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Chapter 1 Pregnant "One more round?" Easton Foster whispered, his lips brushing against Sophia Roth's ear, his voice low and taunting. "Get off me..." Sophia winced at the sting between her thighs and pushed against his chest. "Isn't this exactly what you wanted? Using Grandma to force me back so I'd play the dutiful husband? Fine. Let's keep going. They're all outside listening," Easton sneered. "Easton, you're an asshole," Sophia shot back, her face flushed with both anger and shame. "An asshole? Remember how this marriage even came about? Don't talk to me about fairness." Easton's voice was cold and mocking. Before Sophia could react, he crushed his lips to hers, hard and demanding. The kiss sent heat spiraling through Sophia. Her mind blanked, every word he'd just said dissolving, and she forgot to resist. Easton despised their marriage. Just one day after their wedding, he bailed on Jenston and jetted off to Menolia for business at the Foster Group branch. He was gone for ten whole months, and Sophia became the hottest joke among all of Jenston's elite families. Everyone knew Sophia wasn't really Easton's wife in his eyes, and she was just there to fill the role, nothing more than a title with no meaning. Sophia knew the only reason he showed up this time was because his grandmother, Irene, faked an illness. She'd daydreamed about their wedding night. But not once did she imagine it'd turn out like that—Easton's every move was harsh and fierce, fueled by bitterness, and her feelings didn't matter to him at all. She shut her eyes, tears streaming silently from the corners. At the crack of dawn, the air in the bedroom was still thick with lingering traces of passion. Just as Easton started to get up, his phone began vibrating. He glanced at the caller ID and his tone shifted, a trace of anxiety slipping in. "Stella, what's wrong? Don't cry. I'll be right there." Sophia instantly knew who he was talking to. She let out a bitter, dry chuckle. 'Turns out Easton can care about someone—just not me,' she thought to herself. As Easton moved away from her, Sophia desperately reached out and grabbed his hand. "Easton..." she whispered, her voice shaking. 'Please, don't leave,' she pleaded in her heart. Easton didn't respond. Once he was fully dressed, he spat out a cold, cutting line. "Everyone might call you Mrs. Foster, but to me, you'll never be worthy." With that, he slammed the door and stormed out. Watching Easton's cold back vanish from the room, Sophia gripped the sheets so hard that her knuckles went pale. Her heart felt like it had been wrung out and tossed in a corner. She lay there, feeling like a used-up rag. Her eyes burned red, but she refused to let one tear drop. She had been in love with Easton for as long as she could remember, hiding that secret ache in her heart year after year, eight in total. When Foster Group hit troubled waters, the Roth family's alliance through marriage became the obvious solution. For Sophia, though, the dream of marrying Easton finally came true. The day she slipped into her wedding dress, Sophia gazed at her reflection in the mirror, happiness glowing in her eyes. At that moment, she felt like she could reach out and hold the whole world. "Easton, I'm really marrying you," she whispered. But soon enough, Sophia learned that Easton's heart had always belonged to someone else—Stella Weston. That was why he hated Sophia for forcing him into marriage with her. On their wedding night, he had already left her behind. And right then, once again, she could only watch as he walked away for another woman. 'Easton, did you really forget those words you once told me? You swore you'd marry me, so why did you just erase it all from your heart?' Sophia's chest tightened with that bitter thought. After that night, she never laid eyes on Easton again. ***** At Jenston General Hospital, the doctor smiled warmly at Sophia. "Ms. Roth, congratulations. You're pregnant, about five weeks along. Be sure to get plenty of rest and come back at twelve weeks so we can start your medical records and do a full check-up." Sophia clutched the pregnancy test results in her hand, her heart pounding with a mix of excitement and anxiety. 'Will Easton even care about this baby?' she thought, uncertainty twisting inside her. After she left the doctor's office, she found a quiet corner, ready to call Easton. Just then, two nurses happened to pass by. "The director just sent Dr. Chapman to do a pregnancy check-up for Stella. Guess those rumors are spot-on—Stella's already two months pregnant with Mr. Foster's kid," one nurse whispered, all excited. "Don't spread gossip. Isn't Mr. Foster already married?" the other nurse shot back. "I'm telling you, it's totally true. I literally saw Mr. Foster upstairs with Stella like just now," the first nurse insisted. "Wow, rich folks do live by their own rules. Getting married doesn't mean a thing to them. He's out there having a baby with another woman, all in the open. I seriously feel bad for the real Mrs. Foster," the second nurse muttered. "Being married doesn't mean much when it's just a cold, loveless arrangement anyway. Honestly, with Stella expecting, you can bet a divorce is coming sooner or later," the first nurse said. "That's for sure. Everyone knows Mr. Foster skipped town the day after the wedding. He acted like his new wife didn't even exist," the second nurse snorted. Sophia lingered off to the side, overhearing their conversation. Her fingers clenched, gripping her phone until her fingertips turned white. After the nurses finally walked away, she leaned weakly against the wall, as if all her strength had been drained away. She bit her lip—pale and bloodless—from holding back her emotions. Every word from earlier still jabbed like a knife straight into her heart. Sophia cupped her belly with trembling hands, her voice soft and tinged with longing. "I hoped that with you on the way, maybe one day, he'll finally accept us." She thought, 'But that's all just a fool's dream. Stella is already carrying Easton's child. How could he possibly care about me and the baby inside me? 