“It’s wonderful that you’ve come home, Sophia—and your birthday’s just around the corner. We’re planning a gala for you. How does that sound?”

Mr. Reed had waited years for this moment. From the day Sophia married Alexander Kane, he’d known it was a mistake. Now that she’d finally returned, how could he not celebrate?

Sophia’s smile dimmed.

Ethan immediately knelt beside her, saying softly, “Don’t worry. We’ve got nothing to do with him anymore. The gala won’t include him. Just let us spoil you this time.”

Holding her brother’s hand, Sophia felt a warmth she hadn’t known for years. She nodded.

Half a month later, Vanessa Cole had recovered from her injury—but there was still no news of Sophia.

One afternoon, Alexander sat in his office, staring blankly into space when his assistant approached.

“Sir, the Reed family is hosting a gala—but they didn’t send us an invitation.”

The Kanes and Reeds had business ties; not being invited was a direct slap in the face.

But looking at Alexander’s haggard expression, the assistant sighed quietly. “I’ll leave you to rest, sir.”

Alexander turned his gaze toward the city skyline. It had been more than a month since the day Sophia handed him the divorce papers and walked away.

During that same time, Sophia had been surrounded by her family’s affection.

When the night of the gala arrived, she looked ethereal—like a goddess descended from the stars. Her gown shimmered with diamonds, and around her neck gleamed a sapphire necklace said to have cost Ethan two hundred million dollars at auction.

Watching his sister, Ethan’s chest filled with pride.

“You look incredible,” he said warmly. “You stayed with Alexander all those years, and that idiot still chased after some cheap thrill. At least now you’ve kicked him out of your life.”

Their sibling bond was the envy of everyone in the room.

Just as they raised their glasses, Mr. Reed’s voice echoed from the stage.

“Thank you all for coming to my daughter’s birthday gala. Tonight, I have something special to announce. I’m transferring sixty percent of our family company’s shares to my daughter as her birthday gift.”

The ballroom erupted in astonishment. But Mr. Reed wasn’t done.

“And one more thing—our company has invested twenty million in Nathan Torres’s new development project. My daughter will be co-managing it with him.”

Applause thundered through the hall. Mr. Reed smiled, satisfied.

“Dad, I just came home, and you’re giving me so much? Aren’t you worried my brothers will think you’re playing favorites? And why am I joining that project at all?”

Sophia had never seen herself as a businesswoman, and her father’s sudden announcement felt rash.

Ethan ruffled her hair affectionately. “We’d give you everything if we could. None of us would ever be jealous.”

Seeing his children so close warmed Mr. Reed’s heart. He was about to explain the project when Nathan arrived.

Sophia hurried over to pull him in, completely unaware that their hands brushing together had turned her father’s ears red—something he noticed immediately.

“Nathan, tell my dad the truth. I’m hopeless at this kind of work. If I get involved, I’ll only drag you down.”

Nathan’s heart thudded in his chest, but he kept his tone cool. “If Mr. Reed has made the decision, then even if you slow me down, I’ll accept it.”

Sophia nearly groaned in frustration, but Mr. Reed clapped his hands with a laugh.

“See? He doesn’t mind. Work closely with him and learn what you can. I’ve entrusted you with important shares, and you’ll take on more responsibilities soon.”

Just a few words—and Sophia’s eyes welled with tears. She had hoped to live quietly, but her father was pushing her into the business world.

While she was still reeling, Mr. Reed shot Nathan a meaningful look. Whether his daughter’s future would belong to him—or to Alexander—was now up to the younger man.

Then Mr. Reed said, “There are still guests outside. You two should go greet them with your brother.”

Out in the ballroom, Sophia sighed, swirling the wine in her glass. “Maybe Dad thinks I’ve been too lazy lately, so he’s burying me in work.”

Ethan burst out laughing. “Ha! Maybe so. But if Dad’s letting you handle this project, there’s a reason. Don’t stress too much—you’ll do fine.”

