"Mr. Stone, what can you tell us about your current situation with the Senator's daughter?"
A reporter yelled at Alex the moment he stepped out of the courthouse; the blinding sunlight assaulted his dark green eyes. The scene before him was chaotic, with reporters swarming like a hive of bees. Flashing cameras momentarily blinded him, and microphones were thrust into his face, each reporter vying for his attention.
Amidst the frenzy, their questions bombarded him like a relentless onslaught. "Is there any truth to you marrying the daughter of a Senator?" one reporter demanded.
Another chimed in, "Can you finally reveal the name of your ex-wife?"
The questions grew more personal and invasive. "How long have you been having an affair?" and "What can you tell us about the divorce agreement?" echoed through the air.
Alexander's patience began to wear thin as he pushed his way through the crowd. He remained silent as he was in no mood to answer any reporter's questions, especially ones that were so clearly misinformed. Just as he broke through the barrage, a reporter's voice boomed from the back, catching his attention.
"Ms. Johnson, Ms. Sophia Johnson, can we have a moment of your time?"
The scene outside the courthouse had transformed into a frenzied spectacle as the reporters quickly redirected their attention from Alexander to the stunning blonde who emerged from the building.
Leaving him entirely alone, Alexander's gaze fixated on Sophia, standing amidst the chaos with an undeniable air of elegance. Her blonde hair bounced ever so slightly with each confident step she took toward the courthouse stairs. As she moved, her impeccable sense of style was evident—the way her Piazza Sempione grey pinstripe suit draped flawlessly on her figure, exuding sophistication.
Sophia's eyes swept across the sea of reporters, and Alexander could have sworn he caught a fleeting glimpse of a smile gracing her lips. The sight of her composure amidst the pandemonium only intensified his curiosity, stirring an unexpected mixture of emotions within him.
With every deliberate step Sophia took, she moved effortlessly through the gathering, seemingly unperturbed by the relentless barrage of questions and camera flashes. Her composed demeanor conveyed neither aloofness nor vulnerability, striking a delicate balance that commanded respect.
As the reporters instinctively made way for her, Sophia gracefully descended the courthouse steps, her presence captivating their attention, and Alexander's. It was apparent to everyone that she was extremely comfortable with these surroundings.
A Mercedes-Maybach GLS SUV awaited Sophia, positioned just a few steps away. The driver opened the door, and with a fluid motion, she glided into the vehicle. As the car prepared to pull away, Sophia lowered the window, offering one last glance at the journalists. This time, her smile was unmistakable, radiating a sense of quiet triumph.
The young CEO's dark green eyes stared at her full lips, trying to unravel the mystery behind her enigmatic smile. He smelled danger on her face, although she is undeniably stunning. Alexander, observing Sophia from a close distance, assessed her with interest. Her smile hinted at a depth of knowledge and resolve, intriguing him momentarily. It provided a brief respite in the midst of chaos, evoking a sense of curiosity within him.
As the Mercedes-Maybach GLS SUV vanished into the bustling city streets, Laura walked up beside Alexander, her gaze shifting from her phone to the disappearing vehicle. When she looked back at Alexander, she noticed an odd expression on his face, one that she was sure she had never seen him wear before.
"Who was that?" Alexander inquired, trying unproductively to hide his profound curiosity.
Laura raised her eyes from her phone again, having just confirmed Alexander's next appointment. "That was Sophia Johnson," she replied quickly.
Confusion furrowed Alexander's brow. "Johnson? Why does that name seem so familiar? The only Johnson I can think of is Judge Simon Johnson?"
Laura met Alex's eyes with a twinkle.
"That Johnson? Judge Simon Johnson? The one who recently passed away?"
Laura nodded, guiding Alexander toward their waiting Lincoln Navigator SUV that had pulled up in front of the courthouse, replacing Sophia's car. "That's the one," she affirmed, opening the door for him.
Alexander's interest piqued further. He stopped at the door to the car, closed the door, and took a step closer to Laura. "Tell me more about her," he demanded.
