Chapter 272: There's No Other Woman

Leila's POV

When Theron followed Adam outside, Sophia pulled me down beside her on the plush navy couch, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

"I'm so happy for you, Laylie!" Sophia exclaimed, squeezing my hand. "Seeing Theron finally propose was amazing. I hope your happiness lasts forever!"

I nodded, feeling warmth spread through my chest at her genuine enthusiasm. "It will!"

Sophia reached for two glasses from a passing server, handing me one with a mischievous smile. "Here's to your well-deserved happiness. Cheers!"

We clinked glasses. Then my phone buzzed in my clutch, and I glanced down to see my mother's name on the screen. "Sorry, I need to take this," I said, excusing myself and stepping out into the corridor for privacy.

The call was brief—Mom checking if the children were ready for their return to Chicago tomorrow. I assured her everything was arranged and promised to see them off at the airport.

When I returned to the lounge, I was surprised to find Sophia looking considerably more intoxicated than when I'd left. Her cheeks were flushed, her normally perfect posture slackened, and she was staring into her now-empty glass with unusual intensity.

"Laylie... you're... back?" she slurred, her usually precise diction noticeably compromised.

I frowned, concerned by the sudden change in her condition. "Why did you drink so much by yourself?"

She waved her hand dismissively, the motion almost causing her to lose balance even while seated. "Not that much... I'm still... totally coherent... hehe..." Her body swayed slightly, betraying her words.

I sighed, turning to Theron and Adam, who had just returned from their private conversation. "She needs to go rest."

Theron nodded, glancing at my brother. "Adam can take her. We still have guests to attend to."

Adam hesitated before agreeing. "Fine."

I leaned down to my friend's level, speaking gently. "Go get some sleep, okay? We'll talk when you're sober."

Sophia's eyes fluttered as she struggled to focus on my face. "Mmm... okay!" she finally managed, allowing Adam to help her stand and guide her from the lounge.

The next morning, I was awakened by an urgent knocking at our suite door. Still groggy from sleep, I sat up as Theron answered it, revealing a visibly agitated Adam.

"Have you seen Sophia?" he demanded without greeting.

Rubbing sleep from my eyes, I tried to process what was happening. "Adam, what are you looking for?"

"Have you seen Sophia?" he repeated, scanning our suite as though she might be hiding behind the furniture.

"No, why? Is something wrong?" I asked.

Adam ran his hand through his disheveled hair. "She was pretty drunk last night. I checked her room but she's not there. I'm worried."

"Let me call her," I offered, reaching for my phone on the nightstand.

Sophia answered on the second ring, sounding perfectly fine if a bit rushed. After assuring me she was safe, she quickly explained she'd taken an early ferry back to the mainland.

"Don't worry, she's fine," I told Adam after ending the call. "She already left the yacht."

I watched as Adam's expression darkened dramatically. Without another word, he turned and left, his footsteps heavy in the corridor.

I turned to Theron, puzzled by my brother's extreme reaction. "What's up with my brother?"

"Not sure," Theron replied, though something in his expression suggested he had his theories.

He sat beside me on the bed, gently brushing a strand of hair from my face. "Hungry? Let's grab breakfast before heading back to shore."

"Sounds good!" I agreed, then remembered our other commitment. "My parents are taking Noah and Mia back to Chicago tonight. We should see them off."

"Of course," Theron said immediately. "We'll head to the airport later."

That evening, we gathered in the VIP waiting lounge at the airport. Brandon and Jude had also come to say goodbye to our parents and the children. Mom embraced me tightly.

"Take care of yourself," she said, emotion thickening her voice. "Come back to Chicago when you're done with everything, okay?"

"I will," I promised, then moved to hug Dad. "Dad, don't work too hard. I'll miss you both."

Dad's stern expression softened as he returned my embrace. "Remember, if anything upsets you, don't keep it to yourself. Tell us. I've always got your back!"

"I will!" I assured him, touched by his protective instinct.

His demeanor changed instantly when he turned to Adam. "As for you—come back to headquarters when you get married. If you're not planning to settle down, stay wherever you want."

"What happened to your lip?" Mom asked Adam, her keen eyes spotting what I hadn't noticed before—a small but distinct injury on Adam's lower lip.

Looking more closely, I could see it wasn't just a cut but appeared to be a bite mark on the inner part of his lip.

"Just bit it while eating," Adam said dismissively. "It's nothing."

Mom looked skeptical, her eyebrows raising. "Really? You've never bitten your lip before."

"I'm fine," Adam replied coolly. "You should board now if there's nothing else. Time's running out."

With final hugs and kisses, especially to Noah and Mia who were reluctant to leave, Mom finally herded everyone toward the boarding gate, leaving us standing in the lounge.

As we walked to the parking lot, I couldn't help staring at Adam's injured lip, my mind connecting dots that led to an uncomfortable conclusion. Adam grew increasingly uncomfortable under my scrutiny, his normally perfect composure cracking.

"What are you staring at?" he finally snapped.

Theron, ever direct, asked the question I was thinking. "Who bit your lip? Some woman, perhaps?"

Adam froze momentarily, his composure slipping further.

"Seriously?" I exclaimed, the pieces falling into place. "Your lip was fine last night. Did you hook up with someone on the yacht?"

Anger flashed through me as I thought of Sophia's hasty departure. "Acting all indifferent to Sophia in public while getting wild in private? I totally misjudged you!"

Adam's jaw clenched tightly. "There's no other woman. Stop jumping to conclusions!"

Theron studied Adam's reaction before calmly suggesting, "If not another woman, then it must be Sophia? That explains her hasty departure this morning..." He paused meaningfully. "What exactly happened between you two?"