “Well, we both needed each other's help so we made a deal.” She saw the worry etched on her friend's face and quickly explained what happened before adding. “Don't worry, Alexander might be cold but he has been nothing but nice to me. He is a good man.”Amelia's face softened again; she grinned at her, “Hey girl, why are you so lucky? He must be a big shot the way you described him and his house.” She added winking at her, “Tell me, is he handsome? The way I see your face, you must have already fallen for him.”Sophia's face blushed deeper and she couldn't believe her friend. She defended herself, “I'm not, and stop it, Amelia. I'm not telling you more, you better give up.”Amelia mock-sighed, crossing her arms. “Fine. Keep your secrets. But you know I’m dying over here, right?”Sophia chuckled, taking a sip of her coffee just as the entrance bell chimed. Her gaze flicked up casually and immediately froze. Entering the cafe, with the haughty gra
But before they could flood him with more questions, Marcus turned back to his car, cursing. He shut the door with a slam and sped away, his face tense and brooding.Inside the Rolls Royce, Sophia turned to her rescuer, her voice soft and tentative. “Thank you… Mr. Evans,” she said, unsure of how to address him.“Alexander,” he corrected her coolly, his gaze fixed ahead. “Just Alexander.”She nodded, her cheeks warming under the intensity of his presence. She’d known he was a powerful man, but sitting here beside him, she could feel the weight of that power in the air. There was an edge to his silence, a sense of control that made her feel both safe and unsettled.Then, his voice cut through the quiet, startling her. “Who am I to you, Sophia?”She blinked, caught off guard. “Um… my husband,” she replied, the words awkward on her lips.“Then why didn’t you call me when you needed help?” His tone was calm, but there was an undercurrent of reprimand that made her shrink slightly.“I didn
One comment after another showed a wave of public support for Sophia. People sympathized with her and were appalled by the Hawthornes’ behavior. The Hawthorne company’s stock plummeted as investors and the public alike turned their backs on the scandal-ridden siblings. *** In his study, Raphael Hawthorne was nearly shaking with rage as he read through the flood of articles and comments. “What a disgrace!” he growled, slamming his fist on the table. His calloused knuckles turned white with tension. “I won’t have the Hawthorne name dragged through the mud like this.” He turned, barking orders at his assistant. “Get Marcus and Lauren here. Now.” As if remembering something, he asked, “Has Pablo arrived from his trip?” “Mr Hawthorne will be arriving soon Sir.” The butler replied. “Let him see me immediately. I want him to take care of his children's mess.” He commanded.*** Meanwhile, back at Valmere, Sophia was scrolling through her phone, her heart racing as she saw the outpou
The male doctor smirked, his expression uncaring. “This is the best hospital in the city for surgeries. Your mother has overstayed her welcome.”Sophia’s blood boiled at the callousness in their voices. She stepped forward, her eyes blazing. “What’s going on here?” she demanded, trying to keep her voice steady. “Why are you chasing my mom out?”The nurse scoffed. “Your mother has been here long enough. She needs to leave.”“This is a hospital where patients should stay as long as they pay their bills. As far as I know, we've been paying our bills as required. What right do you have to chase us out?” Sophia challenged.The nurse was momentarily stunned, unsure of how to retort. The male doctor chimed in, “Look, miss, we have rules here, and as the best hospital for surgeries in the city, we can't allow patients to stay over a month. What will happen to other patients lining up for surgeries too?” He sounded so righteous and Sophia couldn't believe it.“It is also stipulated by the same
Sophia exhaled deeply, feeling the weight of her mother’s question settle over her. Catherine’s tired yet penetrating gaze bore into her as if peeling away her attempts to be vague. She wanted to keep the details about Alexander private for now because she hardly knew if he was trustworthy herself. But her mother knew her too well; there was no escaping.Her voice softened. “Mom, I... It's just a friend,” she began, choosing her words carefully, her tone measured. “A good friend who helped me.”Catherine’s brows knitted together in that familiar, knowing way, even in her weakened state. “A friend who’s done so much? Come on, Sophia. Tell me, is it a man?”Sophia flushed, quickly averting her gaze. Ethan, catching his sister’s discomfort, chimed in. “Mom, let’s just trust Soph, okay? Besides, anything’s better than being tied to that scumbag Marcus and his family”Sophia shot him a grateful look, appreciating the lifeline. She knew her family’s love was deep, even if they didn’t know t
