Chapter 17 – Sophia Is Back
I stood frozen in place, jaw clenched so hard I thought I might break a tooth.
The sting on my cheek burned, but not as much as the humiliation. In front of everyone. In front of my family. She slapped me.
That woman had the guts to walk in here with another man, lie through her teeth, and then slap me? My blood boiled.
I was about to follow her out when Renata grabbed my arm.
“Lorenzo, don’t,” she whispered, shaking her head quickly. “Don’t make a scene.”
I shook her off and looked away. I needed to cool off before I snapped.
Whispers floated around the room like poison smoke..
People stared. Eyes filled with judgment, with pity, with gossip. I couldn’t take it.
I left the ballroom and stepped onto the balcony. I lit a cigarette and leaned against the rail staring at the garden but not really seeing anything.
That was when I heard her voice.
Renata. She was on the phone, speaking low and fast, thinking no one could hear her.
‘Yes… she’s back,” she said, her voice tight. “I don’t know how. It wasn’t supposed to happen. W need to-”
stepped toward her.
She turned, eyes wide, phone still pressed to her ear.
‘Who are you talking to?” I asked.
Renata blinked, then quickly ended the call. “It was my parents,” she said. “They’re worried. I was ust updating them.”
I stared at her for a moment, but she kept her expression soft. Innocent.
‘Right,” I muttered and walked away.
After the party, my grandfather and father called me into their study. They didn’t waste time.
‘She’s back,” my grandfather said. “And bolder than ever.”
‘She slapped you in front of the whole world,” my father added. “That girl’s growing wings. If you don’t clip them now, she’ll ruin you.”
“I know,” I muttered.
“Do something, and fast.”
I nodded and left the room.
When we got home, I couldn’t sit still. Renata tried to calm me, but I wasn’t in the mood.
I brushed her off and went outside, pacing near the fountain.
I couldn’t stop thinking about that man beside Sophia. Who was he? Why did he look at her like she was his?
pulled out my phone and dialed Kale.
“Boss,” he answered.
“I need a full report on the man who came with Sophia to the banquet. I want everything by morning.”
“Yes, sir.”
I hung up and went inside. “Bring me coffee,” I told one of the maids.
A few minutes later, they brought it in.
I took a sip… and spat it out immediately. “What the hell is this?”
The maids flinched.
“Sir, Sophia used to travel far to get the herbs you like,” one of them said. “She’s the only one who knows how to make it just right.”
I threw the mug against the wall. It shattered. The coffee splashed everywhere.
“Useless! All of you just wait for Sophia to do everything like lost puppies!”
I stormed upstairs, slamming the door behind me. I lay on the bed, staring at the ceiling, sleep refusing to come.
Hours passed, but all I could think of was her. Her face. That slap. That man beside her.
By morning, I was still in a foul mood.
I dragged myself to the dining room. Renata was already there, smiling weakly.
“I made breakfast,” she said. “I wanted to do something nice.”
I nodded slowly and sat down. “Let’s see if it’s any good.”
She served me the food herself. I picked up the fork, took one bite, and spat it out.
“What the hell is this? Are you trying to kill me?”
Renata looked shocked. “W-What?”
“This has hazelnuts in it. I’m allergic to hazelnuts!”
Her face went pale. “I didn’t know…”
“Exactly!” I snapped. “Because you never pay attention.”
“I just wanted to help-”
“You don’t even know the basics! If it was-” I stopped myself. If it was Sophia, she’d hav known. She always knew.
Renata’s eyes filled with tears. “I’m sorry, Lorenzo…”
I didn’t care. My anger had reached its peak. I yanked the tablecloth, and everything crashed t the floor-plates, cups, food.
“Clean it up,” I growled and stormed out.
I got into the car and drove straight to the office. I needed work. Something to take my mind of her.
As soon as I stepped into my office, Kale walked in.
“Boss,” he said. “Here’s the file on the man who came with Sophia.”
I took the file and flipped it open. My eyes narrowed.
Mateo De Luca.
Powerful. Connected. Dangerous.
“Who the hell is this guy?” I muttered.
Before Kale could answer, his phone buzzed. He read the message and looked up at me.
“Also… someone called a board meeting this morning.”
I frowned. “What?”
“Yeah. And they had the authority to do so. The legal documents are signed. They own over fifty percent of the shares.”
My voice was ice cold. “Who the hell has the nerve to call a board meeting in my company?”
Sophia’s Pov
