Chapter 33

Daniel sighed. “I apologize for being so busy. I know you need me. However, the things that I am doing now are for our future.”

Sofia wanted to tell him that he was only doing things that could benefit his future, not hers. But she chose to keep her mouth shut as she nodded. Seeing this, he suddenly walked around the table, decreasing the distance between them even further. Then he patted her head. “I bought this for you,” he said as he placed a small velvet black box in front of her.

Sofia immediately tensed. She looked at him.

“Open it,” he smiled and gestured for her to open the box. For a while, she hesitated. Then she slowly opened it and was relieved to see a small necklace instead.

“It’s a rare pink diamond. I bought it in Brunei. I thought it would suit you very well.”

Sofia stared at the pendant. It was a heart-shaped white gold. In the middle of it was the small pink diamond. “It’s beautiful.”

“Let me put it on you.”

“No.” Sofia suddenly slapped his hand when he was about to touch the necklace. “I mean I don’t want to wear it right now. I don’t think it suits my clothes.” Sofia gave an awkward laugh. “It’s your gift, and I don’t want to tarnish it by wearing something cheap.”

Daniel arched his eyebrow but did not ask any more questions. Instead, he lowered his head and kissed her forehead. Goosebumps skittered through her skin as memories of what he did with Charlotte filled her head.

“Mother wanted to finally meet you,” Daniel said. “I know I have been delaying this for so long, but I told her I wanted to marry someone. She asked me to meet you.”

“Your mother?” Sofia thought about the past when she wanted to meet Daniel's mother. She asked him multiple times to set up this meeting, but he never did. This was because he wanted to prove to his mother that he could stand on his own before having a serious relationship with any woman.

In the past, Sofia never doubted that reasoning. In fact, she admired Daniel’s determination. However, as time passed by, Sofia wanted to spend some holidays with the Beaumont Family and thought it would be a nice gesture if she met his mother. Moreover, both of them had already graduated college and were at the right age to start a serious relationship.

Still, Daniel refused.

She was almost certain that this was another ploy. With her upcoming birthday, Daniel would want her to slowly integrate herself into the Beaumont Family.

“How about this weekend?” Daniel asked. “The annual meeting will happen today. Don’t you need to at least take a small break?”

Sofia said nothing. Instead, she thought of Mrs. Teresa Pitt Beaumont—Daniel’s mother. Mrs. Teresa Beaumont is a well-known socialite in New York.

She was famous for hosting grand parties and charity events in the city. Teresa was known to be elegant and graceful, always seen in the most fashionable outfits. Her reputation as a socialite was not just about attending events; she actively participated in various charitable causes, making her a respected figure in high society.

Despite her New York roots, Teresa chose to settle in Chicago when she married into the Beaumont Family. The decision was rooted in love, as she wanted to be with the man she cared for deeply. Living in Chicago, she brought a touch of New York glamour to the Beaumont household.

Her days were filled with social gatherings, fundraisers, and managing the Beaumont estate. However, beneath the polished exterior, Teresa was a caring mother who wanted the best for her sons, Alexander and Daniel.

Because of the influence of the Beaumont Bank, no one actually knew that Alexander’s real mother was not Teresa. Even Sofia didn’t know.

“Come on, babe,” Daniel said. “We have been working so much in the past few months, we barely spend time together. Can you just spend a day with me?”

She had been asking him in the past. She was once a naive woman who would ask him to schedule a date so they could spend time together.

But what did this result in? He was always busy with business, traveling, and golfing with clients. Then, he would spend his rest days sleeping. She already asked herself why she settled for this kind of treatment for years. In the end, she could not answer her own questions.

“All right,” Sofia said. “I will tell Miss Amores about it.”

“Good. Cancel everything for the weekend. I have a surprise for you,” Daniel said. Sofia was smiling, feeling certain that Daniel would propose this weekend. Meanwhile, the other half was wondering if he invited Lawrence and Charlotte for his proposal. It would be nice if he did. “Alright. I still have things to prepare for the meeting.”

“You are still going?” Daniel asked, surprise flashing in his eyes.

“After the scandal?” Daniel made a deliberate pause. “I was thinking that it would be nice if you simply give the CEO position of LH DESIGN to another candidate for you to take a break. After all—”

“I have no plans of leaving the company,” Sofia smiled. Daniel must be talking about the fact that the company was currently getting canceled because of Charlotte’s fans and that bullying and plagiarism issue.

Again, he stared at her. From the perspective of business, leaving the company and disappearing in silence might be a great choice but this is not something that Sofia was willing to do.

As if on cue, her phone started ringing. Then there was a knock on the door. “The Director is on the other line,” Miss Amores said.

Sofia smiled and looked at Daniel. “I am going to take this call,” she said, signaling it was his turn to leave and stop irritating her.

“Of course.” He tried to lean closer, perhaps for a kiss, but Sofia already turned to the other side to answer the phone.

“Father?” Sofia said. Relief flashed inside her when she saw Daniel leave her office. She wondered why that man was able to come inside her office, even though she told the guards not to allow Daniel or Charlotte inside.

“You filed a case without informing our legal team.” Lawrence’s voice was cold. “Sofia, what are you doing?”

“I thought it was the right thing to do.”

“Not informing the legal team is NEVER right,” Lawrence emphasized the word never. “And I know that you are perfectly capable if you make a single mistake.”

“Father, my reputation is at stake. Those... to take matters into my own hands. I need to show the board that I am capable. I know that is what you wanted me to do,” Sofia said. She tried to hide the sarcasm in her voice. Just as she expected, there was a brief silence on the other line. “Am I right, father?” she asked.

“Of course.” Lawrence let out a sharp sigh. “I just thought you were too young. If you keep this strong act, the shareholders will devour you like a lamb. Sofia, I promised your mother,” he made another pause. “I promised her that I will protect you.”

“Yet, you were not able to protect her from that Dr. Mulach,” Sofia said.

“That was never my intention.”

“I know,” Sofia said. “I know how much you love Mother, and we are very lucky to have you,” Sofia added while rolling her eyes. Then her voice softened. “I just thought that...” She let out a dramatic sigh. “Never mind. I will see you later.”

“Right,” Lawrence said. “About your mother...”

“Let's talk about this after the meeting,” Sofia said. Then, she ended the call without waiting for his response.