With a slight nod, she signaled him over. He met her gaze, stood up, and followed her out of the dining area.After the initial shock, Emily was the first to react. “Then check your phone. Maybe your husband is here to pick you up.”“Yeah, right. My husband is here,” she said, checking her phone and reading the text message out loud. “You've …had enough…No more drinking.”“Okay, no more drinking… This is the last one. Cheers!" she said, toasting in a certain direction and emptying the wine once more.Everyone at her table was confused. Who was she talking to and how did the person know she had drunk too much?They all turned in her direction and saw the people at the table. The chairman, CEO, and other executives.Before they could catch on, Sophia was already fumbling to tuck her phone into her purse.Alexander's lips curled involuntarily. He had seen everything, but before he could react, her colleagues turned toward him.
Jay led Sophia to the hallway and checked around the area. Once he was sure no one was watching, he uncapped the bottle of water and, with trembling hands, poured the powder inside. He held it out to her. “Here, Miss Blackwell, drink this. It’ll help clear your head.” Sophia blinked, looking around. She immediately realized they were heading upstairs and her instincts kicked in. “Wait... is this the way to the parking lot?” she asked, trying to steady herself. Although drunk, she hadn't lost all her sanity. She could still steady herself by holding onto nearby objects. She looked at the water bottle in Jay's hand vigilantly. “I don't…need it. You… you …don't need to help…me.” She tried to push him away, but he was too strong, and in her drunken state, there was little she could do. Jay leaned closer and pressed the bottle into her hand. “Just drink it and I'll lead you to the parking lot.” He persuaded her. “No… no… leave me alone.” She tried to distance herself and fumbled
Nina was too thrilled by the thought of Sophia’s downfall to notice Jay’s nervousness. She took the bottle from him and downed it in two gulps.Watching her finish it, he clenched his fists, pushing down the guilt gnawing at him. He had no choice. It was either Nina or his own ruin. By then, most employees had already left. Only a few remained inside, and no one paid any attention to Nina. A few minutes later, her body went limp, and she collapsed. Jay caught her quickly before she hit the floor. His heart pounded fast and his mind raced with the weight of what he was about to do. He helped her outside pretending to help the drunk Nina just as he did to Sophia. When out of sight, he carried her up to the seventh floor, searching for the room. After finding it, he hesitated for a moment, avoiding Nina’s face, afraid his feelings might weaken his resolve. “I'm sorry Nina. I don't have a choice.” He muttered walking toward the door. He opened it and pushed her inside with one s
Jay stammered, “Nina ... Please calm down! I had no choice. My hands were tied!”Nina’s grip on the phone tightened. “What do you mean your hands were tied? Don’t tell me you’re in love with that bi*ch Sophia too!”"No, of course not! I... I ran into the chairman. He caught me trying to drug her,” Jay defended himself nervously.“What? Did you just say the chairman rescued her?” She asked in a whisperer, her mind racing.“Yes, the chairman Nina. I really didn't have a choice.” Jay confirmed, hoping she would understand him.Nina froze, and her anger turned into fear.“Did he come purposely for her?” She asked, trying to calm down.“I don’t think so,” Jay replied. “It was just a coincidence, but he was furious. He made me confess everything and forced me to …” he couldn't dare to finish.Nina almost dropped her phone, her body going weak.“Why does Sophia always get this lucky? And to be saved by the chairman himself?She refused to believe it.She shouted into the phone, “No one shou
On the other side of the city, Jessica was watching a TV show leisurely in her private villa, checking on her phone regularly.Her assistant delivered a glass of juice with fruits.“Have this, Miss Jason. It'll help you calm down,” she said carefully.“What’s taking Mason so long? Why the hell did I even hire someone so incompetent?" Jessica complained impatiently.“Wait a little longer, Miss Jason; it hasn't been even an hour since you gave the order,” the assistant tried to calm her.“How dare you…” Before Jessica could scold her, her phone rang from the table.She grabbed it, answering immediately, “What took you so long to get back to me?”“I'm sorry, ma'am…”“Did you get the videos or not?”“Yes, ma'am. I have the copies with me.” Mason reported cautiously.“Good. Bring them right away.” Jessica commanded, calming down.She smirked, her eyes gleaming with satisfaction.She was always careful, after all. Since Larry had proposed to use Nina in targeting Sophia, she couldn't approa
While walking with Emily, Sophia's phone rang from her bag. She took it out to see Alexander's name on the screen.Did I keep him waiting for long? She thought before picking it up.“Hubby, I'm almost there,” she said, glancing at the car nearby.Alexander spoke, and Sophia glanced at Emily, who was eyeing her curiously from the side.She is very eager to meet my husband, how can I dampen her mood?An idea quickly popped into her head, and a mysterious smile appeared on her face.Her eyes gleamed mischievously as she turned to Emily. “Let's go.”Watching her, Emily had a bad premonition.“What's with that look, Soph? Why do I feel like you're scheming against me?” She asked, looking at her vigilantly.Sophia couldn't control her laugh. This girl is clever after all. But still, she pretended as if she wasn't planning anything.“What can I do to you? Don't you trust me?” She questioned, feigning
