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Chapter 96
Chapter 96
That morning, the Lancaster mansion was anything but peaceful.
In the grand living room, Florance stood in front of Justin, practically shaking with anger.
“You’re worthless as a father!” she shouted. “All you do is sit around watching garbage on TV!”
Justin frowned, more irritated than surprised: “What do you want from me?”
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“How about acting like a dad for once? Our daugliter is in trouble over that massive loan. You need to help figure out a solution!” Florance’s frustration bled through her every word.
Justin let out a tired sigh. “And what exactly do you expect me to do?”
“Look at the bigger picture! Your brother is already waiting for Sophia to fail so he can give Mike her position in the company. We can’t let that happen!”
Rolling his eyes, Justin scrolled aimlessly on his phone. “I don’t have that kind of money, and you know it.” Florance glared at him. “You’re good for nothing except your so–called manhood!”
“Fine!” Justin snapped. “What do you want me to do?”
“Marco Ashford,” Florance said, her voice firm. “He’s always liked Sophia. Now that Chris Roland’s out of the picture, Marco might be interested in her again.”
“But Sophia’s already married,” Justin pointed out, his brow creasing.
Florance scoffed. “Not officially, not in our eyes. That man she married is just a leech clinging to our daughter.” Justin gave a weary shrug. “Have it your way.”
A satisfied smile spread across Florance’s face as she dialed her phone. “Marco, hi! It’s Florance. How have you been?”
“Florance! Good to hear from you.” Marco’s friendly tone purred through the receiver. “What’s on your mind?” “Oh, nothing urgent,” Florance said sweetly, dancing around her true intentions. “Just wanted to catch up on how you’ve been.”
Marco chuckled. “I’m doing fine, thanks. How about Sophia?”
Florance’s smile tightened. “She’s doing very well, actually She just took over as director of the Lancaster Group.” “Congratulations to her!” Marco replied, genuinely pleased
Florance handed the phone to Justin, hissing under her breath, “Ask him to help our daughter!”
“What?” Justin whispered back, clueless. Still, he lifted the phone. “Marco, I need some advice.”
“Sure, Uncle. What’s going on?” Marco asked politely.
Justin cleared his throat. “Sophia took over Chris Roland’s business and discovered a huge loan with Cole Financing. Since you know your way around the finance world…”
“I do,” Marco confirmed. “I know the head of Cole Financing personally.”
Justin’s relief was obvious. “Great. Think you can talk to them? See if they’ll give Sophia more time or adjust the payment plan? She just landed a partnership with Kingston so she’ll have resources soon.”
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Chapter 96
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“Wait–Sophia’s partnerling with Kingston?” Marco asked surprised.
“Yes,” Justin said quickly.
“Alright, I’ll help,” Marco replied. “I’ll make a call.”
“Thank you,” Justin said, exhaling with relief.
Florance immediately snatched the phone.
“By the way, Marco,” she said with a sly sweetness, “if you have time, could you meet Sophia? Now that Chris Roland is gone, she’s been missing your company.”
Marco hesitated. “But I heard she’s married.”
“Oh, that’s just some arrangement her grandfather forced on her,” Florance said dismissively. “It’s nothing.”
“Fine,” Marco sighed. “I’ll meet her today.”
“Thank you, Marco,” Florance cooed, satisfaction evident.
The moment the call ended, Marco dialed Cathy Black. She was riding in her limousine, phone pressed to her ear.
“What is it, sweetie?” Cathy asked, her tone silky yet edged
“Darling, I have a friend–Sophia–who borrowed from Cole Financing. Could you ask them to go easy on her? Maybe extend the terms or lower the installments?” Marco asked, slipping easily into charm.
At the mention of Sophia’s name, Cathy’s expression darkened.
She knew her husband, Charles Cole, had tried to toy with Sophia behind her back.
This favor for Sophia felt like a slap in the face.
Yet, Cathy managed to force a smile, though venom simmered just beneath the surface.
“Sure, Marco,” she said, a sly curl forming at the corners of her lips.
She was certain she’d kill Sophia on sight. “I’ll take care of it. But in return, you know you owe me our usual… arrangement.”
“No problem,” Marco agreed smoothly. “I’ll see you tonight.”
Hanging up, Marco felt reassured.
If Cathy promised, it meant Sophia’s loan would be sorted. He waited all day for Cathy’s call, but it never came. Impatient and suspicious, he decided to track Sophia down using info from her parents.
By the time he found her at a restaurant, the sight of her stunned him.
Sophia had grown more elegant and self–assured.
Now the head of the Lancaster Company and an official partner of Kingston, she radiated confidence.
Marco felt an almost desperate need to be near her, to remind her of his place in her life.
But there was Alex–the so–called “husband“-sitting by her side.
Marco made a silent vow to remove that obstacle, whatever it took.
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Chapter 28
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“Sophia,” he said, stepping forward with an inviting smile
“Did you help with my loan?” she blurted, voice trembling with hope.
Marco, convinced Cathy had come through, nodded confidently. “Of course. If was no trouble.”
“But…” Sophia faltered, frowning. “That money is a lot, Marco.”
He offered her a gentle smile, all the while thinking, What the trouble with arranging a loan? You just have to pay it back later anyway.
“Sophia, 1 value you far more than any amount of money. Please, don’t let something like this burden you. If I ever need a favor, I’ll let you know.”
Sophia’s face brightened with relief. “Thank you, Marco. You have no idea how much this means to me.”
Marco pulled out a chair beside her and leaned in.
“You mean a lot to me, Sophia,” he murmured, eyes intent on hers. “More than anything.”
Sophia’s cheeks flushed, her gaze dropping in shy embarrassment.
From the other side of the table, Lyra elbowed Alex sharply leaning in to whisper, “Aren’t you going to, I don’t know, cough or something?”
Alex raised an eyebrow. “And why would I do that?”
Lyra rolled her eyes. “To snap them out of this… pink bubble they’re in. She’s your wife!”
Alex met her glare calmly. “She’s a free woman, before marriage and after.”
Lyra stared, taken aback. “Then what does marriage mean to you?”
Alex’s voice was soft but resolute. “It means having a special place beside the woman I love. Giving her everything without ever asking for anything back. Being happy just being with her.”
Lyra’s eyes widened.
She opened her mouth before thinking, blurting out, “Will you marry me?”
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