Chapter 33

#33 “Don’t Let Them Rattle You.”

Alexander was sipping his coffee in the kitchen, contemplating which task to tackle for the day. As he passed through the living room, his attention was captured by the turned-on television. Sophia appeared on the screen, doing her best to evade the reporters.

As usual, her posture was straight, and she displayed no signs of concern. Reporters bombarded her with questions about an alleged attempt to bribe a lawyer. They accused her of underhanded actions against a neighboring company.

Apparently, the collaboration with Mr. Thompson was also not going well, Alexander thought. He increased the volume of the TV.

He had vowed not to involve himself with her again; he hoped their differences had been resolved on the stormy night when he had invited her to his home.

Despite everything, he found himself staring at the report, feeling a gnawing unease. He couldn’t believe that Sophia would resort to bribery; she was a reputable lawyer.

Deciding it was time to head to work, he grabbed his phone, took the elevator, and walked towards his car. He had chosen to drive himself today.

There was a magnificent Aston Martin DBS, and Alexander thought it would be foolish not to enjoy such a car on this sunny day. As soon as he exited his building’s garage, he spotted Sophia leaving her apartment complex.

A smile formed on his face. Could this day get any better, he wondered. He turned onto the street and rolled down his window. Sophia looked at him in surprise but greeted him politely.

“Well, well, if it isn’t the charming Sophia,” he remarked. Sophia rolled her eyes. “I should’ve known I’d run into you, Mr. Stone. It seems like your timing is always impeccable. One might assume you never drive your extravagant cars.’

Alexander extended his arm towards his sleek car. “Ms. Johnson, may I offer you a ride to the office?”

Sophia’s day had been a mess from the very morning when she had first seen the unsettling news report. The fact that she was tangled up in such a mess was hard for her to accept.

Her head throbbed, her mood sour and her patience thin. She wasn’t in the mood for Alexander’s charm or banter. All she wanted was to reach the office, have her coffee, and start tackling the mess she found herself in.

“I’m perfectly capable of making it to the office on my own,” she retorted sharply to Alexander’s offer.

He persisted, “It would be quicker if I gave you a ride. Don’t be so stubborn.”

Sighing heavily, she begrudgingly got into the car. She wouldn’t usually concede so easily, but today, exhaustion overruled her pride. She had barely slept the night before, and the idea of getting to the office as soon as possible was all that occupied her thoughts.

Muttering a reluctant thank-you, she stared out of the window, lost in her thoughts. Alexander picked up on her mood, unsurprised by her demeanor given the morning’s news.

“Serious allegations, I assume?” he inquired softly, his voice carrying a detached tone. “Something like that,” Sophia replied vaguely, her focus remaining on the passing scenery.

“I caught wind of the news,” he admitted.

“I assumed you were aware, given your penchant for staying informed,” she retorted, her response cool and calculated, shutting down any attempt at camaraderie.

He raised an eyebrow, not bothered by her tone. “Well, it’s no secret that scandal seems to follow certain individuals.”

She didn’t dignify his comment with a response, the silence hanging heavy between them. Before they could further dissect the situation, her phone rang, its screen displaying an unknown number.

Instinctively, she answered the call, bracing herself for the interrogation that awaited.

“Ms. Johnson, can you confirm the allegations about the sex-power deal involving your client’s secretary?” The journalist’s voice dripped with accusation. Sophia’s lips tightened. “I have built my career on integrity. I won’t entertain unsubstantiated claims.”

Alexander leaned in, his voice cold as ice. “This interview is over.”

With a dismissive tone, he ended the call, his gaze locked on hers. “Don’t let them rattle you,” he remarked, his words more a command than a reassurance.

“I don’t intend to,” Sophia replied curtly, her eyes flashing with defiance. Exhaling heavily, Sophia tucked her phone back into her bag, stealing a glance at Alexander. In the sunlight, his emerald green eyes seemed to devour her.

Despite her initial reluctance to accept his offer of a ride, Sophia can’t ignore the fact that he had been unusually kind to her recently.

“It’s shaping up to be an exceedingly long day,” she admitted. “Mr. Thompson has always been a disruptive presence in the business world. I’m rather surprised you took him on as a client,” Alexander remarked.

“Barbara insisted. I couldn’t turn her down,” Sophia explained. Although seething with frustration on the inside, Sophia maintained her outward composure. Her client’s attempt to shift blame onto her was a familiar tactic from her past experiences, and while it ignited a wave of simmering anger within her, she was well-versed in handling such manipulative individuals.

Determined to unravel the truth, she was resolute in her quest to clear her name, as she had done countless times before. As Alexander parked the car at the office building, Sophia followed in silence.

“If you don’t mind, I have work to do,” she informed him as they reached the entrance. Once inside her office, the chaos of ringing phones and bustling colleagues welcomed her. Despite the overwhelming situation, Sophia’s calm façade remained intact as she greeted everyone with a genuine smile.

Alexander observed her with surprise, impressed by her ability to navigate the storm with such grace.

As Sophia’s day unfolded amidst the chaos, she was acutely aware of the need for a strategic approach. Her mind was a well-organized battlefield, each thought carefully considered as she calculated her next move.

With a determined resolve, she resolved to initiate an investigation to prove her innocence and unearth the source of the damaging leak.

“I can help with that. Barbara is Emily’s mother, she will certainly help to resolve the situation.”

Alexander offers. “I’ll see what I can find.”

“I appreciate your willingness to help, Alexander,” Sophia began, her voice laced with a trace of skepticism. “But I’ve handled worse situations on my own.”

His gaze held a hint of frustration, his offer seemingly falling on deaf ears.” This isn’t just any situation, Sophia. This is a mess with potential consequences.”

Sophia’s eyes narrowed. “I’m well aware of the stakes, Alexander. I don’t need you swooping in to save the day. I know what I am doing.”

His jaw tightened, his patience waning. “This isn’t about playing the hero. It’s about leveraging resources and insights.”

Her retort was biting, her words sharp as daggers. “I’ve built my career on my own merits, Alexander. I won’t have you belittling my abilities.”

Alexander’s frustration flared, his voice tense. “I’m not belittling you. I’m offering a pragmatic solution.”

Sophia’s tone dripped with sarcasm. Oh, how generous of you. But I’ll pass.”

With a frustrated exhale, Alexander felt the weight of the strained conversation settles on his shoulders.

He couldn’t help but question his initial impulse to offer assistance, his mind grappling with the clash of wills. He turned away, his departure signaling an unspoken conclusion to their discussion.

As he walked away, a nagging feeling tugged at the corners of his mind. There was more to this situation than met the eye. He mulled over his own reactions and Sophia’s determination, realizing that he couldn’t easily shake off his thoughts.

The puzzle pieces of the situation gnawed at him. He found himself pondering the motivations behind Barbara’s decision to introduce Thompson as a client. Given what he knew about Thompson’s reputation, her choice seemed puzzling.

Recognizing that this unease would linger until addressed, he reached a decision. Pulling out his phone, he dialed his secretary’s number, his voice firm and purposeful as he issued instructions.

“Begin a discreet investigation into both Barbara and Emily’s potential involvement in this matter. I want to know their connections, motivations, and any suspicious activities.”