“Which blind fool dares to meddle in my business? ” Tony Carter snarled, his hand clamped around my wrist. Before I could respond, a cold voice cut through the noise of the bar. “This is my territory.
”
Tony’s face went pale. “Mr. —Mr. Foster.
”
Adrien Foster, the head of the Foster Group, stood there like a shadow made flesh. He didn’t even look at me. “Causing trouble in my lounge, breaking my rules. Are you tired of living, Mr.
Carter? ”
“Forgive me, Mr. Foster. I’m a fool.
I’ll leave right now. ”
“Stop. Did I say you could leave? ”
Tony trembled.
“I’ll pay. I’ll pay for the damages. ”
“The Foster family’s rule is simple. Those who cause trouble in my place leave behind a hand.
”
“Mr. Foster, my father—he has business with Foster Group! ”
“In this city, no one breaks my rules. Do it.
”
Tony’s scream echoed through the room. From start to finish, Adrien didn’t look at me again, as if I were nothing more than an insignificant backdrop. I walked out of the bar, my mind churning. I didn’t believe a busy head of the Foster Group would personally take action just because some thug caused trouble in his lounge.
A man like that didn’t waste his time on small fry. Adrien. What game are you playing? I had bigger problems.
Tonight, I had to face Victor. I knew he’d show up at the bar. And I knew he’d think I was there for him. “Sophia, have you had enough fun?
” Victor’s voice dripped with arrogance as he approached me. “I have to admit, your tactics tonight are impressive. You’ve succeeded in getting my attention. ”
“Victor, did you leave your brain with Isabella when you went out?
What makes you think I was putting on a show? ”
“Still being stubborn. You’re a helpless orphan. Without the Grant family, you couldn’t even afford this drink.
Dressing like this and showing up here—wasn’t it just to make me regret it and take you back? Fine. Apologize to me now. Admit you were wrong about the poisoning.
I can forgive you and take you home. ”
“Victor, one: I am not an orphan. Two: I can afford ten thousand of these drinks. And three: without you, I am doing better than ever.
Now get out of my sight. ”
“Sophia, don’t be so ungrateful. ”
“Victor, have you forgotten how that thug’s hand got broken just now? Or do you want to be the next one thrown out?
”
“Sophia, I am your husband. ”
“Sorry. To be precise, you’re at best an ex-husband. The divorce agreement is signed.
Legally, we have nothing to do with each other. If you keep bothering me, I won’t hesitate to call the police or ask Mr. Foster’s men to handle it. ”
Victor’s face twisted with fury, but he said nothing.
He just turned and walked away. Three days ago, I was reborn. In my previous life, Victor had me killed. He chose Isabella over me—his wife of three years—at the old pier by the sea.
The kidnappers dragged me there after three days of torture. They pulled out my fingernails to protect Isabella. They destroyed my face two days later. And then, on the final night, they made Victor choose.
“Victor, this is your last choice. Only one can live. Your wife or your first love. Who do you choose?
”
“Victor, don’t worry about me. Choose Sophia. She’s your wife. As long as you are happy, I have no regrets.
”
“Even if I die, I choose Isabella. Release her now. ”
“Victor, why? ”
That was the man I gave up everything for.
I cut ties with my grandfather—the wealthiest man in the city—and my three brothers to marry him. I abandoned my dreams and wasted ten years of my youth. All of it so he could watch me die and feel nothing. But I got a second chance.
And this time, I’d make them all pay. I remember the day it all began. Isabella staged her first self-directed poisoning to frame me. Victor believed her, of course.
He always did. He stormed into our room, his eyes blazing with accusation. “Sophia, how long are you going to play dead? I know you have always been jealous of Isabella.
Ever since she returned, you have made troubles for her at every turn. But I never thought you’d be so vicious as to poison her food. ”
I knew what came next. He’d force me to the hospital to donate a kidney to Isabella.
In my past life, I didn’t resist. I went along with everything, hoping he’d see the truth. Instead, I lost my kidney—and then my life. This time, I refused.
“Absolutely not. ”
“It’s not up to you. Guards, take her to the O. R.
Do the matching surgery now. ”
I ran. I knew where Isabella would be. With the memories of my previous life, I found her hospital ward quickly.
She was supposed to be unconscious, but when I walked in, her eyes were wide open. “Sophia, why are you here? ”
“Isabella, you’re awake? I heard you were on the verge of death.
