Chapter 52

Sofia was unsure what she would do next. The scandal had shaken her, but she was determined to face it head-on. She knew that hiding from it wouldn't solve anything.

As she drank another sip of her coffee, she tried to focus on the tasks ahead. What about Charlotte? She bit her lower lip, but she couldn't avoid the thought.

There were too many scenarios to consider, too many pieces to fit together. She was not willing to let her business suffer because of this. She was determined to visit the house and understand what had been happening.

"Good morning, Miss Lockhart. Old Mr. Beaumont had been trying to reach you since the scandal erupted. I told him you were not taking calls at the moment but that you would call him back when you are available. He is talking about the business in Dubai," Josef informed her, talking about an upcoming business venture.

Sofia's thoughts scattered. Hearing the specifics, she expected Mr. Beaumont—Daniel’s father—to talk about Daniel, but instead, he was calling about an upcoming business venture.

“That reminds me. I will need to check Dubai’s network,” Alexander's words woke her up from her stupor. “For a week.”

“Oh, and the business in Dubai,” Josef added. Her day was coming together, and she couldn't help but wonder if he would be there. Wouldn’t it be nice to introduce him to the team soon enough? Josef finally left for the night.

"Shall we go ahead and continue what we were talking about earlier over wine?" Alexander asked suddenly after they had enjoyed dinner.

Sofia gave him a knowing smile, yet she shook her head in response. “I have a very big day tomorrow. I need to rest,” she said, gently declining. She could only wonder what stories would unfold for her tomorrow.

Just as Sofia expected, the images that were released online did not disappear overnight, but some of the wonder about Charlotte and Daniel did. She knew it must be Daniel and Lawrence’s work, but she did not care. She still had a lot of things to focus on.

The next morning, Sofia looked at her reflection in her rearview mirror. Alexander had insisted on driving her to her office, but she did not want to create more problems, so she chose to drive one of his cars instead. After making sure that her makeup was perfect, she grabbed her bag and walked out of the car, heading towards the parking lot that led to the elevator.

She frowned when she heard a familiar voice. She looked behind her and found Charlotte not too far away. Despite her large black shades and hood that covered her face, Sofia immediately recognized the woman she had once treated as a sister.

For a moment, Sofia wondered why this woman was here instead of being in Europe. Josef had told her that Charlotte was supposed to leave last night. Sadly, Sofia had no choice but to face the situation head-on.

She immediately turned around and started walking towards the elevator, the sound of her heels echoing against the floor. “Wait,” Charlotte said as she ran behind Sofia. “Wait, can we talk? Wait!” Charlotte grabbed Sofia’s arm. “Please.”

“This place is full of CCTV,” Sofia said. She quickly made her way towards a well-lit area with good and working cameras. She was not foolish enough to let this woman try and turn the situation around.

“It was a mistake,” Charlotte uttered. “Daniel and I made the mistake of falling in love.”

Sofia snorted. So, Charlotte came here to tell her that they were in love? For some reason, Sofia thought the woman was here to deny everything or apologize.

When Sofia woke up that morning, she was already aware of the statement that had been issued by the Beaumont Family and Charlotte’s agent.

It was not them.

Apparently, someone used their photos to create a believable deep fake to cause some problems. They already threatened some legal measures against the person who was trying to ruin their reputation.

Obviously, this already attracted the sympathy of many netizens, and some even apologized to Charlotte. So, denying it would be to Charlotte’s benefit.

When Sofia said nothing, Charlotte’s tears started falling from her eyes. “I love him. The reason why he never broke up with you is that he didn’t want to see you hurt. We don’t want to hurt you.”

Really? Now, it was Sofia’s fault? Was this woman delusional? “Were you expecting me to slap you?” Sofia suddenly asked. She could not help but think that this woman was trying to audition for a show. She wanted to turn around and check for a camera crew nearby but chose not to.

“You can have him,” Sofia said before leaning towards Charlotte until their faces were just inches apart. “He is all yours.”

Sofia did not let her emotions get the best of her. She used her other hand to remove Charlotte’s hand from her arm. Then she held her head high as she walked towards the elevator, leaving Charlotte behind.

The moment the elevator doors closed, Sofia’s calm face finally showed some emotion. She leaned against the walls of the elevator, clutching her chest. She did not know what Charlotte’s moves were, but she was certain that it was not anything good.

Miss Amores welcomed her as the elevator doors opened. “I have been trying to call you.”

“I am fine,” Sofia said as she accepted the coffee that Miss Amores handed her.

“Daniel is waiting for you. Our guards tried to lock him out, but he threatened them.”

Sofia frowned. “Did Charlotte send him here?”

“It seems so,” Miss Amores replied.

Was she trying to apologize and get her back? Was that her motive all along? Sofia wondered.

“Keep security on standby. I will take care of this,” Sofia said, and without saying another word, she walked inside her office, spotting Daniel’s red face.

“Why aren’t you answering my calls?” Daniel muttered.

“Stop coming to my office more frequently and treating my staff as if they were yours. You cannot threaten them,” Sofia said, nonchalance apparent in her voice. Obviously, this reaction was enough to surprise Daniel.

“It was not me,” Daniel said, standing up from Sofia’s chair.

Sofia placed the velvet box on the table. “You may take the ring and leave.”

“Are you breaking up with me?” Daniel asked, his voice rising.

“Are you expecting me to welcome you with open arms?” Sofia snapped back. “Are you going to break up with me over some fake photos?” Daniel asked, anger and disbelief flashing in his eyes.

This man can act, Sofia thought inwardly. “Do you really think you can fool me, Daniel? Even an expert said that it was perfectly...” Sofia smirked.

“Leave. I don’t want to see your face ever again.”

“I told you it wasn’t me. Sofia, this—”

“Why don’t you go back to your mother and cry like the baby that you are? Perhaps she will be convinced that they were fakes,” Sofia said.

“You—”

“You must have forgotten one thing, Daniel. I work in the fashion industry. I work with photographers. I know how to spot a fake photo.”

Daniel frowned.

“I already told my grandmother that I am canceling the engagement and will not marry you,” Sofia said. She walked past him, but he quickly grabbed her arm, halting her steps.

“Don’t you trust me?”

“This?” Sofia looked at him. “Do you really think that I could do that to you? Daniel, we have been together for years. Why would I suddenly do something so crazy when we are already planning our marriage?”

“Alex—”

“I told you not to bring him into this. Now why would he do that to you!” Sofia asked.

“To attack me,” Daniel replied.

“Why would he see you as a threat? My father favored him, but our marriage would help with my company. If anything, only Alexander would reap the benefit of our breakup.”

Sofia narrowed her eyes. It seemed that Daniel was right about one thing. Alexander had a hand in this as well. “You really are full of yourself, Daniel. Why would your brother waste his time on you when he is already managing the company? Do you truly believe that you are a threat?”

Again, Sofia snorted. “Charlotte was in the parking lot earlier. She told me how in love you were.”

“What?”

“She told me the reason why you didn’t dare to break up with me was that she did not want you to hurt me. Both of you did not want to hurt me.” Sofia smiled. “So let me do the honor of breaking up with you instead.”

4o