Chapter 38
#38 “Let’s not Let Alexander Interfere with Us.”
Sophia’swork of connections extended into various spheres, and she had a close friend with unique
hacking skills that allowed them to breachputers and social profiles. With the help of these skills,
Sophia had managed to obtain a private chat between Barbara and Mr. Thompson.
In this conversation, they discussed their n to shift me onto Sophia in case any issues arose with
the bribery scheme.
As Sophia repeatedly read through the conversation, her anger grew more palpable. She was not
about to be yed as a pawn in their scheme. It was time for her to take control and retaliate.
Just as she was contemting her next steps, her secretary informed her of an unexpected visitor. It
was Mr. Thompson’s secretary, the very person involved in the bribery. Sophia weed her into her
office, a smile ying on her lips. It seemed that her revenge n might be unfolding on its own terms.
A petite woman entered the office, clutching her small ck bag with obvious anxiety. Sophia motioned
for her to take a seat and leaned forward, curious about the visitor’s intentions.
“I’ll be direct, Ms. Johnson. I want to offer you a sincere apology for the situation you’ve been ensnared
in,” the woman began.
Sophia’s eyes narrowed as she met the apology with a defiant question. “Why didn’t Thompsone
to me in person to offer this apology?”
The visitor sighed, her posture showing signs of nervousness. “I’m not here on behalf of my former
employer.” Sophia was intrigued by the mention of the word former.
“Actually, I decided to ask you for help, the woman confessed. “Help for what?” Sophia inquired,
curious about what could have led this woman to seek her assistance after everything that happened.
“When Mr. Thompson asked me to offer a bribe to the otherwyer, I had no idea of the extent of his
desires,” the woman exined, her voice trembling. “He had coerced me into bribing people before, but
this time, when thewyer approached me…,” she trailed off, unable to continue.
Recognizing the woman’s distress, Sophia quickly fetched a ss of water and handed it to her. “Take
your time,” sheforted. “You’re safe here.”
Gathering herposure, the woman continued, “I didn’t realize that I was being forced into a sex
deal. I was manipted into participating, as if it were a gift…”
Sophia’s heart sank as she listened to the woman’s harrowing experience. Take a deep breath,” she
advised, gently squeezing the woman’s hand. ” You’re incredibly brave foring forward and telling
me the truth.”
Tears welled up in the woman’s eyes. “I didn’t want to cause any trouble. I was just trying to do my
job…”
Sophia nodded, understanding the woman’s predicament. “Ipletely understand, but we can’t let
this injustice continue.”
“What do you suggest, Ms. Johnson?” “Please, call me Sophia,” she insisted. ” I suggest that you tell
me everything you know about the deal Mr. Thompson and Barbara have been working on. I will take
care of the rest.”
As Thomson’s ex-secretary recounted all his nefarious schemes involving Barbara. Sophia tried not to
smile as she recorded everything in detail.
Sophia leaned back in her chair. ” Thank you foring forward and trusting me with this information,”
she said sincerely. “I know it wasn’t easy for you, but by doing this, we can make a real difference.”
“I never thought I would find myself in a situation like this,” she admitted. ” But seeing how you handled
everything, how you stood up for what’s right, it gave me hope.”
Sophia smiled warmly, her voice filled with encouragement. “We all have the power to make a
difference.”
The woman took a deep breath. “You’re right,” she said. Sophia reached out and sped the
secretary’s hand, a gesture of support and solidarity. “And I promise you that we’ll protect your identity
throughout this process.”
She nodded, gratitude filling her eyes. ” Thank you, Sophia.”
“By the way, what’s your name?” Sophia asked with augh, realizing that they hadn’t even formally
introduced themselves.
“Mary,” she replied with a smile. With that Mary left and Sophia wasted no time. She decided that it was
time to take her fight for justice to the wider public. She believed that by anonymously sharing the news
with the media, she could shed light on the corruption and wrongdoing she had uncovered.
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With careful consideration, Sophia crafted a detailed ount of the events, ensuring that every piece
of evidence was included. She wanted to provide aprehensive picture of the truth, leaving no room
for doubt.