I almost lost a kidney because of you. But you’re perfectly fine. Could it be that you faked it all just to frame me? ”
“Sophia, what are you talking about?
I don’t understand at all. I just woke up. I only forced myself to freshen up because I didn’t want Victor to see me looking so haggard. Why do you say I wanted to frame you?
”
Victor stormed in behind me. “Sophia, that’s enough. Do you think everyone is as scheming as you? Isabella has always been kind-hearted.
Why would she frame you? ”
“Always kind-hearted. ” I laughed. “Victor, open your damn eyes and look at this.
You’re telling me she was dying, and you wanted me to hand over my kidney to save her? Her life is precious, while mine means nothing to you? ”
Victor had the nerve to look annoyed. “Since it’s a misunderstanding, cancel the matching surgery.
This matter ends here. ”
“Seriously, Victor? If I hadn’t run away, my kidney would be gone by now. And you’re telling me I should drop the matter?
”
“Aren’t you perfectly fine right now? It was just a misunderstanding. Why are you being so aggressive? You won’t let this go.
You just want compensation, don’t you? The suburban villa will be transferred to your name, plus a 50 million check. Is that enough? ”
“No.
”
He thought I wanted more. He didn’t realize I just wanted to leave him—to leave this cage that had brought me a lifetime of regret. “What more do you want? ”
“A divorce.
Now. ”
Victor’s face went blank, then twisted with disbelief. “Divorce? Sophia, aren’t you tired of playing hard to get?
Ever since Isabella returned, you’ve been causing her trouble. And now you’re asking for a divorce. Ridiculous. I’m warning you one last time.
My patience is limited. If you take that back now, I can still pretend nothing happened. ”
“Victor, do you not hear me? I’ll say it again.
I want a divorce. ”
“What reason do you have to divorce me? ”
“Because you are blind and heartless. You would harm your own wife just to protect a shameless woman.
A man like you is not fit to be my husband. You disgust me. ”
“Fine. Very well.
Since you want a divorce so badly, I will grant it. Sophia, don’t you regret this. You’re nothing without the title of my wife. Go prepare the divorce agreement now.
”
The papers were drawn up within the hour. Victor slid them across the table with a sneer. “Sophia, for the sake of our three years of marriage, I will give you one last chance. If you admit your mistake now, I will tear up these agreements.
”
“Admit my mistake? My biggest mistake was marrying you, Victor. ”
I signed my name without hesitation. “Done.
Your turn, Mr. Grant. ”
Isabella was hovering nearby, her eyes darting between us. “Victor, it’s all my fault.
If it weren’t for me, Sophia wouldn’t be fighting with you like this. Sophia, please don’t blame Victor because of me. I’ll leave right now. I’ll never appear in front of you again.
”
“Isabella. Sophia. Look at Isabella. Then look at yourself.
A vicious woman like you doesn’t deserve to be my wife. Sophia, you’ll regret this. ”
“Sorry to disappoint you, Mr. Grant, but that’s not happening.
Isabella, I don’t want this man anymore. He’s yours. I hope you two will stay together forever and never ruin anyone else’s life. ”
I walked out of the hospital and pulled out my phone.
I dialed a number I hadn’t called in three years. “This is Hastings. Is it really you? ”
“Yeah, it’s me.
I’m divorced. Come pick me up and take me home. ”
Victor thought I was nothing without him. But he didn’t know that behind me stood the Hastings family—the wealthiest family in the city.
My grandfather was William Hastings. I was the granddaughter he’d been waiting to come home for years. My best friend Grace Thompson was waiting for me when I arrived at Hastings Manor. Her eyes were red.
“Victor is a bastard. How could he do this to you? If the Hastings family hadn’t been backing him all these years, Victor would still be a nobody. ”
“Grace, I was blind before.
Not anymore. What they owe me, I will take back bit by bit. The old Sophia is gone. Now I am a vengeful demon.
”
My grandfather was waiting in his study. When he saw me, his stern face cracked. “You still remember to come back? I thought you would die out there and not even bother to see me again.
”
“Grandpa, I’m sorry. I was wrong. I didn’t listen to you. ”
“All right, all right.
As long as you’re back, that’s what matters. Why cry? ”
Tears streamed down my face. In my past life, I abandoned him for Victor.
I never got to see him again before I died. I wouldn’t make that mistake twice. “You’ve come to your senses and returned. I couldn’t be happier.
