"Oh? Really? Well, congrattions!" Alex eximed, genuinely startled.
"I didn''t see thating."
"Neither did I," Sophia said with a relieved sigh, pulling out a chair and sitting down.
"Everything was so sudden, chaotic even, but somehow, in the end, it all fell into ce perfectly."
"Care to share the details?" Alex asked, pulling out a couple of instant drinks and offering her one.
"Well, first things first," Sophia began, leaning forward with excitement.
“My marriage to Gilbert Guise has been officially registered with the government. There''s even a peculiar use stating that, as his legal wife, I inherit everything from the Guise family-including the governor''s seat, which has passed down for generations."
She clearly looked thrilled knowing Gilbert was already dead—and she didn''t have to marry anyone now.
All she had to do was ept everything the Gusie family owned.
There was an old saying: if a man hurt a woman terribly butter died and left her all his money, he was practically forgiven-especially if the fortune wasrge.
People believed women were simple beings, as money could make them forgive almost anything.
And if the man died miserably, her forgiveness seemed even more genuine.
Alex nodded thoughtfully.
He had personally seen to the removal of every other potential Guise heir, unknowingly paving the way for Sophia.
"So, you''re Mrs. Guise now?"
Sophia shook her head andughed softly.
"Actually, not quite. My grandfather, Abraham Lancaster, married Betty Montir. My grandmother came from a matriarchal line. When she married, she dropped her surname."
"But now, after the recent attack on the Chicago Lords severely weakened the Montir family, the elders are desperate. They''ve asked my grandmother''s side to step back into leadership. And that means they''ve asked me to lead the Montir family."
"Because you''re also inheriting Paris''s governorship, they see an advantage in backing you," Alex concluded.
"Exactly." Sophia snapped her fingers with a satisfied smile.
"It''splicated, messy even, but the fact remains-I''m not yet officially the governor of Paris. Or, at least, a candidate. They''re processing the paperwork, and for now, I''m the acting governor."
"So, you''re saying that as long as everything checks out legally, with the Montir family''s backing, you''ll be the official Governor of Paris?" Alex quickly caught
on.
"You nailed it!" Sophia said, eyes shining with excitement.
"So many people dream of this position. Never in a million years did I imagine myself standing as governor! Life sure has a funny way of surprising us."
Truthfully, Sophia hadn''t expected much from her marriage into the Guise family. Even with Gilbert being the heir, she knew her im to the governorship would never be fully recognized under normal circumstances.
"You know, Alex, there''s something strange happening in our country," Sophia continued thoughtfully.
"Some governors of other states are backing my im, deliberately blocking the king and the government from choosing someone loyal to them as the new Governor."
"They''re terrified the king will appoint someone who supports him directly. So they''re clinging to tradition, insisting that the governorship must pass to the closest blood rtive or spouse of the heir. It''s pretty bizarre, isn''t it?"
Alex sighed deeply, equally baffled. He had never orchestrated Sophia''s rise—yet here she was, poised to rule Paris.
"You''re right, it''s bizarre. You weren''t even trying for this, and somehow everythingnded perfectly in your favor."
"Exactly," Sophia sighed, thinking how her life had been a roller coaster-wild ups, crushing lows... and finally, rising again.
"Congrattions again! You''ll make an exceptional governor," Alex said sincerely.
Sophia raised her chin yfully, her confidence radiant.
"Well, of course! But now that I have this power, you''d better start ttering me, Alex, or you''ll regret missing the chance. Paris is even bigger than Vancouver, you know?"
Alex burst outughing, amused by Sophia''s yful arrogance, and nodded vigorously.
"Ah, yes, all hail Sophia! The brilliant, capable Sophia whosest name still confuses me-Lancaster, Guise, or Montir. But one thing''s clear: you''re definitely the governor of Paris!"
He dramatically ced a hand behind his back, bowed theatrically, and extended his other hand toward Sophia.
"At your service, Madam Governor. What can I do for you?"
Sophia reached out and gently touched Alex''s hand, her eyes locking onto his.
In that silent moment, their gazes held a storm of unspoken emotions.
Both their minds shed back to that unforgettable night they spent together- though they''d sworn to pretend it never happened.
After all, they were supposed to have been drunk, and neither was meant to remember.
But deep inside, each hoped desperately that the other still carried the memory of that intimacy.
Yet neither had the courage to break the silence, leaving their true feelings buried beneath a fragile fa?ade of indifference.
"When I officially be Governor of Paris, I be even more powerful than Jasmine Kingston,” Sophia announced boldly, lifting her chin with fierce determination.
"When that happens, Alex, I''ll protect you. You''ll see."
Her eyes sparkled with newfound hope. For years, she''d lived in Jasmine''s shadow, always feeling inferior because of their vastly different backgrounds.
But now, with the chance to inherit the Paris Governor''s position, she finally stood on equal footing.
The thought of openlypeting for Alex filled her heart with determination—and fear.
Sophia had never wanted much in life, always dutifully following her family''s wishes.
But now, more than anything, she wanted Alex. She envisioned growing old together, building a life filled with happiness.
The thought warmed her heart even as it made it ache.
"Alex..." she whispered softly.
"Yes?" Alex''s voice was tender, his eyes meeting hers, sparking something deep
and meaningful between them.
Sophia bit her lower lip nervously. "Would you... Alex, would you consider—"
Her phone rang abruptly, shattering
the delicate moment. Her face flushed deeply as she fumbled for the phone, frustrated at the interruption just as she had gathered the courage to ask Alex to remarry her. s?novel
"Sophia, where are you?" Florence''s voice urgently asked.
"Mom, what''s going on?"
"Henny Montir, the elder from your grandmother''s side, is here. She says she needs to discuss something important."
"Madam Henny? Why would she suddenly visit?" Sophia quickly tried to understand the unexpected situation.
"You''ve been named a potential sessor of the family matriarch and the governor. I bet she''s here to cozy up to you," Florence said excitedly. "Alright, I''ll head back now." Sophia hung up and immediately grabbed Alex''s hand, pulling him toward the door without exnation.
"What? You''re bringing me too?" Alex asked, surprised.
"You''re family, aren''t you? Why wouldn''t youe?" Sophia countered firmly. "But-"
"No buts. This is a perfect chance for you to meet someone influential from the montir," Sophia insisted, dragging him decisively toward the car.
She had learned long ago-sometimes, when it came to love, you had to take control.
And now, with power in her hands, she wasn''t letting go. Not of anything. She wanted it all—every piece of happiness, every ounce of it, together.
An hourter, they pulled up to the grand gates of the Lancaster mansion.
Inside, the air was thick with tension. The room was already packed.
At its center stood Madam Henny Montir an imposing older woman draped inyers of glittering
jewelry, standing as if she were a
queen expecting her subjects to kneel.
Her sharp eyes locked onto Sophia the moment she stepped in.
She didn''t like what she saw-Sophia''s confident walk, her simple clothing, her unapologetic presence.
"Madam Henny, did you call for me?" Sophia asked calmly, walking forward.
Madam Henny''s voice cut like a knife. "You dare approach an elder without kneeling?" she snapped, eyes shing with scorn.
"What a rude, uneducated woman. You are absolutely unfit to be the Montir sessor."