Chapter2
1049 Words
Chris’s office at the Young Group headquarters was a fortress of glass and steel, perched high above the bustling city. He had spent years earning his place here, but today, the weight of the title sat heavier than usual. His assistant had barely knocked before stepping in, her expression tight with urgency.
“Mr. Young, Sophia Liang is here to see you.”
Chris’s jaw tensed. He had known this moment was coming, but he wasn’t ready for it. He glanced at the stack of reports on his desk—anything would be preferable to dealing with Sophia.
“Send her in,” he said after a pause.
The door opened, and there she was—poised, elegant, and every bit as stunning as he remembered. Sophia carried an air of effortless confidence, her tailored dress hugging her form as she stepped forward.
“Chris,” she greeted, her voice smooth as silk. “It’s been too long.”
He remained seated, his expression unreadable. “What do you want, Sophia?”
She sighed, feigning disappointment. “Straight to the point. I always loved that about you.”
Chris clenched his fists beneath the desk. “If this is about business—”
“It’s about us.” She stepped closer, placing her manicured hands on the back of the chair across from him. “I know things have changed, but I also know you, Chris. You don’t belong in the spotlight. And you certainly don’t belong with her.”
His eyes darkened. “Be careful what you say next.”
Sophia smiled, as if amused by his reaction. “I’m just reminding you of what we had. Of what we could have again.”
Chris exhaled sharply, standing to his full height. “What we had is over. And I love Madeline.”
Sophia’s smile didn’t falter, but there was a flicker of something else in her gaze—determination, maybe even something more dangerous. “We’ll see about that.”
As she walked out, Chris felt a storm brewing. And he knew—Sophia wasn’t going to leave quietly.
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Madeline scrolled through her phone, the glow of the screen illuminating her face as headline after headline flashed before her eyes. Rumors of Chris and Sophia’s supposed “reunion” were everywhere. The media was eating it up, twisting stories, fabricating encounters that never happened.
Her grip on the device tightened.
A knock at the door pulled her out of her thoughts. She turned to see Olivia, her best friend and manager, standing there with a sympathetic look.
“You need to stop reading that garbage,” Olivia said, stepping inside.
Madeline forced a smile. “Easier said than done.”
Olivia folded her arms. “Have you talked to Chris?”
“Not since this morning.” Madeline sighed. “I know he’s dealing with this, but... I can’t shake the feeling that Sophia’s playing a long game.”
Olivia sat beside her. “Then play smarter.”
Madeline exhaled, her mind racing. She refused to let Sophia or the media define her worth. If Sophia wanted a fight, Madeline was ready.
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Madeline scrolled through her phone, the glow of the screen illuminating her face as headline after headline flashed before her eyes. Rumors of Chris and Sophia’s supposed “reunion” were everywhere. The media was eating it up, twisting stories, fabricating encounters that never happened.
Her grip on the device tightened, a knot forming in her stomach. Every article felt like a dagger, each insinuation a fresh wound. No matter how strong she tried to be, the whispers still had a way of getting under her skin.
A knock at the door pulled her out of her thoughts. She turned to see Olivia, her best friend and manager, standing there with a sympathetic look.
“You need to stop reading that garbage,” Olivia said, stepping inside.
Madeline forced a smile. “Easier said than done.”
Olivia folded her arms. “Have you talked to Chris?”
“Not since this morning.” Madeline sighed, her voice laced with exhaustion. “I know he’s dealing with this, but... I can’t shake the feeling that Sophia’s playing a long game.”
Olivia sat beside her, placing a reassuring hand on her knee. “Then play smarter.”
Madeline exhaled, her mind racing. She refused to let Sophia or the media define her worth. But deep down, doubt festered. Would Chris tire of this fight? Would he ever see her as an equal in his world?
As if on cue, her phone buzzed again—this time, a new headline.
Spotted: Chris Young and Sophia Liang in Private Meeting—Is Madeline Shaw Just a Phase?
Her heart pounded. She swallowed the lump in her throat and stood.
“No,” she murmured. “I’m done playing the victim.”
Before Olivia could respond, Madeline grabbed her coat. If Sophia wanted a fight, she was going to get one. And this time, Madeline wasn’t backing down.
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Madeline stepped out of the car, her heels clicking against the marble pavement as she approached the grand entrance of The Imperial, an exclusive club known for hosting Singapore’s elite. If the media was going to paint her as the insecure girlfriend, she was about to show them how wrong they were.
With a deep breath, she squared her shoulders and walked inside. The air was thick with the scent of expensive cologne and fine whiskey. She scanned the room, her gaze landing on Chris—standing near the bar, deep in conversation with none other than Sophia Liang.
A slow smirk curved Sophia’s lips as she noticed Madeline’s presence. “Well, well. Look who decided to join us.”
Madeline met Sophia’s gaze head-on, her expression unreadable. “I thought it was time we had a little chat.”
Chris looked between them, tension crackling in the air. “Madeline—”
She cut him off with a calm, determined voice. “No, Chris. Let’s clear the air. Right now.”
Sophia’s smirk widened. “This should be interesting.”
Madeline held her ground. She wasn’t here to fight for Chris. She was here to remind everyone—Sophia included—that she wasn’t going anywhere.
- Writer