Tell me, what gift do you want, Grandfather? ”
“I don’t want any gift. I only want to take over as CEO of Hastings Group and be with you and my brothers forever. ”
“Good.
You’ve finally come around to taking over the Hastings Group. The position of CEO, your three brothers and I have been keeping it for you all along. However, Sophia, the Hastings family has its rules. Since you’ve decided to return and inherit the family business, to stabilize your position and the family’s interests, you must accept a marriage alliance.
Are you truly certain about this? ”
“Grandpa, I’ve made up my mind. My only thought now is to make the Hastings Group strong and stable. As for who I marry, I don’t care.
”
“All right, then. In half a month, we’ll hold a matchmaking banquet at the Pearl Hotel. I’ll invite every eligible bachelor in the city. Sophia, I’m also calling your three brothers back.
Let them vet the candidates personally. To marry my granddaughter, family background, character, and ability are all required. No exceptions. ”
The news exploded through the capital’s elite circles.
Suddenly, every rich heir in the city was scrambling to get on my matchmaking list. But one name stood out. “Sophia, do you know Adrian Foster? ” Grace asked, scrolling through the list.
“He’s the head of the Foster family, a man standing at the top of the pyramid. Rumor has it he’s brutal and moody. Some even whisper he’s impotent and completely uninterested in women. How is he on the matchmaking candidate list?
There must be a mistake, right? ”
“Exactly what I thought. Could it be he has a secret crush on you? ”
“Don’t talk nonsense.
That’s impossible. ”
I didn’t have time to dwell on Adrian Foster. I had a company to save. The next morning, my uncle Robert sat in the meeting room with a sneer on his face.
“Oh, isn’t this Sophia? It’s been three years. Finally decided to come back? ”
When I entered, he was leading a discussion about a bid for the land on the west side of the city.
It was a project worth at least ten billion—the core of the city’s urban planning for the next five years. “Hastings Group must go all out,” Robert declared. “I object,” I said. “Hastings Group should not invest a single cent in this project.
The land is a dead end. Within a month, it will backfire. ”
In my previous life, Hastings Group blindly followed this path and bid on the land. Less than a month after signing, the project collapsed, and billions of funds evaporated into thin air.
Victor took advantage of the situation and climbed up by stepping on the Hastings Group. I wouldn’t let history repeat itself. “Nonsense. Complete gibberish.
Sophia, you’ve been away from the company for three years. Do you know how much research we’ve done for this project? What gives you the right to say it will backfire? ”
“Exactly, Miss Hastings.
A project of this scale—ten billion—couldn’t be dismissed on a hunch. After three years as a housewife, you probably couldn’t even read a financial statement. Ordering everyone around here. What a joke.
”
“Grandfather, please trust me. Half a month. Just wait half a month, and the truth will come to light. ”
Grandpa knew me.
He knew I never made wild claims when it came to major issues of right and wrong. “Enough. Sophia is the heir of the Hastings family. If she said so, she had her reasons.
”
But Robert wouldn’t back down. “You can’t be so impulsive. We’ve been preparing this project for over a year now. At the final moment, you’re going to listen to some young girl?
She’s spent the last three years at the Grant family doing nothing but laundry and cooking. She’s trying to push the Hastings family down. I have worked diligently for the Hastings Group for twenty years. Is my word really worth less than a casual hunch from her?
If you don’t trust my judgment, but instead believe this girl who only has men on her mind, then there is no reason for me to stay at the Hastings Group. ”
“Uncle Robert, you keep saying you care about Hastings Group, but from what I know, you’ve privately contacted the Westside project developer several times, haven’t you? If Hastings wins the bid, the kickback you stand to receive is probably more than a hundred million, isn’t it? ”
“You’re talking nonsense!
This is slander! ”
“Grandpa, since Uncle Robert and the executives are unconvinced, why don’t we make a bet? ”
“What’s the bet? ”
“I’ll bet you half a month.
If nothing goes wrong with the Westside project within half a month, I, Sophia Hastings, will not only resign in disgrace and leave Hastings Group forever, but I will also transfer all my shares to Uncle Robert. But if the project really collapses within half a month, Uncle, I want you to kneel and apologize to me publicly in front of all company employees and confess to taking bribes and embezzling funds for personal gain. Do you dare? ”
The shares under my name were nearly twenty percent control of Hastings Group.
