Chapter 175

#174 “Surprised to See Me, Son?”

Evelyn looked at Alexander in confusion. She had just arrived at Sophia’s apartment to check the watch box, as she had been asked, and encountering Alexander there was unexpected.

“Sophia is in her grandfather’s old house,” Evelyn informed him. “Didn’t you know?”

“Of course I know,” Alexander replied cheekily. “What are you doing here?”

“Sophia contacted me to check on something in her apartment,” Evelyn explained.

“So she’s answering your calls,” Alexander retorted sharply.

“I don’t understand what’s going on,” Evelyn admitted, her brow furrowing with concern.

“Since she left, Sophia hasn’t called me once,” Alexander remarked, frustration evident in his voice.

“She must be busy, Alexander,” Evelyn countered gently. “Trust her a little.”

“I trust her, but I don’t trust Benjamin.

As their conversation lingered in the air, Alexander’s agitation seemed to grow, fueled by his lingering suspicions and the frustration of not being able to reach Sophia.

“I just have a bad feeling about this whole situation,” Alexander muttered, his tone tinged with concern.

Evelyn regarded him with a sympathetic expression, understanding the turmoil he must be experiencing. “I know you care about Sophia deeply, Alexander. But sometimes, we have to trust that the people we love know what’s best for them.”

“I know, but…” Alexander trailed off, unable to articulate the swirl of emotions churning within him.

Evelyn placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. “Sophia will come around, Alexander. Give her time.”

Despite her reassurances, Alexander couldn’t shake the sense of unease that gnawed at him. He felt powerless, trapped in a web of uncertainty and doubt.

“Thank you, Evelyn,” Alexander said quietly. “I appreciate your support.”

Evelyn offered him a reassuring smile. As Alexander turned to leave, Evelyn continued her search for the watch box, determined to fulfill Sophia’s request. After a thorough examination of the apartment, she finally spotted the box tucked away in a corner.

With a sense of accomplishment, Evelyn carefully retrieved the box and began to examine its contents.

As she sifted through the items inside, her eyes widened in surprise when she discovered a small key nestled among the trinkets.

Excited by her discovery, Evelyn reached for her phone to call Sophia and share the news. However, to her dismay, Sophia didn’t pick up despite several attempts.

Perplexed by Sophia’s lack of response, Evelyn decided to contact Benjamin, hoping he might have better luck reaching her. As Evelyn’s call connected, Benjamin’s voice greeted her almost instantly, his eagerness evident in his tone.

“I found a key in the watch case,” Evelyn exclaimed, her excitement palpable through the phone.

“That’s fantastic news!” Benjamin exclaimed, a smile evident in his voice. “I’m putting you on speaker so Sophia can hear you.”

Sophia’s voice chimed in, her tone warm and relieved. “Hello, Evelyn,” she greeted her friend.

Evelyn wasted no time in relaying her discovery. “I found the key. Now what do I do?” she asked, her voice filled with anticipation.

“Please send it to me by express mail,” Sophia instructed, her tone decisive.

“Of course,” Evelyn agreed readily. Sophia, why don’t you answer your phone, I called you several times,” she added, curiosity laced in her voice.

Sophia hesitated for a moment before admitting, “I lost my phone.”

Evelyn couldn’t help but laugh at Sophia’s admission, a hint of amusement coloring her voice. “You never lose a case, but when it comes to the phone,” she teased gently.

The playful banter elicited laughter from everyone on the call, a moment of levity amidst the excitement of their discovery.

“Okay, Sophia, I’m sending you the key right now,” Evelyn promised.

With a sense of relief and anticipation, Sophia and Benjamin awaited the arrival of the key, hopeful that it would unlock the secrets hidden within the safe.

*

As Alexander stormed out of Sophia’s apartment building, his mind seethed with frustration and hurt.

Why was Sophia avoiding him? Why was she talking to everyone except him? The questions gnawed at him, fueling the fire of his anger as he made his way back to his own apartment.

Lost in his turbulent thoughts, Alexander barely noticed the figure that approached him on the sidewalk.

It was a man who exuded an aura of malevolence, his features twisted into a sinister smirk. There was something unnerving about the way the man moved, a predatory grace that set off alarm bells in Alexander’s mind.

“Alexander?” the man’s voice was smooth, but there was a chilling edge to it that made Alexander’s blood run cold.

Alexander’s gaze snapped up, his eyes narrowing as he studied the man before him. It took a moment for recognition to dawn, and when it did, Alexander felt a surge of anger flood over him.

“Father,” he said, feeling his anger grow more and more.

The man’s smirk widened. “Surprised to see me, son?” he purred, his voice dripping with malice.