Using encrypted channels and anonymous email ounts, Sophia sent the information to trusted
journalists and media outlets. She knew that this step was crucial in exposing the truth and holding
those responsible ountable for their actions.
Sophia had just finished drafting another email when she heard a knock on her office door. ncing at
the clock, she frowned. It wasn’t a time when she was expecting any visitors.
The door swung open, and Michael entered with a smile. Sophia stood up to greet him, a bit surprised
by his unexpected appearance.
“I wasn’t anticipatingpany,” she remarked lightly, extending her hand in greeting. Michael smiled
back at her, but instead of shaking her hand, he reached for her earlobe.
Her surprise turned to confusion as he ran a finger along her ear. “You’re not wearing the earring I gave
you,” he pointed out.
She smiled nervously, feeling caught off guard. “Oh, yeah. I actually left them at home,” she quickly
improvised with a lie. His smile didn’t quite reach his eyes. ” Really?” he raised an eyebrow skeptically.
She took a step back, her nerves getting the best of her. “Yeah, you know, I didn’t want to risk losing
them again.”
He chuckled, but there was an undertone of frustration in hisughter. “You know, Sophia, something
very peculiar happened today.”
“What?”
“Someone named Alexander sent this. to me earlier,” he revealed, producing the box containing the
earrings he had given her.
Internally cursing Alexander, Sophia tried toe up with an exnation. She couldn’t tell Michael that
Alexander had thrown the earrings in the trunk of his car.
“I’m sorry, Michael. It’s not what you think,” she tried to defuse the situation. His tone remained cool.
“And what exactly do you think I should think, Sophia?”
“It’s just… Alexander being Alexander, “she replied, attempting to downy the situation.
“So, he’s trying to meddle?” Sophia’s frustration with Alexander grew, but she remainedposed. ”
Michael, it’s not like that. I genuinely appreciate your gift.”
“Do you?” he asked pointedly. ” Because it seems to me that you don’t believe in my intentions or my
gestures, “Michael said and hit the wall. This startled Sophia, but she tried not to show it. Michael had
never acted like this in front of her.
She sighed, realizing this was spiraling in a direction she hadn’t intended. ” Michael, it’s not like that. I
do appreciate what you’ve done for me. This is just a misunderstanding.”
He crossed his arms, his frustration evident. “I have a feeling I’m being yed here. And I don’t
appreciate it.”
“Michael, this isn’t about ying anyone. It’s just Alexander acting stupid.” “I know what’s going on.
Alexander is trying to one-up me,” he dered.
“Michael, that’s nonsense. We’re not kids in a yground. I think you and Alexander need to sort out
your personal issues without dragging me into it.”
“I can’t stand by while he makes a mockery out of my attempts to get closer to you,” he retorted.
Sophia let out a resigned sigh, realizing where this conversation was headed. ” Look, Michael, I have
no ill feelings toward you, and I certainly didn’t mean to offend you. But I’m not interested in being
caught up in any drama between you and Alexander.”
“I understand,” he replied, a touch of bitterness in his tone. “Let’s not let Alexander interfere with us.’
Sophia felt a wave of frustration wash over her. “Michael, there’s no ‘us.’ We’re friends, and that’s it.”
“Let me take you out for a date, and maybe you’ll change your mind,” he suggested, stepping closer.
“I won’t go out on a date with you,” she deres firmly, meeting his gaze head- on. Seeing his
expression darken slightly, she adds quickly, “But I can take you out to lunch, okay?”
“It’s just the beginning,” he says with a hint of yfulness as if hinting at some unspoken challenge.
Sophia couldn’t help but roll her eyes this time. While she wasn’t keen on participating in the half-
brothers’ antics, she did owe him at least a lunch for the earring incident.
As they exited the building for the promised lunch, their steps coincided with Alexander’s unexpected
appearance. Sophia’s heart skipped a beat, a twinge of guilt briefly washing over her. However, she
swiftly gathered herposure and continued walking, following Michael in his car.
Without looking back, she entered the car and closed the door behind her. As Michael started the
engine, Sophia nced out the window and caught a glimpse of Alexander watching them from a
distance. She turned her gaze away. She wondered why she cared so much.