“How is it a police matter yet these men aren't arrested already?” One reporter asked sharply. Roman and his people panicked as cameras turned to them. He knew things had escalated, and the police wouldn't protect them. He took a few steps, intending to slip away during the chaos. But the lead police officer, who was already cornered by the journalist, barked. “What are you waiting for? Arrest them.” He gestured to his companion. Right after his orders, Roman and his gang were all handcuffed and shoved into the police cars. The firearms and the drugs were confiscated and loaded into police vehicles to be taken into custody. “Officer, what are you going to do with this?” Another reporter asked, pointing at the confiscated items. “This matter is now in police hands. We will provide updates later. Please disperse." The police officer said, dismissing the journalist. "Can you tell us who's behind this illegal business, officer?" A reporter stepped forward, extending a mic
“What is it?” Gerald snapped coldly.“Boss, we can't help you this time. You need to get a scapegoat or this will be traced back to you.” The person said, choosing his words carefully.Do you think I don't know that already? Are you teaching me how to do my job now?” Gerald roared into the phone."No, no! I'm sorry, boss. Forget I said anything." the other person apologized quickly.Gerald hung up and hurled the phone on the ground.The phone shattered on the floor, a perfect reflection of his fury.Viktor watched without a word as the phone shattered into mere pieces. But Gerald wasn't done yet, he grabbed his phone and furiously dialed Larry’s number.When Larry answered, Gerald's voice immediately erupted like a volcano.“You bastard!” he roared into the phone, his voice shaking with rage.“You're as incompetent and useless as your mother was, you hear me? You’re nothing but a screw-up!”Larry remained silent on the other end, accustomed to Gerald’s insults.But the latter was un
Back in Sadrova restaurant, Alexander emerged from the bathroom after several knocks on the door.He wrapped a towel around his waist and opened the door.Tim hurried in with his bag. He looked just like any other thirty-year-old guy who happened to be on duty. His white doctor’s coat was slightly creased like he’d rushed out of the hospital without a second thought. Underneath, he had on a black T-shirt and jeans, just something comfortable for a long shift. A stethoscope still hung around his neck, probably out of habit more than anything. His glasses gave him a smart, slightly serious look, but there was an easygoing air about him.“What took you so long?” Alexander asked, masking the discomfort in his body."I left my patients waiting just to come here, and you're complaining?" Tim asked casually, placing his bag on the couch.Alexander just snorted, glaring at him before making his way to the couch.Tim didn’t waste time once he saw Alexander’s condition. He quickly prepared a s
Alexander closed his eyes tightly, unwilling to look at her. Images of Sophia flooded his mind.“No, I can’t let this happen. I won’t,” he muttered, biting his lower lip hard as if the pain would fight off the drug’s effect.He struggled to wake up again, pushing Jessica away. She tried to resist but this time, Alexander shoved her harder, and she fell from the bed.He didn't even spare her a glance; he quickly bent toward the bedside table, grabbed his phone, and staggered out of the room.He struggled to walk in the hallway, holding on to the wall for support.When he reached the next suite, he found a couple holding each other as they were about to make their way in.The man opened the door with a gentlemanly smile, signaling to the lady to get in first.Before the woman could react, Alexander snatched the room card and staggered inside leaving the words, “Sorry, I need to use the room.”Before the man could react, he had already locked the door from the inside.“Damn it!” The man
Meanwhile, back in Hawthorne's ancestral home, Marcus knocked on his grandpa's bedroom, casually tucking his other hand into his pants pocket.After Raphael murmured from inside, he pushed the door open and walked inside. The room was dimly lit, with a bedside lamp casting a soft amber glow over the space. The air held a comforting mix of lavender and woody from the old oak furniture.A large, neatly made bed stood against the far wall, its thick duvet turned down slightly, perhaps he was ready for bedtime.An antique clock ticked quietly on the wall, and a pair of slippers sat perfectly aligned by the edge of a plush rug.Raphael was seated on a couch near the window with a steaming cup of tea on the small table in front of him. Despite the warmth in the room, he had a shawl draped over his shoulders, and the lines on his face seemed deeper under the soft light.He seemed to have aged more since the last time Marcus saw him. “Grandpa,” he greeted.“Sit,” Raphael said, pointing at t