“What guy, Marcus?” Lauren asked, raising an eyebrow.Marcus’s face twisted with frustration. “I don’t know. I’ve been trying to force Sophia back on my terms, but somehow, someone keeps getting in my way.”Evelyn’s gaze softened slightly with pity. “Marcus, you were her husband. Although I don't know why Dad insists you get her back, it shouldn’t be that hard for you. But whoever is helping her must have significant influence if they can act so quickly. And that is if it's the same person”Lauren rolled her eyes, her tone mocking. “Please. Vision Care is one of the most reputable hospitals in the country. They wouldn’t let anyone ruin their reputation. We were just unlucky, that’s all.”Marcus’s shoulders relaxed, but there was a flicker of something unsettling in his gaze. “But why is Sophia always this lucky?” He shook his head, deep in thought. This was my opportunity to force her back and she just got lucky?Evelyn interrupted his thoughts with a wry smile and her tone dripped wi
“Marcus, what do you want?” Her tone was guarded, clipped.“Sophia, please stop ignoring me,” Marcus’s voice was pleading, and his desperation was evident. “I… I need to talk to you. I can’t stop thinking about what we had. Can’t we… can’t we try again?”Sophia’s fingers tightened around the phone. “We’re already done, Marcus. You know that.”He tried again, his voice growing even more insistent. “Sophia, I’m willing to give you anything you want. I’ll change, I swear. Grandpa even agreed to give you shares in the company if you’ll just…”“I’m not interested,” she interrupted with disdain in her voice. “You could offer me your entire company, and it wouldn’t make a difference.”There was a pause, and then Marcus’s voice softened. “Please, Sophia. Just… can we at least meet and talk? I’ll do anything.”She was about to reject the suggestion when Alexander gave a curt nod, indicating that she should agree.Sophia was shocked but complied, “Fine,” she replied, resigned. “Where?”Marcus’s
Sophia stood there for a moment, her mind filled with thoughts she couldn’t quite figure. Finally, she sighed and began wiping down the table, her heart feeling both heavy and strangely light at the same time.***The next morning, Sophia stirred awake as the first light crept into her room. She blinked, momentarily disoriented, until she remembered what day it was. Today was significant! Her mother was finally getting discharged from the hospital. Relief flooded through her as she stretched, savoring the fleeting tranquility of the early hour. But a glance at the clock reminded her she couldn’t afford to be late.She hurried through her morning routine, tugging on a comfortable blouse and jeans before heading downstairs. Passing the large bay window, she noticed Alexander’s car was gone. A frown tugged at her lips. When does he ever sleep? she wondered. Lately, he seemed to be everywhere and nowhere at once. Shaking the thought away, she entered the kitchen to whip up a quick breakfa
“Mrs. Evans did exceptionally well,” Mark said with a nod. “She impressed the panel...but...” He trailed off, looking unsure.Alexander’s sharp gaze fixed on him. “But what?”“There was one-panel member who seemed to be targeting her. I looked into it and found out something. It’s personal. She was Mrs. Evans’ senior in college and seems to have had an issue with her ever since. Most likely jealousy.”Alexander’s jaw tightened. “Make sure she doesn’t interfere with the hiring process,” he said coldly. “If she’s causing trouble, remove her. If necessary, fire her.”“Yes, boss,” Mark replied, though his eyes widened slightly at the directness of the order. “She was just standing in for her superior, so it won’t be a problem.”“That’s all for today,” Alexander said, rising from his chair and grabbing his suit jacket.Mark frowned. “Boss, what about these documents?” He gestured to the pile on the desk.Alexander threw his suit jacket over his shoulder without looking back. “Bring them wi
Sophia felt heat rush to her cheeks. She didn’t want to admit it, but the thought had crossed her mind. The price tags were enough to make her heart race.She quickly laughed it off. “Of course, I believe you! Why else would I follow you? I just think it’s better not to buy too many at once. Tomorrow, they might have even nicer dresses since fashion keeps changing.”Elena nodded thoughtfully. “You’re right, my dear. But this old woman rarely goes shopping. I spend most of my time at home.”Sophia smiled, appreciating Elena’s honesty. “Then let’s make sure today is worth it.”The young attendant chimed in. “You have such a good eye, madam. This one will look stunning on you,” she said, holding up a royal blue dress.Elena beamed. “Thank you, dear. You’re very kind.”As they moved from one section to another, their conversation flowed naturally.“So, Madam Elena,” Sophia said, holding up a soft pink dress, “do you have a favorite shopping buddy?”Elena laughed. “Oh, yes. My late husband
Sophia chose 5 nice dresses and 2 pairs of shoes for her Mom. She called a nearby attendant. “Excuse me.”The attendant approached with a forced politeness. “Yes?”“Please help me with these dresses and shoes, I'll get them.”The attendant was surprised and looked at Sophia for a while before saying, “Are you sure you want to buy all of them?”It was Sophia's turn to get surprised, “Didn't I make myself clear? Of course, I want to buy them.” She was getting irritated by the services of this store.The attendant, a short woman, sneered at her, looking at her outfits before saying, “It doesn't matter what you say, but can you afford them? You should know we're busy here, Miss, don't ask for things you can't afford.”Sophia gave the other woman a cold glare before asking, raising her voice, “Are you selling to me or not?”The attendant was intimidated by her cold eyes and immediately obliged. She took the items and walked towards the counter.As Sophia followed behind, she noticed an eld
