Caroline couldn't contain her excitement at the prospect of welcoming Sophia and Alexander into her home. Ever since learning of Sophia's acceptance of the bracelet, Caroline's joy knew no bounds. She took great pride in her son for winning Sophia's heart, eagerly anticipating the day when Sophia would officially become her daughter-in-law. However, she was mindful not to impose her desires on the young couple. As the doorbell chimed, Caroline rushed to answer it, greeted by the heartwarming sight of Sophia and Alexander embracing. Alexander's genuine smile further warmed her heart, reaffirming her belief that there could be no greater reward for a mother. "Come in, I've been eagerly awaiting you two," she welcomed them warmly. Sophia reciprocated the embrace, planting kisses on both of Caroline's cheeks. Caroline's gaze fell upon the bracelet adorning Sophia's wrist, filling her with a deep sense of satisfaction. "We're so happy to see you too," Sophia responded. Caroline ushere
After receiving the letter, the once lively atmosphere of the dinner party had turned somber and tense. The joyful chatter and laughter were replaced by a heavy silence, each person grappling with the unsettling contents of the package.Sophia's brows furrowed in frustration as she read the letter, her lips pressed into a thin line."We should have expected it," she said, her voice carrying more fury than Alexander was used to. "And I'm already seriously tired of the past haunting me. Starting tomorrow, I'm going to dig through everything my grandfather ever touched and find out the whole truth. We won't let your father blackmail us.""I'll help you as much as I can," Caroline said, her tone filled with resolve. "This man is a real nuisance. Your grandfather was right.""And what did he think he would achieve," Sophia continued, her anger still simmering. "Either he's going to take the company or he's going to tear it down. What a jealous, shallow—""Love, calm down," Alexander interj
In the archives, Sophia and Alexander were immersed in a sea of papers, their brows furrowed in concentration as they sifted through document after document. Sophia meticulously combed through bank accounts, her frustration mounting with each unremarkable find. "It's not going to happen this way," she growled, her voice tinged with irritation as she tossed another set of papers aside. "There's absolutely nothing here that can mitigate the situation. Maybe my grandfather was just a criminal, and there's nothing good about that." "Easy, love," Alexander intervened gently, approaching her with concern etched on his features. "You're tired. You don't really think so." Sophia sighed, her shoulders sagging with exhaustion. She could feel the weight of the situation bearing down on her, the pressure to find a solution overwhelming. "How about I go get us some food and coffee?" Alexander suggested, his voice soft and reassuring. "You can rest for a bit." "Do you really think there's a ch
The next day, Alexander awoke to an empty bed, the absence of Sophia's warmth a stark reminder of her departure. It was a sensation he had grown unaccustomed to, and it left a hollow ache in his chest. As he moved through the apartment, the sight of the shattered remnants of their once-pristine home only served to deepen his sense of unease. The broken kitchen, and the splintered furniture – they were all painful reminders of the turmoil that had invaded their lives. With a heavy sigh, Alexander trudged into the kitchen and set about making himself a cup of coffee. The rhythmic sound of the coffee machine filled the silence, a stark contrast to the tumultuous thoughts swirling in his mind. Sipping his coffee slowly, Alexander contemplated his next move. The message he had received earlier that morning weighed heavily on his mind – the board of directors meeting. It was a clear indication that his father was growing impatient and that the deadline for his decision was fast approachi
Sophia had just settled into her hotel room in London after her flight. Throughout the journey, she meticulously kept notes of all potential locations where clues about her grandfather's secrets might be hidden, alongside a well-prepared to-do list for her investigation. After placing her suitcase aside, Sophia decided to take a shower, hoping to refresh herself before starting her exploration around the city. She turned on the TV, intending to play some music in the background. The noise, she thought, would help drown out the whirlwind of thoughts racing through her mind and give her a momentary escape from the relentless tension. However, the moment she switched on the TV, her eyes landed on a news broadcast. Intending to flip the channel to find some music, Sophia paused abruptly when she recognized a familiar face on the screen. It was Alexander, looking unexpectedly taken aback by the sudden onslaught of reporters around him. Next to him stood an older man, whose features wer
After the report, Sophia forced herself to remain calm. She knew she had to act fast after Nelson Stone's trap had been snapped. Sophia texted Alexander to call her as soon as he could. She realized that he was now busy managing the situation, and she couldn't afford to burden him with her own worries just yet.Sophia began rummaging through her luggage and pulled out the letter she had found in Maestro Paus' private office. The letter contained a whole bunch of names and a note from her grandfather that if she ever needed help, she should look for these people. It was a cryptic message but now seemed like the perfect time to heed her grandfather's advice.She decided that now was the time to take action. She pulled out the sheet of names and looked at the first one listed, Jeremy Gostler. Sophia quickly checked the search engine and found that he was a well-respected businessman who dealt with paintings. After a little more investigation, she discovered that he lived in London.Sophi
Moments later, Jeremy returned with a tray bearing a steaming pot of tea and delicate porcelain cups. He poured them each a cup, and they settled into a comfortable silence as they sipped their drinks. "So, Miss Johnson, what can I do for you?" Jeremy finally spoke, breaking the silence. Sophia took a deep breath, steeling herself for the conversation ahead. "I came to you because of this," she said, pulling out the letter she had found in Maestro Paus' private office. "It's from my grandfather, Christopher Johnson. He mentioned your name and said that if I ever needed help, I should look for you." Jeremy's eyebrows rose in surprise as he accepted the letter, his expression thoughtful as he read its contents. "I see," he murmured, his gaze flicking up to meet Sophia's. "And how can I assist you, Miss Johnson?" "I'm hoping you can help me unravel some of the mysteries surrounding my grandfather," Sophia explained earnestly. "I've been digging into his past, trying to understand the
"This is Mr. Stone’s divorce agreement, Mrs. Stone," Alexander Stone’s butler, Charles said as he handed a large manila envelope to Sophia. "Mrs. Stone, you have a three-day window to sign the agreement and vacate the premises." Charles watched Sophia with indifference, his demeanor calm as he spoke. Although Sophia had been anticipating this moment, her heart sank upon the mention of the divorce agreement. She glanced at Charles, accepted the envelope, and extracted the divorce agreement from within. "Ten million dollars of alimony as long as he never lays eyes on me again?" she scoffed, looking straight at Charles, whose expression remained inscrutable. "How can he possibly believe he can get away with such an absurd demand?" She continued reading, "In accordance with the terms of the divorce agreement, it is acknowledged that Sophia Stone has failed to fulfill her marital obligations for a period of three years. As a result, Alexander Stone reserves the right to initiate divo