The next morning was suffocating. Alexander’s men moved like shadows, their movements precise and purposeful. Sophia felt like an intruder in her own home, their silent vigilance a constant reminder of the danger outside.
She tried to distract herself, but her mind kept returning to Alexander. Where was he? Was he okay? Her phone buzzed, pulling her from her thoughts. She snatched it up, relief flooding her when she saw his name. “I’m okay. Stay put. It’s happening.” Those few words made her chest tighten. It’s happening. The confrontation they’d been bracing for was unfolding, and all she could do was wait. Hours later, her phone buzzed again. But this time, it wasn’t Alexander. The number was unfamiliar. “Hello?” she answered, her voice cautious. “Miss. Blackwell,” a deep voice drawled, sending a chill down her spine. Her fingers gripped the phone tighter. “Who is this?” She asked evThe cracked screen of Sophia's phone mirrored her fractured thoughts, each one more desperate than the last. She knew Alexander was on his way, but with every second that passed, the tension in the abandoned building grew suffocating. Gerald, pacing like a caged lion, exuded a menace that made her skin crawl. “I admire you, Sophia” Gerald’s voice sliced through the silence, smooth yet sinister, distracting her thoughts. “Your devotion. It’s almost touching. You’d do anything for your family, wouldn’t you? That’s why you’re here, chasing the ghost of a threat I created.” She clenched her fists, her nails digging into her palms as she tried to keep her composure. She couldn’t let him see her fear, couldn’t let him know how close he was to breaking her. She needed to stall him, keep him talking until Alexander arrived. “What do you want from me, Gerald? Can't you face Alex man-to-man? You must be afraid of him and result in targeting me
“They’ve been located,” the man reported, his voice steady but serious. “Madam Catherine and Mr. Ethan are safe. They were held at a warehouse on the outskirts of the city. Our team is already on site and has secured the area.” Relief washed over Sophia like a tidal wave, leaving her momentarily breathless. Her knees threatened to give way, and she clung to Alexander’s arm for support. “Safe,” she whispered, the word a fragile lifeline in the swirling storm of her emotions. She was really worried. Alexander tightened his hold on her hand, grounding her. “We’ll go to them,” he said softly, though there was a hard edge to his tone, a promise of retribution lurking beneath the surface. “Gerald’s actions won’t go unanswered.” “When?” Sophia asked, her voice trembling despite her efforts to appear composed. “When can I see them?” Alexander exchanged a glance with his man, who nodded in understanding. "Now," Alexander assured her, his eyes
The next morning, Alexander stood by the window of his private study, his gaze sweeping over the sprawling estate now filled with the presence of Sophia's family. Yet, despite the bustle below, his mind remained a million miles away. The weight of his family’s legacy felt heavier than ever, the aftermath of Gerald's arrest a mere spark in a storm that was far from over. Gerald’s influence still lingered, and the dangerous secrets that tied them all together seemed impossible to unravel.Sophia’s soft footsteps brought him back to the present, and he turned just in time to see her step into the room. Her eyes searched his face, a familiar warmth and concern radiating from her."You look troubled," she said, her voice gentle but laced with an unspoken understanding. "Is it Gerald?"Alexander swallowed, his jaw tightening as he met her gaze. He wanted to tell her everything; how he felt trapped by the weight of his family’s history, by the lies, the betrayal,
“Any objection?” Alexander asked, staring daggers at the people around him, sending shivers down their spines.The room grew quieter, the air thick with unspoken fears. The executives exchanged uneasy glances, the weight of his words pressing down on them. Some had already begun to distance themselves from Gerald, but the evidence of their loyalty to him couldn't be overlooked.An older board member, Mr. Carlisle, cleared his throat, his voice a brittle echo in the stillness. Mr. Carlisle had been with the company since the days of Alexander’s grandfather. His loyalty was not just to the Evans name but to the legacy he believed Gerald had preserved, albeit through questionable means.“You can't do this, Alexander,” he said, his voice tinged with both desperation and defiance. “We've been with this company for a long time, and most of us worked with your grandfather. Gerald may have had his faults, but he kept certain deals afloat. If you force us
Elena had always been the heart of the Evans family, the force that held them together even as cracks began to show under Gerald's character. Now, with Gerald’s disgrace and sentence, Alexander knew he had to face her. The thought clenched at his chest more than any headline ever could. When the familiar sight of the sprawling estate came into view, Alexander felt a pang of nostalgia mixed with a sense of foreboding. The gardens were pristine, the lawn immaculately trimmed, and the mansion’s white stone facade gleamed under the afternoon sun. It was a picture of serenity, a deceptive calm that belied the storm they had weathered. He pulled the car to a slow stop near the grand entrance and stepped out, taking a moment to steady himself. The scent of freshly cut grass mingled with the faint aroma of Elena’s beloved lavender bushes, a comforting familiarity amid the turmoil. The sound of birds chirping in the distance seemed almost mocking in its normalcy. The door opened before he
