#209 “No, no, no…”


    Sophia had just settled into her hotel room in London after her flight. Throughout the journey, she


    meticulously kept notes of all potential locations where clues about her grandfather’s secrets might be


    hidden, alongside a well-prepared to-do list for her investigation.


    After cing her suitcase aside, Sophia decided to take a shower, hoping to refresh herself before


    starting her exploration around the city. She turned on the TV, intending to y some music in the


    background. The noise, she thought, would help drown out the whirlwind of thoughts racing through her


    mind and give her a momentary escape from the relentless tension.


    However, the moment she switched on the TV, her eyesnded on a news broadcast. Intending to flip


    the channel to find some music, Sophia paused abruptly when she recognized a familiar face on the


    screen.


    It was Alexander, looking unexpectedly taken aback by the sudden onught of reporters around him.


    Next to him stood an older man, whose features were eerily simr to Alexander’s. Sophia’s heart


    leaped into her throat as the realization dawned on her about what she was witnessing.


    Sophia felt a knot of dread form in her stomach as she observed Alexander’s expression shift from


    surprise to a determined, almost defiant stance. His father spoke, his voice echoing through the hotel


    room, but Sophia couldn’t make out his words.


    Property ? 2024 N0(v)elDrama.Org.


    The look in Alexander’s eyes, however, told her everything she needed to know. This was the


    showdown they had feared, ying out in real time for the entire world to see.


    As she stood rooted to the spot, the reporter’s voice cut through her shock, “Breaking news from Stone


    Enterprises, as Alexander Stone faces off against his father Nelson Stone in a dramatic confrontation.


    Allegations and secret documents are at the heart of this family feud, threatening to unravel the legacy


    of one of the city’s most prominent businesses.”


    Sophia’s heart raced as she absorbed the gravity of the situation. The n to expose thepany’s


    secrets, and the threats from Alexander’s father, it was alling to a head in the most public way


    possible.


    “No, no, no…” Sophia whispered.


    She knew the implications were severe, not just for thepany, but for Alexander, Caroline, and


    herself. The documents, the very ones she had been desperate to find and secure, were now at the


    center of a scandal that could destroy everything they had worked to protect.


    A mixture of anger and fear coursed through her veins. She had left to dig into her grandfather’s past,


    hoping to uncover something that could help them fight back. But now, standing alone in her hotel


    room, Sophia felt the weight of their predicament more acutely than ever. The need to act, to do


    something to help Alexander and safeguard their future, pressed urgently against her consciousness.


    Sophia’s gaze was glued to the screen, her heart pounding as the news anchor introduced the


    segment. The camera panned to Alexander, lookingposed yet undeniably tense as reporters


    crowded around him, each trying to shout their questions louder than the others.


    The man beside him, Nelson, Alexander’s father, had a smug look on his face, clearly enjoying the


    chaos he had instigated.


    “Mr. Stone, is it true that the documents reveal illegal activities tied to the foundation of Stone


    Enterprises? one reporter asked, microphone thrust forward.


    Another jumped in, “And what about your marriage to Sophia? Some are saying it was nothing more


    than a strategic alliance to cover up the truth!”


    Nelson chimed in before Alexander could respond, his voice oozing false concern. “You see, my son


    has been misled by his… ambitions. His marriage to Sophia, as beautiful as it was, has unfortunately


    been perceived by some as a mere transaction, a merger of power and money, rather than love.”


    Alexander’s jaw clenched at his father’s words, but he maintained hisposure. Turning to face the


    reporters, he said, “I will not stand here and let my personal life or mypany’s integrity be


    questioned based on unfounded usations. The documents in question will be reviewed, and I


    assure you, an official statement will be made in theing days.”


    “But isn’t it true that your grandfather was involved in questionable activities? “another reporter pushed,


    not letting up. “How do you exin the sudden wealth that founded Stone Enterprises?


    The questions continued, each more using than thest. Sophia could see the strain on Alexander’s


    face as he tried to fend off the verbal attacks. The mention of having to possibly give up his rtionship


    with her to protect some part of his reputation wasn’t lost on her, and her heart ached at the thought.


    As she watched, tears welled up in her eyes. The ticker at the bottom of the screen scrolled with the


    headline, “A Con Man at Stone Enterprise: The Scandal Unfolds.” It was all too much. Sophia felt a


    lump form in her throat as the reality of their situation hit her. Alexander was being publicly torn apart


    because of his association with her and the dubious history of her family.


    She couldn’t bear it any longer.


    Turning off the TV, Sophia sat on the edge of the bed, her mind racing. She knew she had to do


    something, but what? The feeling of helplessness was overwhelming. Alexander was fighting a battle


    on all fronts, and she was here, miles away, unable to do anything but watch as the world seemed


    determined to bring him down.