Chapter 124: Alexander's Helpless Alexander’s jaw clenched and his eyes darkened. The tension in the room grew so thick that it felt like the air itself was pressing down on everyone. Mark turned to him apologetically, “Sorry, boss, I will...” “It's okay. You can go.” Alexander cut him off coldly. Then he added, “Mark, you can take your leave. You will be rewarded for today." He had just remembered it was supposed to be Mark's off day. “Thank you, boss.” Mark nodded happily before walking out, knowing that his boss didn't blame him. Bullock swallowed hard as he stood up to face Jessica. “Miss Jason, whatever deal we had with your father is being handled by my secretary. Please go speak to her,” he said politely. “I just did that but she couldn't give me any substantial explanation. That's why I came to look for you,” Jessica said with a righteous voice, sounding offended. “I'll look for Mr Jason myself and give him an explanation,” Bruno said, trying to send Jessica aw
“You're the pride of the Hawthornes, my dear. That Sophia was our bad luck; Look at how we're prospering now that she's gone. My son is more accomplished now that she isn't here to drag him behind.” Evelyn clapped like a child who just won a prize, her eyes glowing with pride. She walked over to Marcus and patted his shoulder like he’d just won a major award. “I’m so proud of you, son.” “Marcus, I hope you're not still dreaming of bringing her back,” Lauren scoffed, tilting her chin up in distaste. Marcus leaned back lazily, his arms spread across the back of the couch. He smirked, brushing invisible dust from his shirt like a king making a declaration. “Sophia will be mine sooner or later..." “Marcus, you're just digging your own grave. Go see your grandpa now.” His father's angry voice came from upstairs interrupting them. “So it's true you don't believe in me, Dad. Is that why you stepped down?” Marcus turned to him with his face full of disappointment. His fathe
“Wait… why are you so quick to defend yourself?” Sophia laughed out, amused.“Well, that's because I hate slander. But you know I'm not lying, right?” he asked, shrugging his shoulders. “Yes. You two are gentlemen. The girl who ends up with you will be the luckiest,” she said, winking at Amelia.“Did you hear that?” Michael turned to Amelia proudly. “You two are impossible.” Amelia stomped her foot and walked away to hide her flushing face.***Meanwhile, Alexander watched silently as his phone disconnected. “I need to deal with Jessica quickly or it will affect my relationship with Sophia,” he muttered before walking back to the coffee shop with a resolute face. “Have you made up your mind?” he asked as he sat down. “You said you can fulfill any of my wishes, right?” Jessica asked, putting her phone on the table. “Anything within my capability,” Alexander said, leaning on his seat. “Then divorce Sophia and marry me.” She dared him. The moment the last word left her mouth, the
Back at the Eldridge International Airport, the final boarding call echoed through the terminal: “Final boarding for Flight 782 to Geniva. All remaining passengers, please proceed to Gate 14 immediately.” Jessica stood up calmly, composed, like everything was going exactly as she had planned. She picked up her handbag, adjusted her blazer slightly, and started walking toward the gate. Her assistant, clearly more nervous, hurried after her. “Miss Jason, are we boarding now? I thought …” “Just follow me and stop asking questions,” Jessica cut her coldly and walked ahead. Her heels clicked confidently against the polished floor without any hint of panic. When they reached the gate, she handed over her passport and boarding pass with a small, polite smile. The attendant scanned them and gave a quick nod. “You may proceed.” She and her assistant began walking down the jet bridge. They were only a few steps away from the plane's door when a sudden urgent voice cal
Back in Eldridge, in the backyard of Jason's estate, Rachel knelt by her flowerbed, humming a tune as she worked.She wore a flowing cream-colored dress that fluttered slightly with the breeze. A wide straw hat shielded her face, but even then, the grace in her every movement showed. Her hands, though elegant, weren’t afraid of dirt. She held a small pruning shear and gently snipped away a dried leaf from one of her prized roses.The garden was in full bloom, with roses in shades of blush and deep red, lilies standing tall and proud, and dainty white daisies dancing in the wind. It was her happy place. Every weekend, she spent at least an hour here. It was one of the few things that grounded her and made her feel like everything would be okay.She wiped her forehead with the back of her glove, smiling faintly at the progress she had made. Her flowerbed looked perfect.Just then, a servant came rushing out from the house, breathless.“Madam, Mr. Evans is here. He doesn’t look like he c
Meanwhile, back in Averia, Alexander’s car rolled to a stop outside a modest building nestled between tall sycamore trees. The sign above the gate read Happy Orphanage in faded blue paint. The walls were worn and the compound was quiet and solemn. A woman in her mid-fifties stepped out to meet him. Her hair was tied in a tight bun, streaked with gray, and her eyes held both kindness and years of experience. She wore a plain beige dress and clutched a manila folder to her chest like it held secrets. “Welcome to Happy Orphanage, Mr. Evans. We’re at your service,” she greeted warmly, with a practiced tone like someone used to formalities and farewells. Alexander nodded and followed her inside. In her office, she showed Alexander all the files related to the person he was looking for. “According to your description, this is the person who was at the orphanage and later rescued by her parents that same year,” she explained, handing over the file. Alexander took the document and fli