'If I hadn't suddenly felt lightheaded and sick today, I would never have guessed I was pregnant. And now, fate has me hearing their "happy news" right here in the hospital.' As Sophia stepped out of the hospital, a faint drizzle brushed against her face. She tilted her head up, almost hoping the rain might bring her a scrap of comfort, but all she got was more chill. The gloomy, gray sky above seemed to press down on her chest, trapping every bit of warmth and leaving her heart even colder, even tighter than before. Sophia hid the pregnancy test results deep in her purse, then got behind the wheel and drove off by herself. An hour later, she arrived at Silvermoon Bay—the house she and Easton were meant to call home after their wedding. "Mrs. Foster, you're back," Grace, the housekeeper, greeted her warmly, coming over. Sophia smiled and replied, "Yeah. I'm skipping dinner tonight. Just feeling a little wiped out. I want to head upstairs and rest for a bit." Grace fussed, concern etched on her face. "Are you sure you're alright? Your hands feel chilly." Sophia shook her head, giving Grace's hand a gentle pat. "No worries. I'm okay, really. Just don't mention it to Grandma Irene, alright? I'll go up now." Once Sophia made it upstairs to the master bedroom, a wave of dizziness and nausea crashed over her again. She hurried into the bathroom, dropped down by the toilet, and retched helplessly. After a moment, she came out of the bathroom and heard her phone ring. It was her best friend, May Young, calling. May's voice was full of mischief as she teased, "Sophia, I heard your so-called husband is back in the country." Sophia massaged her temples, replying wearily, "Yeah, he came back about a month ago." "Hurry up and check your phone. I sent you some news. I don't want you kept in the dark," May said. Sophia had no idea why May was so anxious. After hanging up, she flopped onto the bed and clicked open the message May had sent her. The headlines flashed glaringly before her eyes: [Late-Night Meeting of Easton, Foster Group's CEO, with Finance News Anchor Stella], [Easton and Stella Spotted Heading Back to Their Shared Apartment], [Easton and Stella's Three-Month Getaway in Menolia]. Beneath every headline were pictures of Easton and Stella out and about together and even snaps from their trip in Menolia. Sophia had never seen Easton look so gentle before. He was even smiling—a side of him she'd never witnessed. Sophia zoomed in on each photo, staring at them again and again. A sharp, unspeakable ache surged in her chest. As she watched those blinding images, it finally sank in: the whole time he'd been back this month, he'd shared his life with Stella. Sophia locked her phone, and a single tear slipped down her cheek, landing on the screen. She sat there in silence for a long time, her thoughts swirling. 'If this is how things are, maybe I should just let you two be together and give myself a break,' she finally told herself. Chapter 2 Divorce Agreement Sophia's life was simple. Ever since she got married, her days followed a predictable pattern. Aside from the occasional social event she couldn't avoid, she spent almost all her time holed up in her art studio, painting. One morning, Sophia uploaded the pieces she'd created for the entrance exam to the Japoria Academy of Arts website. When she got the notification that her submission was accepted, she couldn't help but smile. Then she picked up her phone and called May. "May, I need you to draft up a divorce agreement for me." May was startled. "Sophia, are you really sure about this?" But then May thought about those photos. Even she felt like destroying those two people after seeing the photos. And she knew Sophia was always decisive, never one to look back once she made up her mind. "Yeah," Sophia replied. Even though Sophia had spent the whole night going over the decision in her mind, saying it out loud still made her feel a pang of sadness. After all, she had been the one to ask for the marriage in the first place. Sophia took a deep breath, her tone calm. "Once you finish drafting the agreement, send it to me as soon as possible. Dissolving the alliance between our families is bound to get dragged out, but I don't want to wait." May agreed and hung up. Then, Sophia picked up her phone and called Edward, her uncle, and Julian, her cousin, bracing herself for the inevitable lecture. A week later, May sent the first draft of the divorce agreement to Sophia's phone. Sophia read through every detail and called May. "The agreement looks fine. Print it out, and I'll swing by your office later to pick it up." "Sure," May replied. Later that afternoon, Sophia showed up at May's law firm, picked up the freshly printed divorce agreement, and didn't linger at all. She immediately got in her car and drove straight to Foster Group. It was her first time setting foot in the building, and deep down, she knew it might also be her last. "Mrs. Foster, what brings you here at this time of day?" Gordon Lowell, Easton's secretary, looked genuinely surprised as Sophia showed up unexpectedly and called him. Gordon escorted Sophia into Easton's office. Without a single unnecessary word, Sophia placed the divorce agreement on his desk. "Let's get divorced," she said, her voice calm and resolute. Easton didn't bother to look up or take her words seriously. He kept flipping through the documents, his voice cold and sharp. "Sophia, mind games like this won't work on me. And stop trying to hold Grandma's illness over my head." Sophia laid out the agreement, signing her name with swift, decisive strokes right in front of him. "Take a look when you get a chance," she said, all composure. "If you're fine with it, just sign." Easton finally glanced up, his face darkening, voice edged with irritation. "Enough with the drama. Get out and go home." "She's back—the Mrs. Foster everyone thinks she should be. I'm just the stand-in and never really belong here," Sophia said, her voice cool and detached. Easton's brows drew together. "Do you even know what you're saying?" Sophia stayed perfectly composed. "I know exactly what I'm saying, Easton. It's time to end a marriage you can't stand, and I bet that's a relief for you." Easton's gaze brimmed with disdain. "The Roth family has fallen from grace. You're choosing to leave me now? Without Foster Group's support, do you actually think your family could weather this storm? "Well, maybe it's time for you and your family to get a real taste of what it feels like to be left with nowhere to run." About two weeks ago, Crestview Group was suddenly thrown into turmoil when the tax authorities launched a surprise audit out of nowhere. As soon as Sophia got word of it, she had people start digging around to find out what was really going on. Sophia eyed the man across from her, his air of superiority almost suffocating, and a mocking smile tugging at her lips. She said, "Crestview Group is our family business and has weathered every storm for decades. Yet soon after Stella returned, the tax bureau came knocking. I'd bet my last dollar, Mr. Foster, you know exactly why better than I do." Easton's gaze was intense, unwavering as he stared straight at her. "This whole mess isn't on Stella. Your uncle botched the figures, and Stella only reported what actually happened. She's not at fault here. "But I can't blame you for suspecting her. After all, you were the one who snatched her marriage away, weren't you?" Sophia felt like she'd just heard the biggest joke in the world, but she had no intention of arguing with Easton any longer. "I've already signed