“Daniel, it’s barely morning—why are you already fussing with your plants again?”

Yawning and rubbing her sleepy eyes, Sophia stared at her eldest brother, amazed by his energy. Not only had he finished his morning run, but he was also pruning the flowers.

Daniel immediately set down his watering can and pulled out a chair for her.

“Take the day off,” he said. “Oh, and Dad mentioned a contract yesterday. You’re meeting a client about it today.”

Work again. Even with the luxurious breakfast before her, Sophia lost her appetite.

After breakfast, her new personal assistant arrived.

“This is your assistant,” Daniel said. “You can ask him about anything work-related. He’ll take good care of you.”

The young man adjusted his glasses and extended a polite hand.

“Good morning, Ms. Reed. I’ll be managing your business collaborations from now on. Here’s your schedule for today, and this is the contract you’ll need to review in advance.”

Seeing the thick stack of papers, Sophia nearly cried.

A few hours later, she arrived at the meeting location.

“Has he left yet? Call Nathan Torres and tell him I’m almost at the restaurant,” she said.

Back at the Reed Estate, Mr. Reed dropped his teacup upon hearing that Sophia had left. “Hurry and call Ethan—tell him to remind Nathan she’s on her way!”

Nathan was already drowning in work, but when the call came, his tone remained calm. “Got it. I’m on my way. Meet me at the restaurant.”

His assistant glanced over. “Strange that Mr. Reed chose a restaurant for a business meeting. That’s not like him.”

Nathan shot him a sharp look, and the assistant quickly turned forward again, silent.

When Nathan arrived, he immediately understood.

Sophia was standing there awkwardly, clutching the contract like a shield.

He stepped closer and, with one finger, lowered the papers from her face.

“Why are you hiding? Weren’t you supposed to be meeting your father’s business partner today? What are you doing here?”

Sophia glanced around, confused. “Dad said the client was an older gentleman. I didn’t expect it to be you.”

But they were already here, and the deal was crucial to both families.

She put on a professional smile. “Doesn’t matter who it is—let’s just talk about the contract.”

Before they could enter the restaurant, however, an unwelcome voice interrupted.

“Well, if it isn’t my dear sister. Haven’t seen you since your little disappearance. I thought you’d starved to death by now.”

Sophia froze. That sharp, mocking tone could belong to no one but Clara Kane.

And beside her stood Alexander Kane, his arm around Vanessa Cole.

Sophia’s irritation spiked. Before she could reply, Vanessa sneered, “So that’s why you divorced so quickly. You’d already found yourself a new man.”

Alexander’s eyes flicked to Nathan. The man’s presence was commanding—but Alexander was convinced his own wealth far outmatched him.

He pulled out a black card, tossing it at Nathan’s feet with a smirk.

“The dinner here isn’t cheap. If your boytoy wants to impress you, he can earn it. Have him kneel down and kiss my shoes, and this card’s his.”

Sophia and Nathan exchanged a glance—utterly unimpressed.

Vanessa’s voice turned shrill. “What’s taking so long? Kneel already!”

Nathan stepped forward. They thought he’d submit, and anticipation twisted their faces into grotesque grins.

But instead, Nathan’s foot shot out, catching Alexander squarely in the chest.

At the same time, Sophia slipped behind Vanessa and pressed a pressure point at the base of her neck.

“Ah! Sophia—what did you do? I can’t see! Alexander, help me, I can’t see anything!”

Alexander, winded and speechless from the kick, could only gasp in pain.

Sophia’s voice turned icy. “You two came here to humiliate us, but you’re not even good at that. Keep running your mouths, and next time I’ll make sure you can’t speak at all.”

She bent down, picked up the contract from the floor, and nodded toward the restaurant. “Let’s go, Nathan. We’ve got business to discuss.”

“They’re just biting each other like stray dogs. Why bother with them?”