Alexander's expression softened, the tension in his chest easing at the mention of Sophia. “I’ll bring her soon, grandma. I think you’ll love her.” Mrs. Evans gave him a knowing look. “Of course I will. If she’s captured your heart, then she must be someone special.” As he spoke with his grandmother, his thoughts wandered to the rest of the family. The Evans residence stood as a testament to their legacy, a sprawling estate with ivy-covered walls and meticulously kept gardens that had seen generations of the family come and go. It was a place of grandeur but also of sorrow, a silent witness to the triumphs and tragedies that had shaped the Evans name. His father, Thomas Evans, had never been much involved in the family business. In fact, Thomas had always been content to live off the family wealth, enjoying the luxuries that came with being an Evans without the responsibility. He was a kind man, but business simply wasn’t his forte. It ha
As Sophia rested in Alexander's arms, the tension of the day slowly melted away. The steady rhythm of his heartbeat beneath her cheek was comforting, like a gentle lullaby that grounded her after all the chaos they had faced. She felt safe, secure, and deeply connected to him in that quiet moment.When she lifted her head, their eyes met, and she saw something in his gaze that sent her pulse racing. There was a storm brewing in the depths of his usually calm eyes, a mixture of longing and passion that made her breath hitch. In that instant, she wanted nothing more than to get lost in that storm, to let it sweep her away.Alexander leaned down, his lips brushing softly against hers as if testing the waters. The gentle touch sent a spark through her, and she responded instinctively, tilting her head to deepen the kiss. Her hands moved up to wrap around his neck, pulling him closer as she surrendered to the moment.His hands, firm but tender, slid down to her
Alexander had held his desires for long and tonight was the perfect time. He was ready to go all out but as things got serious, their sweet moment was interrupted by the phone on the nightstand ringing loud. It was his phone and he regretted not turning it off.He froze, the sudden noise pulling him away from the warmth of the moment. His muscles tensed his frustration showing on his face. He let his forehead rest against Sophia’s for a brief moment, trying to ignore the phone’s persistence, but it was impossible to block it out.“Leave it,” he muttered against her lips, his voice a low rasp, filled with the tension of wanting more but also knowing the call might be important.Sophia, with her breath still shaky from the intensity of their closeness, gently touched his cheek, her thumb brushing against his skin with an almost calming effect.“Answer it first, It might be important.” She whispered softly, her tone laced with concern.Alexander let out a deep sigh, clearly not pleased w
The receptionists exchanged confused glances. Yes, they could tell the man before them wasn't an average Joe just from the aura he gave them. But they couldn't go against the company's policy.They were right, not many people knew who Alexander was except a few business associates. He wasn't in the mood to wait so he pulled out his phone and called Michael.“I’m at the reception,” he said, his voice flat when the call was answered.Michael, who was busy with his work, frowned after answering the call. Alexander has never visited his company before. Did something serious come up? Without hesitation, he rushed downstairs.The moment he spotted Alexander, who was waiting at the reception despite his impatient nature, he got furious.“What are you all doing? Don't you know who he is? The next time you make him wait, you can all forget about working here. He berated the receptionists.He then turned to Alexander and gave him a fr
The sight of Larry made Alexander’s blood boil with rage when his mind flashed back to the "woodie guy" he had been investigating. His eyes narrowed as realization struck him. It was him! He was the same person who had visited Gerald in prison, the one who had likely orchestrated his escape. And him approaching Sophia now? This was not a coincidence. He had his team investigate him and nothing crucial came up. He even sent a half-photo of this man to Michael, his trusted friend, to dig up information. And before he got any feedback, here the man was, sitting across from his wife. Alexander wanted nothing but to walk right before the guy and kill him with his bare hands. The aura around him shifted drastically but before many people could notice it, he took a slow breath, pushing down the anger that was about to consume him. By the time he started walking inside, he had already composed himself and with deliberate strides, he approached the
Back in the chairman's office, Drake Egerton leaned back in his chair and said in admiration, “But I must admit, your wife is something else. Totally different from most women out there. Most care about material things and status, but look at her, she doesn't even want people to know she’s connected to you. And worse? She refused the company. Allure Fashion is the top fashion house in the country, yet she couldn't care less.” Alexander nodded a proud smile on his face. He knew exactly the kind of woman Sophia was and that was why he couldn't resist falling in love with her. Drake smirked. “Man, you've got a gem. If I could win her, I swear I’d take her to my grandpa tomorrow and marry her the next day. I would even make her...” He suddenly stopped, sensing the shift in the air. The deadly glare from his friend sent a chill down his spine. If looks could kill, Drake would be dead by now. He shifted uncomfortably in his chai