Robert’s eyes gleamed. “Fine. I accept. Father, you heard her.
She proposed this herself. If the Westside project doesn’t implode, you can’t play favorites. ”
“Fine. Since you both agreed, the bet is officially in effect.
For the next half month, Hastings Group will suspend all investment actions regarding the Westside project. Dismissed. ”
After the meeting, Grandpa pulled me aside. “Sophia, tell me honestly, what evidence have you uncovered?
”
“Grandpa, there are some things I can’t explain right now, but I promise you I would never gamble with the future of the Hastings family. Besides, the Grant Group will definitely take advantage of the situation. What we need to do is give them a push. ”
“Give them a push?
Who do you want to strike at? ”
“The Grant Group, of course. ”
As I suspected, Victor took the bait. Within days, I heard through my sources that Grant Group had recalculated its proposal and was determined to win the Westside project as fast as possible.
I smiled. Let him dig his own grave. The next few days passed quickly. Julian, my younger brother, flew back from filming.
He was the best actor in the country, but to me, he was just my silly little brother. “Sophia, my precious little sister. You finally decided to answer the phone. I just finished filming, didn’t even stay for the wrap party, and flew right back.
I’m right outside your company building right now. Hurry down. I’m taking you out for a feast. ”
“Okay, I’ll be right down.
”
He took me to the Moonlight, the most exclusive restaurant in the city. It was the hardest restaurant to book in the city. Even Victor had gotten kicked out when he tried to cut the line. “Oh my god.
Is that Julian? That is really best actor Julian. He’s even more handsome than on the big screen. Who is that woman next to him?
His new fling? Quick, quick, let’s get an autograph. ”
Julian protected me while responding politely to the crowd. We were about to head to our private room when I heard a familiar, hateful voice.
“Which blind fool dared to bump into me? ”
Isabella stood there, her eyes wide with mock surprise. “Sophia? Don’t tell me you found out Victor was bringing me here for dinner tonight and came specially to beg for forgiveness.
I advise you to give up. Victor has already promised me that once the Westside project is secured, he will officially marry me. As for you, a discarded wife who was thrown out—you don’t even have the right to enter this restaurant. ”
“Isabella, did you misunderstand something?
Victor is nothing but trash that I’ve already thrown away. Since you like picking up trash so much, just keep it well and don’t let it out to disgust others. As for how I got in—none of your concern. After all, trash doesn’t deserve to know the rules of high society.
”
“Stop. You’re not going anywhere. ”
She grabbed my arm. I pulled away.
She stumbled backward, then let out a dramatic shriek as she fell to the floor. “Sophia, what were you doing? ” Victor’s voice echoed down the hallway. He rushed to Isabella’s side.
“Isabella, how are you? Are you hurt? ”
“Victor, don’t blame Sophia. She must have come to beg for your forgiveness.
Seeing us together, she got emotional for a moment. Don’t blame her. It was all my fault. I shouldn’t have come here and upset Sophia.
”
“You are injured this badly, and you are still speaking up for her? Sophia, you are insane. Apologize to Isabella right now. Kneel down and apologize.
”
“Victor, don’t make up stories. Which eye of yours saw me push her? She grabbed me and wouldn’t let go, then staged this whole act herself. If you don’t believe me, there are surveillance cameras all over this corridor.
Just check them, and you’ll know. ”
“Miss Sophia, please don’t check the surveillance,” the manager said nervously. “There are so many prominent people here. If it causes a scene, it will damage Victor’s reputation.
Victor is currently in a critical phase for the bid and can’t afford any mistakes. It’s fine if I suffer a little injustice. ”
“Really? You think this is a place where you can run wild?
” Victor sneered. “This restaurant operates under a strict membership system. Only the top elites of the capital are qualified to enter. As a divorced woman with no one to rely on, how did you sneak in?
You must have done some kind of dirty trick, or stole someone’s membership card. ”
“Miss Sophia, you’d better leave now,” the manager said. “If you get thrown out in public later, it won’t just be your own reputation at stake. You’ll drag the Grant family’s name down with you.
”
“I’ll say it again. I came here to eat. As for who will be thrown out, let’s wait and see. ”
Just then, a waiter rushed over from the end of the hallway, looking panicked.
“Manager, manager, wait. There’s a call from the owner. ”
The manager’s face went pale. He answered the phone, listened for a moment, and nodded.
