Chapter 172
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“Feally! You have spoken what you truly thought of me.” Alex’s voice quavered with disappointment.
He forced a wry simile, though hurt was etched across his face.
For the longest time, Alex believed he shared a deep, special connection with Sophia.
He did everything in his power to nurture that bond.
Yet, from Sophia’s perspective, there wasn’t even a glimmer of true attachment..
It was as if Alex kept trying to construct a bridge out of thin air.
Eventually, every man must recognize when to press on and when to walk away from a futile endeavor.
“Fine, Sophia. I have overstepped my boundaries,” Alex admitted, his tone laced with resignation.
“Maybe you’re not even worried about Charles drugging your drink. In fact, you probably hoped he would—so you’d have a convenient excuse to get together with him. Am I correct?”
“What nonsense are you spouting?” Sophia snapped, frowning in anger.
Florance stepped between them, throwing a scornful glance at Alex. “If you already know all that, why don’t you step aside? You have nothing to do with our lives anymore so back off!”
Jack sneered, his contempt almost palpable. “Mom, do you really think this loser is willing to let Sophia go? He’s just after her beauty and money. He’s a freak who doesn’t know when to quit! Get lost, you pathetic excuse for a man!”
In that instant, Alex realized Florance and Jack must have known Charles planned to spike Sophia’s drink–and had done nothing to stop it.
He could feel himself sinking into a situation he never should have been part of.
Perhaps it was time to accept that his connection with Sophia had reached its end.
One must know when to cut ties and move on.
Sophia opened her mouth, ready to defend herself, but Alex abruptly interjected,
“I am really sorry for sticking my nose where it didn’t belong. I wish the best for you and Charles.”
It was Sophia’s turn to reel in shock.
Her expression was a maelstrom of disbelief, disappointment, and regret. Never in a million years had she expected Alex to speak to her like this–did he truly think so little of her?
“Alex! I’m utterly disappointed in you!” Sophia hissed through gritted teeth.
She spun on her heel and stormed off, her emotions dangerously close to boiling over.
Rooted to the spot, Alex felt anger and heartbreak crashing over him in waves.
Florance turned away as well, tossing a barbed comment over her shoulder. “Good. If you know your place, stop looking for fny daughter.”
Jack added a mocking laugh. “You’re one twisted individual ”
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Chapter 172.
At that moment, Charles approached.
The charming smile he had worn earlier mutated into a derisive smirk.
+25 BONUS
“Alex, everything you said was correct. I spiked Sophia’s drink. So what? Her family’s practically begging me to marry into it,” Charles whispered coldly into Alex’s car.
“Besides, who’s going to believe you? Sophia’s enchanted by me, and she’ll always have my back. Nothing you say can change that. I bet you’re fuming right now, aren’t you?
“Helpless, too. Actually, I should thank you this little fiasco only strengthened our bond. Soon enough, she’ll be completely in love with me and begging for my bed. And after I’m done with her, I’ll tear her entire family to shreds until nothing but ashes remain.”
He threw his head back and cackled with wicked glee.
At last, the gentlemanly façade had fallen away, revealing something far more poisonous, like a serpent poised to strike.
Seething with fury, Alex clenched his fists so tightly his knuckles cracked, desperately trying not to lash out.
Charles went on, his voice a venomous hiss: “You saved Jasmine’s life when she was supposed to die. You twisted her mind to make me look like the villain.”
“But trust me–I’ll be the winner in the end. You’ll watch Sophia become my personal plaything. I’ll drug her whenever I see fit, let others toy with her, record every sick moment, and spread it around until she finally understands just how cruel this world can be.”
That was the final straw. Alex lost what little self–control he had left and slammed his fist into Charles’s face.
Charles stumbled back onto a nearby table, sending shockwaves of alarm through Sophia and Florance, who had already been walking away.
“Alex!” Sophia cried in disbelief. “What the fuck are you doing?”
“He…” Alex began, but the words died in his throat.
He knew she would never believe him.
Jack seized the moment, hurling insults at Alex. “you must be fucking jealous Sophia so close to Charles!”
Sophia stormed up to Alex, her heart pounding with fear that Charles might sever his family’s partnership with the Kingstons because of him. Without hesitation, she struck him hard across the face. “Stay out of my life!”
All Alex could see was the storm of pain, fear, disbelief, and rage swirling in Sophia’s eyes.
The sting of her slap was nothing compared to the shattering pain in his heart.
Sophia turned to Charles with trembling concern. “Mister Charles, are you okay?”
“It hurts,” Charles groaned, feigning a serious injury.
“Let’s get out of here,” Sophia said, her voice tight with mixed emotions.
“Yeah,” Florance added. “The owner here is just some nouveau riche jerk who thinks he can flex his mor beat people up. We’ll report him to the police and shut down this place.”
and
“Don’t worry, Mom,” Jack chimed in. “I’ll plaster this all over social media: the owner assaulted Charles
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Chapter 172
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Kingston. We’ll see how long this stupid restaurant lasts. What an arrogant loser does he think money makes him untouchable?”
it’s fine,” Charles said, stopping them and shooting Alex contemptuous glare.
“I know you still love Sophia, but you toyed with my sister too. You’re just greedy. Owning a single restaurant doesn’t grant you a throne over everyone else. Don’t be ridiculous. And learn how to be a real gentleman.”
“What a great man you are, Charles,” Florance gushed, practically glowing with approval.
“Let’s just get away from this place,” Sophia muttered, her voice full of conflicted emotions. “I don’t want to be here any longer.”
Jack aimed one last sneer at Alex. “Did you hear her? You’re disgusting. Stay away from her–permanently.”
And with that, they all turned their backs on Alex, leaving him standing there alone–heartbroken, outraged, and drowning in a pain that felt like it would never end.
‘There comes a time when you have to stop crossing oceans for people who wouldn’t even jump a puddle for you.‘
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