The next morning, after a restful sleep, Alex’s phone buzzed, and he picked it up without a second thought.
It was Abraham, Sophia’s grandfather.
“Alex, I’ve heard about Sophia’s behavior. That silly girl! How could she ask for a separation? I’m so sorry for how she treated you, I’ve given her a good talking to.”
But Alex wasn’t bothered in the slightest.
If Sophia wanted a separation, he wasn’t going to stand in her way.
After all, marriage is not something he could ever force, even from the beginning
He had fulfilled his duty by agreeing to the marriage, hoping that it might lead him to some clues about his mother.
“Where are you now? I’ll send a car to pick you up. I want Sophia to apologize to you in person.”
“No need for that, grandpa. I’ll come on my own.” Alex quiddy declined.
He sighed as the call ended.
Marriage really was a headache at times.
But still, he was going back, out of respect for Grandpa Abraham, and man’s responsibility.
Half an hour later, Alex pulled up at Lancaster Mansion in his sleek black Bugatti.
After commanding the car’s Al to return home and await his call, he stepped out.
Sophia was waiting at the door.
Grandpa Abraham must have told her to greet him, but her face looked like she’d just bitten into a lemon.
It was obvious she was still fuming from the scolding, but that wasn’t his problem, was it?
Despite her annoyance, Sophia was slightly concerned.
Alex had stormed out the night before, and she felt guilty for telling him to leave.
He had no money, no friends.
Did he spend the night on the street?
“Where did you sleep last night? Not a refuge or park for homeless, I hope?” she asked, her voice dripping with skepticism.
Alex was amused.
Why did she automatically assume he’d stayed somewhere shabby?
“I stayed at Golden Mansion,” he answered truthfully.
Golden Mansion? The one in Beverly Hills?
Seriously?!
The one that even money couldn’t necessarily buy?
+25 BONUS
Chapter 25
The one that was worth more than her entire family’s fortune combined?
Alex? Yeah, right. That would happen when pigs fly.
“Haha! Oh, Alex, stop lying. I wouldn’t laugh if you just admitted you spent the night on the street.”
“Well, just assume I slept under a bridge, then.”
He told the truth, but if Sophia chose not to believe him, then let it be.
Sophia, on the other hand, was fed up with their conversation.
Convers
What good would it do to keep talking if all Alex did was spl wild stories?
She thought he’d woken up to reality, but it seemed like he was only sinking deeper into delusion.
What kind of man would lie about sleeping at a luxurious mansion, after likely spending the night on the street?
How ridiculous!
She wouldn’t even share her bed with him if her grandfather begged her to!
“Forget about it. We need to talk about why you’re here,” she said, crossing her arms.
“And why is that?”
“Grandpa is going to ask something of you, but you have to refuse.”
“Why?” Alex asked.
“There’s no point in pretending we’re a couple when our divorce is just around the corner. It could happen in months… maybe even weeks.” She shrugged.
“And what exactly is he going to ask?” Alex pressed,
“You don’t need to know. Just reject it.”
Her cheeks flushed as she thought about the outrageous request Grandpa Abraham was planning: he wanted them to share a bed so she could get pregnant.
No way would that ever happen!
Embarrassed, she blurted out, “I’ll pay you $20,000 if you refuse.”
“$20,000?”
Did she really think that’s all it would take?
Even the simple, unassuming clothes he wore, which they considered shabby, were worth more than $20,000.
With an indifferent expression, Alex asked, “Why do you expect so little from this marriage?”
“Marriage? You call this a marriage? It’s just a piece of paper!”
Her voice grew louder, almost shrill
“If you think you can take advantage of me, dream on! Never!”
Alex rolled his eyes.
“And what if I don’t take your offer?” he asked.
+25 BONUS
Sophia’s frustration was palpable.
She knew dealing with Alex would be a nightmare.
Her face turned a deep shade of crimson as she glared at him.
How dare he act like he was something special?
“I will never let you share my bed! You’ll sleep on the floor every night if you have to!” she spat. “So why don’t you just take the money? It benefits us both.”
“Fine,” Alex agreed, sensing her desperation.
“Really?“.
“Yes, but it’ll cost you more than $20,000.
Sophia scowled in frustration, “What do you want? I warn you, don’t you dare go too far!”
“That offer is way too low. Even if you’re only valuing yourself at $20,000, I’m worth far more than that,” Alex said with a chuckle.
“How much do you want, then?” she snapped.
Alex hesitated for a moment, feigning deep thought.
“Well, why don’t you give me your best offer, and I’ll think about it?”
He never cared about money; he had more than anyone could imagine.
He was just curious how much his wife thought he was worth.
He knew Sophia couldn’t afford him, but he could easily buy her entire family.