Laura paused, momentarily taken aback by the sudden intensity in Alexander's voice. "Well," she began, collecting her thoughts, "she's the daughter of the late Judge Simon Johnson. She is a legendary lawyer in her own right. She has never lost a case as a corporate lawyer. She is also the founding partner of Johnson and Associates, which, as everyone in town knows, is a highly regarded law firm, considered one of the best, if not the best, in their field."
"Hmm," Alexander murmured, processing the newfound information.
Laura continued, a small laugh escaping, "But here's something you might find interesting—that is the woman that will be helping us solve our problem."
"Her? The lawyer I instructed you to contact for assistance with the subsidiary loophole? That’s the Ms. Johnson you were talking about?" Alexander narrowed his eyes. An imperceptible smile hung on his lips.
Laura nodded with a smile. "Yes, the very same.”
As Laura opened the door to the back of the car again, Alexander firmly grasped her arm, halting her movement. His mind whirled with thoughts and possibilities. "Tell me everything else you know about Ms. Sophia Johnson," he demanded. His voice, while deep and authoritative, betrays his profound interest.
Laura hesitated for a moment, contemplating what, if anything, she possibly could share.
"Aside from the two occasions she has advised our firm in the past, I don't have much additional information. She has maintained a relatively low profile, except within legal circles, I presume. Ms. Johnson is known for her exceptional legal insight and the ability to navigate complex situations with finesse," she explained.
"I have never heard anything disparaging about her, but to be honest, I have not really heard anything about her. As I said, she keeps a low profile."
Not completely satisfied with her response, Alexander released his grip on Laura's arm, allowing her to slide into the car.
As he settled into his seat, the driver merged into traffic. The mysterious image of Sophia Johnson's face remained etched in Alexander's mind, captivating his thoughts,“Find out everything you can dig up about her. The quicker, the better."
"I am telling you she is coming in today," a man in a black striped suit whispers urgently as he briskly passes the reception desk at Johnson and Associates Law Firm."There is no way. She hasn't been in for over three years. Why today?" the woman seated at the reception desk whispers.Another woman, with an air of curiosity, approaches the desk and leans in, her voice hushed. "I heard she had a major something happen, which is why she is returning.""Well, I heard that major something is that she lost a lot of money in some sort of deal," the man murmurs back, sharing the gossip.At that precise moment, the sleek chrome doors of the elevator swish open, revealing Sophia Johnson stepping out with an air of confidence. Her face remains impassive and composed as she looks discerning at the employees gathered around the reception desk."Yes, I'm back," she remarks, her words seeping with authority. The employees quickly disperse, sensing the power that emanates from her presence. Sophia
The banquet hall exudes an enchanting aura, adorned with vibrant emerald greens and pristine whites, the traditional colors for a momentous twentieth anniversary celebration. Despite Sophia's initial rejection of Alexander's invitation in her office, she acknowledges the significance of his company for her future endeavors and decides to attend.Even though three years have passed since Sophia last donned formal attire, she remains well-versed in the art of making a grand entrance. Her figure-hugging Alexander McQueen black dress accentuates every curve flawlessly, while the embellished bustier emits a subtle radiance, captivating the attention of onlookers. As she strides into the resplendent banquet hall, Sophia's gaze scans the room, eventually resting upon Alexander, who stands near one of the bars, observing her intently.Sophia offers a mere nod in Alexander's direction before purposefully steering herself in the opposite direction, determined to forge her own path.Making her
Sophia couldn't help but chuckle softly, finding the situation absurd. How could she win a lawsuit against herself and regain shares after finalizing their divorce? It seemed ridiculous. But she had to find a way to use this situation to her advantage. Putting on a fake smile, Sophia returned the divorce papers to Alexander, "This contract is flawless. I can't find any loopholes. I won't be able to assist you in reclaiming your shares." Undeterred by Sophia's response, Alexander retrieved a checkbook from his suit pocket. "If you need money, how much would be an acceptable consultation fee? I'll write the check for you." Glancing at the open checkbook, Sophia replied, her tone firm. "Whether or not I accept your consultation has nothing to do with money." The flush on Alexander's face grew more prominent as anger coursed through him. He attempted to steady his voice as he spoke, "Ms. Johnson, tell me your price. Everyone has a price." Taking a step toward Sophia, Alexander corner
