#214 “It’s Also Foolish to Avoid the Facts.” Sophia carefullyid out the documents on the table, each


    one a piece of the intricate puzzle she was trying to solve. She watched Benjamin closely as he


    scanned the papers, his brow furrowing in concentration. “I came because I wanted to talk about your


    mother,” Sophia began, her voice steady but tinged with urgency. “My grandfather wiredrge sums of


    money to Audrey Thompson for years. I also spoke with Jeremy Gostler. He told me that my


    grandfather often visited your mother when he was in London. I was wondering if there was a chance I


    could talk to her.” Benjamin’s expression darkened as he studied the documents before him, his silence


    stretching between them like an invisible barrier. Finally, he spoke, his voice weighed down by the


    gravity of their shared history. “To be honest, I haven’t spoken to her since the revtion that we are


    brother and sister. I couldn’t…” Benjamin trailed off, his words heavy with unspoken emotions. Sophia


    reached out, cing a reassuring hand on his arm. “I understand,” she said softly. “If you’re not ready


    for that, there’s no need to do anything. Yourfortes first.” Benjamin hesitated, his gaze fixed


    on the documents before him. After a moment of contemtion, he sighed, a mixture of resignation


    and determination in his voice. “No,” he said firmly. “It’s been too long. I should know the truth. It’s also


    foolish to avoid the facts.” Sophia nodded in understanding, her heart going out to him in empathy. She


    knew that confronting their past, no matter how painful was the only way to uncover the truth hidden


    within their family’s tangled history. Sophia breathed a sigh of relief, grateful that Benjamin was willing


    to confront the past alongside her. ” Thank you, Benjamin,” she said, her voice filled with genuine


    gratitude. Benjamin took out his phone and dialed his mother’s number. Benjamin waited anxiously as


    the phone rang on the other end. After a few moments, Audrey’s voice came through the line, sounding


    slightly weary but unmistakably warm. “Benjamin, darling, is everything alright?” she asked, her


    concern evident in her tone. Benjamin took a deep breath, steeling himself for the conversation ahead.


    ” Yes, Mother, everything’s fine,” he replied, his voice steady despite the nervous flutter in his chest. “I


    just wanted to ask if we could meet tomorrow. There are some things I need to discuss with you. And


    Sophia will be joining us.” There was a brief pause on the line before Audrey responded, her voice


    tinged with curiosity. “Of course, dear, ” she said. “I’ll make arrangements for us to meet. Is everythingN?velDrama.Org owns this text.


    alright with Sophia?” Benjamin exchanged a quick nce with Sophia, who nodded encouragingly.


    “Yes, Mother, everything’s fine,” he assured her. “We just have some questions we’d like to ask you,


    that’s all.” Audrey seemed to sense the seriousness of the situation, and her tone turned more solemn.


    “Alright, Benjamin,” she said. “We’ll talk tomorrow. Take care, both of you.” With that, they exchanged


    goodbyes, and Benjamin ended the call, a sense of determination settling over him. He turned to


    Sophia, a faint smile ying on his lips. “We’ll meet her tomorrow,” he said, his voice tinged with a


    mixture of apprehension and anticipation. ” We’ll finally get some answers.” When Sophia left and was


    alreadypletely alone in the taxi, she couldn’t help but think about the report she had seen earlier.


    As the taxi weaved through the bustling streets of London, Sophia’s mind was consumed with worry for


    Alexander. The usations made against him in the report lingered in her thoughts like a dark cloud,


    casting a shadow over her already troubled mind. She couldn’t shake the feeling of guilt that gnawed at


    her insides, knowing that her presence in Alexander’s life had inadvertently dragged him into the


    whirlwind of controversy surrounding her grandfather’s legacy. Yet, despite her concern, she couldn’t


    deny the truth that abandoning her now would only further tarnish Alexander’s reputation. Sophia’s


    fingers trembled slightly as she reached for her phone, her heart pounding with anticipation as she


    dialed Alexander’s number. Each ring felt like an eternity as she waited for him to answer, her anxiety


    mounting with each passing second. Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, Alexander’s voice


    came through the line, sounding weary but unmistakablyforting. “Hello?” he answered, his voice


    filled with a mixture of exhaustion and concern. “Alexander, it’s me,” Sophia replied, relief flooding


    through her at the sound of his voice. “I saw the report… I just wanted to check in, and make sure


    you’re okay.” There was a brief pause on the other end of the line before Alexander responded, his


    voice tinged with a hint of weariness. “I’m hanging in there,” he admitted. “But honestly, Sophia, I’m


    more worried about you. Are you alright?” Sophia felt a lump form in her throat at Alexander’s words,


    touched by his concern for her well-being despite the storm raging around them. “I’m okay,” she


    reassured him, her voice barely above a whisper. “I talked to Benjamin, I’m meeting Audrey tomorrow.”


    “That’s good,” Alexander responded, his voice carrying a hint of fatigue. ” Honey, I’m going to have to


    hang up, they’re waiting for me in the boardroom.” “Of course. I love you,” Sophia replied softly, but


    before she could say more, Alexander had already ended the call. Sophia’s heart sank as she


    imagined Alexander navigating the tense atmosphere of the boardroom alone. She knew he was facing


    immense pressure, both professionally and personally, and she couldn’t shake the guilt weighing


    heavily on her conscience. Returning to her hotel room, Sophia felt a sense of helplessness wash over


    her. She longed to be by Alexander’s side, to offer himfort and support in his time of need. But all


    she could do was wait, her thoughts consumed by worry for him. Curling up on the bed, Sophia stared


    at the ceiling, her mind racing with thoughts of Alexander and their uncertain future. The weight of their


    situation pressed down on her, threatening to overwhelm her fragile resolve. Despite her exhaustion,


    sleep eluded her as she tossed and turned in the dimly lit room. She knew that with the time difference,


    it would be hours before she could hear from Alexander again. But she refused to sumb to self-pity,


    reminding herself that she had a role to y in their struggle for justice. With a silent vow to stand by


    Alexander’s side no matter what, Sophia finally closed her eyes, seeking sce in the fleeting embrace


    of sleep. She drifted off, her dreams haunted by visions of a brighter tomorrow where they could finally


    find peace together.