Samanthaughed through her tears as she repeatedly reyed the video posted by a media ount on her phone.


    "Serves them right. Good riddance!"


    Covering her face, she finally couldn''t hold back and burst into loud sobs.


    "They''re finally dead. That scumbag and that wretched woman are finally dead! I won''t be threatened, harassed, or set up by them ever again!"


    Sophia sat on her hospital bed, watching Samantha with a heart full of sorrow. She wanted tofort her, but there were so many things to say that she didn''t even know where to begin.


    So, she simply let Samantha cry her heart out.


    "Sophia, my daughter, we''re finally free. Both of us are free. You''ll never have to call that disgusting man ''Dad'' again. He can never threaten you again. He''ll never have another chance to use you to curry favor with any man."


    Samanthaughed through her tears. "This is a joyous asion. A huge celebration is in order. I''m going to buy something delicious to celebrateter.


    "In my whole life, I''ve never felt as happy as I do right now."


    Afterughing and crying, Samantha covered her face and let out muffled sobs.


    "Sophia, I don''t have to live in fear anymore. I don''t have to pray every day. I don''t have to be separated from you ever again."


    Sophia''s eyes turned red as well, but the doctor had told her to keep her emotions in check, so she tried her best to control herself.


    "Mom, we''ll live a good life together from now on."


    Choking up, Sophia continued, "I''ll make sure you have a good life. Don''t worry." "Sophia, I don''t ask for a good life. I just want you to be safe and healthy." After crying, Samantha wiped her tears with a tissue. "I''ll go wash my face. And Sophia, don''t waste your feelings on that scum. He was never worthy of being your father."


    "I know, Mom. Don''t worry."


    Just then, Sophia''s phone chimed.


    She nced at the screen, finding an email from an unknown sender.


    Opening it, she read through the contents, her expression gradually darkening.


    The sender was offering to transfer all the Sinir Group shares they held over to her.


    After the downfall of Ivan, Sinir Group had been acquired by Holden Group. Ivan had only managed to take a small amount of money from the deal, but someone else had retained a significant portion of thepany''s shares.


    And for some reason, Marcus hadn''t acquired this person''s shares.


    It took Sophia a while to piece together the connections.


    The downfall of Sinir Group likely had something to do with this mysterious person.


    The email also stated that if she wanted to reim Sinir Group and be its new owner, they could help her.


    Who was this person? Why were they offering to help her?


    Sophia frowned deeply. The thing she feared most was this kind of unknown figure-someone whose motives were unclear, someone she couldn''t tell was a friend or foe.


    After Sinir Group fell into Marcus'' hands, she had never considered taking it back. In fact, she thought it was better off under Marcus.


    With the support of Holden Group, every problem Sinir once had was no longer a problem at all.


    "It''s time to rest."


    Just as she was lost in thought, someone suddenly took the phone from her hand.


    She looked up and saw Zachary gazing at her with concern.


    "You''ve been frowning the whole time. What''s wrong?"


    "Mr. Holt, how much do you know about Sinir Group?"


    Sophia trusted Zachary. Her mind was a mess, so she decided to ask him for his opinion.


    "I know quite a bit."


    Zachary turned to pour her a ss of water and ced a set of pills in front of her. "Take your medicine first."


    Sophia took the pills, drank some water, and then asked, "How much do you know about the Sinir Group''s downfall?"


    Zachary thought for a moment before answering, "Quite a lot. But Sophia, you need to focus on resting. Three days from now, Emma Meloney''s fate will be decided in court.


    "Thewyer went to see Emma, and she requested to meet you. Thewyer rejected her request outright."


    "What does she want with me?"


    "Probably to beg for forgiveness and get you to sign a leniency statement."


    "That''s impossible." Sophia''s tone was firm. "I will never forgive them."


    "Sky also asked to see you. Do you want to meet him?" Zachary pressed his lips together.


    Truthfully, he didn''t want Sophia to meet Sky at all.


    But he knew her well-she was probably going to go anyway.


    And sure enough, after a moment of contemtion, Sophia exhaled slowly.


    "I''ll see him. I can ignore Emma, but I have to meet Sky."


    "Alright, I''ll arrange it for you."


    "Mr. Holt, thank you."


    "Sophia, I''m not your psychologist anymore. You don''t have to call me Mr. Holt. We''re friends, aren''t we?"


    "Then what should I call you?"


    Sophia hesitated. Calling him by nickname felt too intimate, but using his full name felt too distant.


    "Ms. Walker and Mr. Holden are dating. I heard her call him by his first name, Marcus. You can do the same with me," Zachary said with a smile.


    "Besides, have to pretend to be your


    certain0 help you handle


    Someone has to


    Mr. Sinir''s body and


    Cange his funeral, right?"


    Sophia hesitated for a moment before trying, "Zachary?"


    "Yes." Zachary smiled. "That''s good, isn''t it?"


    Sophia wasn''t sure if it was good or not, but if he was satisfied, then she wouldn''t


    argue.


    "When you meet Sky, will you feel afraid?" Zachary asked.


    Sophia fell silent and spoke bitterly after a long pause. "Even if I''m afraid, what then? I have to


    ovee it. I have to move forward and believe in myself."


    As she said this, she smiled. "Zachary, I can do this."


    Zachary stared at her bright, confident smile.


    For a moment, he was dazed. It had been so long since he had seen her smile


    like this-radiant and full of life.


    Not just radiant, but full of confidence.


    He had to believe in her, just like Marcus believed in Natalie.


    Zachary nodded seriously. "Alright, I''ll make the arrangements."


    "Okay. Thank you."


    "There''s no need to thank me."


    Zachary reached out and ruffled her hair. "I''ll take care of it. Wait for news from


    me."


    "Okay."


    After Zachary left, Samantha came out of the bathroom. She had heard


    everything.


    "Sophia."


    "Mom."


    "Does Mr. Holt like you?"


    Samantha couldn''t quite describe her feelings. The thought that someone liked


    her daughter made her happy. But at the same time, it terrified her.


    Sophia had already been through so much.


    If she found someone who truly cared for her, that would be wonderful. But no matter how good it seemed at the start, there was no guarantee that love could withstand the test of time.


    Most men grew tired of old mes and sought new ones.


    What if, one day, Zachary no longer liked Sophia? Would he use her painful past


    as a weapon to hurt her?