the divorce agreement," she said, her voice frosty. "Look it over. If everything's in order, sign it and let me know. I'll send my lawyer to collect it." Outside, night had settled over the city, neon lights casting their glow in the chill of early winter. Sophia's heart was ice cold. After leaving that final line hanging in the air, she turned and walked out of Easton's office without a glance back. Just as she reached the elevator, however, she ran straight into Stella. Sophia thought, 'Talk about bad timing. One look at Stella and I know she's here to see Easton.' With a triumphant smirk, Stella strutted up to Sophia, her tone oozing superiority. "Ms. Roth, fancy seeing you here. You came to see Easton, too?" Sophia met Stella's gaze, her eyes turning cold. "Ms. Weston, you've barely set foot back in the country, and you're already coming for Crestview Group? Gotta say, you really don't waste time." Stella smirked, making no effort to hide her intentions. "Sophia, I should've been Mrs. Foster, but your Roth family swooped in while I was away, pretending it was all for an investment. Honestly, I waited way too long before making my move." Sophia lowered her eyes, her lips curling up in a faint, almost sarcastic smile. "You know, Stella, your family could've put money into Foster Group just like we did. But you didn't. "When Easton hit rock bottom, you chose to take off and study abroad. Now that Foster Group's thriving, you just show up thinking you can cash in?" Stella's face darkened. "Don't twist the facts. My plans to go abroad were set way before Foster Group ran into any trouble. If I hadn't left, you never would've gotten the chance to worm your way into his life. "But it's a shame, isn't it? Easton didn't seem to care much about you. He left Jenston the very next day after your wedding and flew to Menolia just to see me." Sophia arched an eyebrow, her smile icy and sarcastic as she cut Stella off, "So you're straight up admitting Easton cheated on me in our marriage, and you're the homewrecker who crawled between us—the textbook side-piece, right?" "You—" Stella hadn't expected Sophia to be so composed. It felt like trying to land a punch on a pillow—zero effect, and before she could recover, Sophia had flipped the script on her. Suddenly, Stella spotted a familiar figure heading their way. She grabbed Sophia's hand, tears streaming down her cheeks. "Mrs. Foster, I swear, there's nothing going on between me and Mr. Foster. All those photos and trending topics are just rumors. Please, just hear me out." Sophia's brows snapped together. She instinctively shoved Stella's hand off. "What's wrong with you, Stella? Just let me go." They kept tussling when, without warning, Stella suddenly fell in front of Sophia, right after Sophia peeled her fingers away. Sophia hadn't even had time to register what was happening when a tall figure stepped up behind them, swiftly reached out to steady Stella, and then firmly pulled Sophia away from her. Thrown off balance, Sophia twisted her ankle and ended up slamming her back and waist hard against the elevator doors. The pain shot up her spine, and to her dismay, she realized there was a dull ache forming in her abdomen as well. Sophia's forehead was slick with sweat, and she instinctively clutched her stomach. Easton caught sight of her, an odd look flickering in his eyes. He leaned over quickly, wanting to help steady her. "Don't touch me. Keep your fake sympathy to yourself," Sophia hissed. Chapter 3 Going Abroad Sophia watched Easton and Stella huddle together, practically joined at the hip. For a split second, she almost laughed, but her heart clenched painfully. "Easton, you really do have a soft spot for her, huh?" Stella tugged gently on Easton's sleeve. "Easton, I think Mrs. Foster kind of misunderstands us. Maybe we should talk about this later?" Easton gave Sophia a cold, indifferent look. "It's fine. Just ignore her. Let's go inside." Sophia stared coldly at their retreating backs, the dull ache in her stomach suddenly intensifying. Her face grew pale. She forced herself to endure the discomfort, pressed the elevator button, and made her way back to her car. Instinctively, she touched her lower abdomen and glanced down. Her white pants were already stained with bright red blood. Her hands were shaking as she dialed Easton's number, panic gripping her. But all she got was his icy tone on the other end. "Acting all tough a moment ago, huh? Now what drama are you trying to play? I'm busy. Deal with your own mess." Before Sophia could even say a word, Easton hung up. Her lips curled into a cold, mocking sneer on her pale face. 'Easton, one day you'll regret treating me like this. And I'll never forgive you—not in this lifetime,' she thought. ***** After wrapping up business with Easton in the CEO's office at Foster Group, Stella headed out. Easton skimmed through the divorce agreement Sophia had signed, eyebrows furrowing in disbelief. He thought, 'She's actually willing to leave without taking a single thing. The only string attached is that I have to pull Crestview Group out of the mess it's facing.' Then, Sophia's words from earlier drifted back into his mind, sharp and clear. Easton thought, 'Wait, could Stella really be behind this? Did she pull some strings that got Crestview Group investigated out of nowhere? 'But Stella has always been kind-hearted. Back when a car accident damaged my cornea, the doctors said I'd be blind for life unless someone suitable could step up and donate. 'It was Stella who stayed by my side at the care facility for a full six months, who encouraged me and helped me survive those endless, dark days. 'I once promised I'd marry her. But now, all I feel is guilt. All of this is due to the Roth family and Sophia.' When Gordon walked in, he saw the icy look on Easton's poker face. "Mr. Foster, is there anything you need me to handle?" Easton took a slow drag from his cigarette and then tapped the ash into the ashtray in front of him. "Pull together everything you have on Crestview Group. Get the legal team up to the conference room in half an hour." "Yes, sir," Gordon replied, a flicker of surprise crossing his face as he left the office. 'Is Mr. Foster going to handle the Roth family's problems for Mrs. Foster?' he wondered. Then he remembered the two divorce agreements he'd spotted on Easton's desk earlier. 