That evening.
Sophia rubbed her aching eyes as she realized all the employees had already left for the day.
She stared at the proposal she had just finished reviewing and let out a quiet sigh.
Suddenly, a rich, cheesy aroma drifted into the room.
She narrowed her eyes and looked toward the doorway.
The next second, the door opened—and Lucas walked in.
"You’re finally here!"
Before he could say a word, Sophia rushed over and grabbed the cheesy pizza from his hands.
"I’m starving to death."
Lucas shot her a look. "You secretly rushed to City C overnight, and now you’re still staying late at the office instead of coming ho. Just those two things alone—I should already be sentencing you."
He set the milk tea down beside her. "Eat slowly. No one’s fighting you for it."
"I love you so much," Sophia said sweetly. "The company’s been drowning in work lately. Sean went to City C, so I have to take over everything here. Look—haven’t I lost weight?"
She stood in front of him, her eyes full of grievance.
Lucas tapped her forehead with his fingertip.
"You think I don’t know what you’re thinking? Don’t assu acting pitiful will get you off the hook."
Exposed, Sophia shrugged.
"Harper’s situation settled?" he asked.
"Yeah. I thought there’d be a full-blown showdown, but it didn’t happen. Harper softened up and deleted the recording. I checked this afternoon—Jenny already apologized."
Lucas curved his lips. "I heard you’re holding a fashion show next month?"
"Right. I’ll be inviting a famous designer as well. After that, I’m going to fully launch YL’s reputation."
"Aren’t you afraid you won’t be able to surpass ?"
Sophia raised a brow and glanced at him.
"If I’m going to do it, I’ll be the best. Don’t forget—you once tried to poach . If this works out, I’ll lock down most of the dostic market. I can only succeed. Failure isn’t an option."
"That’s fair," Lucas said lightly. "But... if you really do surpass , I’d accept it willingly."
He looked rather pleased.
"Willing? Don’t make it sound like you’re letting win. We compete on real strength."
Sophia wolfed down a few more bites, packed up her things, and waved him on.
"Let’s go, let’s go—ho, ho! I miss the kids."
Lucas narrowed his eyes. "Are you sure you only miss the kids?"
"They’re my precious babies. Of course I miss them. Co on."
Sophia didn’t catch the deeper aning in his words. She grabbed her bag and turned—
Her wrist tightened suddenly as Lucas pulled her straight into his arms. Soft warmth pressed against her lips.
His movents were swift and decisive as he lifted Sophia and set her onto the desk.
"Lucas..."
"If you dare run off alone again, I’ll—"
Lucas steadied his breathing but couldn’t even finish the threat.
Why did it feel like his unpredictable temperant from the past was quietly resurfacing?
Sophia looked into his eyes—her reflection was the only thing there.
She curved her lips, tugged his collar closer, planted a kiss on his cheek, then wrapped her arms around him.
"Ho."
Lucas carried her out in the sa way one would carry a child.
...
Back ho, the mont the bedroom door closed, he impatiently began unbuttoning the front of her blouse.
Sophia’s cheeks flushed like peach blossoms as she tried to push him away.
"Wash up first..."
Lucas took her straight to the bed and pressed over her, one knee resting on the mattress.
His eyes burned red with intensity as his well-defined fingers loosened his tie—then pulled open the collar of his shirt.
Sophia’s heart nearly leapt out of her chest.
No, no—absolutely not! She could not be seduced by looks alone!
She shoved him away and rolled aside in one quick motion.
"So you like force now?" Lucas curved his lips into a wicked smile.
Sophia imdiately raised her hands.
"Calm down. Stay calm. You really need to calm down."
But the man in front of her clearly had no intention of listening.
Sophia rushed over on her own initiative. The mont he grabbed her again, she shoved him straight into the bathroom.
"Wash up properly before you co out!"
No sound ca from inside. She finally let out a small breath of relief.
Terrifying.
She turned around, just about to leave—when suddenly!
A hand shot out from inside the bathroom, grabbed her wrist, and yanked her back.
The next second, the bathroom door slamd shut...
...
The next morning, Sophia sat in her office with one hand supporting her lower back. The data on her screen blurred completely—she couldn’t focus on a single word.
"President Morgan, are you feeling unwell?" Alia asked with concern. "You’ve been holding your waist all morning. Don’t tell it’s from working overti?"
Sophia forced a smile and slowly shook her head.
"I’m fine. I just sat too long and got a little stiff. Go get a cup of coffee."
"Alright."
Not long after Alia stepped out, her phone suddenly began to vibrate. She glanced at the screen and frowned.
"Hello?"
"Secretary Hayes, sothing’s wrong! Big trouble!"
Alia froze, her pupils contracting sharply.
Sophia had just closed her laptop when the office door burst open. Alia hadn’t even stepped inside yet before her voice rang out—
"President Morgan, sothing’s wrong! Wright Group is withdrawing their investnt!"
Sophia shot to her feet and slamd her palm on the desk.
"What did you just say? Withdrawing their investnt?!"
Frank’s order to YL was massive, and all production processes were already in full operation.
If the funds were pulled now, the consequences would be unimaginable.
"President Morgan, what should we do? If they really withdraw, I did a rough estimate—just labor costs and losses alone could reach nearly one hundred million dollars."
Sophia frowned deeply.
"Frank isn’t the type to pull petty tricks."
"President Morgan, could it have been preditated? Maybe they planned to trap us from the start," Alia said anxiously. "The factories are running at full capacity. If we stop now, all remaining products will beco defective stock."
"Has Wright Group made any other move?" Sophia asked.
"No. I imdiately had soone check their reaction. They’re acting as if nothing happened."
Sophia curled her fingers against her chin, sinking into thought.
"I don’t claim to fully understand everything, but pulling out brings Wright Group no benefit at all. Alia—book an appointnt with Wright Group. I’ll go et them myself."
"Understood."
Sophia paced back and forth inside the office.
Frank didn’t have the ability—or the reason—to suddenly withdraw like this. The final outco would do him no good whatsoever.
There had to be sothing behind it. She had to go in person.
YL might not lack money—but it would never tolerate being played.
...
At Wright Group.
Sophia walked straight in.
"Miss, do you have an appointnt?" the receptionist asked.
Sophia didn’t even glance at her and stepped straight into the elevator.
When she reached the top floor, the mont she stepped out of the elevator, she heard laughter.
Then ca a very familiar male voice.
"Mr. Brown, a pleasure doing business with you."
"Likewise. A pleasure."
Just as Frank and Damien clasped hands, Sophia pushed open the door.
Seeing their hands still joined, a strange smile appeared on her face.
"So that’s how it is. I was wondering how, Mr. Turner, you’d ever do sothing that hurts others while destroying yourself in the process. Turns out you already lined up your next backer—and decided to put on a little show with ."
Damien withdrew his hand, the smile on his face slowly fading.
"Sophia, I—"
Sophia cut in coldly, "Mr. Brown, basic respect is the bare minimum between strangers. You shouldn’t call by my na so casually.."
She lifted her gaze coolly.
"You should address as Miss Morgan—or President Morgan."
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