Chapter 34


    #34 “I had a Better Alternative.”


    Sophia sat in her office, surrounded by a mountain of documents, her thoughts immersed in the


    intricacies of the investigation. The door to her office mmed open, and her assistant Trevor burst in,


    an urgency radiating from him. Without giving her a chance to speak, heunched into his news.


    “Turn on the news on your TV,” Trevor demanded, his tone urgent and his face flushed. Baffled by his


    abrupt entrance, she questioned, “What’s going on?”


    Trevor grabbed the remote without answering, the TV screen shing to life and revealing a news


    segment featuring Michael.


    Reporters swarmed around him in front of the hotel they had met at just two days prior. The reporters’


    barrage of questions filled the air.


    “So, you’re asserting that Sophia had no involvement in the bribery?” they questioned, their voices


    eager for his response.


    A smug smile curved Michael’s lips as he responded confidently. “Absolutely. I’ve obtained the footage


    from the lobby cameras that show me and Miss Johnson engaged in a conversation with me at the


    exact time she’s used of arranging the bribe.”


    As if on cue, the video yed on the screen, capturing their interaction in the hotel lobby, effectively


    providing an alibi for the time in question.


    “As this evidence will be presented in court,” Michael continued, his tone resolute, “I’mmitted to


    seeing this through until the case is rified. The truth will be established under the scrutiny of the


    judge.”


    With those words, he reentered the hotel, the reporters trailing after him with a flurry of additional


    questions.


    The news segment continued, a reporter’s voice questioning him about the bouquet of flowers he was


    holding during their encounter, and whether he and Sophia had a romantic connection.


    Sophia turned off the TV relieved. Michael had managed to find concrete evidence to support her


    innocence and was willing to go to court to ensure her name was cleared. Despite her reservations


    about deepening her rtionship with him, gratitude welled up within her.


    “I’ll call him,” she decided. Trevor’s response was swift, a knowing smile on his lips as he handed her


    his phone. “I was already dialing.”


    With a faint smile of her own, Sophia epted the phone and prepared to express her gratitude to the


    unexpected ally who had stepped up to defend her reputation “Hello, Michael,” she greeted him.


    ,guess you’re watching the news,” he responded. “Thank you. I know you shouldn’t have bothered ???


    and yet you supported me.” Her gratitude was evident, her words sincere.


    “It was nothing. I just couldn’t help but notice in yesterday’s reports that it couldn’t have been you when


    we were together. I thought I’d give fate a little nudge,” he admitted.


    “Would you like to have lunch together? I have to thank you,” Sophia proposed.


    “On principle, I don’t do things for gratitude, but I wouldn’t miss the chance to have lunch with you for


    anything in the world,” he responded, his flirtatious undertone unmistakable. Sophia’sughter danced


    through the line. “You do have a way with words, Michael.”


    “See you in an hour,” he confirmed, his anticipation clear. “Don’t make a reservation; I have one ce


    in mind,” she directed.


    “Okay, then I’ll wait for you,” he agreed. Sophia had arranged for a car to pick up Michael from his


    office. She had chosen The Sartorial Bistro, a fabulous new restaurant in the heart of the city that had


    caught her eye. It was a ce she had been meaning to visit for the past month, known for its fusion


    cuisinebining American vors with global influences.


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    The restaurant boasted a breathtaking view of the entire city, and its walls were adorned with lush


    hedges, creating an ambiance that felt like an escape from the urban hustle.


    When Michael arrived, a broad smile graced his face as he took in the setting. Sophia stood, her smile


    matching his as she greeted him.


    “I have to admit, Sophia, the ce is superb,” Michael remarked.


    “I’m d you like it. I wanted to do something special to express my gratitude for the help you


    provided,” she replied. Michael waved his hand dismissively. ” That’s enough, it’s nothing.”


    With a yful glint in his eye, he reached into his pocket. “This is for you.” He handed her a small box,


    curiosity dancing between them.


    Sophia blinked in surprise as she epted the box, her tone intrigued. What’s this?”


    “Open it and see,” he encouraged. As the lid opened, it revealed a pair of earrings, strikingly simr to


    the ones she had lost. Her surprise was followed by herughter.


    “God, there was no need,” she protested.


    “I saw them in a shop window and couldn’t resist,” he confessed. They were about to settle into their


    seats when a folder suddenly fell before Sophia, disrupting the moment. The familiarity of the voice that


    followed made her heart skip a beat.


    “Here’s your evidence,” the voice dered, leaving her stunned. Sophia turned to find Alexander


    standing there, holding a collection of documents.


    “Hello to you too. To what do I owe this appearance?” Sophia’s tone held a hint of nagging curiosity as


    she addressed Alexander’s sudden presence.


    “I have a detailed report from the hotel by minutes and seconds of where you were. Backed up with


    videos of the corridors you passed through. Proving that you had nothing to do with the bribe,”


    Alexander’s voice held a matter -of-fact tone as he delivered the news.


    “I already took care of that,” Michael responded smugly.


    “I saw your little appearance. If you think you’re proving something with just this video, it’s a good thing


    you didn’t be awyer. Your vision only shows a small amount of time that Sophia was out of the


    room. She could have bribed thewyer ten minutester.”