'Could they seriously be splitting up over the whole Crestview Group mess?' he thought, shock rippling through him. ***** When Sophia woke up, she realized she was lying in a hospital bed. A doctor and a nurse stood at her bedside. The nurse smiled softly and helped her sit up, saying, "Ms. Roth, you're awake." Sophia's hand flew to her belly, panic written all over her pale face. "Is my baby alright?" she asked breathlessly. "Don't worry. For now, the baby is stable," the doctor assured her. "I've ordered a three-day course of injections to support your pregnancy. Stay in the hospital under observation and try to keep your spirits up. That's the best thing for you and the baby." Sophia nodded, relief finally washing over her. May walked back in after handling the hospital admission papers and saw Sophia had just finished her IV. "Sophia, you're finally awake! When I got your call, I rushed over. Seeing you collapse like that nearly scared me to death." Sophia hugged her gently. "I'm okay. You really don't have to worry about me." May's eyes were filled with worry for Sophia. "Weren't you just meeting Easton to talk about the divorce? How did it end up like this? And now that you're actually divorcing him, what about the baby?" Sophia replied, her voice cold and decisive, "The baby is mine, period. Easton has nothing to do with it. He isn't even worthy of being this child's father." "You know you can't hide this forever." May voiced her worries. "If the Foster family ever finds out, do you think they'll fight you for custody?" Sophia forced a faint smile and shook her head. 'Easton and Stella are already busy with their own kid. He couldn't care less about me or my baby,' she thought. "Once all this blows over, I'll go abroad and stay for a few years. When I return, no one will ever know who the child's father is," she said. May was taken aback for a second, then broke into a smile and gave Sophia a big thumbs-up. "Going solo with the kid? Honestly, I think that's brilliant." Sophia gave May a quick rundown on what was going down with Crestview Group. May snapped, "I swear, may Stella rot for all I care. And Easton? That asshole's got no conscience at all. After everything the Roth family did to bail his precious Foster Group out, now he's so quick to go all-in for his so-called true love. "If I ever dig up proof that Easton was in on all this, I'll go all out to nail this cheating bastard and dump every last shred of evidence at the courthouse. I'll make damn sure he walks out of this marriage with nothing." Sophia leaned back against the hospital bed, listening to May go off, her face calm and completely unfazed. "None of those even matters to me anymore," Sophia murmured. "I've spent years trapping myself in my own mess, but now I'm finally awake. My priority now is to help Crestview Group out of the crisis. Otherwise, I won't leave with peace of mind." Seeing how composed Sophia was, May decided not to push any further. Three days later, Sophia made her way back to Silvermoon Bay. The moment she stepped through the door, Grace—her face etched with worry—hurried over. Grace said, "Mrs. Foster, thank goodness you're home. Mr. Foster just had his secretary drop off the divorce papers. Are you two really going through with this? Can't you please try talking it over with him one last time?" Sophia barely reacted. Three days had passed, and she knew it was finally time to deal with everything. She gave Grace a comforting nod. "This really can't be fixed anymore. Please, don't say anything to Grandma Irene yet. "Her health's not great, and she's been in the nursing home for so long. When the time comes, I'll talk to her myself." Tears filled Grace's eyes. From the first day she'd been sent over from Windmere Estate, the Foster residence, to Silvermoon Bay, she'd grown fond of Sophia. Sophia was not only gentle and graceful, but also breathtakingly beautiful—Grace had never met a woman prettier than her. Grace had truly believed Easton would love Sophia, but right after the wedding, he went abroad the very next morning. He abandoned his new wife to spend ten long months alone in that huge, empty house. And the worst part was that Sophia silently endured all the cruel gossip and snide laughter from the wealthy socialites, never once letting anyone see her hurt. Sophia flipped to the last page of the divorce agreement, eyes settling on Easton's name, which was clear and cold at the bottom right. The divorce certificate sat in a separate folder. Sophia was about to place the papers together, but as soon as she opened the folder, she found a bank card inside. Without a second glance, she took it out and set it on the nightstand. After packing her things, Sophia gently closed the master bedroom door. Pausing at the stairs, she looked back at the room that had been her "marital home" for a whole year. She spent almost every night in complete solitude, with no one at her side. She turned away, and even though she'd fought so hard to stay strong, she just couldn't hold back anymore—tears finally started rolling down her cheeks. Easton fully honored the terms of the divorce agreement. Crestview Group made it through the crisis, and just like that, every last score between him and the Roth family was finally settled. Sitting on the plane, Sophia rested her hands on her belly, smiling for the first time in ages. "Little one, Mommy's taking you somewhere new. We're going to start fresh. Aren't you excited?" She stared out at the clouds drifting by outside the window. 'Goodbye, Easton. From now on, it's your life and mine—we'll each find our own way,' she thought. Chapter 4 Five Years Later Five years later, inside Foster Group headquarters, Easton stood in his office by the floor-to-ceiling windows, hands in his pockets, gazing down at the city streets below the towering Foster Group building. "Mr. Foster, the Northbay project is essentially confirmed. We can begin construction tomorrow, and the whole thing should take about eight months," Gordon said after he knocked and walked in, file in hand. Easton turned around, settled back in his chair, and took the file from Gordon. "I asked you to reach out to the head of Rothea Designs. So, what did they say?" "Their design director's assistant told me that Rothea Designs outright turned down Foster Group's proposal," Gordon replied. As Gordon finished, he still couldn't believe it. Tons of companies were desperate to partner with Foster Group, yet Rothea Designs didn't even hesitate before shutting them down. Easton frowned, asking, "Could it be a pricing issue?" Gordon shook his head. Foster Group never lowballed anyone. Easton opened his laptop and browsed through the design sketches Rothea Designs had posted on their Japoria site over the past couple of years. Whether it was the color combinations or the whole layout, every detail blew him away visually. Easton was totally sold on Rothea Designs's style. "Get in touch with their director, Evan, ASAP. I want to handle this in person," he said firmly. "Yes, Mr. Foster," Gordon replied. ***** It was the dead of winter in Japoria, and Sophia stood on the second-floor balcony of her villa, lost in thought as she gazed at the distant lights. Edward had called her half a month ago, urging her to come home as soon as possible. Sophia knew that ever since the marriage alliance between the Foster family and the Roth