“Yes, I understand. I’ll do exactly as you said. I’ll absolutely satisfy that distinguished guest. ”
Victor smirked.
“Isabella, you’re so amazing. Even the owner of the Moonlight calls personally to speak for you. It seems the Grant Group’s status is truly unmatched. ”
But the manager turned to the security guards, his voice cold.
“What are you all standing around for? The owner has ordered. Throw the troublemakers out immediately. Move quickly.
Don’t let our distinguished guests wait. ”
“Yes, sir. ”
The guards marched toward us. Victor’s smile faltered.
“Wait—what are you doing? I’m Victor Grant! ”
“You, exactly, Mr. Grant,” the manager said.
“I foolishly thought you were a respectable person. I didn’t expect you to bring such trash to our restaurant to frame others. Miss Sophia was our owner’s most distinguished guest. How dare you humiliate her in public and try to make our restaurant take the fall for you?
What do you think the Moonlight is? Your Grant family’s backyard? ”
“Are you insane? Don’t you know who I am?
If you dare lay a hand on me, I’ll have your restaurant shut down tomorrow! ”
“Make us shut down, Mr. Grant? You’d better worry about yourself first.
Security, kick them out. ”
Victor screamed as the guards dragged him and Isabella toward the exit. “Let go of me! Sophia, I really misjudged you.
I didn’t know you could go this far. You even colluded with the restaurant manager! I’m warning you—if you dare hurt Isabella again, I will never let you go! ”
“Innocent?
Since you trust her so much, I’ll let you see with your own eyes just how innocent Isabella really is. Manager Wilson, please pull up the surveillance footage from just now and play it on the lobby screen. Let everyone see who the real troublemaker is. ”
The footage played in crystal clarity.
Isabella grabbed my arm. I pulled away. She fell on her own. Victor’s face went white as the false story crumbled.
“Now, did you see clearly? Now, please leave immediately. The Moonlight does not welcome guests like you who are full of lies. Additionally, our owner said that from today onward, everyone from the Grant Group will be placed on the Moonlight’s permanent blacklist.
”
Victor was speechless. The guards shoved them out the door. The manager bowed to me. “Miss Sophia, I was blind and failed to recognize that you were the distinguished guest the owner specifically instructed us to look after.
The fault is completely on me. I formally apologize and beg for your forgiveness. ”
“Apology accepted. But I want to know: who exactly is your boss, and why did he help me?
”
“Miss Sophia, the owner is waiting for you in the innermost Moonrise private room. The owner instructed that if you asked, you were to go directly. You will naturally understand when you see him. ”
I walked to the private room at the end of the corridor.
When I entered, I saw Adrian Foster sitting on a leather sofa in front of the floor-to-ceiling window, swirling red wine. He didn’t turn to look at me. “Mr. Foster, thank you for your help just now.
However, I’m curious. Why did you help me? What exactly is your purpose? ”
“What do you think my goal could be, Miss Sophia?
”
“To strike at Grant Group? ”
“Miss Sophia, you overestimate Victor. In my eyes, Grant Group is nothing but an ant that could be crushed at will. He’s not worthy of being my opponent.
”
“Other than that, I can’t think of any reason for you to go to such trouble, Mr. Foster. Could it be that you have a secret crush on me and came specially to play the hero? ”
“Miss Sophia, you are single now and the only daughter of the Hastings family.
Beautiful and capable. Any smart man would be drawn to you. Do you have so little confidence in yourself? ”
“You flatter me, Mr.
Foster. A divorced woman like me would never dare to aspire to the Foster family. ”
“So what if you’re divorced? ”
I didn’t know how to respond.
A man like Adrian Foster never made jokes. “I heard that your grandfather has been arranging a matchmaking banquet for you,” he continued. “The wealthy young heirs who signed up were enough to form a division. So, Miss Sophia, have you found anyone you fancy among them?
”
“That is just for the company’s benefit. I need a powerful husband to secure my position. As long as the other party could help the Hastings Group, anyone would do. ”
“Anyone?
Then do you think I would be suitable? ”
“Mr. Foster, aren’t you known to have no interest in women and never consider marriage alliances? ”
“My grandfather hasn’t been well lately, and he’s been pressuring me.
Rather than be forced to meet those vulgar women, I’d prefer a smart business partner. So, Miss Sophia, how about we make a deal? ”
“A deal? What deal?