“Mom, stop,” Ethan said. “It's not your fault. I’m happy to help.” Sophia chimed in, her tone softer. “Don't worry Mom, once I secure a job, Ethan won’t have to juggle work and school anymore. I promise things will get better.” Ethan gave her a grateful smile. “I appreciate that, but for now, I’ve got this. Besides, you’ve already done so much for us.” Catherine wiped away a tear. “I don’t deserve such wonderful children.” Sophia leaned over and kissed her mother’s forehead. “You deserve the world, Mom. Now let’s eat before the food gets cold.” As they shared their meal, the room was filled with warmth and laughter. For a brief moment, the weight of their struggles seemed to lift. *** In the evening, Sophia entered Valmere, her heels clicking against the polished floor. She glanced at her watch, knowing Alexander would arrive soon. She hurried to the kitchen, rolling up her sleeves to prepare dinner. The warmth of the home wrapped around her like a comforting blanket. Des
Sophia walked out of Allure Fashion clutching her file folder tightly. Her heels clicked against the pavement, echoing her hurried steps. The meeting with the panel had gone well, but her mind churned with nervous anticipation. She did her best and will leave the rest to God. She had to walk past a few blocks since she had her driver drop her far to avoid drawing much attention. “Well, well, well, Sophia,” Lila’s shrill voice echoed, causing Sophia to pause mid-step. She turned her head, and her heart sank when she saw Lila. She was standing a few feet away with Marcus, who looked equally surprised to seek off her. Her eyes immediately darkened with anger. Memories of that night when he drugged and tried to force himself on her came flooding back, making her clench her fists. This bastard... How could I have ever loved him? I must have been blind to trust him, let alone fall for him. She took a deep breath and turned away, intending to ignore them and move on. “What are yo
When the door closed behind him, the woman muttered under her breath, "What’s there to panic about? Unless you’re not qualified." After 20 minutes, the employee returned, calling out, "Samantha LeClerc?" Samantha stood up with a prideful smile, but there was something in her posture that suggested she already had the job. "Wish me luck," she said to no one in particular, then followed the employee into the interview room. Sophia was left alone for a few more minutes, her nerves returning in full force. She stood up and paced slightly, trying to calm herself. Finally, the door opened 20 minutes later, and the same employee called her name, "Sophia Blackwell?" Her heart jumped in her chest. "Here goes," she whispered under her breath. *** Meanwhile, somewhere in the city, Marcus lay on the bed, his arm loosely around Lila as she nestled against his chest. The weight of his family’s crisis should have sobered him, but old habits die hard. Lila traced circles on his shoulder,
After a while, she gathered her courage and broke the silence. “I’m… going for an interview tomorrow,” she said softly, glancing up. “At Allure Fashion.”Alexander looked up, his expression unreadable. “That’s good,” he said, his gaze steady. “Do you need my help?”Sophia’s heart skipped a beat. The thought of him, Alexander, using his influence to help her was… tempting. She remembered how he’d handled the Hawthornes. It had taken him mere hours to dismantle an entire corporation. She hesitated, torn between the easy road and her pride.“No,” she finally said, shaking her head. “I want to do it on my own. Only my efforts should help me.”Alexander studied her for a moment, a glimmer of admiration in his eyes. He didn’t press her, just nodded slightly, as though respecting her decision. But there was a hint of expectation in his gaze, as if waiting for her to ask him anyway.She faltered under his intense gaze, then added with a shy smile, “But… can you pray for me? Wish me luck? That
"Oh, please, since when is love boring?" Her mother gave her a knowing look, gently patting Sophia’s hand. "But fine, I won’t pry. Go on then, leave me here with nothing but doctors for company."Sophia laughed, giving her mother a playful hug. "Ethan should be here soon. He’ll keep you company. Just… be patient, okay?"With a playful wave and a final hug, she left the room, unaware of the crisis the Hawthornes were facing.As she left the hospital, a slight smile played on her lips. She was about to hail a cub when the driver from earlier hurriedly called her.“Mrs Evans.” He nodded at her and motioned for her to get into the waiting car. Sophia was surprised to see him.“Why are you here…? Wait, you didn't leave?” She asked, raising her eyebrows as she observed that the car was packed exactly where she had left it hours ago when he dropped her off.“I was waiting for you,” he responded professionally. “Mr. Evans assigned me as your driver from now on.”“What?” Sophia's mouth was aga