family collapsed, Crestview Group had been struggling. Julian was bearing the weight all on his own, and it was clearly wearing him down. Crestview Group was founded by Sophia's father, Richard, and Edward together. After Richard passed away so early, the burden naturally fell to Edward and Julian. Edward had raised her, and she couldn't in good conscience just stay in Japoria, living a carefree life with her son, Lucas. After thinking it over for a long time, she finally decided it was time to return and shoulder her part of the responsibility. She picked up her phone and called May. "May, would you be interested in serving as legal counsel for our projects at Crestview Group?" May had just gotten home from a business dinner when she answered Sophia's call, practically over the moon. "Sophia, you're finally coming back!" Sophia smiled softly. "Mm-hmm, I'll be back soon." ***** At Jenston International Airport, Sophia wheeled her suitcase out and looked around. Everything seemed to have changed so much since the day she left. May's car was already parked at the entrance. She jumped out and rushed up with open arms. "Sophia, welcome home!" Sophia hugged her back. "Long time no see." May helped Sophia with the suitcase, and they headed straight for the car. As May fastened her seatbelt, she glanced over at Sophia, curiosity clear in her voice. "So, how come you didn't bring Lucas back with you this time?" Sophia told her, "Crestview Group's going through a rough patch. I want to wait until things are a bit more stable before I bring him and the nanny over. "He was born and raised in Japoria. Honestly, I'm worried he'll have a hard time getting used to Jenston." As she chatted, Sophia was tapping out an email on her tablet. "I've sent all the files to your inbox. I'll leave the rest to you." "No problem," May replied. After coming home, Sophia barely took a break before officially taking up her post at Crestview Group. There was a knock on her office door. "Come in," Sophia said. "Ms. Roth, here are the documents you requested," the assistant said, bringing over a stack of contracts. "Thank you. Just leave them here. I'll go through them in a bit," Sophia replied. Just then, her phone rang. Sophia picked up. "What is it?" "Evan, Foster Group sent another email. They're really persistent, hoping Rothea Designs will agree to a partnership, and Easton himself wants to speak with you directly," the other party said. Sophia's voice was decisive. "Just turn them down. And Rothea Designs will officially merge into Crestview Group soon. I'll have May send you the paperwork later. Get it sorted and put the info up on Rothea's official site when you get the chance." "Okay," the other party replied. Sophia hung up, lost in thought. Rothea Designs had gotten pretty popular in Japoria and at home those past few years, but she never imagined Foster Group would pay so much attention to their designs—reaching out over again and again, hoping to work with them. 'I really don't want anything to do with Easton,' Sophia mused. 'Even though I'm home now and I've mentally prepared myself for the day I'll bump into him, at least right now... I want to keep my distance.' Later that afternoon, May arrived at Crestview Group with the acquisition paperwork. "Dear Ms. Roth, could you take a look over these and let me know if there's anything you want to add?" "Sit down," Sophia said, accepting the documents from May and flipping through them carefully. "So, you're planning to acquire Rothea Designs using Crestview Group's name? Don't you think that might hold back Rothea's future development? I mean, it is your own creation," May said, genuinely puzzled after spotting that extra condition at the end. Sophia shook her head. "It's just for the domestic side. It won't have any impact on things in Japoria." "So you're shutting Foster Group out completely," May remarked. "Isn't that just common sense?" Sophia replied with a faint smile. "Definitely. A decent ex should stay dead. But I'm really curious. Foster Group has plenty of better options, both here and overseas. There's no reason for them to be so hung up on Rothea Designs. And yet, they just don't seem to give up," May remarked casually. Sophia took up the pen and signed her name without hesitation, her voice calm and assured. "Rothea Designs has more suitors than just Foster Group. There are plenty of other companies here wanting a piece of us. "That tells me our strategy to move into the domestic market was spot on. But once we're here, Rothea Designs is a Crestview Group brand—no one else gets a say." Sophia knew there was a huge development by Crestview Group set to finish in six months. With Rothea Designs making waves both in Japoria and at home, locking in their debut project with Crestview Group would blow up in the media and get Rothea's fans talking nonstop. All that buzz would supercharge Crestview Group's stock prices, and that was just her opening gambit. Sophia's ultimate goal was to help Crestview Group lock down the big southern resort development. But with several top real estate firms from Jenston in the running, her biggest rival was none other than Foster Group. Easton was a strategist—sharp, relentless, and backed by Foster Group's bottomless wealth and power. Sophia knew that going head-to-head with him for the project wouldn't be easy; she was up against the toughest opponent in the game. Still, that didn't faze her. She refused to back down. For Crestview Group, she'd fight tooth and nail—no matter what came her way. Chapter 5 Meeting Again Even though the weather in Jenston wasn't as great as in Japoria, Sophia still felt a strong attachment to her hometown. She took loads of photos of the sights around Jenston and sent them to Mia, the nanny, and Lucas, letting them see a bit of her everyday life there. Sophia had arranged to meet May after work at a café near the university district. "Sorry I'm late," May said as she flopped down, still catching her breath. Sophia slid over the coffee she'd sweetened for May. "What's the hurry? I wasn't rushing you," she teased. May took a sip and grinned. "Are you kidding? If my beautiful CEO asks me out, of course, I come running." Sophia was left speechless. Stella had come to the university district that day to interview a physics professor. She'd just gotten out of the car with her assistant and popped into the café for a coffee when she spotted May sitting inside. When she looked closer, she froze. 'Sophia? When did she get back to Jenston? I thought she was living in Japoria now,' Stella thought to herself. Stella's eyes flashed with anger. 