Sophia Reed wanted to hurry inside with Nathan Torres to sign the contract and finally go home to rest, but that shameless couple wouldn’t let them have peace.

“So that’s it? You can’t outtalk us so you’re leaving? Look at them—walking into a high-end restaurant dressed like beggars. Can they even afford to eat here?”

Even after Sophia’s sharp retort had silenced them, Vanessa Cole still refused to back down.

Nervous but pretending to be bold, she clung to Alexander Kane’s arm like a peacock flaunting its feathers. “What’s there to be proud of? The man next to you might be dressed neatly, but he looks just as broke as you are.”

The upscale restaurant was full of wealthy couples coming and going. Hearing Vanessa’s shrill voice, several stopped to watch the commotion.

“What are they arguing about? Blocking the doorway like that—don’t they feel ashamed?”

That was exactly what Vanessa wanted—an audience. With so many people watching, she decided to humiliate Sophia even more.

“You left your husband so quickly because you already had another man lined up, didn’t you? Sister, why must you always rely on men to keep you?”

To describe Sophia Reed as someone who needed to be “kept”? That was beyond insulting.

Sophia immediately dropped Nathan’s arm and slapped Vanessa hard across the face.

“Watch your mouth. We’re here for a business meeting—this contract is in my hand. And you dare say we’re sneaking around? You’re the one playing the mistress!”

Now that she no longer pined for Alexander, Sophia stood tall. Backed by her family, she had every ounce of confidence she needed. Still, her palm stung from the force of that slap.

“Enough nonsense. If you came here to eat, no one’s stopping you. But if you came to pick a fight, take that slap as my warning to you both.”

The sound of Sophia’s hand striking Vanessa’s face echoed. With so many couples watching from outside, the embarrassment was complete.

“Who do you think was the real homewrecker here?” someone whispered.

Vanessa clutched her face, humiliated, while Sophia rubbed her slightly swollen hand and heard the murmurs around them.

She had just returned to her family; any gossip about her would reflect on all of them. So she raised her voice and said clearly, “You all know who I am—Sophia Reed of the Reed family. I come from an old New York business house. Do you think I’d waste my time on another woman’s man? I’m here for business, and this is the proof.”

Sophia lifted the contract high for everyone to see.

The onlookers gasped, and those who had been whispering insults at her turned their words toward Vanessa and Alexander instead.

“So it’s her—the other woman! And now she’s playing the victim. What a joke.”

Embarrassed beyond measure, Vanessa and Alexander quickly fled under the crowd’s scornful stares.

Watching them leave with their heads down, Sophia lifted her chin proudly. “At least they know their place. Next time they try this, they won’t just lose face in public—they’ll be viral online.”

After that, Sophia and Nathan entered the restaurant and signed the contract smoothly. Holding the finalized papers, Sophia smiled in satisfaction.

“No wonder I’m the best—signed faster than expected. I’ll head home now. Thank you for today.”

The name on the contract filled her with joy. She flipped through it a few times before tucking it carefully into her bag.

But Nathan, who had been thanked, didn’t leave right away. Opening the door, he gestured to his car outside. “You came here by cab, right? There are still a few details about the contract I want to clarify with your father. Let me drive you home.”

Sophia had hoped to keep her distance from Nathan, but since he offered a ride—and it was convenient—she got in.

As soon as she fastened her seat belt, her phone buzzed. She picked it up, intending to text her father and brothers that the deal was done, but instead saw a message from Vanessa.

“Don’t think humiliating me today means I’ll back off, Sophia. You’ve stolen from me long enough. Even with your family behind you, you’ll always be an insect beneath my feet.”

Sophia let out a low, chilling laugh.

“What’s so funny?” Nathan asked, eyes still on the road but clearly curious about that dark little smile.

Sophia switched off her phone. “Nothing. Oh, right—you mentioned some contract issues you wanted to discuss with my father. Why not tell me first?”

After all, she was the one responsible for the deal. If there were problems, she needed to know.