Swept away by the Tycoon

Chapter Six

Sophie

The scent of vanilla and warm bread still lingered in Sugar & Bloom, but the place felt different now. It wasn’t just the half-packed boxes in the back or the dwindling stock on the shelves—it was the weight of knowing that her time here was almost up. Three weeks had passed since the charity gala, and Sophie had fought, really fought, to save her bakery. She had promised herself, and everyone who loved Sugar & Bloom, that she wouldn’t let it go without a battle. But now, with just a few days left on her lease and no clear way forward, reality was setting in like a cold, unwelcome breeze.

Lila had been by her side every step of the way, encouraging her, promising to help find a lawyer, and reassuring her that there was still a chance. But they hadn’t been able to schedule a meeting with the lawyer yet, and time was slipping through her fingers like fine grains of sugar.

And now, Lila was gone too—not in the way Sophie feared, but she had a job, a career, a life that she needed to return to. As much as Sophie wanted to hold on to the hope that something, anything, would change, she had to be realistic.

She sat on one of the bakery’s stools, staring at the counter where she had spent years kneading dough, taking orders, and greeting customers with a warm smile. She had built this place from nothing. But now? It was crumbling around her, and there was no one left to fight for it but her. And she had no fight left.

Sophie exhaled and rubbed her temples. She couldn’t keep waiting for a miracle. She still had bills to pay, rent to cover, and a future to think about—even if it wasn’t the one she had envisioned.

"I still have my marketing degree", she reminded herself. "If I can’t keep Sugar & Bloom, I need to find something else".

The thought made her chest tighten, but she forced herself to push through. She had to start looking for a job. She had no other choice left.

Reaching for her phone, she scrolled through her contacts until she found Lila’s name and hit call. The phone rang twice before her best friend picked up.

“Sophie! Hey, how are you holding up?” Lila said.

“Hey. I… I don’t know, honestly.” She let out a soft, bitter laugh. “The deadline is almost here, Lila. And I still don’t have a lawyer, no plan, nothing. I think it’s time to accept that it’s over.”

“Sophie, don’t say that. We’re still trying to meet with James. I told you he’s been busy, but he’s good. He’s the best option you have.” Lila said in a calm voice.

“Lila, it’s been three weeks. Three weeks. I don’t have time to wait anymore. I need to start looking for a job.” Sophie said defeatedly.

There was a pause and Sophie heared Lila inhale sharply on the other end of the line.

"You’re serious?” Lila asked.

“What other choice do I have? I need to survive. I have bills to pay. I need a backup plan. So, please, can you help me check for job vacancies?” Sophie pleaded.

Lila was quiet for a moment. Sophie could imagine her biting her lip, debating whether to push back or support her decision.

“Yeah… yeah, of course. I’ll check and send you whatever I find.” Lila sighed.

“Thank you. Thank you so much". Sophie said

Lila sighed. “I still think you shouldn’t give up, though. But I get it. I’ll text you some listings soon.”

“I appreciate it, Lila. Really.”

They hung up, and Sophie set the phone down with a heavy sigh.

She had hoped Lila would protest more, insist they still had a chance, but maybe even Lila knew the truth now. The lawyer she had promised had been impossible to reach, and with only a few days left, Sophie didn’t have the luxury of waiting any longer.

Her phone buzzed. A message from Lila.

"Here are some job postings I found. I’ll keep looking for more."

Sophie clicked on the links. Marketing assistant. Social media manager. Content strategist. None of them made her heart race the way baking did, but that didn’t matter anymore.

She had no other choice.

Sophie spent the next few hours hunched over her laptop, updating her resume and drafting cover letters. It felt surreal, filling out applications for jobs she had never planned to pursue. She had built a business from scratch, crafted recipes that brought people joy, and created a space where people gathered. And yet, here she was, sending emails to corporate offices, hoping for an interview. A part of her resented it. Another part of her felt numb.

After sending out her third application, she leaned back in her chair and stared at the ceiling. Would any of these companies even consider her? Would they see her experience as a business owner as an asset or as a failure? She wished she knew.

Her phone buzzed again. Another text from Lila.

"Hey, how’s it going?"

Sophie hesitated before replying.

"I sent a few applications. It feels weird, but I don’t have a choice."

"I get it. But maybe this will lead to something good, you know? You’re smart, Sophie. You’ll find your way."

Would she? With a sigh, she texted her best friend back. "Thanks Lila. I really appreciate all you're doing for me".

"You're welcome my love. You've got this okay?".

Sophie didn’t respond right away. Instead, she glanced at the bakery’s front window. The sun was beginning to set, casting a warm golden glow over Maplewood’s streets. Customers still came in, some oblivious to her struggles, others offering sad smiles and words of encouragement. She was going to miss this place. She was going to miss this life.

And for the first time since this nightmare began, she wondered if she had truly lost—not just Sugar & Bloom, but a part of herself too.

Her phone buzzed again, another email from Lila

"I found this one. I wasn't sure whether to send it though".

She turned her attention back to the job listings Lila had sent. She refreshed the page and the email finally came in.

Hayes Corporation – Marketing Executive Position Available

Sophie’s blood ran hot.

Working for Alexander Hayes? The very man who was tearing her life apart? Hell, no.

She picked up her phone and dialed Lila. She picked up at the first ring.

"Girl, what the hell?".

"I'm sorry Soph, I wasn't too sure whether to send it in". Lila said apologetically. "But look, it comes with a fat salary and a whole lot of other benefits. It's even your exact major in college".

"Why should I apply to a job in a company owned by the very man who is hell bent on destroying my life?". Sophie fumed.

"Sophie please. You have a very high chance of getting this job. Besides, there are a lot of Hayes corporation branches scattered around town. What are the odds that your branch would be the headquarters where he works from too? Please, think about it." Lila pleaded.

Sophie sighed. Lila was right. As she always was. She had a lot of bills to pay and she should apply to every single opening she came across.

Also, if she worked at Hayes Corporation, she would be close to him. She could find out more about his plans. Maybe even—what? Sabotage them? Convince him to change his mind? She didn’t know. But she was desperate. Taking a deep breath, Sophie clicked on the application.

She had no other choice. She stared at the application on her laptop screen. Her fingers hovered over the keyboard, hesitating.

This is insane.

Gritting her teeth, she filled out the form. She filled in her name, education and work experience.

As she typed, a small part of her wondered how Alexander would react if he saw her name on his employee list. Would he even care? Probably not. He probably didn't even remember her name. To him, she was just another insignificant problem he already solved.

She finished filling out the application, attached her résumé, and took a deep breath before hitting Submit. The confirmation message popped up immediately.

"Thank you for applying to Hayes Corporation. If selected, you will be contacted for an interview."

Sophie closed her laptop and leaned back against the couch, exhaling shakily.

What the hell am I doing?