Chapter 32
#32 “Sophia is A Force to be Reckoned with.”
After parting ways with Michael, Sophia continued her day at the hotel. Little did she know, Michael’s
encounter with her had an unexpected oue.
Watching Sophia walk away, Michael found himself crossing paths with Emily Williams within the
bustling corridors of the hotel. A smile crosses his lips. He couldn’t help but seize the moment to
engage in some yful banter, his tone flippant as he teased her.
“Well, well, if it isn’t Alexander’s girlfriend. Waiting here for a romantic date, I assume?” Michael says
as she slides up alongside Emily.
Emily’s cheeks flushed a faint shade of pink, a mix of embarrassment and surprise sweeping over her
features. Stammering, Emily replies, “I-what? No, I’m not his girlfriend. I’m here for something else
entirely.”
Michael’s eyes sparkled mischievously, the bouquet of vibrant flowers in his hand that Sophia had
rejected. He presents it with a dramatic flourish. With a grin, Micheal replies, “Ah, so you’re saying
you’re not here to sweep him off his feet?”
Emily’s initial embarrassment morphed into amusement; her voiceced with a touch of sarcasm. “Oh,
absolutely. I’m just here to woo him away from the morous life he’s living.”
Michaelughed, finding her candidness refreshing. “Well, in that case, I’ve got a bouquet of hope right
here.” As Emily looked at the bouquet, her yful demeanor shifted, and she met his gaze with an
unexpectedly serious expression.
“Michael, is it possible… could it be Sophia Johnson you’re chasing after?” Emily pointedly ask.
Michael’s grin wavered for a split second, reced by an intrigued expression. “And if it were?”
Emily’s gaze held his, her voiceced with genuine curiosity. “Interesting. Just remember, Sophia is a
force to be reckoned with.”
As they conversed, it became apparent that their paths were not entirely disconnected. Sophia’s name
wove its way into their dialogue, revealing unexpected connections. Michael asks with surprise, “Wait,
so Sophia is working here too?”
“Yes, and her work is linked to a friend of my mother’s.”
“That is very interesting,” Michael responds with a wink. As the two continue to talk, their words are
overheard by the journalist keen that has been snooping around the hotel.
“Excuse me, ,” the journalist says as he pushes his way between Emily and Michael, “but did I hear you
mention the name Sophia Johnson?”
Emily’s eyes lit up. She knew that she could use this journalist to exact some revenge on Sophia, or at
least make Sophia’s day crappy. With a smile, she answers the journalist, “We might have been
discussing her. Why?”
Approaching the journalist says, ” Would either of you be willing to share more about what’s happening
here or why Sophia Johnson is here? Of course you can do it off the record.”
Emily’s eyes gleamed with mischief as her clever idea took a full shape in her mind. She exchanged a
nce with Michael before turning to the journalist with an inviting smile.
Emily replies, “You know, I am neither confirming nor denying anything about Ms. Johnson but, I think I
have an idea that might pique your interest. How about I give you ess to certain hotel interior areas?
There might be a story waiting to be uncovered.”
The journalist’s excitement was palpable as he eagerly epted Emily’s offer. As he was guided
deeper into the hotel, Emily discreetly whispered, “You might find the person you are looking for in the
conference room at the end of the hallway.”
Meanwhile, Sophia’s quest to retrieve her missing earring led her back to the same meeting room
where her client and his secretary were engrossed in hushed conversation. The atmosphere shifted as
she entered, their abrupt silence a testament to their difort.
Irritated Sophia asks, “Is there something I should know?” Her client cleared his throat, attempting to
regain hisposure. “Ah, Sophia, we were just discussing strategies for the uing negotiations.”
Sophia’s gaze held an unwavering intensity; her instincts alert to the possibility of more than met the
eye. “Transparency is paramount. I trust everything is above board?” Sophia replies. The secretary’s
eyes darted nervously to the client, and then back to Sophia.
The client took a step toward Sophia and said, “And with all great negotiationses some wiggle
room, wouldn’t you agree Ms. Johnson?”
The client gave a brief look to his secretary and nodded. She nodded in return and left the room
quickly.
“What is going on?” Sophia asked again, her irritation showing. “I have an idea,” the client began. What
if we talk to the otherwyers? I am sure there is some way we can work something out. Right?”
Sophia knew her client was talking about bribing the otherwyer, but wanted to hear him say it
himself. She raised an eyebrow andmented, Sure. We can always try to cut a deal to avoid court.
If that is what you are referring to.”
Her client chuckled and replied in an overtly condescending tone, “I was thinking something more
direct. Something that says is 10 million ways more direct.”
Sophia’s tone remained resolute as she addressed them. “I am afraid that is impossible. Upholding
ethical standards is non-negotiable.”
“Hmm, that’s a shame, the client responded.
“If that is your idea of how this should run, you might want to find a newwyer,” Sophia replied. With
that, she left the room, the weight of her responsibilities as awyer and hermitment to justice
guiding her actions.
As Sophia left the conference room, she was unaware that her entire conversations with her client and
his secretary were witnessed by the journalist that Emily had guided her way.
The journalist watched Sophia walk to the elevator but decided to go the opposite way the way the
secretary had gone. As he turned the corner he saw the secretary walk in a conference room where the
lawyer from the opposing side was huddled over a pile of papers.
The journalist’s curiosity peaked as he discreetly followed the secretary into the conference room. The
secretary entered the room, where the sound of a heated argument could be heard. Momentster, the
room door swung open, and the secretary rushed out, clearly agitated.
After witnessing the intense confrontation between the secretary and thewyer, the journalist hurriedly
captured the exchange on his notepad. He made his way to a quiet corner of the hotel and dialed his
editor’s number.
The phone rang twice before the editor answered, his voice filled with anticipation. “What do you have
for me?”
“Boss, you won’t believe what I’ve just witnessed,” the journalist eximed, his excitement evident. “I
overhear some interesting conversations between Sophia Johnson and her client. Then, I saw the
secretary of Sophia Johnson’s client meet thewyer of the opposing side. It seems like there’s
something fishy going on in this negotiation. All of these implicate not only Sophia Johnson’s client but
also Sophia Johnson herself.”
The editor’s curiosity was piqued. “Are you suggesting there’s corruption involved? Tell me everything.
What did they say?”
The journalist recounted the details of the secretary storming out of the room, leaving thewyer
bewildered and frustrated. He then shared the dialogue he had captured.
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As the journalist finished rying the conversation, he could sense his editor’s eagerness on the other
end of the line.
“This is big, my friend,” the editor said, his voice filled with anticipation. We have the potential to expose
corruption and shed light on the underbelly of this negotiation. Keep digging, gather more evidence,
and let’s bring this story to the public’s attention.”