Chapter 194: Chapter 194: Sign It, Good Girl
「3:00 PM.」
Sophie Shaw met the woman who wanted to gift her an entire building.
It was none other than her maternal grandmother, Mrs. Ford.
This was their second meeting since touring the factory together. Sophie had expected to see her again at the old woman’s birthday banquet, but she hadn’t anticipated her grandmother contacting the company’s legal department and offering to gift her a building...
She asked Hannah Sutton to prepare some tea.
The old woman scanned Sophie’s office, feeling it was a bit too plain and simple.
She slowly sat down on the sofa. When the tea arrived, she lifted the cup and gracefully blew on the few tea leaves floating on the surface.
After a small sip, she set the cup down and looked at Sophie, her expression gentle as she beckoned her over. "Sophie, come here."
Sophie walked over.
The old woman took her hand, unable to hide her excitement.
The moment she heard Sophie was willing to attend her birthday banquet with Alaric Blackwood, Mrs. Ford began plotting a surprise for her granddaughter.
After much thought, she set her sights on the office building that housed Heart of the Ocean.
"Sophie, thank you for agreeing to celebrate my birthday. It makes me so happy. This building is my gift to you."
As she spoke, the old woman took a property deed of gift out of her purse.
"Sign it, dear."
Sophie stared at the deed her grandmother was offering with a trembling hand, a mix of emotions swirling inside her.
When an elder had a birthday, it was the younger generation’s duty to prepare a gift. Why was her grandmother giving her one, and such an extravagant one at that...?
Worried that Sophie would feel burdened, the old woman squeezed her hand and said imploringly, "Sophie, please don’t refuse me. Your mother is gone, and there’s no way for me to make it up to her anymore. All I can do is treat you as well as I possibly can to atone for what I owe her. You can think I have selfish motives, or that this is too little, too late, but your grandfather and I knew we were wrong. We never could have predicted your mother would get leukemia. It’s not even an incurable disease, so how could she just be... gone?"
The old woman’s eyes reddened, and tears streamed down her aged face.
Losing their daughter was a constant ache in the old couple’s hearts. It was a wound that time could not heal; instead, it only deepened with the quiet passing of the years, a pain seared into their very bones.
"After your mother passed, your grandfather fell ill. He was just stubborn, like a mule, but he had regretted it long ago. He was always muttering that if he hadn’t opposed your mother being with your father back then, maybe this tragedy would never have happened. He felt guilty right up until the day he died."
"So, today, I’m here to emotionally blackmail you."
The old woman gripped Sophie’s hand, ignoring the tears that flowed down her wrinkled face. She spoke between sobs, word by word, "Your grandfather already passed on, full of guilt and pain. You can’t watch your grandmother die with tears in her eyes, unable to rest in peace, can you?"
"Please accept it. It’s just a building, that’s all."
Sophie’s eyes were red, tears welling up.
"Okay, I accept."
’Just... a... single... building!’
The old woman sniffled, wiped away her tears, and finally broke into a smile. She patted the back of Sophie’s hand, carefully studying her granddaughter’s face.
She realized just how much Sophie looked like Mina Ford.
She felt she could never get enough of looking at the lovely, beautiful face before her.
However, not wanting to disturb Sophie’s work, she had to leave after all the documents were prepared.
"You absolutely have to come to the banquet," the old woman said before leaving, looking anxious and insecure.
Sophie nodded with a smile.
Just as the old woman turned and took a step out, a voice suddenly came from behind her: "Grandma."
Her steps faltered. She froze at the office doorway, unable to believe it.
Sophie had called her Grandma.
She covered her mouth as the tears she had just managed to stop began to well up again.
The sound of footsteps grew closer, and then a pair of arms wrapped around her from behind.
Sophie hugged her, resting her chin gently on her shoulder. As if acting spoiled, she nuzzled her face against her grandmother’s neck. "Grandma, I’ll file an application with the court to lift the injunction from back then."
"Good! That’s wonderful!"
She raised her hand and patted the back of Sophie’s. "Bring Alaric over for dinner tonight."
"Okay."
Sophie let go of the old woman, who didn’t turn back. Holding back her tears, she walked slowly toward the elevator with her purse hooked on her arm.
Her back seemed a little stooped...
After watching her grandmother step into the elevator, Sophie turned and returned to her desk. She took a few minutes to compose herself and wipe her tears away before picking up her desk phone. She contacted the legal department and asked for Zack Rhodes.
She briefly explained her situation and had Zack draft the application to lift the injunction for direct submission to the local court.
Afterward, she reviewed the drafted investment contract. Once she confirmed everything was in order, she was about to ask Hannah to contact Oscar Lynch to sign it, but Zack said, "Let me handle this."
Sophie was surprised that a new legal intern could be so efficient and responsible. She nodded. "Alright, then. You can make a trip to the Lynch Group."
While Sophie Shaw was busy at Heart of the Ocean, Alaric Blackwood was resting at Maplewood Estate—but not completely idle.
After seeing Sophie off at noon, he had made a call to someone.
Now, the doorbell rang. That person had arrived.
Lawson opened the main gate, and a yellow sports car drove into the courtyard.
Lawson didn’t know much about luxury cars, but she wasn’t completely clueless either. She knew the car was a Lam-something-ini, and it was definitely expensive.
The car came to a stop in the courtyard. The passenger door opened, and a young woman stepped out.
She was fashionably dressed and wearing sunglasses.
Lawson glanced up at the gloomy sky. There wasn’t a ray of sunlight to be seen. ’Why the hell is she wearing sunglasses in the middle of winter on an overcast day?’
Vianne Kane adjusted the sunglasses on her nose and walked up the steps, carrying a limited-edition handbag.
She ignored Lawson standing by the door and walked straight inside. Spotting Alaric Blackwood sitting on the living room sofa, she headed decisively toward him.
Her high heels made a crisp CLICK-CLACK sound on the floor.
Alaric was toying with a gold-plated lighter. He tilted his head slightly, glanced at the approaching Vianne, and gestured for her to sit.
"Alaric."
The woman’s voice was soft, and she tried to sit next to him.
Quick as a flash, the man picked up a throw pillow and placed it on the spot she was about to sit on.
Vianne Kane gave an awkward laugh. She had no choice but to lift her "precious" bottom, take a few extra steps, and sit down opposite Alaric.
"Alaric, what’s the occasion? I’m surprised you asked to see me."
"Business."
"What is it, Alaric?"
Vianne took off her sunglasses as she spoke. After two days of rest, her complexion wasn’t so bad. To meet Alaric, she had spent a full hour putting on a very elaborate makeup look.
She knew about Alaric’s punishment. Seeing his handsome face looking a bit pale, and that he was at home in casual wear instead of at the office, she couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow, a clear hint of delight in her eyes.
"Alaric, are you feeling alright?"
Alaric’s face was expressionless. "Are you a hen? You keep clucking."
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