"I'm sorry, what was that?" Alexander asked, visibly shifting so Emily's head no longer rested on him.Sophia took a deep breath, composing herself once more. Emotions had no place in her plans, and she reminded herself of the task at hand."Nothing," Sophia replied calmly. "I think I'll be heading home now.""Really?" Emily chimed in, her voice laced with fake concern. "The party is just getting started.""Umm, Emily," Alexander interjected, "Why don't you go back in? I'll join you in just a moment."Emily glared at Alexander, clearly disgruntled, but obediently turned to leave. Sophia couldn't help but watch as Alexander's eyes followed Emily down the hallway.Once Emily was out of earshot, Alexander turned his attention back to Sophia. "My family and Emily's family have been close friends for many years. She's very ambitious but naive. I brought her into my company after she graduated from the University of Chicago last year. It was a way
As Sophia stepped out of the sleek chrome elevators the following day, she found the usual hum of office gossip conspicuously absent. Instead, the atmosphere was charged with focused productivity. The air reverberated with the clicking of keyboards, the persistent ringing of phones, and the steady whir of the copy machines. Before Sophia could even shut the door to her office, Trevor burst in, loaded with stacks of case files. "Good morning, Trevor," Sophia greeted him with a yawn, the lingering effects of last night's whiskey leaving her slightly foggy. "Good morning, Ms. Johnson," Trevor responded, his voice brimming with eagerness. "All right, I can see you have some important matters. Let's dive right in," Sophia said, sitting at her desk while Trevor settled into a plush wingback chair opposite her. He flashed a reassuring smile and placed the first case file before her. "We have two major cases on our plate. The first is an antitrust investigation involving the Dillon Corpor
Moving away from the polished reception desk, Alexander turns to Laura on the phone again, his deep voice carries a tinge of bewilderment as he asks, "I genuinely cannot fathom what I could have possibly done to make this woman dislike me so intensely." Laura takes a moment to gather her thoughts before responding. "Mr. Stone, I truly don't know why she acts this way or how she truly feels about you. Women are complex, and their emotions can be elusive." "Laura, I'm asking for your perspective as a woman, so enlighten me. Why do you think she's behaving like this?" Alexander inquires, his voice laced with exasperation and a genuine desire to understand. "I appreciate you acknowledging my womanhood, Alexander. Perhaps there's a reason behind her actions that you may not have considered. Sophia is a fiercely independent and driven woman. Maybe she's playing the 'hard-to-get' game, knowing it ruffles your feathers. It could be her way of testing you or eve
Alexander looks at Sophia suspiciously, a hint of curiosity in his eyes as he considers her interest in his ex-wife.However, before he can respond, Emily interjects, her voice laced with defensiveness, "How is this any of your business or concern, Ms. Johnson?"Sophia, growing weary of Emily's presence and eager to distance herself from Alexander, lets out an exasperated sigh and turns to leave.But Emily reaches out, lightly grabbing Sophia's arm, and continues."Alexander's ex-wife was a mistake from the start. She has cost him millions of dollars that she in no way deserves. The woman is trash. She is not even worth still having a conversation about."Sophia shrugs off Emily's hand, her eyes narrowing as she locks gazes with Alexander."Could you please call off your attack dog? You clearly have no intention of answering my question, and I have important work to attend to." A smirk plays at the corners of her lips as she delivers her biting remark。 Emily gasps, her voice filled w
Alexander and Emily step off the elevator, returning to Stone Enterprise. As they ride up, Alexander finds himself still pondering his curiosity about Sophia Johnson. Upon reaching their floor, they are greeted by Laura, who stands by the elevator with a stack of papers in her arms. "I have what you asked for, Mr. Stone," Laura says, her voice professional and composed. Alexander nods to Emily, telling her he will speak with her later, and walks alongside Laura toward his office. Once inside, he settles into his chair while Laura sits across from him. "So, tell me, when have Ms. Johnson and I crossed paths during the last five years? There must be some incident or encounter that led to her acting so abhorrently towards me," Alexander asks. Laura hands Alexander a neatly organized spreadsheet showcasing his and Sophia's schedules over the past five years. "As you can see, there is absolutely no overlap between your events and hers during this time. I even went a step further and