Chapter 80:The Rival's Retaliation

It began like any other day. Sophia's phone rang while she was going over reports in her foundation office. Alexander was the one.

"Are you in the workplace?" She could detect something underneath the calmness of his words.

“Yes. Why?

There was a brief silence. "Remain there. Wait for me to arrive before you go.

Her heart became tense. "Alexander, what's the matter?"

"Sofia, just listen to me." Now he spoke in a forceful tone. "I'll give an explanation when I arrive."

The line died.

Unease began to seep into Sophia's chest as she gazed at the phone. She had come to believe in Alexander's intuition. Something was wrong, if he was warning her.

She got up and moved toward the window. As usual, the streets below were crowded with people and passing automobiles. Everything seemed to be typical.

But she was wiser.

A few minutes later, breathless, Grace hurried into her office. "Sophia, we're having trouble."

"What took place?"

She was given a tablet by Grace. "It is widely reported in the news."

When Sophia saw the headline, her stomach fell.

"Blackwood Industries Accused of Illegal Deals—Anonymous Source Reveals Secret Documents"

She held the tablet firmly in her hands. "This is untrue."

Grace gave a nod. However, the media is indifferent. With it, they're running.

Sophia was thinking a lot. Who would act in this way? Who would dare target Alexander in such a prominent way?

Then she realized.

James Thornton.

Alexander's former adversary. The guy who had previously attempted and failed to destroy him.

He was back now.

And he wasn't just going after Alexander this time.

He had everything in mind.

The door flew open. With a somber air, Alexander walked in.

Sophia looked up at him. "Isn't that Thornton?"

"Yes." He clenched his jaw. "This is his doing."

A document was thrown onto her desk by Alexander. Sophia flipped it open and looked over the contents. Evidence that gave the impression that Alexander was guilty included forged papers and edited emails.

She said, "This is bad."

Alexander had a steely voice. "He's attempting to destroy me."

Sophia stood up. "Then we stop him."

They discussed plans in Alexander's office an hour later.

Then there was no power.

Sophia gasped. The only light in the room came from the city outside as it fell into complete darkness.

Alexander's cell rang. Just one message.

"This is only the start."

Sophia's hands clenched. "He is engaging in game play."

Anger sprang in Alexander's eyes. "Then he chose the incorrect opponent."

The emergency lights flared on abruptly. The phone in the office rang.

Alexander replied.

There was a calm voice on the other end.

"Blackwood." Did you really believe that I would allow you to go unharmed?

Thornton.

Alexander gripped the phone more firmly. "You're doing something wrong."

Thornton laughed. "No, Alexander. You did.

The line died.

Alexander looked across at Sophia. "This is not the end of it."

Sophia nodded, her eyes full of resolve. "Then let's get it done."

Observing Alexander, Sophia saw the storm building in his eyes. Not only was he furious, but he was also planning for war.

She extended her hand to grasp his. "Together, we will fight this."

With a tight grasp, he turned to face her. "I refuse to allow him to ruin our progress."

They both turned as there was a knock on the door. Lucas came in with a glum expression.

"There's another issue," he said.

Alexander let out a loud sigh. "We certainly know. Now what?

He was given a folder by Lucas. Thornton did more than just release fictitious papers. He bought off members of the board. Your leadership is being questioned by three of them. They are demanding a vote.

Sophia felt nauseous. "A vote to have you removed?"

Alexander's face was inscrutable as he flicked through the folder. "They wouldn't risk it."

Lucas laughed a little, without humor. "They're being bold by Thornton." They will shut this down if we don't.

Sophia took a seat in front. "Is there anything we can do to influence them?"

Alexander grinned. "I always have power."

The news kept getting out as they were planning. Thornton had ensured that the incident was covered by the media.

Every major source displayed the following headlines:

"Is This the End for the Blackwood Empire Under Fire?" "Is Alexander Blackwood Responsible for Corporate Corruption?" "Anonymous Whistleblower Reveals Secrets of a Billionaire!"

Sophia became enraged. "We must move past this."

Alexander gave a nod. "Before he turns the world against me, we must make him the antagonist."

Alexander convened a news conference that evening. With a dominating appearance and a steely voice, he stepped in front of the cameras.

"These accusations are untrue," he said. "This is just the last-ditch effort of a man who has already lost to me once."

Sophia stood next to him, a quiet symbol of solidarity.

Alexander's gaze pierced the video. "I'll show you that James Thornton is a phony."

The media was shocked by his challenge.

And Thornton grinned in a dimly lit office on the other side of town.

He had only just begun.

The corporate world was shaken by Alexander's news conference. While his supporters applauded his self-assurance, some murmured that there could be secrets.

That evening, Sophia sat next to him in their penthouse, reading news headlines. She put her phone down and murmured, "He's not backing down."

Alexander rubbed his temple while leaning back on the sofa. "I didn't think he would. Thornton will not give up until he believes he has won.

Lucas came in with a grim expression. "There is a more serious issue."

Alexander took a seat. "Continue."

A tablet was thrown upon the table by Lucas. Blackwood Enterprises is the target of a lawsuit that Thornton just filed. He is accusing us of stealing confidential information from his company and engaging in business espionage.

Sophia's mouth tightened. "That is

absurd!"

Alexander's eyes became gloomy. "He is aware of it. All he wants is to get us mired in court cases while he works in the background.

Lucas let out a sigh. "We must launch a counteroffensive. We must strike him where the pain is.

Sophia's thoughts were racing as she leaned forward. How about his investors? His business will disintegrate within if we can undermine their faith in him.

A sneer curved Alexander's lips. "Just what I was considering."

Lucas gave a nod. "I'll go over his financial documents. Something must be available for us to use.

Alexander looked across at Sophia. "I need you to monitor any changes in the media. Public impression is Thornton's lifeblood. "If we can control the narrative, we control the damage."

Sophia gave his hand a squeeze.

"We'll overcome this."

However, she felt a twinge of uneasiness creep into her chest as she spoke. Thornton was coming for everything, not just their company.

Her breath caught. She looked directly into Alexander's eyes, her heart racing.

Her new existence had only just started to provide its first major difficulty.