Sophia sat across from Alex on a cozy sofa in the café, her fingers nervously entwined in herp.


    "Alex," she began softly. "I want to apologize for everything I''ve done to you."


    Alex looked at her with gentle curiosity. "Why?"


    She took a deep breath. "I''ve realized that so much of my paines from clinging to how I think things should be, instead of epting what they are. I''regret not listening to my grandfather."


    He offered a reassuring smile. "It''s okay."


    Gathering her courage, she confessed, "I... I don''t have our signed divorce papers."


    "What do you mean?"


    She bit her lip, hesitating before continuing.


    "When I was nning to marry Chris, he said he''d handle the divorce papers and


    the marriage certificate. I thought after everything that happened, he wouldn''t send them. But I never received any confirmation."


    Alex remained silent.


    "That means we''re still husband and wife," Sophia whispered, her cheeks flushing.


    He leaned forward slightly. "And if he already sent them?"


    She swallowed hard, her eyes meeting his. "Then... would you consider marrying me again?"


    "You sound a bit desperate."


    She looked away, fiddling with her napkin. "Maybe I am. They''re trying to force me into another marriage if we''re divorced. And... Grandpa Abraham thinks highly of you. I don''t want to disappoint him."


    Alex tapped his fingers gently on the table. "But what about you? What do you want?"


    She looked back at him, confusion flickering in her eyes. "What do you mean?" "Do you like me?" Alex asked


    Her eyes widened, emotions swirling as she searched for an answer. "I... I don''t know..."


    He nodded thoughtfully.


    "Tell you what I''ll keep pretending to be your husband. Even if we find out the divorce paper


    I''ll stay by your side until you figure out what you truly want."


    "Is that okay?" she asked hesitantly. "I can pay you for your trouble..."


    He chuckled warmly. "I don''t need your money. I never have."


    She gave a small, skeptical smile. "Always bragging."


    "Just stating the truth," he replied with a wink.


    re processed,


    She sighed softly. "I don''t have a job right now, but I''m looking. About the apartment-it''s small, just one bedroom. We''ll have to share, but... don''t get any ideas."


    He grinned, leaning back. "Oh, I''m not worried about me. I''m more concerned you might try something with me."


    She rolled her eyes. "You''re impossible."


    "Remember, you made the first move when we met," he teased.


    Her cheeks flushed crimson at the memory. "That was different."


    He shifted the conversation smoothly. "By the way, I have a feeling you''ll get your job back soon."


    She shook her head, her expression dimming. "No, once Grandma makes up her mind, she doesn''t change it. And Mike is her favorite grandson.”


    "You never know. They might juste begging for you to return."


    1


    Sheughed lightly, the tension easing from her shoulders. "There you go again, always bragging."


    For the first time in a long while, talking with Alex like this made the burdens feel a little lighter.


    Back at the grand banquet, Lady Amelia Lancaster paced anxiously.


    "Have you found Sophia yet?" she demanded.


    "She''s not here," Justin replied nervously.


    "And she''s not answering her phone," Florence added, worry creasing her brow.


    "Grandmother," Mike approached hastily, his voice edged with concern. "You''ve appointed me as CEO of the Lancaster Group. You''re not thinking of giving the position back to Sophia, are you?"


    He had already boasted about his new title to everyone he knew. The thought of losing face now gnawed at him.


    Without warning, Amelia turned and pped him sharply across the face. "How dare you think only of yourself when the Lancaster Group is on the brink of copse without the Kingston partnership! Can''t you see what''s happening? Peter has already pulled his investment!" 1


    Mike recoiled, stunned.


    "But you pushed Sophia out," he protested weakly.


    "I never pushed her out of this family," Amelia dered fiercely, her gaze


    sweeping over Justin and Florence." Have I ever cast anyone aside?"


    Justin hesitated, then shook his head. "No, Mother. You''ve never done such a thing."


    He knew the truth-that they had been all but forced out, scraping by in a modest home-but now was not the time to challenge her narrative.


    "Mother," Malvin interjected cautiously, his eyes narrowing. He despised the idea of Justin''s family regaining any influence.


    "If we sell the mansion Father left us, we''ll have enough to keep the Lancaster Group afloat. We don''t need the Kingston partnership. Let Mike remain as CEO."


    As if on cue, Amelia''s smartwatch buzzed insistently.


    She nced at the screen, surprise shing across her face. ''It''s your father..." she murmured 1


    An uneasy silence fell over the group.


    None of them knew that Abraham had awakened from hisa.


    She answered the call, trying to steady her voice. "Hello?"


    "Amelia," Abraham''s voice was firm, carrying an authority that hadn''t diminished. "I''ve returned the mansion to its rightful owner. How dare you try to transfer it while I was incapacitated! And I''ve filed for divorce. From now on, we''re living separately."


    Amelia''s face went white. The mansion he referred to-Top Silver Mansion-was even more opulent than their family estate.


    The realization that he was awake and undoing hef schemes sent a chill through


    her.


    "You... you can''t do this!" she stammered, anger and panic rising. "How dare you strip me of everything and leave me burdened with debt!"


    He cut her off sharply.


    "You''re the one who coerced Sophia into sending $100 million to that fraud, Chris Rnd-the very man you tried to force her to marry. This mess is yours to clean up. And don''t think I won''t report you for assaulting me. I won''t rest until I see you


    rot in prison!"


    With that, the line went dead.


    Amelia''s face turned ashen, her hands trembling.


    She should have made sure Abraham didn''t just slip into aa; she should have


    ensured he was gone for good.


    But she knew he wouldn''t dare report her.


    She knew Abraham well. He loved her too much.


    Yet she also knew he wouldn''t lift a finger to save the Lancaster Group now, a mistake that was clearly hers. Clenching her fists, she turned to the others, her voice tight with desperation. "Find Sophia-now! She can''t be far from here."