The sudden rush of air had Sophie doubling over, coughing so intensely that tears nearly spilled. "Believe it or not, I had no part in your son's disappearance."She hung her head, avoiding Cedric's scrutinizing gaze."You'd better not be involved!" Cedric's imposing figure radiated cold fury. He leered at her before leaving with a chilling warning."Soph, are you okay?" Jeanna rushed to support Sophie, glaring at Cedric's retreating figure. "What a jerk! His child goes missing, and he hassles you instead of calling the police!""I'm fine," Sophie reassured her, taking a moment to compose herself despite the lingering tightness in her chest. She had pieced together the events, sensing a larger, more manipulative plan at play...Still concerned, Jeanna insisted, "You look pale. Let me take you home.""No, it's alright. I'll take a taxi. You enjoy the celebration with the others.""How can we continue celebrating with you in this state?" Jeanna protested.Sophie looked at her rea
The sudden ring of Sophie's phone interrupted her exhausted silence.Recognizing the caller ID, she inhaled deeply to steady her breath before answering. "Hello, Linda."Linda's worried voice came through. "Ms. Luxford, I've just been informed that Cedric was at the office. Are you... okay?"Sophie managed a smile. "He's already been here. I'm fine.""Are you still at the club? It sounds unusually quiet," Linda asked, her voice laced with worry."No, I returned briefly to check on my luggage. Please have the driver pick me up in an hour," Sophie lied, using her pre-packed bags as an excuse to mask her real intentions and not raise any alarms."Alright. I'll arrange for the driver to pick you up in an hour."Ending the call, Sophie headed to the elevator, her fingers trembling slightly as they pressed the call button. She leaned against the cool marble wall, watching the numbers descend to the ground floor.The elevator arrived. As Sophie straightened up to step in, she was sudd
"I'll call now to check," Linda suggested.Jeanna quickly intervened. "No need for that, Linda. I've already tried calling her multiple times, but all I get is a busy signal."Jeanna's anxiety intensified. Under normal circumstances, Sophie would have already been home by this time, especially since she had promised to call upon her arrival. But now, she was nowhere to be found.Acting on impulse, Jeanna paid the taxi driver and exited the vehicle."Ask the driver where he is. I'm on Southgleam Road, he can pick me up here.""Alright, wait a moment."Linda hung up and confirmed the driver's location, only to learn he had already reached the Bohemian Apartment."I rang the bell for a long time, but no one answered." The driver's robust voice made Linda worry, but she quickly regained her composure."Stay at the apartment entrance and keep ringing the bell. I'm on my way."Jeanna crossed the road, anxiously awaiting Linda's call. Just as she began to worry about the delay, her p
"Is it really necessary to panic so much? She's an adult and not kidnapped. Maybe she just stepped out for a walk," Sean remarked, trying to diffuse the tension with a forced smile. He often found that women seemed to overreact to the slightest provocation.However, even without her former status as Mrs. Carlson, Sophie commanded enough respect to be considered fearless."You know nothing, Sean!" Jeanna snapped back fiercely, her glare intense, effectively silencing him."We should wait a bit more. If Ms. Luxford doesn't return soon, we'll call the police," Linda proposed, glancing at her watch.Given the limited time before the flight and Sophie's well-known punctuality and meticulous planning, the possibility that something had gone amiss was high.-As Sophie regained consciousness, she found her head feeling hazy and her body weak. She became aware of a cool, salty breeze starkly contrasting with the muggy climate. Soon, she realized she was close to the edge of a cliff, with
Sophie felt an ironic urge to laugh amidst Vivienne's dramatic act, but her lips remained still. She observed as the rescue team scrambled to reach the weeping child, her heart sinking.Only when Cedric's cold shot toward her did she shift her eyes to meet his icy stare. Upon seeing the indifference in his eyes, her pale lips finally gave way to a bitter smile.'He has completely fallen for Vivienne's manipulations, believing I'd kidnap his son,' she thought bitterly.Vivienne was on the ground, clinging to Tristan and shaking with an exaggerated display of fear. "Tristan, my darling, did she hurt you? Mommy was terrified!""Mommy, I was so scared. The lady said she would feed me to the sharks," Tristan accused.Sophie's eyes widened at the child's fabricated tale. 'Since when did I say such a thing?'Vivienne shielded Tristan behind her with anger on her face. "Sophie, Tristan is only three years old. How could you? If you hate me, come at me. Why hurt an innocent child?"Sophi
Sophie heard her own distorted words play from the recording device. "I really worry about your son. He is adorable but doesn't understand what being a bastard means. He'll grow up under scrutiny and gossip, his innocence pierced early. How pitiful."If you're capable, find a way to take the position of Mrs. Carlson. But I warn you: I won't let you or your son off easily."The thick threat added a chill to the cold wind.Sophie frowned. Although she seemed to have said these words, they had clearly been tampered with, twisting their original meaning."Do you have anything else to say?" Cedric's cold voice cut through the wind as he lifted the recording pen to her face, his eyes icy and piercing.Sophie knew some misunderstandings were futile to explain. He believed Vivienne's lies and her explanations would be useless.Biting her lip, she clenched her hands. "Think what you want. I have nothing to say.""Sophie!" Cedric's gaze bore into her, his eyes defiant and proud. His brows
Vivienne watched Cedric hurl himself into the sea in disbelief, her scheme unraveling into dread. Her facade of concern melted into a mix of frustration and panic.Cedric plunged into the salty water. It stung his eyes, making it difficult to keep them open, but he could not care less about the discomfort. Desperately swimming, he searched for Sophie's figure."Sophie! Where the hell are you!" he shouted, the waves threatening to engulf him.Swallowed by a huge wave, Cedric coughed violently, fighting against the sea's grasp. His thoughts were solely on Sophie, the desperation fueling his weakening body. His chest exploded with pain as he slowly inhaled the salty seawater."Mr. Carlson!""Cedric!"As his consciousness began to fade, he heard voices called from the shore. Suddenly, an arm wrapped around his neck, pulling his heavy body upward."Save her!" He tried to speak, but more water rushed in. Cedric coughed violently, pushed away the helping hand, and sank back into the de
The cold sea breeze grew chillier as Cedric stood motionless at the cliff's edge, his tall figure swaying in the wind."Mr. Carlson, let me take you to the hospital," Evander suggested, noticing Cedric's drenched clothes.Cedric had inhaled water earlier, and standing soaked could lead to illness."No," Cedric flatly refused."Cedric... please listen to Evander and go for a check-up," Vivienne urged, her voice filled with concern.Cedric’s gaze shifted from the sea to her, revealing bloodshot eyes full of ferocity."Evander, take her and Tristan away," he commanded."Yes, Mr. Carlson." Familiar with Cedric's temperament, Evander knew he was on the edge of fury. After all these years, he knew when Cedric was close to his breaking point.Seeing Cedric's terrifying demeanor for the first time, Vivienne held her tongue and left with Tristan and Evander.When the irritating voices left, Cedric turned back, his blood-red eyes fixated on the unfathomable depths of the sea.'Sophie,