Chapter 399
Shortly after, Yvonne led Kristen upstairs. It was the second time Kristen hade to meet with Sophia
at Sunshine Group.
Sophia swept her gaze over Kristen calmly. “Ms. Leighton, please pour Mdm. Lambe a cup of coffee.”
Yvonne nodded and showed herself out of the office.
Sophia and Kristen were left in the office. Compared to her previous visit, Kristen seemed to be in
rather bad shape today.
Sophia''s gazended on the dark circles under Kristen''s eyes. A smile tugged at her lips as she asked,
“Mdm. Lambe, didn''t you sleep wellst night?”
The dark circles couldn''t even be concealed by makeup.
Hearing herment, Kristen froze awkwardly.
She deliberately used concealer on her dark circles and put on more blush than usual in an effort to
disguise her awful look so Sophia wouldn''t realize anything.
Nevertheless, she forgot that she was already in her fifties and that her skin was no longer glowing as it
had in her youth. The stress of Leonard''s trial took its toll on her, and she found herself unable to sleep
well for several nights consecutively. Herplexion began to suffer as a consequence.
Sophia''sment made Kristen realize that she was not going to be fooled by her tactics. Pursing her
lips, Kristen said directly, “I''d like to propose a deal, Ms. Yarrow.”
Sophia arched a brow. “Sure. I''d like to know what your bargaining chip is, though.”
If she wanted to propose a deal, she would need to provide something that Sophia would find beneficial
in exchange.
Sophia wasn''t looking down on Kristen. Rather, Kristen''sck of financial and social resources made it
unlikely that Sophia would be interested in her so-called bargaining chip.
However, Kristen came prepared. She was, in fact, afraid that Sophia wouldn''t mention it.
“It is a known fact that Alexander is Zachary''s son, but I believe that you would want to know the
identity of his birth mother.”
Sophia was stunned, a reaction she rarely experienced. After a moment of surprise, she slowly
straightened her posture, her pleasant expression fading into a cold re. “So this is your bargaining
chip, Ms. Lambe?” she asked in an icy tone.
She paused before chuckling. “A pity that I''m not interested in that information. Perhaps you should
strike a deal with Alexander instead of me.”
Kristen''s face went pale with shock as she stared at Sophia incredulously. “Sophia, I don''t think you
realize how important this is. I can guarantee that I''m the only person in the world who knows who
Alexander''s birth mother is. If I don''t give him this information, he will never find her. Perhaps you think
I''m being overconfident, but I can assure you that his birth mother might not even know where he is!”
Assuming Sophia had no idea how important this was, she clenched her jaw and tried to make things
clear to Sophia.
However, Sophia remained unfazed even after hearing the exnation. Her smile never wavered, yet
her expression turned much colder. “Is that so?”
Sophia tutted. “Mdm. Lambe, how can you be sure that Alexander wants to find his birth mother, and
that I''m willing to help him find her?”
“Y-You...” Kristen was rendered speechless.
She was counting on Alexander to be curious and eager about the information on his birth mother, but
the decision was ultimately up to him.
If Alexander never wanted to find his birth mother, her information would be useless to him.
Even if Alexander longed to discover the identity of his birth mother, there was no telling whether or not
Sophia would be willing to assist him in the quest.
Simply put, Kristen shouldn''t havee to ask for Sophia''s help today. It would have been better off if
she reached out to Alexander, who was more pertinent to the situation than Sophia was.
That realization made Kristen''s face turn as white as a sheet.
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The motive for her visit to Sophia was to exploit Sophia''s love for Alexander in order to coerce her into
lending a hand.
Kristen never expected that Sophia would decline her deal.
“Mdm. Lambe, is there anything else I can do for you?”
She wanted to summon Yvonne to see Kristen to the door if they were done here.
Kristen had nothing else to say. Dillon was in trouble, and Leonard''s first trial didn''t end well. With no
other viable option, Kristen was forced to turn to Sophia for help.
She had expected Sophia to be hostile towards her and was bracing herself for the worst, yet she was
given a rejection without hesitation. This was far more mortifying than any insult Sophia could have
thrown at her.
“Sophia, are you not at all interested in finding out who Alexander''s birth mother is?” she inquired,
refusing to give up.
Sophia gave her a look and chuckled. “Of course I''m curious.”
“As long as you can help get Leonard out of trouble, I''ll tell you who his birth mother is!”
Sophia gazed at her in amusement. “It is perfectly natural to be curious. I, myself, am intrigued to learn
more about Alexander''s birth mother, but my mere curiosity is not enough topel me to offer you
assistance. If you have nothing else to say, you may leave now.”
Sophia pressed on the internalndline and summoned Yvonne, who had left earlier to “brew some
coffee.” She instructed, “Ms. Leighton,e in and send Mdm. Lambe off.”
Kristen was rooted to the spot, her body became rigid as an icy chill ran through her veins. Her eyes
were fixed on Sophia, who seemed unconcerned.
Yvonne quickly came in and stopped beside Kristen. “Mdm. Lambe, this way please,” she said politely
and extended an arm, motioning for Kristen to leave with her.
Kristen parted her lips to protest, but her gazended on Sophia, and she ended up not saying
anything.
Sophia had lowered her head and refused to look at her, so there was nothing else she could say.
Looking away, Kristen retrieved her bag and left, her shoulders slumped in dejection.
Before leaving, Yvonne closed the door behind her. Sophia was once again left in her office alone.
Right then, she looked up and gazed at the door thoughtfully.
Sophia would be lying if she imed she wasn''t curious as to who Alexander''s birth mother was.
However, Alexander wasn''t willing to reveal much, so she didn''t want to act on her own.
Alexander arrived to pick her up after six in the evening.
It was September in Jadeborough, and the sun was already setting at this hour.
The street was bustling with activity as it was rush hour, but Sophia was able to locate Alexander, who
was standing in front of his ck Cayenne in the crowd immediately.
He was wearing his usual suit, standing out among the sea of people with his tall stature and icy
expression. However, his cold exterior melted away when he saw Sophia.
Alexander straightened his back as Sophia walked to him. He opened the door of the vehicle, waiting
for her to enter.
Sophia gave him a smile and entered his car. “Thanks!”
After closing the door behind her, Alexander made his way to the driver''s side.
The car soon merged with the stream of vehicles. It was rush hour, and the traffic was congested.
He slowed down when the traffic light turned red.
Alexander turned to look at her. “What do you want for dinner?”
Sophia gave his question some thought. “Ms. Leighton said there is a restaurant that serves delicious
chicken soup nearby Rainbow Square.”
As the temperature began to drop in Jadeborough, it seemed like a great idea to warm up with a
comforting bowl of steaming hot chicken soup.
“Sure.”
Sophia grunted in acknowledgment before saying, “Today, Kristen showed up at my office.”
She paused as the red light turned green. “The light has turned green.”
As the road was congested with cars, the car rolled forward until it eventually came to a halt several
meters ahead.
Alexander gazed at her. “Why did shee to your office?”
“She said she is the only one who knows who your birth mother is.”
Alexander furrowed his brows. “What does she want?''
“She wants me to help Leonard,” Sophia exined. Snorting, she added, “But I said no.”
Knowing what she meant, Alexander ced his hand reassuringly on her knee. “Ignore her. I''m not
interested in that information.”
Sophia cocked a brow. “That was what I thought, too.”
For more than thirty years, Alexander had been living without his birth mother. It seemed that she too
had moved on with her life, and if they were to suddenly recognize one another''s existence, it may not
result in a positive oue for both of them.