Inside the car's quiet interior, Sophia leaned her head agafest the window, her mind drifting back to the stranger who'd come to her aid earlier.
Could it be fate?
Was this mysterious figure the soulmate she'd always dreamed about the one who would stand by her forever?
She breathed out heavily, shaking the thought away.
She didn't even know him.
"You don't look happy," Alex said, breaking the silence.
Sophia managed againt smile.
"On the contrary, I'm very happy. Someone paid a hundred million for me, clearing
the loan that haunted me and the Lancasters."
Alex smiled, his heart lightening.
He was glad to see his wife finally accept the help.
Later this noon, as she drifted into sleep, he gently healed her and pulled a blanket over her, making sure she was warm and comfortable.
Meanwhile, behind the scenes, he'd ordered Carlos to take control of the entire Black syndicate.
Charles Cole, Cathy Black, Bruno Black-their fortunes and futures now lay quietly in his hands.
"I'm glad you're pleased,” Alex said at last, leaning back in the driver's seat as they continued down the road. Sophia looked at him, puzzled. "Pleased about what?"
He gave her a playful wink. "The debt. I arranged for it to be cleared."
She stared at him, her breath catching.
For several long moments, she said nothing, struggling to piece everything together.
"Sophia? Are you alright?" he asked gently.
She took a measured breath. "Alex... let's be honest with each other, okay?"
He tensed slightly, unsure where this was going. "Of course."
Her gaze was steady, searching his face. "I know who you are."
brow furrowed. He hadn't expected that.
your grandfather or father worked with mine to arrange
her assumptions way
pressed her
maybe to protect your pride. But I've already accepted you as you are. There's no
1/3
Chapter 94
**
away, uncertain how to
be yourself," she whispered. "That's all I'm
"And who do
turning
my grandfather's sake. Until I find the person truly meant for me, we're stuck like this. At least it
from pushing me into another forced
a trace of
bragging," she said
"I'm not bragging.
not." She folded her arms, clearly exasperated. "I don't need that. Just... be real with me. I don't care
tension coil in the
"Alright," he said simply.
Her voice softened, remorse slipping
It's been a rough day, even if
everything else has been
"No worries. I'll be careful with my words from now
a friend. I accept you as you are.
fine. I'm just a poor, broke ex-soldier, is that it?" Her smile softened into something more genuine. "See? That wasn't so hard-to just be
his head, a wry grin tugging at the corners of his
the fortune he controlled,
to
said, changing the subject, "we're late for dinner with Lyra. Can you head straight to
dinner with
Now I don't. But let's
us at dinner, okay? Lyra's been my best friend
shot her a glance, annoyance flickering in his eyes. "What's that
means she'll probably look down on you. Your clothes, your everything. If she's hostile, just ignore it.
2/3
Chapter 94
her see things differently, but don't let it get to you. I'm sick of
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
The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!