The next morning, Sophia informed Alex that she needed to meet with her family
to address the escting crisis facing the Lancaster Group.
"Will youe with me?" she asked.
"Sure," Alex replied.
They arrived at the Lancaster Mansion, where the entire extended family had gathered.
Her grandmother, Amelia, fixed her with a stern gaze.
"Sophia, as the CEO of Lancaster Group, you''re our only hope. Thepany is teetering on the brink-we won''t be able to pay our employees in a few days. And Charles Cole is threatening to seize our assets over the loans Chris took out in ourpany." 1
Murmurs of agreement rippled through the room.
Sophia took a deep breath. "Grandmother, I n to meet with Mr. Cole today to renegotiate the loans. Additionally, we''ve secured a partnership with Kingston Corporation. I''m hopeful he might extend us further credit."
Her grandmother''s expression softened slightly.
She stepped forward and ced a frail hand on Sophia''s shoulder. "I knew I could count on you. You''ve grown into a capable leader. We''re entrusting this to you."
Alex watched from the sidelines.
It infuriated him to see the family heap all their burdens onto Sophia, expecting her to save them while they offered nothing but pressure.
As they left the mansion, Sophia''s shoulders sagged under the weight of responsibility.
"I''ll drive you to meet Charles," Alex offered gently.
"Thank you," she replied, her voice barely above a whisper.
They settled into the car, and as Alex started the engine, he nced over at her. "Have you thought about asking Kingston for an advance on the partnership?"
She shook her head. “I can''t risk it. They''re a crucial partner, and we''ve already stretched their goodwill. Asking for more could jeopardize everything."
He wanted to tell her that she could ask for anything-that he had the means to help-but he held back, unsure if she''d believe him.
"Alright," he said quietly. "Just know I''m here for you."
Sophia''s phone buzzed.
"Charles is avable to meet now," she said, reading the message. She gave Alex the address of Cole Financing.
"Let mee with you," Alex suggested.
She turned to him, her eyes earnest. "Alex, this is a Lancaster matter. I don''t want
to drag, ou into our family''s problems."
He met her gaze. "I''m your husband."
A faint smile touched her lips. "People might find it odd for a husband to
apany his wife to a business meeting."
He chuckled softly and stop the car as they arrived. "Perhaps. But I''m just a call away if you need me."
"Thank you," she said before stepping out of the car.
As she walked toward the imposing building of Cole Financing, Alex couldn''t shake a sense of unease,
Inside, a receptionist escorted Sophia to a sleek office at the back.
Charles Cole fose from behind his desk, shing a practiced smile.
"Ms. Lancaster, wee," he said, extending his hand.
"Mr. Cole," she replied, shaking it firmly.
"Please, call me Charles, it is my pleasure to have one of the top beauties of Vancouver in my office."
Charles smiles and clutches her hand tightly, refusing to let go. His face turns lustful.
Sophia has to use a lot of strength to struggle free from his grip. She res at him angrily. "Mr. Cole, I hope you..."
Charles interrupts, his voice dripping with condescension. Rx, Sophia. I''m just being friendly."
Sophia takes a deep breath, her heart pounding.
"Mr. Cole, I came here to discuss business, not to be subjected to your inappropriate behavior."
Charles raises his hand and cuts Sophia off. "Please don''t raise your voice here, or I may take the Lancasterpany. I''m just mesmerized by your beauty, but that''s all. And yeah, a bit angry because my most significant money has not been paid."
Sophia feels anger boiling inside but holds it down for her family''s sake.
She hates being in this ce. "Let''s talk!"
"Shhh," Charles puts his finger to his lips.
"Again, don''t raise your voice, don''t be in a hurry. Don''t test my mood, because I''m thinking of forcefully taking back my 100 million dors that Chris loaned using thepany."
"How about you sit first? We have a light chat, and if we find anything inmon, when I can think of you as a friend, I may help you the way you want."
Charles Cole, the owner of Cole Financing, was once a banker and have rtionship with mafia.
Eight years ago, Cathy ck fell in love with him. They married, with Cathy supporting him in opening a financingpany for his work.
Slowly, he gained sess in financing, all because of his wife''s money.
Cathy was an unattractive and very overweight woman. Anyone could see that Charles was only after her money, but she wasn''t stupid.
She put surveince on Charles to stop him from having an affair.
They even made a contract that if Charles ever cheated on her, they would go to hell together.
Sophia forcefully manages a timid smile and follows Charles to the table, sitting on the couch.
She''s learned how to negotiate with cultured people, but dealing with someone with an underground background makes her ufortable.
They use violence as part of negotiation.
Charles shows her his mini bar. "Wine? Alcohol? Or just mineral water?"
"Mineral water," Sophia says.
Charles takes a new bottle from a pack and pours it into a ss for her. 2
He takes another mineral water bottle, pours it into his ss, and drinks, all the while staring at Sophia.
"Drink a bit, wet your lips and throat, and we can start to talk."
Sophia takes the ss and drinks, while a sh of lustful desire appears in
Charles''s eyes. He had put a drug to make Sophia sleep. 16
Author''s Notes
Author''s Note
Dear Readers,
We hope this message finds you well.
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