Chapter 60
Chapter 61
Sophia stood looking at her grandpa’s unconscious face.
The night before, he had called her in, his eyes filled with a sorrow that pierced her heart.
He had expressed deep regret over her betrayal-the choices she had made behind his back.
She had sworn to herself that she would never repeat those mistakes.
Now, with her grandfather lying in a coma, this might be her final chance to make things right.
But her grandmother, Amelia Lancaster, placed the entire blame for the Chris Roland scam squarely on her shoulders, despite orchestrating the scheme herself.
She even went as far as forcing Sophia into an arranged marriage with Peter Smith—a man twice her age from the affluent Smith family.
“Sophia,” Amelia’s voice sliced through the tense silence, cold and commanding.
“You will ask Alexander for a divorce. Your gather spoiled you, but I am the head of this
family now. You’ll do as I say for the Lancaster name p>
Sophia met her grandmother’s icy gaze without flinching.
“Grandfather told me to stay in my marriage p>
Amelia’s eyes narrowed. “Your grandfather is incapacitated! From now on, you answer to me p>
“No,” Sophia stated, her voice unwavering.
Amelia’s face twisted with rage. “Defy me, and I’ll cast you out of this family p>
“Do what you must,” Sophia retorted.
She knew her grandfather was the only one who truly loved her, and she wouldn’t betray his wishes by yielding for the second time!
Amelia turned sharply to Sophia’s parents.
“Justin, Florence, make your daughter see reason. If she doesn’t divorce that useless husband and marry Peter Smith, you’ll all be out on the streets p>
Justin looked at Sophia with pleading eyes.
“Sweetheart, the Smiths are incredibly wealthy. You’d never have to worry about anything again p>
“Yes, dear,” Florence chimed in. “Peter is a good man p>
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Sophia’s gaze hardened. “Mother, if you think so highly of Peter Smith, perhaps you should marry him yourself. Father and Grandma would surely agree! As for me, I’m married to Alexander Leonhart, and I will not divorce him p>
Her parents stared at her in stunned silence.
This wasn’t the compliant daughter they once knew.
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Amelia’s patience snapped. “Enough! Malvin, Mike,” she barked at her son and grandson, take over the Lancaster Group effective immediately. Remove this defiant girl and her useless parents from our home p>
“Mother, please!” Justin begged, desperation tinging his voice.
Amelia sneered. “You’re a disgrace, Justin. Weak and ineffective, unlike your big brother. If you can’t control your own daughter, you have no place in this family p>
With a final, contemptuous glance, Amelia swept out of the room, Malvin and Mike trailing obediently behind her.
Outside, Malvin hesitated. “Mother, isn’t this a bit harsh on Justin?” he ventured cautiously.
Amelia’s eyes flashed with irritation. “This is my first act as the head of the Lancaster family. They need to understand who’s in charge p>
“Does it have to be Peter Smith?” Malvin asked. older than I am p>
“He.
“Precisely,” Amelia replied curtly. “He’s promised us a fifty-million-dollar loan. With that, we can stabilize the Lancaster Group. And being older means he’ll likely pass sooner rather than later. Then Sophia can marry someone else of my choosing p>
Malvin nodded enthusiastically, thoroughly impressed by his mother’s sharp decision-making and excellent choice.
“What about the Roland estate? Could selling it help our finances p>
Amelia’s expression darkened.
“Don’t be foolish. Of the hundred million we lost, fifty million was my personal investment. I intend to recover that first. The estate is mine p>
“Yes, Mother,” Malvin acquiesced, recognizing the futility of arguing.
He knew better than to cross her when it came to money; she loved it more than her own life.
Caring about anyone else’s life? That was never a concern for her.
Back inside the room, Florence clutched Sophia’s arm.
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“We’ll have nowhere to go if we’re thrown out,” she whispered urgently.
Sophia met her mother’s anxious gaze. “When Grandfather wakes up, he’ll set things right p>
“But what if he never wakes up p>
Justin stepped forward hesitantly. “Sophia, maybe we should consider your grandmother’s offer p>
“I’ll rent a modest place to live,” Sophia continued.
“I don’t have a job right now, but I’ll manage. You’re welcome to join me if you’d
like p>
Meanwhile, Alexander Leonhart shouldered his worn military backpack as he approached a small, bustling Chinese restaurant in a tiny mining town two hours outside Vancouver.
The Kingston family had provided him with Josephine’s address, and after a long journey, he had finally arrived.
The town was a snapshot of hardship-modest homes, weary faces, people scraping by.
As Alex pushed open the creaky wooden door of the restaurant, the aroma of fried
rice and spices enveloped him.
A hand-lettered sign caught his eye: “Hiring Waiter: $3 per hour p>
Behind the counter stood a young woman, her hair hastily pulled back, sweat glistening on her brow as she maneuvered between sizzling woks and boiling
pots.
She was clearly overwhelmed, the sole worker tending to a room full of hungry customers.
“What do you want?” she called out without looking up, her tone brusque from the strain of the midday rush.
Alex stepped forward, his gaze softening as he recognized her.
Though time and toil had etched lines into her face, the essence of Josephine-the girl he once knew-was still there.
“I’m not here to buy food,” he said gently.
She glanced up briefly, a flicker of hope in her eyes.
“Oh,” she said, her expression brightening ever so slightly. “You’re here about the
job? Great! Grab an apron and start delivering orders p>
“Actually, I-” Alex began, but Josephine was already turning away, her focus back
on the
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stove as orders piled up.
“Table six needs their meals,” she instructed, sliding plates onto the counter. “And
don’t forget the soy sauce p>
Alex hesitated for a moment, then sighed.
Setting his bag down on a chair, he rolled up his sleeves and picked up the plates.
The explanations could wait; right now, she needed help.