The hospital room was super silent after Pamela's parting words. Sofia felt the weight of her threat pressing against her chest like an anchor pulling her into the stress. Charles, being fully composed, still held her hand firmly, his touch the only thing grounding her to reality. His lips pressed into a firm line, his jaw clenched with an unreadable expression.
"What do you think she meant?" Sofia's voice sounded fearful slightly as she turned to Charles, her eyes looking at his face for answers.
Charles took a deep breath, his fingers tightening around hers. "Pamela is a woman laughed at, and I know she will stop at nothing to get what she wants. I underestimated her once, but I won't make that mistake again." His voice was filled with quiet determination.
Sofia got scared at his words, but before she could say anything else, the hospital room door creaked open. Derick, the coffee store owner, stood at the doorway, his face marred with guilt and concern.
"I came to check on you," he said softly, taking a walk into the room. His eyes starred between Sofia and Charles. "I shouldn't have been so harsh. I was wrong, and now I see what you two have is real."
Sofia managed a small smile. "It's okay, Derick. It's been a lot for everyone."
Derick breathed in deeply and then turned his attention to Charles. "There's something you should know."
Charles raised an eyebrow. "What is it?"
Derick hesitated before pulling out his phone. "Pamela's interview just went live. She's claiming Sofia seduced you for your wealth and that she has proof."
Sofia's breath hitched. "Proof?"
Derick nodded solemnly and pressed play. Pamela's voice rang out from the phone's speaker, dripping with venom.
"It's sad, really," Pamela's voice vibrating, "Charles is blind, so he couldn't see the truth. That woman, Sofia, she played him, used his vulnerability. She got herself pregnant on purpose to trap him. I have bank statements showing how much money she's received since she met him. You think love is blind? Well, it seems stupidity is, too."
Sofia's heart pounded hard in fear. "She's lying!"
Charles's expression darkened. "Of course, she is."
Derick sighed. "The media is eating it up, though. People love a scandal."
Charles let out a slow breath, his hand rubbing his temple. "This isn't just about humiliating us. She's trying to drive a wedge between us."
Sofia swallowed hard. "Charles, what if people believe her?"
He turned to her, removing his glasses so she could see the strong determination in his face. "It doesn't matter what they believe. I know the truth. And more importantly, I know you."
A lump formed in Sofia's throat, but before she could respond, Charles's phone rang. He pulled it out, pressing the answer button. "Jonathan," he said, recognizing his lawyer's voice on the call.
"Charles, you need to come to the office," Jonathan said, his voice grave. "Pamela isn't just spreading lies, she has filed a legal suit against Sofia, claiming she extorted money from you."
Sofia's stomach dropped. "What?"
Charles's grip on the phone tightened. "We'll be there."
The ride to the Royal Apparel L.L.C Company headquarters was filled with silence. Sofia looked out the window, her mind went racing through many things. The weight of the accusations bore down on her, threatening to suffocate her.
Charles, being so calm, reached for her hand. "We'll get through this," he reassured her. "Pamela may have influence, but I have power. And I'll use every piece of it to protect you."
Sofia looked at him, her heart swelling with love and gratitude. Even in the midst of problems, he stood by her.
When they arrived at the office, security was tight. Cameras flashed as reporters swarmed the entrance, shouting questions. Charles's assistant, Mark, ushered them inside quickly before the mob could get any closer.
Inside, Jonathan was waiting, files spread across the table. His expression was grim. "Pamela isn't just going after Sofia in the media. She's filed an injunction against you, Charles, claiming you're unfit to run the company due to your 'reckless personal decisions.'"
Charles's jaw clenched. "And the board?"
"They're divided," Jonathan admitted. "Half of them are concerned about the company's reputation. The other half think this is Pamela's desperate attempt to gain control. But either way, it's a mess."
Sofia breathed in so deeply. "So what do we do?"
Jonathan's gaze flickered to her. "We fight back."
The press conference was hastily arranged. Charles stood at the podium, his dark glasses covered his expression, but his stance was powerful.
"I have heard the accusations made against Sofia and myself," Charles began, his voice got bold. "And I am here to set the record straight."
Sofia stood beside him, their hands held each other so firm.
"I met Sofia as a janitor, yes," Charles continued. "And I fell in love with her not because of her background, not because of any superficial reason, or her looks, but because of her beautiful heart and soul. The woman you see beside me is the strongest, kindest person I have ever known in my life. And the idea that she manipulated me? That's a lie."
A murmur rippled through the crowd, but Charles wasn't finished.
"As for Pamela Andrew's claims she is a woman who could not stand to see me happy with someone other than herself. She has spread false information and twisted the truth for her own gain. But I assure you, Royal Apparel L.L.C Company remains strong. My relationship with Sofia does not affect my ability to run this company."
A journalist stepped forward. "But what about the lawsuit?"
Before Charles could answer, Sofia stepped up to the microphone, her voice got bold and confident. "I never asked Charles for a single penny. I never wanted his fortune, only his love. And if people can't see that, then they don't understand love at all."
A hush fell over the crowd. For a moment, it was as if Sofia's sincerity had reached them all.
Charles turned toward her, his hand sliding into hers. "And I'll stand by her, no matter what."
A slow clap interrupted the moment. Pamela emerged from the crowd, her lips curled into a smirk. "Touching," she said, her voice dripping with mockery. "But love won't save you from what's coming next."
Sofia's stomach twisted. "What do you want, Pamela?"
Pamela's smirk deepened. "You'll see soon enough." As she walked away, Charles breathed in deeply. "This isn't over."
Sofia squeezed his hand and kissed him in public. The crowd applauded the romantic moment. "Then we'll fight together."
The battle was far from over, but one thing was certain, they would face it together, hand in hand.