Chapter 12


    #12 “Do You Think He’ll Hold A Grudge?”


    Alexander, unable to resist the temptation, approaches Sophia and Evelyn at the café patio. With a


    half- joking, half-intimidating tone, he addresses them.


    “Well, well, well, if it isn’t the twodies discussing their disdain for a certain someone,” Alexander


    remarks, a mischievous glint in his eyes.


    “I couldn’t help but overhear your conversation. Evelyn, wasn’t it? I must say, I’m quite intrigued by your


    strong opinions about this ‘egotistical, arrogant, money-hungry man.”


    Evelyn’s eyes widen as she recognizes Alexander. She stammers, “Oh… uh… Mr. Stone, I didn’t


    realize it was you. It was all in good fun, you know, just venting with Sophia here.”


    Sophia, maintaining herposure, leans back in her chair and smirks.


    “You should be ttered, Alexander. I am sure you know that Evelyn’s father owns a bank that heavily


    relies on Stone Enterprises. I’m sure he’d be interested to hear your reaction to his daughter’s colorful


    assessment of men. Alexander chuckles, his gaze alternating between Sophia and Evelyn.


    “Is that so? Well, Evelyn, I hope your father has a good sense of humor. I’ll make sure to remember


    your spirited remarks. Who knows, it might spice up our business negotiations in the future.


    “Mr. Stone, please, it was just a casual conversation. I didn’t mean any harm.” Evelyn’s face turns beet


    red as she tries to y down the situation. Alexander leans in closer, his tone shifting to a more serious


    but still yful one.


    “Oh, I know, Evelyn. No need to worry. I always appreciate the honest feedback, even if ites with a


    touch of colorfulnguage. Just remember, though, words have a way of lingering in one’s memory.”


    Sophia can’t help but chuckle at the exchange, finding it both amusing and surreal.


    “Well, Alexander, it seems we have a mutual understanding now. Perhaps it’s best for us to leave it at


    that and focus on our respective endeavors.” Alexander straightens up, a glimmer of amusement in his


    eyes.


    “Agreed, Sophia. Let’s keep our interactions strictly professional. I have no intention of letting personal


    history cloud our business rtionship. But being the gentleman I am, I would like to offer you,dies, a


    ride to wherever you may be going.”


    Sophia raises an eyebrow, exchanging a quick nce with Evelyn before responding, “I think we are


    okay, Mr. Stone.”


    Alexander’s expression turns slightly colder as he replies curtly, “Fine.”


    Tipping his imaginary hat, he swiftly jogs off, leaving Sophia and Evelyn to process the encounter. They


    sit there, bewildered, their gazes following his departure as they silently contemte the unexpected


    turn of events.


    Evelyn breaks the silence, whispering to Sophia, her voice filled with awe.


    “Wow, that was intense. I can’t believe I had a face-to-face encounter with him. Honestly, I’m surprised


    at how gentlemanly he was. Do you think he’ll hold a grudge?”


    Sophia raises an eyebrow, intrigued by Evelyn’s concern.


    “What do you mean, hold a grudge?” she questions. Evelyn’s anxiety bes apparent as she


    exins, “Like, do you think he will tell my dad? Stone Enterprises is one of my dad’s bank’s biggest


    clients. They heavily depend on that business.”


    Sophia ponders for a moment before confidently responding.


    “Alexander loves money. Telling your father might cost him money, so I highly doubt he will be so petty


    as to hold a grudge.”


    Evelyn nods in agreement, a sense of relief washing over her. “True,” she concedes, “but we have to


    talk about the fact that he does not have the slightest idea that YOU are his ex-wife. How is that even


    possible?”


    Sophia’s gaze drifts off momentarily, lost in memories. “I never saw him,” she admits.


    N?velDrama.Org copyrighted ? content.


    “Never?” Evelyn asks incredulously. Sophia shakes her head. “Never. It was a marriage on paper only.”


    A mischievous smile ys on Evelyn’s lips as she continues, “You know what else is weird?” Curious,


    Sophia leans in and asks, ” What?”


    Evelyn lowers her voice, her with amusement. eyes filled “I just saw him walk into that building down


    the street. You and your ex- husband live on the same block.”


    Sophia’s heart skips a beat as a mix of emotions washes over her. She turns to look at the building


    Evelyn is pointing at, her mind racing.


    “I think,” Evelyn leans in closer, whispering conspiratorially, “this is the universe’s way of trying to get


    the two of you back together. I’m betting you and him will be kissy-kissy before too long.”


    Sophia bursts intoughter, realizing that Evelyn is poking fun at the situation. She yfully nudges her


    friend and replies, “Oh please, as if that would ever happen. The universe has a twisted sense of


    humor, but I’m not falling for it.”


    *


    Later that afternoon, Sophia is immersed in her office work, the warm sunlight streaming through the


    window. Her cell phone buzzes, and she answers cheerfully upon seeing Evelyn’s name on the screen.


    “Hi, Love!” Sophia greets her friend.


    “No, no happiness,” Evelyn’s voice responds frantically, filled with concern.


    “What’s wrong?” Sophia inquires, her voiceced with worry.


    “I just got off the phone with my father. Alexander is going to withdraw all hispany’s deposits from


    the bank. Do you know what that means, Sophia?” Evelyn’s voice trembles with tears. “It means that it


    might possibly cause the bankruptcy of his bank!”


    Sophia’s heart sinks as sheprehends the gravity of the situation. How could he do this? “Hold on,


    let me call Alexander at his office.” Her mind races with questions, but she focuses onforting


    Evelyn.


    Sophia swiftly dials Alexander’s number from her office phone, her anxiety growing with each


    unanswered ring. It goes directly to voicemail. She tries again, but Alexander once again sends her to


    voicemail.


    “This is my fault, Evelyn. I’ll go over there and speak to him directly,” Sophia deres, determination in


    her voice, as she starts making her way toward the elevator.


    “I’ll meet you there,” Evelyn responds, her voice still shaky. Both women arrive at Stone Enterprises in


    record time. Evelyn’s tear -stained face and Sophia’s guilt-ridden expression disy the weight of the


    situation as they approach the receptionist’s desk.


    “Excuse me; we need to see Alexander Stone,” Evelyn pleads, her voice trembling. The receptionist


    raises an eyebrow, Mr. Stone does not have appointments today,” she informs them.


    Sophia insists, “Please, can you tell him that Ms. Sophia Johnson and Ms. Evelyn Crimms are here to


    see him? I’m sure he will see us.


    The receptionist’s expression softens slightly, sensing the urgency in Sophia’s plea. She nods and


    heads towards Alexander’s office. Sophia turns to Evelyn, offering a reassuring smile. “I’ll take care of


    this, I promise,” she assures her best friend. Momentster, the receptionist returns with a somber


    expression.


    “I’m sorry, but Mr. Stone does not wish to see either of you. He has asked me to tell you to leave


    immediately.”