Chapter 166 Standing Firm

Chapter 166 Standing Firm

Clara partially undressed both herself and Oliver, creating a disheveled scene, and deliberately left some suggestive marks on her own body.

Then she lay beside Oliver and used her phone to take several photos from angles that suggested intimate cuddling.

In reality, Oliver had been completely unconscious throughout the night in his drunken stupor, completely incapable of doing anything to her.

The next morning, Oliver woke up with a splitting headache to find himself in a hotel room.

When he discovered Clara lying beside him, wearing only a slip dress, her bare shoulders marked with red welts, his expression darkened instantly.

"What are you doing here?" He bolted upright, grabbing the sheets, his voice hoarse with shock and anger.

Clara stirred awake at his outburst, rubbing her eyes with an innocent, vulnerable expression, "Oliver, you were so drunk last night. I brought you here, and you kept holding onto me, wouldn't let me leave..."

As she spoke, her expression turned bashful, as if there were things too intimate to say aloud.

Oliver frowned deeply, trying to remember, but his memory was fragmented at best.

Looking at the marks on Clara's body and the scene before him, his heart filled with irritation and suspicion, but without proof, he could only get dressed with a cold expression.

"Forget about last night. Whatever happened."

With that, he practically fled the room, not sparing Clara another glance.

He felt absolutely nothing for Clara anymore, not even nostalgia.

Clara watched his retreating figure with a cold, triumphant smile playing at her lips.

She didn't need his acknowledgment. As long as this situation existed, as long as she had this so-called evidence, she could adapt her strategy to whatever developments arose.

...

The next day, when Sophia entered the Windsor Group offices, she immediately sensed a dramatically different atmosphere than usual.

From the front desk in the lobby to the elevator banks to the office areas, practically every colleague she encountered looked at her with knowing smiles and barely contained excitement and curiosity.

Their greetings were exceptionally enthusiastic.

"Good morning, Ms. Brown!"

"Ms. Brown, you look absolutely radiant today!"

Though everyone maintained professional decorum out of respect for her position and usual authority, refraining from open teasing, those meaningful glances and barely suppressed smiles still made Sophia feel overwhelmed, her cheeks warming uncontrollably.

She could only maintain surface composure, nodding in response as she walked, unconsciously quickening her pace in hopes of reaching the sanctuary of her office.

However, she'd barely settled behind her desk when the company-wide announcement system crackled to life with Henry's distinctively deep voice, carrying clearly throughout every corner of the building,

"Good morning, everyone. To celebrate my successful romantic endeavors, all employee bonuses will be increased by fifty percent this month."

The voice over the speakers was steady as always, as if he were merely announcing the most routine corporate decision.

But the declaration it represented and the unmistakable joy it contained instantly electrified the entire Windsor Group.

After a moment of stunned silence, every department erupted in deafening cheers and applause!

"Mr. Windsor is amazing!"

"Congratulations, Mr. Windsor! Congratulations, Ms. Brown!"

"Thank you, Mr. Windsor! Wishing Mr. Windsor and Ms. Brown a lifetime of happiness!"

The tangible bonus spoke louder than any words, instantly transforming subtle curiosity and speculation into heartfelt blessings and genuine joy.

Sophia sat in her office listening to the thunderous celebration outside, first in shock, then covering her face with her hands, her cheeks burning even hotter.

The lingering discomfort was replaced by a mixture of exasperation and sweetness.

That evening after work, Henry came to her office to pick her up as usual.

"Another celebration?" Sophia raised an eyebrow at him, assuming he'd arranged something else.

Henry took her hand, his thumb gently stroking the back of her hand, his tone carrying barely perceptible tenderness.

"I'm taking you back to Windsor Manor again. Grandmother and the others are all waiting for you."

Remembering the unpleasantness of her last visit, Sophia hesitated for a moment, but quickly composed herself.

This time was different.

She nodded and squeezed his hand in return, "Alright."

When they appeared at Windsor Manor again, their hands were firmly clasped together.

Hearing their arrival, a group emerged from the main hall to greet them.

Avery led the way, with Molly and Bryan beside her, followed by several other family elders, all with welcoming expressions.

Seeing the couple's completely different intimacy compared to last time, Avery beamed with delight, "Sophia's here!"

Sophia graciously greeted everyone in turn, her etiquette impeccable.

Molly bounced over enthusiastically, linking arms with Sophia affectionately, her eyes sparkling, "Sophia, I saw the trending video yesterday! Henry was so romantic—a meteor shower proposal! I'm so jealous!"

Other family relatives chimed in with laughing agreement, creating a warm and lively atmosphere.

However, amid this harmony, Sophia keenly sensed one unfriendly gaze.

Looking up, she saw Luna's well-maintained face wearing a polite smile that was clearly forced, her eyes still cold and unwelcoming.

Sophia pressed her lips together slightly.

Dinner was elaborate and sumptuous. Throughout the meal, Avery and Molly kept up a warm conversation with Sophia, asking about work and life with genuine interest, working to maintain the cheerful atmosphere.

The entire dinner was harmonious and pleasant, with everyone except Luna contributing to the convivial mood.

After dinner, Luna finally couldn't contain herself, addressing Henry in a gentle tone, "Henry, could you come to the study? I need to discuss something with you."

Henry's expression remained unchanged. He patted Sophia's hand reassuringly before rising to follow his mother to the study.

The moment the study door closed, Luna looked at Henry with clear disapproval.

"Henry, I've already told you I don't approve of you and Sophia. Yet you went ahead with this public proposal, making such a spectacle. Aren't you being too rash? She's divorced, and she hasn't even properly resolved issues from her previous marriage. A family of Windsor Manor's standing—what kind of woman couldn't you find? Why must you..."

The same old arguments.

"Mother." Henry's eyes flashed with irritation as he interrupted her, his voice calm but carrying unshakeable resolve, "I've made my choice. It's her."

"You!" Luna was beside herself with frustration, "How can you be so stubborn! What's so special about her? She's just trading on her looks..."

"She's extraordinary."

Henry's tone turned serious, his gaze sharp as he looked at his mother, "She's independent, resilient, and brilliant. I know better than anyone what she's been through, and precisely because I know, I'm even more certain she's the one I want. Her past doesn't matter to me, and the Windsor family doesn't need strategic marriages to maintain its position."

"Is this how you speak to your mother?"

Luna was wounded by the coldness and finality in his eyes, her voice rising, "I'm your mother! Everything I do is for your own good! Do you know what people will say? They'll say Henry has fallen for Oliver's ex-wife!"

"Enough!"