Chapter 32

#32 “Sophia is A Force to be Reckoned with.”

After parting ways with Michael, Sophia continued her day at the hotel. Little did she know, Michael’s encounter with her had an unexpected outcome.

Watching Sophia walk away, Michael found himself crossing paths with Emily Williams within the bustling corridors of the hotel. A smile crosses his lips. He couldn’t help but seize the moment to engage in some playful banter, his tone flippant as he teased her.

“Well, well, if it isn’t Alexander’s girlfriend. Waiting here for a romantic date, I assume?” Michael says as she slides up alongside Emily.

Emily’s cheeks flushed a faint shade of pink, a mix of embarrassment and surprise sweeping over her features. Stammering, Emily replies, “I-what? No, I’m not his girlfriend. I’m here for something else entirely.”

Michael’s eyes sparkled mischievously, the bouquet of vibrant flowers in his hand that Sophia had rejected. He presents it with a dramatic flourish. With a grin, Micheal replies, “Ah, so you’re saying you’re not here to sweep him off his feet?”

Emily’s initial embarrassment morphed into amusement; her voice laced with a touch of sarcasm. “Oh, absolutely. I’m just here to woo him away from the glamorous life he’s living.”

Michael laughed, finding her candidness refreshing. “Well, in that case, I’ve got a bouquet of hope right here.” As Emily looked at the bouquet, her playful demeanor shifted, and she met his gaze with an unexpectedly serious expression.

“Michael, is it possible… could it be Sophia Johnson you’re chasing after?” Emily pointedly ask.

Michael’s grin wavered for a split second, replaced by an intrigued expression. “And if it were?”

Emily’s gaze held his, her voice laced with genuine curiosity. “Interesting. Just remember, Sophia is a force to be reckoned with.”

As they conversed, it became apparent that their paths were not entirely disconnected. Sophia’s name wove its way into their dialogue, revealing unexpected connections. Michael asks with surprise, “Wait, so Sophia is working here too?”

“Yes, and her work is linked to a friend of my mother’s.”

“That is very interesting,” Michael responds with a wink. As the two continue to talk, their words are overheard by the journalist keen that has been snooping around the hotel.

“Excuse me, ,” the journalist says as he pushes his way between Emily and Michael, “but did I hear you mention the name Sophia Johnson?”

Emily’s eyes lit up. She knew that she could use this journalist to exact some revenge on Sophia, or at least make Sophia’s day crappy. With a smile, she answers the journalist, “We might have been discussing her. Why?”

Approaching the journalist says, ” Would either of you be willing to share more about what’s happening here or why Sophia Johnson is here? Of course you can do it off the record.”

Emily’s eyes gleamed with mischief as her clever idea took a full shape in her mind. She exchanged a glance with Michael before turning to the journalist with an inviting smile.

Emily replies, “You know, I am neither confirming nor denying anything about Ms. Johnson but, I think I have an idea that might pique your interest. How about I give you access to certain hotel interior areas?

There might be a story waiting to be uncovered.”

The journalist’s excitement was palpable as he eagerly accepted Emily’s offer. As he was guided deeper into the hotel, Emily discreetly whispered, “You might find the person you are looking for in the conference room at the end of the hallway.”

Meanwhile, Sophia’s quest to retrieve her missing earring led her back to the same meeting room where her client and his secretary were engrossed in hushed conversation. The atmosphere shifted as she entered, their abrupt silence a testament to their discomfort.

Irritated Sophia asks, “Is there something I should know?” Her client cleared his throat, attempting to regain his composure. “Ah, Sophia, we were just discussing strategies for the upcoming negotiations.”

Sophia’s gaze held an unwavering intensity; her instincts alert to the possibility of more than met the eye. “Transparency is paramount. I trust everything is above board?” Sophia replies. The secretary’s eyes darted nervously to the client, and then back to Sophia.

The client took a step toward Sophia and said, “And with all great negotiations comes some wiggle room, wouldn’t you agree Ms. Johnson?”

The client gave a brief look to his secretary and nodded. She nodded in return and left the room quickly.

“What is going on?” Sophia asked again, her irritation showing. “I have an idea,” the client began. What if we talk to the other lawyers? I am sure there is some way we can work something out. Right?”

Sophia knew her client was talking about bribing the other lawyer, but wanted to hear him say it himself. She raised an eyebrow and commented, Sure. We can always try to cut a deal to avoid court.

If that is what you are referring to.”

Her client chuckled and replied in an overtly condescending tone, “I was thinking something more direct. Something that says is 10 million ways more direct.”

Sophia’s tone remained resolute as she addressed them. “I am afraid that is impossible. Upholding ethical standards is non-negotiable.”

“Hmm, that’s a shame, the client responded.

“If that is your idea of how this should run, you might want to find a new lawyer,” Sophia replied. With that, she left the room, the weight of her responsibilities as a lawyer and her commitment to justice guiding her actions.

As Sophia left the conference room, she was unaware that her entire conversations with her client and his secretary were witnessed by the journalist that Emily had guided her way.

The journalist watched Sophia walk to the elevator but decided to go the opposite way the way the secretary had gone. As he turned the corner he saw the secretary walk in a conference room where the lawyer from the opposing side was huddled over a pile of papers.

The journalist’s curiosity peaked as he discreetly followed the secretary into the conference room. The secretary entered the room, where the sound of a heated argument could be heard. Moments later, the room door swung open, and the secretary rushed out, clearly agitated.

After witnessing the intense confrontation between the secretary and the lawyer, the journalist hurriedly captured the exchange on his notepad. He made his way to a quiet corner of the hotel and dialed his editor’s number.

The phone rang twice before the editor answered, his voice filled with anticipation. “What do you have for me?”

“Boss, you won’t believe what I’ve just witnessed,” the journalist exclaimed, his excitement evident. “I overhear some interesting conversations between Sophia Johnson and her client. Then, I saw the secretary of Sophia Johnson’s client meet the lawyer of the opposing side. It seems like there’s something fishy going on in this negotiation. All of these implicate not only Sophia Johnson’s client but also Sophia Johnson herself.”

The editor’s curiosity was piqued. “Are you suggesting there’s corruption involved? Tell me everything.

What did they say?”

The journalist recounted the details of the secretary storming out of the room, leaving the lawyer bewildered and frustrated. He then shared the dialogue he had captured.

As the journalist finished relaying the conversation, he could sense his editor’s eagerness on the other end of the line.

“This is big, my friend,” the editor said, his voice filled with anticipation. We have the potential to expose corruption and shed light on the underbelly of this negotiation. Keep digging, gather more evidence, and let’s bring this story to the public’s attention.”