Sophia felt extremely embarrassed at this moment.
Although she had been with Zach in the past, six years was enough time for her to completely forget about anyone. In these six years, she had never actively contacted Zach. This also meant that she had already given up on this relationship.
Sophia knew that Victor disliked her, even looked down on her.
In Victor's eyes, she was an impure woman, unworthy of Zach. In the eyes of people like them, Sophia only wanted to marry into wealth.
Sophia took a deep breath and said, "I've already said everything I needed to say. I have nothing more to say. I'm going out first."
In reality, she was just an assistant. In front of Victor and Zach, she didn't count for much, and what she said didn't matter.
However, Liam was currently living in Victor's house. If she offended Victor, the consequences for Liam would be unimaginable.
Since Victor wanted her to take a stance, she would. The rest was no longer her concern.
Sophia didn't know what happened in the office afterwards. She only remembered Zach's expression looking particularly terrible when he left and he deeply looked at her. Sophia automatically avoided his gaze until Zach's figure disappeared at the end of the corridor.
Afterwards, Sophia lowered her head to work, her expression unchanged.
The other people in the office were also surprised.
"Did Mr. Carter just have an argument with Mr. Hastings in the office?" a woman asked.
Another person said, "I guess it must be related to Sophia. When did our company allow office romances? Sophia has only been working for one day and she's already involved with Mr. Hastings' friend's child. Mr. Carter must have been scolded by Mr. Hastings."
"Sophia is really amazing. We've been working at Aadelha Group for so long and haven't caught the attention of any clients. She has only been working for a few days and already has a relationship with a wealthy man. At this rate, she might actually become Zach, from the Carter family's, wife someday."
The woman looked envious, but her words provoked ridicule from her colleagues. "Being Zach's wife is nothing special. If she had any ability, she should be able to become Mr. Hastings' wife. Zach can't compare to Mr. Hastings at all. Sophia can only deceive young Zach for a while. Mr. Hastings wouldn't even glance at Sophia!"
The two women chatted excitedly.
Sophia, who was organizing her materials, overheard these words. She paused, gripping the mouse, and bit her lip lightly.
The two women surreptitiously glanced at Sophia, afraid of being heard. However, as soon as they looked at Sophia, they saw Victor walking out of the office and going straight to Sophia, saying, "Come with me to Tech-Invention Group."
"Me?" Sophia blinked her confused eyes.
Victor responded with a casual "Hmm" and walked towards the elevator.
After organizing her materials, Sophia caught up with him.
Because Victor's driver had something urgent to attend to, Sophia drove. Along the way, Victor remained silent, sitting in the backseat, quietly looking at the documents. Sophia wanted to say something several times but ultimately gave up.
When they arrived at Tech-Invention Group, Sophia parked the car and said, "Mr. Hastings, we've arrived."
Only then did Victor casually look up and ask, "What do you want?"
Sophia was puzzled.
Victor casually closed the document in his hand. "After leaving Zach, what compensation do you want?"
Sophia understood and shook her head. "I don't want anything."
"I don't like being indebted to people. Since I'm the one who made you leave him, I should compensate you." In Victor's eyes, Sophia was just a woman who would do anything for money.
Sophia understood Victor's meaning and couldn't help but sneer inwardly. She said, "Mr. Hastings, it's time for your appointment with the Tech-Invention Group boss."
"Think about it carefully," Victor glanced at the time and got out of the car.
The meeting lasted for half an hour. Sophia waited outside the conference room the entire time, pondering over Victor's words. She knew that Victor was hinting for her to name a price, but she had no desire to entangle herself with Zach. If she actually took that money, Victor would see her as a woman who would do anything for money.
Although she did like money, she knew exactly what kind of money she wanted.
After the meeting ended, the boss of Tech-Invention Group invited Victor to a nearby restaurant for dinner. Victor didn't refuse. Sophia followed him silently, without saying a word. No one noticed her. They stayed until after six o'clock in the evening before leaving.
Victor had some drinks and sat in the car, rubbing his temples. He lazily glanced at Sophia, who looked equally exhausted, through the rearview mirror and asked, "Have you made a decision?"
Sophia paused for a moment before remembering what Victor was referring to. She repeated, "I don't want anything."
"Then you must want to become Zach's wife," Victor pursed his lips and stated, "You don't deserve it."
Sophia's face turned pale, and she tightly gripped the steering wheel, angrily saying, "Mr. Hastings, I know my own identity, and I don't need you to remind me. I'm not as shameless as you think I am."
Victor chuckled softly, lowering his hand from his temples, revealing a pair of sharp eyes that could see through everything. Seeing Sophia's angry expression, he even thought that if it weren't for the seat belt holding her back, Sophia would jump up and hit him.
Forget it.
"Let's go to the nearby mall," he said.
Sophia suppressed her discontent and drove carefully.
After arriving at the mall, Victor took her directly to a jewelry store.
The store manager rushed out anxiously, pleasantly surprised, "Mr. Hastings, how come you're here?"
Victor casually glanced at the jewelry in the store and said to Sophia, "Pick one."
"Me?" Sophia couldn't help but look around to make sure Victor was talking to her and then asked, "Why?"
"As compensation," his deep and sexy voice sounded very dominant.
When Sophia entered the store, she saw the sign at the entrance. It was a well-known high-end jewelry brand in the country. Anything here was worth tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Sophia stood still in place.
Victor seemed a bit impatient and walked directly to the counter, pointing at a ruby. "Take it out and let me see."
"Mr. Hastings, you made an excellent choice. This is the most precious gem in our store, called 'Eternal Love,' and it is perfect to give to a girlfriend," the store manager praised Victor's choice repeatedly and carefully took out the bright red ruby.
After hearing "girlfriend," Sophia felt a bit embarrassed and blushed as she explained, "I'm not his girlfriend."
"Are you two already married? I haven't even heard the news. You two are moving too fast," the store manager exclaimed in surprise.
Sophia's face turned even redder as she thought, 'Isn't it obvious from my uniform that I'm just a subordinate?'
She felt unhappy and raised her chin to look elsewhere.
The store manager smiled and said, "Mr. Hastings, your girlfriend has such a unique character and is beautiful. You two look perfect together..."
"That's enough," Victor warned in a low voice, pulling Sophia over and commanding, "Tie your hair up."
Sophia still did not move.
Victor narrowed his eyes and said, "Are you waiting for me to do it myself?"