'After she and Easton got divorced, he still stepped in to help Crestview Group out of the crisis. If it hadn't been for Easton, she wouldn't be living a good life as the Roth family's heiress.' The more Stella thought about it, the angrier she got. She grabbed her coffee and marched straight over to May and Sophia. "Ms. Roth, long time no see," she said, her voice dripping with sarcasm. Sophia was mid-conversation with May when Stella's abrupt voice cut in. She gave Stella a cold glance, then simply ignored her and calmly sipped her coffee. Stella, even more infuriated by Sophia's indifference, sneered, "Sophia, just because Easton saved Crestview Group back then doesn't mean you're still the untouchable Roth heiress. Crestview is irrelevant in Jenston now. Maybe you should put that arrogance away." May couldn't take it and sneered, "Sophia, do you smell that? Reeks of cheap perfume and trouble. Look, Ms. Homewrecker herself is yapping right next to you." Sophia dropped her gaze, a smile tugging at her lips. "Yeah, I heard her and definitely caught the cheap perfume." "You two..." Stella stammered, furious, barely able to speak. Sophia stood up, grabbed her handbag, and stepped right up to Stella. "Ms. Weston, you've really got a lot of nerve. Even if Crestview Group's not what it used to be, it still towers over your Weston Group. "What? Easton hasn't pulled your company up all these years? Or is it that he's just had enough fun with you, and now you're not even his dearest lover anymore?" Stella was caught off guard, tongue-tied. Sophia gave her a scornful smile and headed out with May. Stella stared after the two of them, so pissed off that she hurled her cup of coffee to the floor. "Stella, are you alright?" her assistant asked tentatively. Stella brushed past her with a glare and stormed into the car, practically shaking with anger. After leaving the café, May and Sophia got in Sophia's car and headed out as well. It wasn't until after Sophia came back to Jenston that May accidentally let slip everything about Stella and Easton. For years, rumors about them had never stopped, and there was even talk about a secret kid. But neither of them ever bothered to clear anything up or admit a thing in public. Sophia was quite surprised. Years ago, she was convinced that as soon as she left, Easton would waste no time marrying Stella and settling down with her. After all, they had a child together; a wedding seemed inevitable. That was why, for all those years, Sophia made sure she never asked a single thing about Easton. Even if his name popped up in some finance magazine or online news, she'd force herself to look away—like he was never there. "Talk about bad luck. The one time I come out for coffee with you and we run smack into that walking drama queen Stella. Could she be any more of a pain? Total mood killer," May grumbled. May's words snapped Sophia out of her thoughts. She smiled and shrugged. "Jenston's not that big. Bumping into her was bound to happen eventually. Are we really gonna let her mess up our mood every single time?" May pouted, "Makes sense." Just then, Sophia's phone rang. It was Julian calling. "Did you get the invitation to Prosperity Group's dinner the day after tomorrow?" he asked. "Yeah, I did," Sophia replied. "Awesome. Just get ready. We'll head over together," Julian said. "Sure," Sophia replied. After Sophia hung up, her nerves were all over the place. Prosperity Group had invited every big-name family in Jenston to the party, and right at the top of the guest list was the Foster family. She'd always known a run-in with Easton was coming sooner or later. She realized that the day had finally arrived. ***** On the night of the party, Sophia chose a simple white strapless gown, matched with a dainty white clutch. Her long hair was casually pinned up, and her makeup was delicately done. Her look radiated an air of graceful elegance and aristocratic charm. Prosperity Group was holding a private dinner. Only a few renowned magazine reporters were invited, with no other media in attendance. As soon as Sophia and Julian stepped into the party hall, reporters swarmed over, snapping photos left and right. "Mr. Roth, is that Ms. Sophia Roth beside you, who's just gotten back from overseas?" one of the reporters called out. Julian nodded. "Yes, she is." Sophia walked into the party hall, arm in arm with Julian. The place was almost packed with guests. They were chatting with Jeffrey Shaw, the chairman of Prosperity Group, when his assistant leaned in and whispered, "Mr. Foster is here." Jeffrey let out a booming laugh. "Show him in!" Sophia followed their gaze and looked up. There he was, Easton, dressed in a perfectly tailored dark suit. Years had passed, yet he looked exactly the same: his face was still strikingly handsome, with those sharp, chiseled features and a jawline that could cut glass. It was just that there was an added air of cool, seasoned confidence. And, of course, standing right next to him was Stella, the one he'd always had a thing for. The moment Easton walked into the party hall, he couldn't help but notice the woman standing next to Julian. When their eyes met, for just a split second, a flash of surprise lit up in his dark gaze. Sophia kept her composure as those two made their way toward her. To everyone else, her face seemed perfectly calm, like she was seeing someone she'd never met before. Easton greeted Jeffrey and then turned his gaze to Sophia. "Ms. Roth, long time no see." Sophia offered him a graceful smile. "Mr. Foster, it's really been a while." Everyone in Jenston's elite circles knew they'd once been married, but that was years ago. The gossip had died down, and people had moved on. Julian smoothly led Sophia over to mingle with the others, making sure she didn't have to stick around in that awkward moment. Once Stella walked away, Gordon walked up to Easton, leaned in, and whispered something. Then he pulled out his phone and showed Easton a website. Easton shot a look in Sophia's direction, eyes probing, trying to figure things out. 'So, Crestview Group has already taken over Rothea Designs,' he thought. Chapter 6 We'll See About That The party hall was getting more and more crowded. Sophia had been mingling with guests alongside Julian for quite a while, and she'd already had a few drinks. "Sophia, if you're feeling tired, why don't you take a break on the balcony and get some fresh air? I'll keep Mr. Shaw company for a while," Julian suggested. Sophia gave a gentle smile and nodded. "Okay, I'll sit for a while and come back out in a bit." Summer nights were always so captivating, the sky full of twinkling stars. Sophia gazed upward, and out of nowhere, found herself missing Lucas, who was far away in Japoria. Just as she reached for her phone to make a call, a wave of overpowering perfume invaded the little balcony, suffocating the air. Sophia frowned reflexively. "Ms. Roth, what a small world, right? I didn't think I'd bump into you again, especially while tagging along with Easton for Prosperity Group's event," Stella said with a teasing smile. Sophia turned and shot Stella a quick glance. Stella was decked out in an outfit so bold and seductive that it practically screamed for attention, with her assets barely hidden and on full display. 