Chapter 214

#214 “It’s Also Foolish to Avoid the Facts.”

Sophia carefully laid out the documents on the table, each one a piece of the intricate puzzle she was trying to solve. She watched Benjamin closely as he scanned the papers, his brow furrowing in concentration.

“I came because I wanted to talk about your mother,” Sophia began, her voice steady but tinged with urgency. “My grandfather wired large sums of money to Audrey Thompson for years. I also spoke with Jeremy Gostler. He told me that my grandfather often visited your mother when he was in London. I was wondering if there was a chance I could talk to her.”

Benjamin’s expression darkened as he studied the documents before him, his silence stretching between them like an invisible barrier. Finally, he spoke, his voice weighed down by the gravity of their shared history.

“To be honest, I haven’t spoken to her since the revelation that we are brother and sister. I couldn’t…”

Benjamin trailed off, his words heavy with unspoken emotions.

Sophia reached out, placing a reassuring hand on his arm. “I understand,” she said softly. “If you’re not ready for that, there’s no need to do anything. Your comfort comes first.”

Benjamin hesitated, his gaze fixed on the documents before him. After a moment of contemplation, he sighed, a mixture of resignation and determination in his voice. “No,” he said firmly. “It’s been too long. I should know the truth. It’s also foolish to avoid the facts.”

Sophia nodded in understanding, her heart going out to him in empathy. She knew that confronting their past, no matter how painful was the only way to uncover the truth hidden within their family’s tangled history.

Sophia breathed a sigh of relief, grateful that Benjamin was willing to confront the past alongside her. ”

Thank you, Benjamin,” she said, her voice filled with genuine gratitude.

Benjamin took out his phone and dialed his mother’s number. Benjamin waited anxiously as the phone rang on the other end. After a few moments, Audrey’s voice came through the line, sounding slightly weary but unmistakably warm.

“Benjamin, darling, is everything alright?” she asked, her concern evident in her tone.

Benjamin took a deep breath, steeling himself for the conversation ahead. ” Yes, Mother, everything’s fine,” he replied, his voice steady despite the nervous flutter in his chest. “I just wanted to ask if we could meet tomorrow. There are some things I need to discuss with you. And Sophia will be joining us.”

There was a brief pause on the line before Audrey responded, her voice tinged with curiosity. “Of course, dear, ” she said. “I’ll make arrangements for us to meet. Is everything alright with Sophia?”

Benjamin exchanged a quick glance with Sophia, who nodded encouragingly. “Yes, Mother, everything’s fine,” he assured her. “We just have some questions we’d like to ask you, that’s all.”

Audrey seemed to sense the seriousness of the situation, and her tone turned more solemn. “Alright, Benjamin,” she said. “We’ll talk tomorrow. Take care, both of you.”

With that, they exchanged goodbyes, and Benjamin ended the call, a sense of determination settling over him. He turned to Sophia, a faint smile playing on his lips. “We’ll meet her tomorrow,” he said, his voice tinged with a mixture of apprehension and anticipation. ” We’ll finally get some answers.”

When Sophia left and was already completely alone in the taxi, she couldn’t help but think about the report she had seen earlier. As the taxi weaved through the bustling streets of London, Sophia’s mind was consumed with worry for Alexander. The accusations made against him in the report lingered in her thoughts like a dark cloud, casting a shadow over her already troubled mind.

She couldn’t shake the feeling of guilt that gnawed at her insides, knowing that her presence in Alexander’s life had inadvertently dragged him into the whirlwind of controversy surrounding her grandfather’s legacy. Yet, despite her concern, she couldn’t deny the truth that abandoning her now would only further tarnish Alexander’s reputation.

Sophia’s fingers trembled slightly as she reached for her phone, her heart pounding with anticipation as she dialed Alexander’s number. Each ring felt like an eternity as she waited for him to answer, her anxiety mounting with each passing second.

Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, Alexander’s voice came through the line, sounding weary but unmistakably comforting.

“Hello?” he answered, his voice filled with a mixture of exhaustion and concern.

“Alexander, it’s me,” Sophia replied, relief flooding through her at the sound of his voice. “I saw the report… I just wanted to check in, and make sure you’re okay.”

There was a brief pause on the other end of the line before Alexander responded, his voice tinged with a hint of weariness. “I’m hanging in there,” he admitted. “But honestly, Sophia, I’m more worried about you. Are you alright?”

Sophia felt a lump form in her throat at Alexander’s words, touched by his concern for her well-being despite the storm raging around them. “I’m okay,” she reassured him, her voice barely above a whisper.

“I talked to Benjamin, I’m meeting Audrey tomorrow.”

“That’s good,” Alexander responded, his voice carrying a hint of fatigue. ” Honey, I’m going to have to hang up, they’re waiting for me in the boardroom.”

“Of course. I love you,” Sophia replied softly, but before she could say more, Alexander had already ended the call.

Sophia’s heart sank as she imagined Alexander navigating the tense atmosphere of the boardroom alone. She knew he was facing immense pressure, both professionally and personally, and she couldn’t shake the guilt weighing heavily on her conscience.

Returning to her hotel room, Sophia felt a sense of helplessness wash over her. She longed to be by Alexander’s side, to offer him comfort and support in his time of need. But all she could do was wait, her thoughts consumed by worry for him.

Curling up on the bed, Sophia stared at the ceiling, her mind racing with thoughts of Alexander and their uncertain future. The weight of their situation pressed down on her, threatening to overwhelm her fragile resolve.

Despite her exhaustion, sleep eluded her as she tossed and turned in the dimly lit room. She knew that with the time difference, it would be hours before she could hear from Alexander again. But she refused to succumb to self-pity, reminding herself that she had a role to play in their struggle for justice.

With a silent vow to stand by Alexander’s side no matter what, Sophia finally closed her eyes, seeking solace in the fleeting embrace of sleep. She drifted off, her dreams haunted by visions of a brighter tomorrow where they could finally find peace together.