”
“Since you want a powerful marriage alliance, and I happen to need a wife in name as well, I can guarantee that as long as I’m here, the Hastings Group’s status in the capital will be as solid as rock. That second uncle of yours won’t be able to cause any trouble. You only need to play the role of my wife well in front of our families. What do you say?
”
This proposal was a pie in the sky for me right now. With Adrian on my side, not only could I deal with Victor, but I could take the Hastings Group to another level. But would a man like Adrian ever agree to a losing deal? “Mr.
Foster, once a marriage alliance is set, it will be very hard to call off. Have you truly thought this through? ”
“I never make a decision without thinking twice. Miss Sophia, do you dare to take this deal?
”
He extended his hand toward me. I knew that once I took it, my fate would be bound to this man—the most powerful in the capital. This might be a shortcut, or it might be a big fall. But thinking of the Hastings family’s tragic fate in my past life, thinking of Victor and Isabella’s disgusting faces, my resolve grew firm.
“Fine. I’ll take this deal. But I have three conditions. We need to set some ground rules.
”
“I’m all ears. ”
“First, although it will be a marriage alliance, during the marriage, I demand absolute loyalty from you. I, Sophia, have no tolerance for sharing my husband with any other women. ”
“Acceptable.
”
“Second. You shall not meddle in my career at will. The Hastings Group is my responsibility, and I will protect it in my own way. You can support me from behind, but not interfere with my decisions.
”
“No problem. ”
“Third. What I hate most is deception. We could each take what we needed.
We could be without feelings. But there could not be any form of lying between us. If one day you feel this marriage could no longer continue, tell me directly. I would leave voluntarily and never cling to you.
Could you do that? ”
“Deal. Then happy cooperation, Mr. Foster.
”
“Since we’ve decided on the marriage alliance, shouldn’t you change how you address me? Mr. Foster sounds too distant. ”
“Then… Adrian.
”
“Darling, give me your phone. ”
I hesitated, then handed it over. He typed something into it. “This is my private number.
Only you can reach me on it. ”
Suddenly, my phone vibrated violently. The name “Julian” flashed on the screen. I’d forgotten he was still outside, besieged by fans.
“Fia, help. I really can’t take it anymore. Which private room are you in? I’ll come pick you up right now.
Let’s get out of here. ”
“Julian, calm down first. I’m at—”
“Julian, don’t worry about Sophia. I will personally escort her back.
”
“What the hell? Who is speaking? Who are you? Stay away from my sister!
”
My scalp tingled. Julian’s voice was practically piercing my eardrums. Before I could snatch the phone back to explain, a thunderous scream came from his end. “There he is!
Julian’s over here! ”
Then came an overwhelming rush of footsteps. “You’d better worry about yourself first. Run.
I’ll explain everything when I get home. Bye. ”
I hung up and looked at Adrian. “Mr.
Foster, since our business is concluded, excuse me. ”
My heart was beating a little fast. I always felt that being alone with Adrian was too intense. As I stood up, I stumbled—I’d twisted my ankle earlier when I almost fell.
Instead of the cold floor I expected, I crashed into a solid, warm embrace with a faint scent of cologne. In my past life, I was married to Victor for three years, but because Isabella caused trouble every few days, Victor never had sex with me. Even the nights they shared a bed were few. In matters of intimacy, even having lived again, my experience was like a blank sheet of paper.
“Mr. Foster, you can let me go now. ”
“Don’t move. What happened to your foot?
Are you injured? ”
“It’s nothing. I just twisted it accidentally. ”
“Sophia, in front of me, there’s no need to pretend to be strong.
”
I wanted to argue, but he didn’t give me the chance. He sat me down gently and barked an order. “Bring in the medical kit. The most complete one.
”
“Mr. Foster, this isn’t appropriate. I can do it myself. I know a bit about medicine.
”
“Sophia, you and I are entering a marriage alliance. I’m your future husband. Taking care of you is only right and proper. ”
He knelt down and took my ankle in his hands, his touch unexpectedly gentle.
I stared at him, this fearsome man who ruled the capital through fear, and for the first time, I wondered what he was really hiding. “Adrian,” I said quietly. “I have a feeling you’re not telling me everything. ”
He didn’t look up.
“And I have a feeling, Sophia, that you’re not telling me everything either. ”
“Then we’re even. ”
He smiled—a rare, fleeting expression. “Indeed.
We’re even. ”
