Chapter 24
Chapter 24
“Workce bullying, in general, is not only bad for LH DESIGNS but can easily affect LH Group,” Mr. Randy Thompson, the legal
counsel of LH GROUP, let out a sigh. “I would advise Miss Lockhart to avoid the media for now. We are going to do our best to
take care of things. We have already followed all the proper protocols in case something like this happens, and we are confident
that we can resolve this matter soon. Please, Miss Lockhart, the best possible thing you can do now is to stay inside this
mansion where you are safe, surrounded by your family.”
“Is this the reason why you asked me toe?” Sofia looked at Lawrence, who was silently sitting next to Mr. Thompson. “I
thought we already talked about this.”
Since she discovered that these people had been fooling her for years, this was the first time that she agreed toe to where
Lawrence and her mother used to live-the very same house that contains all the memories. she had growing up.
In the past, she frequented this house despite living on her own. She shared meals with Lawrence and her mother and would
sometimes spend the night here.
However, since she discovered their betrayal, she had avoided this ce like a gue. She did not want to recall her past. It
would only remind her that she was but a fool—a gullible fool.
She couldn''t help but look around the meeting room. The room was only one of the many rooms inside this mansion. However,
unlike most rooms, this one had a cozy vibe—not too big, not too small.
Adecent-sized rectangr table sat in the middle, where Sofial identally bumped her head once trying to surprise her mom.
It doubled as a library and a meeting spot, filled with familiar bookshelves lining the walls.
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14.20
The ce smelled a bit like old books and memories-the kind Sofia used to cherish before discovering the betrayal.
Large windows let in enough light to brighten the room, and heavy curtains hung by the sides. The walls were adorned with
some ssic paintings, nothing too shy.
The floor was covered in a soft rug, and a couple offortable chairs were scattered around the table. It was a room that
witnessed countless conversations and shared meals, but now it felt different, tainted by the past she wanted to forget.
“| want you to hear the thoughts of an expert about this matter,” Lawrence calmly spoke. “I know you wanted to prove your
capability, but | promised your mother that | would take care of you. As your father, | would never let those people go. Mr.
Thompson is the head of the legal counsel, and he is working with our PR team on a statement in an hour. Is that right, Mr.
Thompson?”
“Yes. Please listen to the chairman Miss Lockhart. Right now, | would suggest that you stay inside this mansion. We simply
cannot risk it.”
“| already found a ce to stay,” Sofia calmly spoke. She leaned back and met Lawrence’s gaze. “Everyone knew that | grew up
in this mansion. If someone truly wanted to harm me, then this would be the first ce that they are going to infiltrate.”
“| would never let any harm-”
“Father,” Sofia interrupted Lawrence. She fought the urge to start puking. How could she call this man father? Right now, she
could only me herself for everything.
If If she had not been toocent, then perhaps she would have noticed something amiss and told her mother. Her mother
would have listened to Sofia and avoided this man.
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“| do not want to stay here,” she uttered.
“Leave us,” Lawrence said.
Mr. Thompson and two other people promptly left the room, leaving
them alone.
6% 14:28
“Is this about your mother?” Lawrence asked. “I knew you were always in a bad mood when-”
“| just want to be alone,” Sofia said. She immediately got up, intending to leave the room too. She found the current atmosphere
stifling,
suffocating. Just hearing this man talk about her mother was enough to rile her up.
All she wanted was to p him, ask him how he could do something like this to them! She had trusted this man with all her life!
She had treated him as a father, a friend, a confidant, and a mentor. The betrayal truly hurt her, and she was forced to
acknowledge that now.
“Where are you going to stay?” he asked.
“Far away from the media,” Sofia uttered. She had already epted Alexander’s offer to stay in his house; the security in his
building was top- notch. Sofia’s hesitation did notst long. She could not possibly read Lawrence’s mind. She did not know what
this man would do just to achieve his goals.
So, when Alexander offered a security detail, she epted it without having second thoughts. She was not stupid enough to
ignore her security.
“Sofia-”
Lawrence''s words were interrupted when the door suddenly burst open. “Sister...” Charlotte’s irritating voice echoed inside the
room. She stood in front of Sofia with her pink frilly dress and took both of Sofia’s hands. “Are
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you alright? If you want me to help, just please tell me. | would do everything to fix this situation.”
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“Charlotte, what are you talking about?” Lawrence immediately frowned. “This is not something that you should say. The
company can handle the news. There is no need to involve yourself in this matter. You should leave...”
“Was it because | am not a Lockhart?” Charlotte asked; her eyes were already full of tears. Despite her usatory tone, she did
not let Sofia’s hand go. Instead, she tightened her grip around Sofia’s hand. “I know | am not supposed to involve myself in the
company since | am not a Lockhart, but they are hurting Sofia. How could | let them do that?“—
Lawrence narrowed at her. “That is not true.”
Charlotte looked at Sofia, her face full of worry. “How about you stay with me instead? My agency has offered security, and my
house-”
“| don’t think we need that,” Sofia smiled. She slowly wriggled her hand out of Charlotte’s hand. “I am leaving.”
“Are you not going to stay in the mansion?” Charlotte asked, confusion. apparent in her eyes.
“No.”
“But You are safe here.”
m not some superstar. | don’t understand why this would be a threat to me.” Sofia looked at Lawrence. “Isn''t this just a
small scandal? People forget, father. Is there a need to panic? The meeting is going to happen, and | will be there to join
everyone.”
With that, Sofia walked out of the room, leaving the father and daughter on their own. The moment she walked out of the
mansion, her expression. changed. She almost could not hide the disgust and anger inside her. She
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had to walk away, or she would have pped that woman.
The scandal started because of Charlotte, yet she sounded as if she had nothing to do with it. Did she think Sofia was a fool?
Sofia could not help but m her hand on the steering wheel. Then she took some time to calm herself down.
She was confident that Lawrence would not do anything to hurt her right now. After all, he should be aware that if Sofia dies
before her birthday, all the shares would be given to some charities. So, Lawrence had to wait for her birthday.
Soon enough, she realized that she was wrong.
The moment her car got out of the parking lot, she heard a loud sound.
The sudden impact jolted Sofia’s car, sending a sudden shiver through the vehicle. The screech of tires and the harsh collision
echoed through the air as another car forcefully rammed into the back of hers.
The force was enough to make Sofia grip the steering wheel tightly, her heart pounding in surprise and anger.Têxt ? N?velDrama.Org.
She peered into the rearview mirror, trying to catch a glimpse of the culprit. The driver of the other car remained obscured,
hidden behind the twisted metal and shattered ss that now marred the back of Sofia’s. vehicle. The mangled bumpers and
broken taillights painted a chaotic.
scene.
Caught off guard by this unexpected assault, Sofia took a moment to collect herself. The immediate rush of anger from the
earlier confrontation with Charlotte was now reced with a more pressing
concern.
She carefully assessed the damage, her frustration growing as she realized that her already difficult day had just taken a turn for
the worse.