'No wonder Easton can't resist having her on his arm wherever he goes. If I were a guy, I'd probably get weak in the knees too,' Sophia thought to herself. 'Shame about that choking cloud of perfume, though. Honestly, only those tasteless guys like him would be into that,' she added in her head. Sophia's lips curled into a faint smile. "I seem to run into plenty of familiar faces here. Ms. Weston, who are you to me exactly?" Stella's expression turned cold. "Sophia, Easton and I have been getting along just fine these last few years. Ever since your divorce, he's been so much happier. I hope you're not thinking about trying to get him back now that you've shown up again." Sophia glanced at her and scoffed. "Stella, instead of worrying about me, his ex, maybe you should look out for all those younger, prettier women hovering around Easton these days." She jerked her chin in a particular direction. Stella followed the hint, and her face went crimson. Standing right next to Easton was Fiona Lowe—the superstar actress everyone raved about. "Mr. Foster is a heavyweight in Jenston high society—rich, powerful, and a total womanizer. I guess you've seen it all these past five years, Ms. Weston," Sophia said with a smirk. Stella clenched her jaw, struggling to keep her anger in check. "I trust Easton. But when it comes to you? That's another story. "He's been in Menolia most of these past five years, and now that I've finally got him back, I'm not about to let anyone swoop in and ruin things. "And here you are, of all times, popping up just as he's moving his business back to Jenston. Don't pretend you don't want him." Sophia was honestly a little taken aback to hear Easton had spent most of the past few years in Menolia. Still, she quickly let it go. 'It's none of my business,' she thought. "Ms. Weston, with an imagination like yours, it's a shame you're not writing novels," Sophia said, her voice laced with sarcasm. She picked up her wine, stepped past Stella, shook her head, and said provocatively, "Stella, look at you—it's honestly downright pathetic. But I have to admit, seeing you like this is kind of satisfying. "You want to know why I came back? Well, let me spell it out: I'm here to make sure everyone who ever hurt me never has an easy time again. And you... you're one of them." Stella glared after Sophia, her eyes burning with resentment as Sophia's swaying figure faded into the crowd. She gritted her teeth and hissed, "We'll see about that, Sophia." Julian walked over with an elegantly dressed gentleman beside him. "Sophia, let me introduce you. This is Mr. Vincent Shaw, vice CEO of Prosperity Group." Vincent's eyes sparkled as he caught sight of Sophia. He extended his hand politely. "Hello, Ms. Roth. I've heard so much about you." Sophia gave him a warm smile and softly shook his hand. "Hello, Mr. Shaw." Vincent offered a gentle smile. "Ms. Roth, would you give me the pleasure of a dance?" Sophia knew how things went at events like that, so she didn't dwell on it and simply nodded in agreement. Easton's presence at the Prosperity Group anniversary party made Jeffrey unable to hide his excitement. From the moment Easton stepped into the party hall, Jeffrey was sticking close to him. "Mr. Foster, I heard you're planning to move a bunch of your overseas projects and R&D centers back home. Is that true?" Jeffrey asked, pouring Easton a drink as they sat together in a private lounge upstairs. Easton picked up his glass, took a sip, and answered casually, "Yeah, we're already working on it." He leaned back in his chair and then glanced down, spotting Vincent twirling Sophia around the dance floor. Jeffrey followed Easton's gaze and felt a jolt of unease. After all, Easton and Sophia had a history together, and he couldn't help but wonder if Easton was bothered by it. He quickly explained, "Prosperity Group just signed a five-year project deal with Crestview Group, and Ms. Roth happened to be back in the country. Tonight is all about business networking." Easton looked away, picked up his glass, and gave a faint smile. "Mr. Shaw, you really don't need to worry. The Roth family and I ended our marriage alliance ages ago, and I haven't had anything to do with Ms. Roth since. We're basically strangers now." "Of course, I understand," Jeffrey replied, feeling a wave of relief washing over him. With Easton's reassurance, he could finally relax. As the music died down, Sophia flashed Vincent a quick smile and headed back over to Julian. Right then, Easton showed up with Stella on his arm, making their way over. Sophia noticed them from a distance but didn't bother looking their way. She grabbed her drink, leaned in to murmur something to Julian, and then drifted away into the crowd. ***** A week had gone by since the Prosperity Group party, and Sophia was completely absorbed in her design work and checking in on Crestview Group's project. As for any news or gossip swirling outside, she couldn't care less. After work, May dropped by Sophia's office. "Dear Ms. Roth, you really need to take it easy. Look what I brought you." Sophia looked up and saw the two bags of food in May's hands, a knowing smile spreading across her face. "You're the best, seriously. You knew I hadn't eaten all day." They settled onto the office couch, and May cracked open a can of beer for Sophia. "You've been hiding out in here all day. You have no clue how much news and gossip is exploding outside." Sophia just kept eating and shook her head. "I'm swamped. Who's got the energy for other people's stuff?" "Ever since you showed up at the Prosperity Group party, the entertainment media has been going crazy digging up your past with Easton, and now they're even shipping you with Mr. Shaw," May said, taking a sip of her beer. Sophia let out a helpless sigh. "I haven't been back home in so long. I had no idea the celebrity gossip game was this insane nowadays." May snickered, "Trust me, you'll get used to the media circus. You're known as Jenston's top beauty, and those trending topics are just another Tuesday for you. But I bet more than a few people out there are going to be losing sleep over you." Sophia just replied with a knowing smile, not saying a word. Then May leaned closer and said, "Sophia, rumor has it that Easton's planning to talk to Crestview Group about acquiring Rothea Designs." Chapter 7 Nursing Home Sophia paused mid-sip, beer in her hand, looking genuinely puzzled. "Where did you get that info?" "One of my seniors gave me a heads-up," May slowly explained. "His law firm manages nearly a third of Foster Group's projects. Just recently, Easton's secretary forwarded them a bunch of files about Rothea Designs and Crestview Group." Sophia knew Easton all too well—he was bossy as hell and never took no for an answer. If he set his sights on something, he'd do whatever it took to get it. Crestview Group already bought out Rothea Designs, and the announcement was all over the official website, but he was still trying to swoop in and steal it for himself. Sophia was just done with all his scheming. "I'll talk to Julian. I won't let Easton have his way. Besides, he has no clue I'm the director of Rothea Designs. Without my say-so, there's no way he's pulling off any takeover." May nodded. ***** On the weekend, Sophia arrived at Jenston Ruikean Nursing Home with a bouquet of fresh flowers. Even with sunglasses on, there was no way to hide her stunning looks. While she signed herself in, the receptionist couldn't help but stare, completely mesmerized. 