Chapter 261
Chapter 261
After hanging up, Sophia ran through every key point of the project in her head.
Lloyd's boss reaching out personally meant someone higher up had noticed something was off. The Douglas family hadn't stolen this project on the strength of their proposal—they'd used underhanded tactics.
So she'd lay the proposal back on the table and win it back the clean way.
She couldn't let her team's months of work go to waste.
She turned around to find Jade's car already gone.
It was late. Jade had been working overtime alongside her all day. Sophia decided to go alone.
She hailed a car and headed for Blue Moon Diner.
Halfway there, Milo's call came through on his smart watch.
His little face looked droopy. "Mommy, when are you coming home? Me and Daddy are waiting to eat with you."
The sight of that small face tugged at Sophia's chest.
She wanted nothing more than to scoop him up and cover him in kisses.
Once she closed this deal, she could finally spend real time with him.
"Mommy has one more meeting, baby. I'll be home soon."
Milo pouted. "Okay..."
Just before she hung up, Gerald's voice carried through in the background. "Where are you going?"
Sophia's brow creased. Did he ever stop?
Milo heard Gerald's question and immediately relayed it. "Mommy, where's your meeting?"
Facing Milo, Sophia's smile returned. "Blue Moon Diner. Be good, baby. Mommy will be done soon."
The call ended. Sophia sniffed and turned toward the window.
Milo stared at the disconnected screen, then turned to Gerald. "Daddy, Mommy said she's going to Blue Moon Diner."
Gerald rubbed Milo's head. "Okay. Be good, Milo. Go play for a bit."
Milo wandered off. Gerald's expression cooled. He pulled out his phone and dialed. "Find out why Sophia's going to Blue Moon Diner. Now."
---
Sophia arrived at Blue Moon Diner, stepped out of the car, and walked in with her folder. She climbed the stairs and found the third-floor private room.
She pushed the door open. The room was empty. A few appetizers sat on the table beside a single place setting. A light shawl was draped over the back of the main chair.
No one here yet.
She set her folder on the table, pulled out a chair, and sat down.
The clock on the wall read 8:10.
She waited ten minutes. Didn't touch the food. Only picked up the water glass and took two sips.
Sophia set the glass back down, glanced at the dishes, frowned, and pushed the water aside.
The door handle turned.
Sophia looked up, mentally rehearsing her opening with Ronnie.
The door swung open—and her pupils contracted sharply.
Claire stood in the doorway. White dress. The red marks on her cheeks still visible. An eerie smile curling at her lips.
Behind her stood a man.
A face Sophia knew all too well.
William.
Every hair on the back of Sophia's neck stood on end.
She shot to her feet.
"What are you doing here?" Her voice shook.
William didn't answer.
He strolled into the room, his gaze settling on Sophia's face like a collector admiring a prized possession that had finally resurfaced.
"Long time no see, Matilda." His voice was slick, oily. "I've been looking for a chance to see you ever since I got back."
Claire let out a scoff from the side, sitting down across the table. She tilted her face up at Sophia, malice unhidden in her eyes.
"Surprise. Mr. Ford isn't coming. But Mr. Lopez is here."
Sophia's gaze moved from Claire's face to William's, then to the doorway behind them.
Two large men blocked the exit.
She'd been careless.
This wasn't her choice of restaurant. They'd arrived first. Every detail had been arranged in advance.
Sophia stepped back half a pace.
"What do you want?"
"Relax." William moved a step closer. "I just want to catch up. You've been hiding from me so hard, and now you're back—we were bound to meet eventually."
He smiled.
It made Sophia's skin crawl. She retreated another half step, her lower back pressing against the table edge.
She glanced sideways at the table. Beside the appetizer plates sat an unopened bottle of red wine.
Dark glass. Heavy base. Solid enough in hand.
William took another step. Closer now.
"Sophia, don't be scared. I just want to talk. Privately. Nothing else."
"Get out!" Sophia's voice was raw with barely contained fury.
The smile on William's face cracked.
His brow twitched. Something darker shifted behind his eyes.
"You're afraid of me now?"
"You disgust me."
The words hit the air and Sophia lunged for the wine bottle, swinging it at William without hesitation.
He jerked his head aside. The bottle grazed his shoulder and shattered against the wall, glass exploding in every direction.
Sophia snatched up a jagged shard and pointed it at him.
"Stay back. Or I'll kill you."
William blinked. Then he laughed.
"Matilda, you're only making me want you more."
He stepped closer. Sophia slashed with the shard, slicing his forearm. He hissed through his teeth.
Sophia seized the moment and threw herself backward, slamming through a half-closed inner door. She grabbed the handle and wrenched it shut.
In the instant before it closed, William's hand shot through the gap, reaching for her.
Sophia yanked the door hard. His hand was caught.
A muffled grunt.
The hand jerked back.
Sophia slammed the door shut, twisted the lock, and pressed her back flat against it.
Outside, William's voice seeped through the wood. Tender. Intimate.
"Matilda, open the door. Let's talk like adults."
Sophia braced herself against the door, palms slick with cold sweat. Silent.
"You can't be this cruel to me." He spoke like he was coaxing a sulking child. "I think about you every single day. You keep running, and it's driving me crazy trying to find you."
A pause. His voice dropped lower.
"I left my entire operation in Eldoria for you. The Lopez Group's new headquarters in Shadow City—I built it for you. Do you understand what you mean to me?"
"Get lost." The words scraped through her clenched teeth.
A low laugh from the other side.
"You're always like this. But the more you push me away, the more I want to be close. Maybe if you'd just give me a chance, I'd leave you alone."
He was insane. Truly insane.
Nausea churned in Sophia's stomach.
She scanned the inner room. It was sealed—no windows, no vents. The only way out was the door at her back.
"Matilda, open the door. I promise I won't hurt you." William's voice remained gentle. "Just come out. A few words—that's all. Then I'll let you go."