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Chapter 73
“Sophia! What on earth are you doing here?” Olivia Lancaster burst into the café.
“Everyone’s been looking for you!”
Before Sophia could respond, Olivia grabbed her arm with an impatient grip.
“Grandmother wants to see you. Now,” she demanded, her tone dripping with irritation.
Taken aback by her cousin’s abruptness, Sophia pulled her arm free. “Olivia, what’s going on? Why are you acting like this?”
Olivia scoffed, crossing her arms. “Don’t play innocent. You disappear when the family needs you most? Typical.”
“Disappear?” Sophia echoed. “I wasn’t aware anyone needed me.”
“Maybe if you paid attention to something other than yourself, you’d know,” Olivia snapped.
Alex glanced between them. “Perhaps you should explain what’s happening.”
Olivia shot him a withering look. “You loser, this is a family matter. Stay out of it.”
Sophia squared her shoulders. “Alex is my husband. Anything involving me involves him.”
“Fine,” Olivia huffed. “Just hurry up. You’re holding everyone else back.”
Reluctantly, Sophia stood up. “Alright, let’s go.”
***
Back at the grand banquet hall, the Master of Ceremonies took the stage, his voice steady over the murmuring
crowd.
“Ladies and gentlemen, we apologize for the brief delay. Please enjoy the refreshments while we address a minor matter. We are awaiting Miss Sophia Lancaster’s return to resume her position as CEO. Rest assured, our partnership with Kingston remains strong.”
As Sophia walked to the hall, escorted by Olivia, her family stood near the entrance–her parents, Lady Amelia, Malvin, and Mike–all wearing expressions ranging from anxious to furious.
Mike stormed toward her, his eyes flashing with anger.
“So, you think you can undermine us by going behind our backs to Kingston?” he hissed. “Do you believe the Lancaster Group belongs solely to you?”
Sophia stared at him, genuinely perplexed.
“I have no idea what you’re talking about. I haven’t spoken to anyone from Kingston.”
“Don’t lie!” Mike snapped. “Why else would they insist you return as CEO? You’ve clearly been plotting to push us
out.”
“Anyway, we have a proposition for you,” Mike sneered.
“We’ll let you have the title of CEO, but I’ll handle all the real work. You’ll receive a generous allowance for doing nothing. Isn’t that what you want?”
Lady Amelia’s voice rose, “Yes, Sophia, you can have the title. We’ll give you thirty percent of your former salary for simply existing–enough to enjoy yourself at your apartment.”
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Sophia stood there, her mind racing, utterly baffled.
“Justin!” Lady Amelia’s voice rang out, sharp and unyielding
“Tell your daughter we’re showing her respect. That money should be enough to support all of you, isn’t it? Don’t push your luck.”
Justin, always soft–hearted and unsure, stood frozen.
His brother Malvín quickly chimed in, “Just get her to agree, brother. Tell Sophia to accept it!”
“Sophia…” Justin, nudged by both his mother and brother, turned to her with resignation.
Before he could respond, a calm voice interjected from behind her. “Don’t accept it, Sophia.”
Sophia turned to see Alex standing by her side.
“What are you doing here, loser?” Mike sneered irritably. “Stay out of family matters.”
Alex smirked. “I’m her husband, so I think I have a right to advise her.”
“Sophia, just refuse their offer. Instead, tell them that if they want you as CEO, you must have full control of the company.”
“They can advise, sure, but you will have the final say in everything.”
Sophia’s pulse raced as she took it all in.
“Of all the animals, Alex, you are the most ungrateful!” Lady Amelia’s face flushed red with anger.
“Don’t test us, Sophia!”
Alex glanced at Sophia with a reassuring wink. “Trust yourself, Sophia. Be clear about what you want. You don’t have to keep letting others decide for you. What is it you truly want?”
Before she could respond, Olivia yelled, “Ungrateful! If you’d rather be jobless, fine. We’re offering you money for nothing, and you’re turning it down? You’re so ungrateful!”
“Better to trust and be disappointed than to mistrust and be miserable all the time,” Alex added.
Mike’s patience snapped. “I’ve had it with you meddling!”
He lunged at Alex, grabbing his collar. “Do you have a death wish?”
Alex remained remarkably calm. “I’d advise you to let go.”
“Or what?” Mike challenged, his face inches from Alex’s.
Without warning, Mike swung his fist. Alex deftly caught his wrist mid–air.
“Let go… Let go,” Mike whimpered like a pig at butchering, feeling the iron grip crushing his hand, as if his bones might snap.
The pain forced him to bow involuntarily.
“Say please,” Alex replied.
“Please…” Mike forced out, wincing in pain.
“After you kneel,” Alex twisted his hand sharply, and Mike had no choice but to drop down, kneeling under the pressure.
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“Good boy.” Alex released him smoothly. “There. Was that so hard?”
Flustered and humiliated, Mike stumbled back.
“You’ll regret this,” he snarled.
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Mike clutched his wrist, glaring. “Sophia, we offered you a chance, and you threw it away! Don’t expect to be the Lancaster CEO!”
Sophia’s heart wavered.
Was she rejecting a good opportunity? Doubt started to creep in.
But Alex only laughed, stepping closer, resting his hands firmly on her shoulders.
“If Sophia doesn’t get the CEO position with full control, Kingston will never agree to partner with Lancaster Group. So, feel free to refuse her terms but you’ll be watching your precious company go bankrupt.”
Faces around them drained of color.
“And I have no doubt,” Alex continued, “that since Kelly Kingston is fond of Sophia, she’ll give her any job she wants. As for the rest of you, well, the Lancaster name might mean nothing soon enough.”
“Enough with the boasting,” Mike spat. “She’ll never be CEO.”
Lady Amelia’s hand flew out, landing a sharp slap across Mike’s face.
“How dare you speak to your cousin like that! She is the CEO of Lancaster Group!”
Mike’s face flushed, his jaw clenched. “Grandma, wasn’t it you who promised I’d lead this family? You told me I’d be the CEO!”
Lady Amelia’s glare hardened, her patience gone. “One more outburst, and you’re out of this family entirely!” Mike nearly exploded, but Malvin gripped his arm tightly. “Silence. Or your allowance is gone, as well.” Forced into silence, Mike simmered, his eyes burning.
Lady Amelia turned to Sophia, her tone softening, almost pleading.
“Sophia, please, I’m begging you. You’re now the CEO of Lancaster Group, with full control. Just make things right with Miss Kingston. If you don’t… we’re finished.”
Sophia looked to Alex, her mind still spinning.
He shrugged, a small, knowing smile on his face. “I told you–trust your husband.”
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Chapter 74
