#73 “Right Now, I See You As A Friend.”
Sophia’s mind was awash with questions. When she had agreed to marry Alexander, she hadn’t delved into the underlying reasons behind it. Her decision had been driven primarily by her grandfather’s insistence, and she didn’t want to let him down.
Her grandfather had always made decisions that turned out to be the right ones. But Caroline’s cryptic hints had ignited a spark of curiosity within her, making her acutely aware that there might be layers of the story she remained ignorant of.
Sophia couldn’t ignore the growing urge to seek answers. The desire to uncover the hidden truths about her family’s history gnawed at her, and she couldn’t quell the intrigue that had taken hold.
“Thank you for sharing this with me, Caroline,” Sophia responded, her mind still deeply engrossed in thoughts.
“You’re welcome, dear. I’ll see what I can find and keep you updated,” Caroline said with gentleness in her voice.
“I believe it’s time for me to go. I’ve had a delightful evening,” Sophia stated, rising from her seat.
“Of course, dear. I wish you a pleasant evening, and once again, thank you for joining us.”
Caroline gave Sophia a warm embrace, releasing her to depart. Alexander, who had been silently observing the exchange, hastily stood up from his chair.
“Hey, I’m coming with you,” he quickly announced, moving toward Sophia without waiting for his mother’s response.
Caroline smiled, pleased that her son was finally taking some initiative. ” Take your time,” she called after him with a warm smile.
Sophia waited for her car at the foot of the villa’s grand staircase. Her gaze fell upon the garden, which she had meticulously cared for over the years. She couldn’t help but notice with a smile that even in her absence, the garden thrived magnificently.
Alexander approached her and took a deep breath, contemplating how to initiate the conversation.
“Sophia,” he began, and she turned to face him.
“Yes?”
“I’m sorry about tonight. I had no idea my mother would choose to interfere in our relationship like this.” Sophia chuckled, leaving Alexander perplexed by her response.
“Aren’t you tired of apologizing, Alexander?”
“I…”
“I understand why your mother does it. I’m not upset with her, Alexander. In fact, I consider everything she said as friendly advice,” Sophia explained. ” But I need you to understand that I don’t want to dwell in the past. Right now, I see you as a friend, Alexander.”
Alexander smiled. Sophia’s words didn’t dishearten him. In fact, a friend was the closest he’d ever been to Sophia. He had been her husband before, but their marriage had felt far from genuine. Now, at least, he had a genuine opportunity to win her back.
“I’m absolutely fine with that, Sophia,” he replied. “It sounds like a promising beginning.”
“We’ll see,” Sophia replied somewhat evasively.
“So, you won’t dodge my calls anymore?” Alexander teased, trying to lighten the mood.
Sophia chuckled once more.
“No,” she replied genuinely. “Does that mean we can grab coffee…” Alexander continued, the hopeful glint in his eyes unmistakable.
“Don’t push your luck,” she whispered playfully. Alexander raised his hands in mock surrender, a grin playing on his lips, causing Sophia to laugh again.
“When you’re ready,” he replied, and they both noticed the car waiting to transport Sophia had arrived.
“Good night, Alex,” Sophia said as she readied to step into the car.
“Good night, Sophie,” he responded warmly.
With fond smiles exchanged, Alexander climbed the villa’s stairs, heading back to his mother.
“Sophia, wait a moment,” a voice called out from the side.
Megan, who had been closely watching the interaction between Sophia and Alexander, decided to interject. Megan was simmering with jealousy. She detested the growing camaraderie between the two, and it irked her immensely.
“Yes, Megan,” Sophia replied wearily. “I want to talk to you,” she says through gritted teeth. She hated Sophia right now.
Megan’s relationship with Alexander, back in the day, had been primarily physical, yet there had always been a flicker of ambition in the corner of her mind. She had occasionally pondered that if it weren’t for Sophia and her arranged marriage to Alexander, it might have been Megan donning the prestigious title of Mrs. Stone today. This idea had smoldered over the years, and now, after three long years, she was not only emotionally inclined towards Alexander but also motivated by her own self-interest.
To gain real power within Horizon Media Holdings, Megan had been diligently overseeing Enlighten Press, the largest news media outlet under the Horizon umbrella. She meticulously manipulated news stories and headlines, all aimed at fortifying the company’s standing in the cutthroat media industry.
Still, running a single news outlet alone wasn’t enough to achieve her ultimate goal. She desired her father’s unwavering trust, and the only way to secure her place as the heir to Horizon Media Holdings was to gain Alexander Stone’s support through marriage.
Now, Sophia had brazenly become a significant roadblock in her grand scheme. Megan was resolute in her ambition to wield power, and she was ready to stop at nothing to achieve it. She knew she had to remove this obstacle, and she was willing to go to great lengths to ensure her goals became reality.
The rivalry between Megan and Sophia was no longer just about personal feelings but had turned into a fierce battle for control over a colossal empire.
As she watched Sophia and Alexander exchange their pleasantries and part ways, Megan’s mind raced with dark thoughts. She was determined to take matters into her own hands and become the matriarch of the Horizon dynasty. Every word spoken, every scheme devised, was part of her calculated plan to secure her future.
Megan knew that in this ruthless world of corporate power and dynastic control, one needed to be fearless. She was acutely aware of her father’s preferences and the dynamics of her family.
Her father, an aging patriarch, sought someone he could trust to lead the empire into the future. Although Megan had proven herself a capable leader, the added approval of someone like Alexander Stone, with his global influence, would undoubtedly tip the scales in her favor.
Megan’s resolve was unwavering. She was determined to eliminate the barrier that Sophia posed to her ambitions, even if it meant resorting to more treacherous methods. Her jealousy created a dangerous brew that was poised to bring chaos to the world of corporate titans and dynastic legacies. As she planned her next move, Megan knew that she would stop at nothing to emerge victorious in this high-stakes game of power and control.