Alexander nodded, stepping closer, trying to sound more sincere, his eyes pleading for her to believe him. “Yes, he knows. Drake isn't just an employee; he's a good friend, and I trust him. Just like Michael and Jake. Besides, we studied abroad together, so we're more like brothers. But I promise, he didn’t know anything about you until after I called him. He couldn’t have interfered with your promotion because he wasn’t involved until I made that call.” Sophia relaxed slightly, knowing they could trust Drake with their secret. Still, that didn't mean she had forgiven him; she was still angry. “You made me look like a fool there. I shared my experiences and struggles at work, and you didn't say a word. How can I trust you?” she asked quietly, still wondering what else he was hiding from her. Alexander’s shoulders slumped. He crossed the room, closing the gap between them. “I know, sweetheart. I should’ve told you sooner. I’m sorry. I will never hide a
Sophia felt her heart beat faster as every head in the meeting room turned to her. Some faces held admiration, others curiosity. Almost all the women in the room gave her an envious look. The men seemed intrigued, their eyes glancing at her with curiosity. What's it about her that had caught the chairman’s attention? And then there was Nina. Her green eyes narrowed slightly and she couldn't conceal her jealousy. She gritted her teeth and clenched her fists under the table. She had worked tirelessly in this company, but no matter how much effort she put in, she couldn't outshine Sophia even though she had joined long before her. And what made it even worse was that Sophia was not only hardworking and talented but also kind. It made it impossible to hate without looking petty. Her friend Emily, on the other hand, beamed with excitement. She nudged her with an elbow, lowering her voice. “Oh my God, Soph! What did you do to catch his at
“Well, what do you expect?” Emily grinned. “A mysterious, wealthy, young, and handsome chairman? Of course, everyone can't wait to see him. But the big question is: Is he single? I know many people are ready to try their luck.” Sophia rolled her eyes but smiled. “You included, right?” Emily waved her hand dismissively. “Please, I’m just here for fun. But who wouldn't like such a charming man?” She added, widening her eyes. “Hey don't tell me you're not interested?” Sophia shrugged her shoulders, disinterested, “No, I'll pass, but all the best. I hope you can impress him.” She was amused by how these women were behaving like school girls mesmerized by a man they hadn't even seen. Emily laughed out loud before lowering her voice, “I think someone needs luck more.” “Who?” She asked surprised. Emily motioned her head and Sophia followed. Sure enough, she saw Nina, who was checking herself out in a mirror, adju
Curious, she made her way to the front of the office, only to spot Larry standing at the reception desk, flashing her that same charming smile. Sophia blinked, surprised to see him. “What? Larry? What are you doing here?” Larry gave her a friendly smile. “I bet you're surprised. I was, too, when I heard you work here.” Sophia just looked at him quizzically as if saying that's not enough explanation. Larry added, “Well I came here to have my suite designed. I heard Allure Fashion is one of the best fashion houses in Eldridge and Kyla. Who knew you were one of their best designers.” Sophia tried to hide her surprise. “Yeah, that’s a coincidence.” Larry shrugged, unfazed. “Since you work here, I was hoping you could help me pick out something for an event I’ve got coming up.” Sophia hesitated for a moment, then nodded. It wasn’t every day a client showed up at her workplace, and besides, he had been kind t
“How long have you been in Eldridge?” Sophia asked, looking at him suspiciously. How come he knows people who are around me? Is it a coincidence? Who else will he mention next?Larry saw her suspicion and guarded expression and realized he had talked too much.He leaned back, giving her a friendly smile, taking a casual sip of his coffee.“Not so long but I have attended several events here. It's not hard to get to know famous people like Jessica Jason who's rumored as the most beautiful woman in Eldridge. Besides, even people outside of Eldridge know her.”She thought about it and figured it was indeed possible for him to know Jessica and Alexander since they were famous people in the business circle.“That makes sense. Well, do you know her personally? I just got to know her recently.”He shrugged his shoulders and said, “Of course not, I just saw her a few times, but just between us,” he said, leaning closer, “she's not as beautifu
Alexander went to his room to get some rest. He freshened up and climbed in his bed but the room and bed were so empty. He had been used to sleeping together with his wife, but now, he felt like an abandoned child, and he cursed Jessica several times. After lying down for a while, he realized he couldn't sleep. He left his room for the balcony, where he smoked several cigarettes and the blowing wind and cold night cooled him. Sophia, too, couldn't sleep; she turned around on the bed several times, but still, her mind was fogged with everything that had happened today. She knew she was at fault too. She shouldn't have overreacted and taken it out all on her husband. She got out of bed and went out of her room, descending the stairs on the way to the kitchen. She went to the fridge and took some milk. She drank slowly on the kitchen counter hoping that it would help her get some sleep. She then left the kitchen