Chapter 85

Chapter 85

For years, Sofia wondered how it would feel to have a good relationship with her grandmother. Just as she finally had the chance

for that to happen, her grandmother left.

She glanced at the flowers surrounding the urn. The scent of lilies hung heavily in the air, a stark contrast to the vibrant woman

they were honoring. Sofia traced the smooth surface of the urn, the polished wood cool against her fingertips. It felt so final, a

cruel punctuation mark on a life well-lived.

Around her, murmurs of condolence swirled, distant like underwater echoes. Sofia wanted to cry too, but the tears wouldn't

come. Was it strange? Probably. All she felt was a hollow ache in her chest, a suffocating numbness.

Earlier, at the hospital, the doctor’s words echoed in her ears: “peaceful passing,” they had said. But there was nothing peaceful

about this. It felt more like a theft, a cruel joke that snatched away the one person who had truly understood her in this whole

mess.

Alexander stood a few paces back, his face etched with stoic grief. “My condolences. ...” a voice suddenly caught her attention.

Sofia’s eyes landed on the old man in a wheelchair. This was none other than William Clarence. “Your grandmother was... a very

respectable woman.”

“Thank you,” Sofia said. She offered William Clarence a tight smile, silently acknowledging his kind words. It had been a

whirlwind since her grandmother’s passing. News had spread quickly, and the outpouring of support had been overwhelming yet

comforting.

Eulanda, ever the planner, had left specific instructions for her own goodbye. She didn’t want a grand affair filled with distant

acquaintances.

Instead, she desired a small, intimate gathering — just two hours for close friends and family to share memories and celebrate

her life. The scent of lilies, Eulanda’s favorite flower, filled the room, a gentle fragrance that mingled with the soft murmurs of

shared stories and laughter.

She looked around and noticed a few members of the Lockhart Family, faces she had not seen in the past. Sadly, she was not

that close to this side of the family as her mother-Eunice, and Lawrence cut off contact with most of them when they refused to

accept Lawrence and Charlotte into the family.

Most, if not all, members of the Lockhart Family were quite close to Eulanda. And just like Eulanda, they initially declined

Lawrence's request to take on the Lockhart last name. The fact that Lawrence married her mother didn’t automatically mean that

he, along with his daughter, was welcome at any event.

Because of this, Sofia grew up without attending Lockhart Family events as her mother refused to come without Lawrence and

Charlotte. Young Sofia never asked questions, and when she grew up, she too developed a sense of protectiveness over

Charlotte.

At one point, she hated the members of the Lockhart Family for not accepting Lawrence and Charlotte. William, along with his

grandson, found their own seat just as Sofia continued talking to a few other people.

“Wherever she is... | am certain she was satisfied with the life that she lived.” A woman suddenly interrupted Sofia’s stupor. Sofia

looked at the woman who stood by her side. In response, the woman stared back at her. Green eyes-just like hers. “I have not

seen you since you were a child...” the woman added. “You do remember me... right?”

“Annabelle Lockhart...” Sofia mumbled.

“lam your Aunt. You should call me that.”

Sofia pursed her lips. Anna is a well-known member of the Lockhart Family. However, she could no longer remember meeting

the woman once. Anna is actually her mother’s second cousin and has been living in Europe all this time. She would only come

back to the US to attend family events.

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Chapter 85

However, before Sofia could answer, Anna already walked away, her back straight. A bittersweet ache settled in Sofia’s chest as

she watched her unfamiliar, aunt disappear into the crowd.

The two hours of the wake Eulanda had planned were drawing to a close. The air, thick with the scent of lilies and the murmur of

shared memories, felt heavy with both grief and love.

“Are you alright?” she heard Alexander's voice behind her.

“| should ask you the same thing...” she turned around and smiled at him. “You have been with me since yesterday.” She

couldn’t understand why he would suddenly cancel all of his plans just to come here. This was no longer part of their deal.

Strangely enough, his presence gave her a little bit of confidence

“You wanted me to leave my wife at a time like this?” he arched an eyebrow. A blush heated Sofia’s cheeks. “It wasn’t my

intention to cause trouble,” she mumbled, her gaze flickering back to the urn. It was a weak defense, and they both knew it.

Alexander stepped closer, his voice a low murmur that sent shivers down her spine. “No trouble at all,” he said. She didn’t know

if this was intentional, but somehow Sofia felt a little warmer. It was as if he moved to protect her from the cold.

Sofia cleared her throat, the sudden awareness of his nearness throwing her off balance. “We should probably head out soon,”

she said, her voice barely a whisper.

“Hmmmm..” Sofia could feel his warmth starting to spread around her. Being with him was indeed very comforting.

“He’s here...” Karina’s voice interrupted her stupor. “Lawrence Lockhart just arrived with the shareholders of LH GROUP.”

Sofia’s lips thinned. Her expression turned cold as her eyes moved towards the entrance. Almost immediately, she found what

she was looking for. Lawrence Lockhart.

The man walked in wearing an all-black crisp suit, his expression morose. What fakery!

“Is it time?” she met Karina’s eyes.

“Yes,” Karina said. “Everything is ready.”

“Good.” Sofia turned towards Lawrence. “You came...” she said.

“How could | not?” Lawrence said. “My condolences...” Lawrence said. “Eulanda has been... she was not just the pillar of

support for LH GROUP. She is LH GROUP herself”

What a load of nonsense.

Sofia wanted to curse. Instead, she turned her attention towards the other shareholders. “Thank you for coming.”

Aripple of commotion spread through the room as Lawrence, clad in a mourning suit that seemed a touch too perfect, took a

seat with the other shareholders.

Sofia watched him, her blood turning to ice despite the warmth radiating from Alexander beside her. His condolences, dripping

with false sincerity, were a bitter pill to swallow.

Just as she was about to address the assembled group, the heavy pak doors at the back of the room swung open

with a bang. Two sharply dressed familiar people walked in. Almost immediately, Sofia’s gaze landed on Lawrence, who was

strangely staring at her as well.

For a moment, their gazes met. She could sense the confidence in the man’s eyes, perhaps even arrogance.

Not for long, Sofia thought inwardly as her gaze landed on the two people who walked in. They were none other than Special

Agent Emily Parker along with Special Agent Marcus Reynolds.

Tomorrow's Affairs

Chapter 85

“Miss Lockhart...” Emily Parker greeted her. “I apologize for barging in here unannounced. But we are looking for Mr. Lawrence

Lockhart?” Emily scanned the crowd and immediately found who she was looking for.