d deeply, her mind racing with the memories of the choices that brought her to this point. Her f

, I'll disown you," Ric

sly and walked out of the mansion without a second thought. Even whe

she muttered to herself. "I left becaus

aps, the smooth fabric of her

re. He was handsome, and wealthy, but Sophie had hated the control of her family. They choose literally everything for her, down to her f

e thought she had found it. He was charming, ambitious, and unlike the world she had grown up in. She fell in love

oken marriage, she couldn't help but wonde

ced down at the screen-it was Cameilla, probably calling to check on her. S

planned to stay the night, Sophie wiped away her tears as she felt

f hurried footsteps made her turn. Two men in

d," one of t

ould kill for in the past,

your embezzlement scheme

face. "What! That's ridiculous! I have no

was an attempt to transfer illegal funds under your name. You'll need to come with us," he said, holdi

s enough that he cheated, divorced her and now

ed herself to stay calm. "This is a misunderstand

pping aside. With a trembling hand, she reached for the pho

red on the secon

voice as she didn't even wait for her father's response. "The police think I'm

hen Richard's voice turne

he choked out the

"Stay calm. Don't say anything until

Her heart pounded in her chest, but she clung to her father's words like

s frayed. The police men had asked her a barrage of questions about the illegal

er family's lawyer, Eleanor Rhodes, a high-profile

firm. "Your father and I clarified the situation. The charge

she released a breath she hadn't real

outside, where a sleek black Benz was waiting. Ri

voice trembling, but he h

said curtly.

hey pulled up the driveway. The sprawling estate was illuminated by

as immediately enveloped in th

her voice thick with e

down her face as she hugged her mum back

her face. "You're back now.

ntion. "Sophie has been through a lot today. L

guest rooms. It felt strange to be treated like a visitor in the pla

rping next her window. For a moment, she forgot where she

ining, where her parents are already seated

greeted, his tone soft

Sophie replied

good," her tone hardened as she referenced to Ethan. Then her tone softened.

n nodded. "I don't kn

t have to think too much about it. You're a Burne

chest. "You're right. I've spent too

ed out his phone, dialling his personal assistant."John," he said when the call connected