Chapter 3


    3 “The Quicker, The Better.”


    “Mr. Stone, what can you tell us about your current situation with the Senator’s daughter?”


    A reporter yelled at Alex the moment he stepped out of the courthouse; the blinding sunlight assaulted


    his dark green eyes. The scene before him was chaotic, with reporters swarming like a hive of bees.


    shing cameras momentarily blinded him, and microphones were thrust into his face, each reporter


    vying for his attention.


    Amidst the frenzy, their questions bombarded him like a relentless onught. “Is there any truth to you


    marrying the daughter of a Senator?” one reporter demanded.


    This content provided by N(o)velDrama].[Org.


    Another chimed in, “Can you finally reveal the name of your ex-wife?”


    The questions grew more personal and invasive. “How long have you been having an affair?” and


    “What can you tell us about the divorce agreement?” echoed through the air.


    Alexander’s patience began to wear thin as he pushed his way through the crowd. He remained silent


    as he was in no mood to answer any reporter’s questions, especially ones that were so clearly


    misinformed. Just as he broke through the barrage, a reporter’s voice boomed from the back, catching


    his attention.


    “Ms. Johnson, Ms. Sophia Johnson, can we have a moment of your time?”


    The scene outside the courthouse had transformed into a frenzied spectacle as the reporters quickly


    redirected their attention from Alexander to the stunning blonde who emerged from the building.


    Leaving him entirely alone, Alexander’s gaze fixated on Sophia, standing amidst the chaos with an


    undeniable air of elegance. Her blonde hair bounced ever so slightly with each confident step she took


    toward the courthouse stairs. As she moved, her impable sense of style was evident—the way her


    Piazza Sempione grey pinstripe suit draped wlessly on her figure, exuding sophistication.


    Sophia’s eyes swept across the sea of reporters, and Alexander could have sworn he caught a fleeting


    glimpse of a smile gracing her lips. The sight of herposure amidst the pandemonium only


    intensified his curiosity, stirring an unexpected mixture of emotions within him.


    With every deliberate step Sophia took, she moved effortlessly through the gathering, seemingly


    unperturbed by the relentless barrage of questions and camera shes. Herposed demeanor


    conveyed neither aloofness nor vulnerability, striking a delicate bnce thatmanded respect.


    As the reporters instinctively made way for her, Sophia gracefully descended the courthouse steps, her


    presence captivating their attention, and Alexander’s. It was apparent to everyone that she was


    extremelyfortable with these surroundings.


    A Mercedes-Maybach GLS SUV awaited Sophia, positioned just a few steps away. The driver opened


    the door, and with a fluid motion, she glided into the vehicle. As the car prepared to pull away, Sophia


    lowered the window, offering onest nce at the journalists. This time, her smile was unmistakable,


    radiating a sense of quiet triumph.


    The young CEO’s dark green eyes stared at her full lips, trying to unravel the mystery behind her


    enigmatic smile. He smelled danger on her face, although she is undeniably stunning. Alexander,


    observing Sophia from a close distance, assessed her with interest. Her smile hinted at a depth of


    knowledge and resolve, intriguing him momentarily. It provided a brief respite in the midst of chaos,


    evoking a sense of curiosity within him.


    As the Mercedes-Maybach GLS SUV vanished into the bustling city streets, Laura walked up beside


    Alexander, her gaze shifting from her phone to the disappearing vehicle. When she looked back at


    Alexander, she noticed an odd expression on his face, one that she was sure she had never seen him


    wear before.


    “Who was that?” Alexander inquired, trying unproductively to hide his profound curiosity.


    Laura raised her eyes from her phone again, having just confirmed Alexander’s next appointment.


    “That was Sophia Johnson,” she replied quickly.


    Confusion furrowed Alexander’s brow. “Johnson? Why does that name seem so familiar? The only


    Johnson I can think of is Judge Simon Johnson?”


    Laura met Alex’s eyes with a twinkle.


    “That Johnson? Judge Simon Johnson? The one who recently passed away?”


    Laura nodded, guiding Alexander toward their waiting Lincoln Navigator SUV that had pulled up in front


    of the courthouse, recing Sophia’s car. “That’s the one,” she affirmed, opening the door for him.


    Alexander’s interest piqued further. He stopped at the door to the car, closed the door, and took a step


    closer to Laura. “Tell me more about her,” he demanded.


    Laura paused, momentarily taken aback by the sudden intensity in Alexander’s voice. “Well,” she


    began, collecting her thoughts, “she’s the daughter of thete Judge Simon Johnson. She is a


    legendarywyer in her own right. She has never lost a case as a corporatewyer. She is also the


    founding partner of Johnson and Associates, which, as everyone in town knows, is a highly regarded


    law firm, considered one of the best, if not the best, in their field.”


    “Hmm,” Alexander murmured, processing the newfound information.


    Laura continued, a smallugh escaping, “But here’s something you might find interesting—that is the


    woman that will be helping us solve our problem.”


    “Her? Thewyer I instructed you to contact for assistance with the subsidiary loophole? That’s the Ms.


    Johnson you were talking about?” Alexander narrowed his eyes. An imperceptible smile hung on his


    lips.


    Laura nodded with a smile. “Yes, the very same.”


    As Laura opened the door to the back of the car again, Alexander firmly grasped her arm, halting her


    movement. His mind whirled with thoughts and possibilities. “Tell me everything else you know about


    Ms. Sophia Johnson,” he demanded. His voice, while deep and authoritative, betrays his profound


    interest.


    Laura hesitated for a moment, contemting what, if anything, she possibly could share.


    “Aside from the two asions she has advised our firm in the past, I don’t have much additional


    information. She has maintained a rtively low profile, except within legal circles, I presume. Ms.


    Johnson is known for her exceptional legal insight and the ability to navigateplex situations with


    finesse,” she exined.


    “I have never heard anything disparaging about her, but to be honest, I have not really heard anything


    about her. As I said, she keeps a low profile.”


    Notpletely satisfied with her response, Alexander released his grip on Laura’s arm, allowing her to


    slide into the car.


    As he settled into his seat, the driver merged into traffic. The mysterious image of Sophia Johnson’s


    face remained etched in Alexander’s mind, captivating his thoughts,“Find out everything you can dig up


    about her. The quicker, the better.”