Chapter 3: The Chairman's Warning
1310 Words
Sophia's taxi arrives at the grand gates of the Sterling Mansion just before sunset.
The security guards immediately recognize her and respectfully open the gates.
As the taxi moved into the compound.
As the taxi drives through the estate, Sophia notices the mansion looks unusually quiet."
Normally, the Sterling Mansion was filled with the sounds of gardeners, housekeepers, and security guards carrying out their daily duties.
Today, however, an unusual silence surrounded the estate, making Sophia feel strangely uneasy.
She could not explain why, but it felt as though something important was about to happen.
She then paid the driver and walked toward the entrance of the mansion.
The head butler warmly welcomes her inside.
He told Sofia that Chairman Edward had been waiting for her throughout the afternoon.
Hearing this Sophia became even more curious about the reason for the sudden meeting.
The butler then leads her through the long hallway filled with portraits of the Sterling family.
Sophia pauses briefly in front of Adrian's childhood portrait.
She smiles sadly, remembering how kind Adrian seemed in those old photographs.
The butler gently reminds her that the chairman is waiting.
Then she moved on with the butler.
They arrive outside Edward Sterling's private study.
The butler knocks softly before opening the door.
Chairman Edward is seated by the fireplace, looking tired but dignified.
He smiles warmly the moment he sees Sophia.
Sophia respectfully greets him."
Edward had always treated Sophia with kindness and respect, unlike many members of the wealthy Sterling family who looked down on her ordinary background.
To Sophia, he was more than her husband's grandfather; he was the only person in the family who truly cared about her happiness.
That was why she could never bring herself to hide her respect and gratitude whenever she was with him.
Edward invites her to sit beside him.
He asks how she has been.
Sophia forces a smile and says everything is fine.
Edward immediately realizes she is hiding her true feelings.
He quietly asks if Adrian forgot their wedding anniversary again.
Sophia lowers her head without answering
Her silence tells Edward that everything was not all right.
Edward sighs deeply, disappointed in his grandson.
He apologizes on Adrian's behalf.
Sophia quickly says Adrian is simply busy with work.
Edward shakes his head, saying work should never come before family.
He said as he poured Sophia a cup of tea.
Sophia thanks him politely.
Edward studies her expression for several moments."
Years of experience had taught Edward how to read people without them saying a single word.
Although Sophia insisted everything was fine, the sadness hidden behind her gentle smile was impossible for him to ignore.
He could see the disappointment in her eyes, and it pained him to know that his own grandson was the reason for it.
He notices the sadness she is trying so hard to hide from him.
He asks Sofia politely if she still loves Adrian.
Sophia blushes before quietly admitting that she does.
Edward smiles gently, admiring her sincerity.
He tells her she deserves far better than cold indifference.
Sophia insists that she has never regretted marrying Adrian.
Edward's expression suddenly becomes serious.
He tells Sophia that he fears someone is trying to destroy their marriage.
Sophia looks up in surprise and disbelief.
She immediately thinks of Victoria
Edward asks if Victoria has already returned.
Sophia slowly nods.
Edward closes his eyes with disappointment.
He mutters that the nightmare has begun again.
Sophia asks what he means.
Edward hesitates, unsure how much he should reveal.
After a long silence, he decides Sophia deserves to know part of the truth.
He reveals that Victoria once betrayed the Sterling family.
Sophia is shocked because Adrian has never mentioned that to her."
Questions immediately flooded Sophia's mind.
If Victoria had truly betrayed the Sterling family, why had Adrian welcomed her back so easily? Why had no one spoken about the past? The more she thought about it, the more confused she became.
She had the feeling that everyone around her knew a secret she had never been told.
Edward explains that Adrian never learned the whole truth.
Before Edward can continue, the study door suddenly opens.
Adrian walks into the room unexpectedly
He was surprised to find Sophia there.
Edward asks Adrian to sit down.
Adrian politely refuses, saying he only came to deliver business documents.
And nothing more.
Edward asks Adrian if he remembers what day it is.
Adrian remains silent.
Edward angrily reminds him that today is his wedding anniversary.
Adrian apologizes but insists that he has more important responsibilities to fulfill than marriage.
Edward his father criticizes him for neglecting his wife.
Adrian says nothing as he stares at the floor.
Sophia quickly tries to calm the growing argument."
She hated seeing the two most important men in her life arguing because of her.
Although Adrian's actions had hurt her deeply, she still could not bear to watch his grandfather scold him so harshly.
Sophia believed that one day Adrian would understand her love and change for the better. That hope was the only thing keeping her marriage alive.
She tells Edward not to blame Adrian.
Edward becomes even more frustrated seeing Sophia defend Adrian
He tells Adrian that one day he may lose the woman who loves him most.
He tells Adrian that one day he may lose the woman who loves him most.
Adrian calmly replies that Sophia is his wife and isn't going anywhere.
Edward looks directly into Adrian's eyes.
He quietly says, "The greatest mistakes are made by people who believe they have unlimited time.”
Adrian immediately dismisses the warning.
He leaves the study without another word.
Sophia watches him leave, as her heart starts aching."
She wanted to call out his name and ask him to stay, even if only for a few minutes.
There were so many things she wished to tell him, but the words remained trapped inside her heart.
Watching Adrian walk away without looking back made her feel lonelier than ever before.
Edward apologizes for arguing in front of her.
Sophia assures him she understands.
Edward asks Sophia to promise him one thing.
He tells her that if Adrian ever truly hurts her, she must choose her own happiness instead of sacrificing everything for love.
Sophia smiles sadly but cannot bring herself to make that promise.
Edward realizes she still believes Adrian will change.
After leaving the study, Sophia walks alone through the quiet hallway.
She notices an elegant woman standing near one of the windows.
The woman smiles politely before introducing herself as Victoria Hale.
Victoria reveals she had been invited to dinner by Adrian.
Sophia's heart sinks.
Victoria confidently says she and Adrian have many old memories to catch up on."
There was no anger in Victoria's voice, only confidence.
It was the confidence of someone who believed she had already won.
Sophia could clearly sense that every word Victoria spoke was carefully chosen to make her feel insecure.
Even so, she refused to show any weakness in front of the other woman.
Sophia quietly wishes her a pleasant evening and walks away.
Unknown to both women, Chairman Edward Adrian's father observes everything from the upstairs of his mansion.
His worried expression grows darker.
He realizes the battle for Adrian's heart has only just begun.
As Sophia leaves the mansion..."
Outside the mansion, the cool evening breeze brushed against Sophia's face as she slowly made her way toward the front gate. Her mind was filled with Edward's warning, Adrian's cold attitude, and Victoria's confident smile. She had no idea that before the night was over, another shocking discovery was waiting for her.
As Sophia leaves the gate of the mansion, an anonymous envelope is secretly slipped into her handbag. She has no idea, it contains photographs that could shatter her marriage forever.
- Writer