'Is she even real?' the receptionist wondered, awestruck. 'Her skin is glowing, her nose perfectly high and straight, and she carries herself with an elegance that outshines any celebrity.' Once Sophia finished signing, she looked up and gave a soft, gentle smile. "Can I go in now?" she asked. The receptionist nodded blankly, still in a daze. "Y-Yes, you can." She thought, 'Oh my! It's not just her looks, but her voice is pure magic, sweet enough to melt anyone's heart.' Sophia flashed a gentle smile, thanked the receptionist, and headed toward the VIP room. When she reached the door, she took off her sunglasses and knocked softly. Grace opened the door. "Mrs. Fo—" Grace started. Sophia quickly put a finger to her lips, signaling Grace to keep quiet. She quietly handed the flowers to Grace and then tiptoed around to stand behind Irene. She reached out and covered Irene's eyes, lowering her voice playfully. "Hey, pretty lady, guess who?" Irene was a bit startled at first, but after a couple of seconds, it clicked: the only people who could come and visit her were her perpetually stone-faced grandson and her favorite granddaughter-in-law. Even though they weren't family by marriage anymore, no one else could ever take Sophia's place in Irene's heart. Irene was absolutely delighted. She reached up, clutched Sophia's hands, and smiled, "My precious girl, you finally decided to come back and visit me." When Sophia heard Irene call her "precious," her nose tingled and her eyes got misty. She grabbed Irene's hand and squatted down by her side. "Yeah, Grandma Irene, I'm back." Irene smiled kindly and stroked Sophia's cheek. "It's enough just to have you back, sweetheart. Promise me that you'll stay this time and not leave me again." Sophia nodded. "I won't go anywhere. I'll come often and keep you company." Grace stood nearby, unable to hide her excitement. 'After Mrs. Foster and Mr. Foster split up, she left Jenston and was gone for five whole years. And finally, she's back,' she thought. Grace gently helped Sophia up and settled her by Irene's side. She couldn't help but gush, "Mrs. Foster, you don't even know. Every single day, Mrs. Irene Foster misses you like crazy. She always asks me to help her check your posts on her phone." Sophia looked at Irene, her smile sweet. "No need to check my posts anymore. I promise, I'll spend every weekend with you and Grace. Sound good?" Irene beamed with delight and tapped Sophia's nose playfully. "Alright, but you have to keep your word. If you fool me, you're officially the puppy." Sophia's arrival made the whole room come alive; warmth filled the air as the three of them chatted and laughed together, and time seemed to fly by. Sophia stayed by Irene's side the entire morning, and after lunch, gently coaxed Irene to sleep. Only then, with a reluctant glance back, did Sophia quietly slip out of the room. She'd barely left the room when a woman in her forties—one of the attendants—accidentally bumped into her while pushing a cart full of daily essentials. "I'm so sorry. I didn't mean it," the attendant quickly apologized. Sophia shook her head. "It's fine." The attendant looked up and froze on the spot. 'No way. This lady looks just like her. Could she be...?' she wondered, stunned. Sophia paid her no mind and walked out with her handbag in hand. Once outside the nursing home, she slipped her sunglasses back on, her heels clicking softly as she made her way toward the parking lot. Just then, a limited-edition Maybach glided past her. Gordon was taken aback when he caught sight of Sophia. Instinctively, he shot a glance at Easton through the rearview mirror, but Easton didn't notice anything—he was totally glued to his phone, relentlessly answering work emails ever since they'd gotten into the car. "Mr. Foster, I think I just saw Mrs. Foster. Um, I mean Ms. Roth," Gordon said. Easton barely glanced up from his phone and then looked out the window as Sophia unlocked and climbed into her car. His face stayed perfectly cool, betraying zero emotion. "Mhm," he said. Ever since Irene moved into the nursing home, she'd made sure only Easton and Sophia were on the visitor list—no one else. So it was no surprise that Sophia had come to see her. But what Easton hadn't expected was for Sophia to keep showing up after all those years apart—still visiting his grandmother, even after their divorce. Easton stepped out of the car, checked in at the front desk, and made his way to the room. When he saw Irene sleeping peacefully, a gentle warmth flickered deep inside him. Grace poured him a glass of water. "Mrs. Foster just drifted off. Looks like your timing is a bit unlucky today." Easton let out a soft chuckle. "It's not often this mischievous lady agrees to take a nap." Grace smiled warmly in return. Easton didn't bother asking Grace if Sophia had come by. Deep down, he knew Sophia was closer to Irene and Grace than he ever was. Even if he did ask, Grace probably wouldn't give him a straight answer. So he just let it go and acted clueless—no need for him to invite another lecture. Back when he and Sophia split up, Irene was so furious that she practically fainted. She gave him hell for weeks, never letting him forget it. Easton stayed for a while, quietly going over Irene's weekly health report. Once he saw everything was perfectly normal, he finally felt at ease and left. Just as Easton was about to leave the nursing home, the receptionist called out after him, "Mr. Foster, could you wait for a sec?" Easton turned around to see the receptionist holding out a bracelet. "Mrs. Foster dropped this when she checked in earlier today. We looked through the cameras to verify it. Could you take it and give it back to her when you see her?" Gordon cringed a little inside. 'Seriously, is this receptionist new, or does she just never check social media? How could she not know Mr. Foster and Ms. Roth have been divorced for ages?' he thought. What really surprised him, though, was how Easton actually accepted the bracelet from the receptionist, slipped it into his pocket without a word, and just gave a simple nod.