Chapter 291: What Kind of Hell Is This?!

Chapter 291: What Kind of Hell Is This?!

At the entrance of Vertex Innovations Group, Tony had learned that the boss was finally returning to work today. He'd stationed himself there bright and early, determined to greet her return with the utmost respect!

The silver sports car glided smoothly into the parking lot, executing a flawless reverse park into the reserved space.

Tony rushed forward, respectfully opening the passenger door. "Good morning, Ms. Johnson. Good morning, Mr. Green."

"Morning." Sophia unbuckled her seatbelt, grabbed her bag, and stepped out. Her heels clicked rhythmically against the asphalt. "Call an emergency board meeting. All directors, ten o'clock sharp. We need to discuss our response to Wilton's recent attacks on Vertex Innovations' new chip launch."

"Yes, ma'am." Tony knew his boss's style—no small talk, straight to business. He immediately pulled out his phone to contact the board members.

Michael parked the car without interrupting Sophia's work mode, then made his way to the guest lounge like he owned the place.

As it happened, he'd barely been sitting there five minutes—the secretary hadn't even brought coffee yet—when Joshua walked in.

Seeing Michael, Joshua's steps faltered for a fraction of a second before he recovered his usual composure and offered a polite greeting. "Mr. Green. Early start today."

"I'm accompanying my girlfriend to work. Being early is normal." Michael's smile didn't quite reach his eyes. "But you, Mr. Thomas—here at nine o'clock sharp. If I didn't know better, I'd think you worked at Vertex Innovations."

Joshua smiled pleasantly, though his eyes held no warmth. "Andrew & John Corp has ongoing projects with Vertex Innovations. We're in the same boat, so to speak. I heard Wilton's been targeting Vertex lately. As a business partner, naturally I want to check in and offer assistance."

Michael's tone carried pointed meaning. "I hope Mr. Thomas's idea of 'assistance' doesn't involve taking ambiguous photos to manufacture scandals."

Tony pushed open the door to find the two men locked in a silent battle of wills, their eyes practically shooting lightning at each other. He didn't dare make a sound.

What kind of hell is this?!

"Um..." He cautiously broke the icy standoff. "Mr. Thomas, Ms. Johnson is ready to see you now."

Joshua inclined his head politely. "Mr. Green, I'll take my leave. Can't keep Ms. Johnson waiting."

Watching them exit, Michael slumped back on the sofa with a humorless laugh.

If his relationship with Sophia could be undermined by a few pointed remarks, they never would have made it through five sweet, stable years together.

When Tony ushered Joshua into the executive office, Sophia sat at her desk reviewing documents, stacks of folders piled like small mountains before her—clear evidence of a packed schedule with little time for chitchat.

"Just a few days off and work piles up like this. Vertex Innovations really does deserve its spot in the city's top three corporations." Joshua's leisurely comment drew her attention.

"All self-inflicted." Sophia signed a document, closed the folder, and set it to her left before looking up at Joshua. "When you want your fingers in every pie, the inevitable result is more and more work to handle."

"But you have to admit, whatever industry Vertex enters, it thrives."

"The trade-off is sacrificing time for management. Want too much—" She paused, rising from her desk to settle on the sofa, a trace of frost flickering in her eyes. "—and one misstep means losing everything."

Joshua huffed a laugh, taking a seat in the armchair and lifting the coffee Tony had brought in. He blew gently on the rising steam. "So you've gone to all this trouble just to defend Michael."

"Not entirely." Sophia felt the ceramic cup's warmth against her fingers, her gaze fixed on the dark coffee as if merely making casual conversation. "I heard Andrew & John Corp has been in talks with Pacific Group about the South District project."

"Your grapevine's well-informed." Joshua didn't bother denying it. "Andrew & John Corp is primarily a real estate company. Pacific Group's planning a major industrial complex in the South District—naturally we want a piece of that action."

"Have you considered whether Andrew & John Corp has sufficient liquid capital if you join the South District project?" Sophia's tone turned advisory. "Pacific Group's leading this, with Cloud Group as secondary partner. Beyond those two giants, there are plenty of smaller firms and major families involved. If you want to enter mid-game, you'll need substantial capital. Andrew & John Corp was just established—your foundation isn't stable yet. Rushing in could leave you empty-handed on both fronts."

Joshua's eyes narrowed slightly as he studied her with mild surprise. "You're... looking out for me?"

Sophia set down her coffee cup, her tone neutral. "We've signed contracts. If Andrew & John Corp runs into cash flow problems, Vertex Innovations gains nothing. Besides, Andrew transferred his shares to me. Naturally I have a responsibility to offer you sound advice."

"So this is for Andrew." Joshua's fingertip traced the rim of his cup, the searing heat a reminder not to harbor inappropriate hopes.

Sophia didn't deny it, continuing instead: "You grew up with Maggie. Even though she cared for you in her way, you had far too little exposure to business. If there hadn't been that whole 'switched at birth' drama—if you'd grown up in the Smith family absorbing everything by osmosis—maybe today our positions would be reversed."

Just maybe. If she hadn't been born into the Smith family, she might never have pursued business at all. The Johnsons wouldn't have gone bankrupt. She could have been a carefree heiress living in blissful ignorance.

Dwelling on the past was pointless. Joshua steered back to the matter at hand. "I'll consider what you said. Actually, I came here today to ask you one question—do you know where Andrew is?"

Sophia blinked, then suddenly laughed. "You're coming to me about Andrew's whereabouts?"

Joshua pinched the bridge of his nose. "I can't reach him. Ever since he left on that helicopter, his number's been disconnected. The pilot hasn't returned to the city either—there's no way to trace where he went."

Sophia eyed him sidelong, thoughtfully pressing her lips together. "If you can't contact him, how would I have any way? All I know is his security team can reach him, and wherever he's staying must be secure. You don't need to worry."

"You know where he is, don't you?" Joshua pressed again.

Andrew was family—one of his few remaining relatives. How could he not worry when contact suddenly went dark?

Sophia lowered her gaze, silent for half a second. Her voice came out soft and light. "Perhaps."

"You've hated him for so many years. Can't you let it go yet?" Joshua's scrutinizing gaze bore into her. He couldn't understand—Andrew had destroyed his own reputation to take the fall for her, and she couldn't even spare him a bit of concern?

Andrew had been forced to flee the country because of her. She knew where he was, yet still refused to visit him even once?

Sophia's jaw tightened. Without sparing Joshua another glance, she stood and walked toward her desk. "I have a meeting to attend. Mr. Thomas, please see yourself out."