Chapter 206

Chapter 206

"Why is it so hard?" William asked, placing a pie in Sophia's bowl.

Normally, they'd eat together, chatting and laughing, but today, the table was eerily quiet. Sophia ate in silence, not uttering a word.

The pie crashed to the floor.

Sophia glanced at William with indifference, locking eyes with him. "I want out."

William stared at the fallen pie, speechless.

Silence descended upon them once more.

"I may have lied, but I never betrayed you. Besides not loving you, have I really hurt you in any way?"

"Regardless, we have a child together. I don't want things to be like this. Let me go, and free yourself too."

"Shut it."

William cut her off abruptly, turning away.

The door shut behind him.

Sophia slumped in a chair, her mind blank.

She had said her piece.

But William seemed impervious to it all.

Surveying the empty house, Sophia felt adrift.

Her life was spared, yet she was confined here, unable to escape.

Sophia made her way to the French window. They were on the top floor, and jumping out meant a dead end.

At the bar.

In the early morning, the bar was quiet and deserted.

William lounged on the couch, eyeing Eric and the others. "What's new, same old, same old."

Eric was at a loss for words.

The others exchanged glances.

It had been a while since William had visited such a place, making them uneasy. But under William's icy gaze, they refrained from speaking further and tried to lighten the mood.

The music blared, dice rolled, drinks poured, and Eric motioned for over 20 women to join them.

However, this time, instead of the usual strip show, the women stayed by the men's sides.

William shut his eyes, lying there, clenching and relaxing his hands. When he opened his eyes, he saw the woman with the men and slammed his foot on the table.

"Where's the stripping?"

"Get a move on, Mr. Johnson is waiting. It's showtime."

Jesse, who had been beaten, perked up and called over more than ten women.

The women arrived and began to strip.

Some looked innocent, some enticing, some seductive, each with their unique allure.

Their clothes were swiftly discarded, leaving them exposed within five minutes.

The men in the bar grew excited, some even getting handsy.

William, however, remained detached, lying there with his gaze fixed on the women, or perhaps on something far beyond.

Eric sensed trouble and signaled the women, but some were undeterred.

A demure-looking woman approached, her clothes removed except for a necklace around her neck.

She swayed in high heels, resembling a languid Persian cat seeking its owner.

Her figure was captivating, and with a few hip movements, she reached William.

Her hand tentatively touched William's ankle, and seeing his unchanged expression, she grew bolder, moving her hand upward.

Eric was speechless.

Some people just didn't heed reason.

How dare she make a move?

She was in for it; William would kick her out any moment.

To everyone's astonishment, something unexpected unfolded.

Instead of being kicked out, William seized the woman and whisked her into another room.

As the door shut, the others were left dumbfounded.

"What's happening? Weren't they all lovey-dovey on that TV show yesterday? And now he's with another woman?"

"The grass is always greener on the other side. Mr. Johnson used to change women every day."

As reality sank in, the crowd began to buzz.

Before tying the knot, William had a habit of taking women into rooms.

He had been with so many women that counting was futile.

The crowd cheered, eager to find women for William.

After all, it was a profitable venture.

Only Eric sat in silence, his brow creased in concern as he observed the closed door.

Soon, muffled sounds emanated from the room.

Moans grew louder.

The crowd exchanged glances, drawing the women closer, succumbing to primal instincts.

The bar reverberated with moans.

Sophia, in slumber, was startled awake by her phone.

An anonymous email.

She clicked on the video, witnessing William with another woman.

So that's why William left, seeking amusement elsewhere.

Dismissing her phone, Sophia wrapped herself in a blanket, attempting to return to sleep.

But sleep eluded her. She gazed at the bright sunlight outside, willing her eyes shut.

As the family heir, William's every move was scrutinized.

So when word of William's escapade at the bar spread, Mia swiftly caught wind of it. "This is our opportunity. Women despise betrayal, and William is just that kind of jerk. As long as he continues with other women, we have a shot."

Mia's excitement escalated, her voice rising.

Noticing Flora sitting silently, looking troubled, she inquired, "Why the long face?"

"Mom, I'm not upset. I just find it disheartening how women are treated."

Flora had partied all night with friends and was drained. The company had a day off today, and she could have slept in, but Mia roused her early.

Yawning, Flora, irritated upon viewing the bar video, felt vexed for some reason instead of relieved.

"Okay, I know you dislike early mornings, but you must realize that you need to fight for yourself to succeed. I'm taking you to a banquet later, so behave."

"Fine."

Fatigued, Flora said, "Mom, can I catch a few more winks before the banquet?"

Without waiting for Mia's response, Flora turned and departed.

"See, she doesn't even respect me. She promised to help me take over the company last night, and now..."

Mia's grievances trailed off as Flora retreated to her room.

As the door shut, Flora's strength waned, and she slumped to the floor.

Why had William's demeanor shifted so drastically overnight?

Recalling what she had overheard the prior night, Flora couldn't contain her tears. "Is it because I'm a girl that I'm fated to be denied the right to inherit the company?"