    “Stop it, Alexander,” Sophia’s irritation seeped into her words as she intervened on Michael’s behalf.


    She appreciated his help, and Alexander’s dismissive tone was getting under her skin.


    “A reporter was also admitted to the hotel at the time. Made him testify. Which are described here and


    prove your innocence, Alexander continued unbothered.


    Sophia blinked in surprise, taken aback by the extent of his actions. “I told you not to worry, I was going


    to be fine on my own.”


    “I did it anyway. Which means I don’t always take orders from you,” Alexander’s voice held a hint of


    smug satisfaction as he spoke, a touch of a smile ying on his lips.


    “And how did you find us here?”


    Michael’s curiosity was evident in his question. “I don’t have all day to wait for Sophia to return to the


    office, so I spoke to her secretary,” Alexander’s response was simple, leaving both Sophia and Michael


    slightly surprised.


    Sophia regarded Alexander with a hint of suspicion. Her assumption that her assistant wouldn’t divulge


    such information for any reason made her wonder about the extent of Alexander’s connections.


    Without invitation, Alexander took a seat nearby and ordered lunch for himself. Michael couldn’t help


    butment, “Isn’t it a bit impudent toe uninvited?”


    Alexander’s gaze fixed on Michael. His presence stirred an internal annoyance, as he was well aware


    of Michael’s motives for spending time with Sophia. It was only to make him angry.


    I guess you’re not on a romantic date, I don’t see why I shouldn’t join,” Alexander’s response carried a


    touch of assertiveness.


    “No, we’re not,” Sophia quickly rified, her voice firm. “Which doesn’t automatically make you invited.


    But since we’ve gathered to say thank you for Michael’s help, I don’t see why I shouldn’t treat you too.


    After all, you helped me too.”


    Lunch continued with an undercurrent of tension, as Alexander and Michael exchanged biting


    comments, making the atmosphere palpably awkward. Despite their verbal sparring, Sophia chose to


    focus on the food, determined not to get caught up in their drama.


    She didn’t want their past conflicts to overshadow the present. As the meal concluded, she thanked


    Michael once more for his help, a genuine smile gracing her lips. Outside the restaurant, Alexander


    offered to drive Sophia to her office, a gesture that she hade to expect despite her protests.


    “You know, Alexander, I was doing great before I met you. I don’t know what this obsession is with


    driving me everywhere,” Sophia says.


    Instead of taking offense, Alexander chuckled at herment. “Sophia, I have work in the same


    direction, and I prefer to spare you the trouble. I don’t understand your obsession with forever denying


    me. She shot him a mockingly incredulous look. As they settled into the car, his driver took over.


    “What is it with Michael?” Alexander’s question cut through the silence, addressing the topic that had


    been hovering inside his head since lunch. Sophia hesitated for a moment, weighing her words. “I


    wanted to thank him for his help. And he bought me earrings.”


    Alexander raised an eyebrow. “You don’t strike me as a woman easily impressed by trinkets.” Sophia


    laughs. “Not that you deserve an exnation, but I had lost simr earrings, and he said he bought


    them for me because they reminded him of the ones I lost.”


    “And you believed him?”


    Sophia bristled at his implication. ” What does that mean?” “Don’t be fooled by his facade, he’s rotten to


    the core,” Alexander’s words carried a note of warning.


    As the car navigated the city’s central streets, Alexander ordered the driver to make an unexpected


    stop. Sophia’s curiosity was piqued as she questioned his actions.


    “You will see,” he replied cryptically, stepping out of the car and disappearing into a nearby store.


    Sophia sighed audibly, feeling mildly irritated by Alexander’s unpredictable behavior. Waiting for him felt


    like an imposition.


    After a while, Alexander returned to the car, retrieving the box of earrings Michael had gifted her and


    promptly tossing it into the trunk.


    “Hey…” Sophia scolded him, her protest trailing off when she realized he wasn’t done. “These will suit


    you much better,” hemented, his tone strangely sincere as he handed her another box.


    Sophia was on the verge of voicing her discontent when she opened the box he had given her. A gasp


    escaped her lips as she took in the sight of the exquisite jewelry inside. The craftsmanship was


    impable, and at the end of each earring was a sparkling ruby. She looked up at Alexander,


    speechless for a moment. He met her gaze with a faint smile.


    “I think red is your color,” hemented softly.


    Sophia quicklyposed herself. “What’s wrong with you, Alexander? You can’t just throw someone’s


    gift away like that,” she scolded him, her frustration clear in her voice.


    He raised an eyebrow in response, not showing any remorse for his actions. They didn’t suit you, and I


    had a better alternative.”


    She frowned. “You don’t get to decide what suits me or not. But thank you, this pair is very beautiful.”


    Alexander looked at her confused. Her response was unexpected – he was used to her declining his


    offers or acting cold toward him, even when he did something good for her.


    He contemted asking her about the reasons behind her apparent dislike for him but quickly thought


    better of it. This type of conversation never seemed to lead anywhere positive.


    As they continued their drive, Sophia’s thoughts turned to more serious matters. As she went through


    the documents he had provided, something caught her attention – Emily’s presence at the hotel during


    the time the alleged bribery took ce.