Alex''s heart went cold, twisted by a deep pang of regret.
Hurting Sophia was never his intention.
She was his everything-his reason for breathing-but everything about her drove his emotions beyond control.
Near her, his heart became a storm of love and pain, so fierce he couldn''t think straight.
He wanted revenge on everyone who had ever hurt Sophia, even her own mother.
Yet now, seeing Sophia rush between them, all he could feel was guilt.
He stood frozen, eyes heavy with shame, unsure how to even begin to exin himself.
Sophia stared at Alex, eyes gentle despite the tension.
"It''s okay," she whispered softly. "I know you didn''t mean it. I just don''t want you to hurt my mother, even if she''s the one who''s wrong."
Alex lowered his gaze, voice barely audible. "I''m sorry."
Sophia stepped closer and wrapped her arms around him.
"Don''t apologize," she murmured into his chest.
"I know exactly why you acted that way. I was there-I saw what happened when Laura Montir sent those soldiers after you."
"But I still hurt you," Alex said, his voice heavy with regret.
Sophia gently cupped his face, forcing him to meet her eyes.
"Alex, I''ve hurt you countless times. Honestly, it''s almost a relief that you hit me back."
"Sophia!" Florence staggered backward, nearly losing her footing, fury zing in her eyes.
"Unbelievable! Did he just try toy his filthy hands on me? Look closely, Sophia! This is the man you love? I''d rather see him dead! Do you hear me? Dead!"
"Enough!" Sophia spun around sharply, ring at Florence.
"You were the one who started hitting first, Mom. If you don''t shut your mouth right now, I''m walking out of this ce forever."
Florence''s rage trembled visibly, but seeing the fierce determination in her daughter''s face, she forced herself to hold back her venom.
"Sophia!" Henny''s voice sliced through the tension like a knife, her re so vicious it could kill.
"How dare you allow this man to strike me! Have youpletely forgotten your position?"
"Madam Henny," Sophia said coldly.
"I don''t know exactly why you came here today, but let me make one thing clear-
I am not your puppet. Even without your help, I would still be Governor of Paris. So stop treating me like an idiot."
"Sophia Lancaster!" rissa snapped harshly. "Who gave you the right to speak to Grandma like that?"
Sophia turned slowly, eyes zing.
"What''s wrong with my speak? If anyone needs to watch their mouth, rissa Montir, it''s you and your grandmother when speaking to me."
"You arrogant little—" rissa started again, but Henny raised her hand, silencing her instantly.
"Tell me, Sophia, why exactly should I watch my words with you?" Henny said dangerously, her eyes narrowing.
"Unless you can exin yourself clearly, I''ll show you no mercy for your betrayal to your family."
Sophia met Henny''s stare evenly, calm yet unyielding.
"Did you know that the governor of Chicago, Lyra Thompson, is my closest friend?"
"She called me the other day to tell
me that Montir owes the
government over a billion
dors dirty money tied to
corruption, all orchestrated by Laura Montir, your daughter, in the name of Montir family.
"She asked what I nned to do about it."
"But from your arrogance, it''s clear Montir doesn''t need my help." Sophia
calmly took out her phone and dialed a number.
"Lyra, about Montir-I suggest you go all out. No need to hold back on my ount."
"You!" Henny was stunned speechless.
She hade here to put Sophia in her ce. Never in her wildest dreams did
she imagine that the obedientmb she nned to tame would turn into a roaring
lion.
"Sophia! How dare you betray Montir!" Henny jumped to her feet, her voice shaking with rage.
"Do
n understand how
you even
powerful we are? You think just
because you''re the acting
governor a rookie-you can threaten the foundations of our family? We can destroy you. Don''t forget that."
Sophia smiled coldly, eyes glinting with amusement.
"Did you hear that, Lyra? Henny Montir just said a billion dors won''t even
scratch their foundation. What do you think about that?"
Henny trembled with anger, her fists clenched tightly, but she refused to back down.
Sophia nodded calmly. "Alright, Lyra, thanks. I''ll wait five minutes."
Ending the call, Sophia turned her piercing gaze toward Henny and gave a chilling smile.
"Congrattions. In five minutes, you''re going to find out just how easily Montir can be shaken. And if that''s still not enough for you, just give me a call. I can always add more."
Henny and rissa stood frozen, too shocked to even form words.
Sophia reached out and took Alex''s arm gently. "Let''s get out of here. Clearly, we''re not wee."
“Sophia Lancaster! You better stop right there unless you want to lose everything!" Henny screamed furiously, her voice echoing through the room.
Just then, her phone rang loudly, shattering the silence.
Henny nced down at the caller ID, her face growing pale when she saw the Montir family estate''s number.
Trembling, she answered the call.
"Henny! Where the hell are you?" snapped the acting matriarch of the Montir family.
"What''s going on?" Henny demanded, anger still thick in her voice.
"The governor of Chicago just held a press conference. She announced she''s fast-tracking the recovery of the billion-dor corruption money Laura Montir owes the government."
"What? That fast?" Henny''s heart nearly stopped.
"Oh, it gets worse," the matriarch hissed, her voiceced with venom.
"She mentioned you by name-said, ''Henny Montir thinks a billion dors is nothing.'' So now, she''s doubled the amount we owe. And they''ve already started seizing Montir assets in Chicago."
"What?!" Henny staggered backward, her legs trembling violently.
"Listen carefully, you old fool! Whatever you did, congrattions-it worked
perfectly! You just destroyed the Montir family!"
The matriarch''s voice turned ice cold.
"Henny, you''re already halfway into the grave. You should stop looking for trouble,
shut your mouth, buy your coffin, and start digging."
"Find whoever you offended and beg for forgiveness on your knees. If you don''t
fix this mess, I swear I''ll send someone to end you myself, you worthless bastard."
Henny''s face drained of all color.
Her whole body shook uncontrobly as she watched Sophia and Alex calmly walking away, disappearing through the door.