Chapter 157: Sophia's Folly

King forced a smile. "There might have been a small misunderstanding, Mr. Sterling," he said with his hands out. "We're just celebrating your daughter's success today. Let's not worry about small details."

*Small details?* Did he really think he could dismiss his fraud attempt that easily? The nerve of this man. My jaw tightened, but I kept my face blank.

I looked at Sophia, who wanted so badly to prove herself in business. Disappointment hit me as I watched her fidget nervously. "Did you inspect the equipment at King's warehouse?" I asked evenly.

Guilt flashed across Sophia's face before she said anything. My chest hurt. How could my daughter be so naive? After an awkward silence, she whispered, "No."

I held back my anger. "So you signed without checking anything," I said flatly. "Didn't I tell you to listen to Amanda on technical matters because she's the expert?"

I didn't care that others were watching us. If Sophia couldn't take criticism now, she'd never survive in business. I worried about my life's work—the Sterling empire—falling apart under her inexperienced control after I'm gone.

"But Amanda fought with Nicholas from the start!" Sophia's lip trembled. "What was I supposed to think?"

She moved closer and pulled my sleeve, whispering, "Dad, everyone's watching. Can we talk about this later in private?"

I pushed her hand away, staring hard at her. Right now, I wasn't her father—I was Sterling Industries' CEO, responsible for billions in assets and thousands of employees. Feelings didn't matter. "If you didn't trust Amanda, why didn't you hire another expert to test the samples before signing?"

Sophia looked at the floor. She obviously hadn't thought of that. My disappointment grew deeper. "How could you sign without checking even basic facts about what you're buying?" I asked, my voice getting colder.

Watching Sophia shrink down like a scared animal made me feel strange. What did I really feel for this daughter I never raised? Guilt for missing her childhood? Duty to her mother? Or actual fatherly love? I couldn't sort it out, and now wasn't the time.

"I brought you into this deal to learn, not to make stupid choices," I said sharply. "The lead warned you, but you ignored them. Is this how you wanted to prove yourself to me?"

Sophia's eyes filled with tears, but I felt nothing. Business lessons often hurt.

Nicholas King jumped in, trying to save the situation. "Mr. Sterling, my products are excellent. The contract is signed, and I'll deliver everything tomorrow."

"That won't be necessary," I said, standing up. I looked at my crying daughter without sympathy. With the Sterling name, Sophia could live rich her whole life without working. But if she wanted into Sterling Industries, she needed to earn it through skill and toughness, not just by being my daughter.

King's smile froze before coming back stronger. "Mr. Sterling, the contract with Ms. Davis is final. Backing out now means big penalties."

I smiled slightly, amused by his weak attempt to scare me. Did he think this amateur move would work? "Sophia is my daughter, but she has no official job at Sterling Industries. Any contract she signed means nothing."

King's face went white as he jumped up. "That's impossible!" he yelled, his voice squeaking.

I leaned back, feeling calm and in control. I loved these moments when opponents realize they've lost. "Check it out if you don't believe me," I said quietly.

King's hands trembled with the contract. "Even if Ms. Sterling doesn't work for Sterling, her signature binds. Fraud is serious." His voice cracked with false bravado. "People with nothing to lose aren't afraid. Want to risk everything?"

I turned to Sophia coldly. "Solutions?"

Her pale face and helpless shake infuriated me. "Think before speaking," I said. She needed to learn consequences the hard way.

Sophia stood trembling, eyes pleading. I remained stone-faced despite the twinge of doubt. Her signature. Her problem. Watching her quake with terror, I softened slightly.

"Dad, I... I was wrong," she finally choked out. "Maybe Sterling should just take the equipment..."

I stared in disgust. How could my blood produce someone so weak? "That's your solution?" My voice cut like ice.

Sophia broke down completely. Something in her defeated posture triggered unwanted memories of her mother. I caught Ken's eye with a sharp nod.

Ken pounced. "We found your fake bids, King. Good samples, planning to deliver garbage. Pure fraud."

"You can't prove it!" King leapt up, voice crackling with panic.

Ken's predatory smile flashed as he slapped down a folder. "Bid specs and photos right here. Match tomorrow or face lawsuit."

King's knees buckled visibly. Victory was ours.

Ken twisted the knife. "Pay the penalty now if you want out."

Nicholas King collapsed pathetically. Looking at this broken man begging, I felt only cold satisfaction. Business is war.

"I was wrong! The contract isn't valid!" King pleaded desperately.

I laughed cruelly. "She's my daughter. Her contract stands. Your choice: good equipment, penalty payment, or lawyers. Decide."

King sobbed on the floor, fueling my savage pleasure.

"Please! Forgive me!" King smashed his head against the floor repeatedly, face flushing crimson.

"What about your earlier arrogance?" My smile turned vicious. "You know what happens if you don't pay."

Seeing no mercy, King grabbed Sophia's leg in desperation. "Help! A million-dollar penalty will destroy us!"

Sophia's face hardened unexpectedly. "Dad, I'm partly responsible. Let's call it even—cancel everything."

I studied her carefully. Was this fear or growth? "Your contract," I said flatly. "Your choice."

King collapsed in relief. I masked my disappointment. "I need rest," I said icily. "Next time, think before deciding. I won't always save you."

"Yes, I understand, Dad," Sophia said, her face red with shame.

I left without another word, Ken right behind me. Sitting in the back seat of my car, I rested my chin on my hand and looked at the New York skyline rushing by, my thoughts all mixed up.

Ken broke the silence. "Should we wait for Ms. Sterling?"

"No," I said. "Take me to the hotel."

"When will you return to headquarters?" he asked carefully.

"When things are settled here," I said.

The car went quiet again. After a few minutes, I asked, "Ken, does Sophia look like me at all?"

"No, she doesn't," he answered right away.

I chuckled. "Thanks for being honest—no fake compliments. What kind of person do you think Sophia is?"

Ken didn't hold back. "Ms. Sterling has no vision. She knows nothing about Sterling Industries but wants to run it. She's greedy but not smart. Getting rich ruined her."

He was harsh but right. When Sophia first found me with a DNA test proving she was my daughter, I felt guilty. For twenty years, she lived in poverty while I didn't even know she existed.

I gave her an unlimited credit card. I watched her spending change from careful to extravagant without saying anything. Sterling Industries was huge—money wasn't a problem.

But now Sophia wanted to run Sterling Industries. In my company, people earn positions through merit, not blood. Even as my daughter, without skills, she couldn't take control.

Her sudden interest worried me. What did she really want?

"Even you see it," I said, my doubts growing. "As her father, I understand."