Chapter 9 - THE PERSON WHO WANTED SOPHIA GONE
Alexander read the document again.
Then again.
Because his mind refused to accept it.
The agreement was simple.
If Sophia was removed from Alexander’s custody...
If she was considered legally separated from the Sterling family...
Then control of certain family assets would transfer.
To another person.
Michael looked at him.
“Sir?”
Alexander slowly lifted his eyes.
“It’s my cousin.”
Lauren frowned.
“Your cousin?”
“Ethan Sterling.”
The name carried weight.
Ethan had always been the forgotten member of the family.
Not as successful.
Not as respected.
Always angry.
Always believing Alexander received everything.
“The inheritance,” Michael said quietly.
Alexander nodded.
“Ethan thought Sophia was standing between him and control.”
Lauren’s face changed.
“He wanted a child gone?”
Alexander didn’t answer.
Because the evidence was there.
The fake documents.
The stolen money.
The lies.
A child had become a business obstacle.
And they treated her like one.
That was the part Alexander couldn’t forgive.
Sophia wasn’t a company.
She wasn’t an asset.
She wasn’t a number.
She was his daughter.
He closed the folder.
“We’re bringing everything to the police.”
Michael hesitated.
“Sir…”
“What?”
“There’s a problem.”
“What problem?”
Michael showed him a message.
A legal notice.
Victoria had already filed a complaint.
Alexander read it.
His expression changed.
“She’s accusing Lauren.”
“Yes.”
“For what?”
Michael looked uncomfortable.
“Child neglect.”
The room went silent.
Lauren looked shocked.
“What?”
“She claims you abandoned Sophia.”
Lauren laughed bitterly.
After everything.
After losing everything.
Victoria was still attacking her.
Alexander felt anger burning inside him.
“She’s trying to destroy Lauren before we expose her.”
Michael nodded.
“She moved first.”
Alexander grabbed his phone.
He called Victoria.
She answered after one ring.
“Alexander.”
Her voice sounded calm.
Almost satisfied.
“You filed against Lauren.”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Because she is unstable.”
Alexander closed his eyes.
The old Victoria was gone.
The mother he remembered was gone.
Now he heard only someone protecting herself.
“You lied to me.”
“No.”
“You stole my money.”
“No.”
“You separated me from my daughter.”
“I protected her.”
Alexander laughed.
A cold, painful laugh.
“Protected her?”
His voice rose.
“She was eating from a dumpster.”
Silence.
Then Victoria said something that shocked him.
“You don’t know what Lauren is capable of.”
Alexander looked at Lauren.
Then back at the phone.
“You keep saying that.”
“Because it’s true.”
“Then prove it.”
Victoria became quiet.
Finally she said:
“You want proof?”
“Yes.”
“Fine.”
Her voice lowered.
“Ask Lauren what happened the night she disappeared.”
Alexander looked at Lauren.
She looked confused.
“What is she talking about?”
Victoria continued.
“Ask her why she never told you about the accident.”
Alexander froze.
“What accident?”
Lauren’s face turned pale.
Because she knew.
Alexander saw it.
And suddenly, for the first time...
He wondered if there was a part of the story Lauren had never told him.
Victoria whispered:
“Not everyone has been honest with you, Alexander.”
The call ended.
Alexander stared at Lauren.
“Lauren.”
Her eyes filled with tears.
“Alexander…”
“What accident?”
She looked away.
And that silence hurt.
Because he had spent years believing one person’s lies.
He couldn’t survive another.
Finally, Lauren whispered:
“The night I left…”
May you like
She took a shaky breath.
“I thought Sophia was dead.”
