Emily paced nervously outside Alexander's office. He had called his lawyer Steven. She couldn't hear their conversation, but she was definitely going to do her best to find out what was going on. The moment the lawyer came out of the office, Emily headed straight for him."Steven, may I have a moment of your time?" Emily asked, her tone polite but with a hint of urgency.Steven hesitated for a moment, his eyes darting between Emily and Alexander's closed office door. "Of course, Emily. What can I help you with?"Emily motioned toward a nearby quiet corner, away from prying ears. "Let's talk over there, away from any potential eavesdroppers."They moved to a more discreet spot, and Emily got straight to the point."I'll be forward. I know you know Sophia Johnson is Alexander's ex-wife," Emily stated firmly, her eyes fixed on Steven.Steven, caught off guard, attempted to feign surprise, but Emily's unyielding expression didn't waver."I remember when you met Sophia at Bistro 45, and I'

Sophia sat alone in her apartment, a glass of wine in hand, her thoughts consumed by the events of the morning. It was unusual for her to skip work, but the situation had taken such a sudden and unexpected turn that she needed this moment alone to gather her thoughts. As she sipped her wine, she couldn't help but replay the confrontation with Alexander in her mind. She had kept the truth from him, and the knowledge that he believed she had been using him weighed heavily on her. Yet, despite the bitterness of the situation, Sophia had come to the reluctant conclusion that it might be for the best that they didn't meet again. It was time to leave her ex-husband in the past. There were more pressing matters at hand, particularly the safety of her best friend, Evelyn, who was currently in captivity. Sophia knew she had to act swiftly; time was of the essence. With determination in her eyes, Sophia decided to start by calling her parents. Evelyn had a close relationship with them and

Kyle had shared more details about his colleague with Alexander. It turned out that the journalist who blackmailed Sophia had a notorious history of being involved in various scandals, making their situation even more precarious. Alexander knew he had to call Sophia and inform her about what they had discovered regarding Evelyn's kidnapping. The weight of the truth about Sophia being his ex-wife still lingered in his mind. Everything that had transpired between them began to make sense: her initial coldness, her enigmatic remarks about him being a copy of her ex-husband, and the hidden layers of their interactions. As he dialed Sophia's number, Alexander couldn't help but feel a mix of emotions. Anger, confusion, and a sense of missed opportunities gnawed at him. He wondered if he had been a better husband during their three-year marriage, would their lives have taken a different turn? He had genuine feelings for her, and he regretted not making more effort to meet her at least. Ho

Alexander sat in his office, his frustration evident in the way he drummed his fingers on the polished mahogany desk. His secretary, Laura, sensing his dissatisfaction, hesitated at the doorway."Is there something I can assist you with, Mr. Stone?" she asked cautiously.Alexander's brows furrowed deeply, and he replied tersely, "Yes, there is. Sit down."The secretary complied, her unease growing as she took a seat across from him. Alexander's frustration had been palpable for a while, and she braced herself for what was to come."You've been failing to uncover important information," Alexander began, his voice sharp with irritation.The secretary tried to maintain her composure, though she had no idea what he was referring to. "I apologize, Mr. Stone. Could you please specify which information you're referring to?"Alexander's anger boiled over as he grabbed a stack of documents from his desk and tossed them in her direction. They scattered across the desk."See for yourself," he sa

As Sophia and Evelyn entered the police station, they were focused on the necessary procedures to ensure Evelyn's safety and well-being. It was a tense atmosphere, and both of them were preoccupied with the task at hand. As they talked to the police officers, Sophia spotted Alexander exiting the building, and her heart sank. She had hoped to avoid any encounter with him, but fate seemed to have other plans. Alexander, too, saw Sophia and a wave of emotions washed over him. He had been hoping to catch a glimpse of her, but now that it had happened, he wasn't sure how to react. They passed each other like strangers in the hallway, their eyes briefly meeting before they both looked away, as if trying to erase the past and the emotions that still lingered. Sophia, ever the pragmatist, accepted their estranged state with a heavy heart. She had moved on with her life and had no intention of revisiting the pain Alexander had caused her. But for Alexander, seeing Sophia again was a painf