The city never truly slept, and neither did the turmoil brewing in Sofia's heart. As she sat in Charles grand estate, staring at the glittering skyline of New York, an unshakable sense of unease settled over her. The confrontation with Pamela outside the hospital had left its mark. Her awful words resounded in her mind, This is only the beginning.
Charles, being ever perceptive despite his blindness, reached out, his fingers reached to her hand. "You're thinking about her, aren't you?"
Sofia sighed, turning to face him. "I can't help it, Charles. She was so certain... and so confident. I feel like she's planning something bigger."
Charles breathed out deeply, frustration planted tension in her heart . "Pamela has always moved on control. She doesn't accept defeat as well. But I won't let her hurt you again or get near you. I swear it."
Before Sofia could respond, Charles assistant, Nathan, burst into the room, his face pale. "Sir, we have a problem. A big one."
Nathan placed a tablet in front of them and pressed play. A news anchor appeared on the screen, her expression grave.
"Breaking news: Leaked financial documents expose a massive scandal involving Royal Apparel L.L.C Company. The reports claim possible fraud and embezzlement at the highest levels. Could this mean the blind CEO isn't as noble as he claims to be? More at ten."
Sofia gasped. "This... this isn't real, is it? "
Charles grip tightened around the armrest of his chair. "No. But that won't stop them from running with it."
Nathan swore under his breath. "Someone leaked this deliberately. The timing is too perfect. The moment you both go public with your love, this scandal came up? It's sabotage."
Sofia's stomach twisted. "Pamela."
Charles nodded grimly. "It has to be her. She's trying to tear me down from the inside. And if the board members panic... I could lose everything."
That night, Charles received an anonymous email with a cryptic message, You've kept secrets long enough. Time for the world to know who you really are. Meet me at The Sterling Hotel, rooftop. Come alone.
Charles fingers hovered over the screen as he read the message aloud.
"It's a trap," Sofia said immediately. "You can't go alone."
Charles smiled softly. "I don't intend to go alone. But whoever this is wants me to. That means they think I'm vulnerable."
Nathan stepped forward. "I'll have security in place. Just say the word."
Charles hesitated, then shook his head. "No. I need to hear what they have to say. But I won't go in blind... figuratively speaking."
Sofia frowned. "Then I'm coming with you."
Charles sighed, cupping her cheek. "You've been through enough, my angel."
She met his gaze, determination burning in her eyes. "And I won't let you face this alone."
going to the rooftop at midnight?, they arrived at The Sterling Hotel. Charles fingers tightened around Sofia's as they stepped onto the rooftop. The city stretched out before them, breathtaking and endless. But the environment felt as though there was danger.
A shadow emerged from the darkness.
Pamela.
She stood there, dressed in expensive and seductive wears, her expression smug. But she wasn't alone.
Beside her stood a man in a sharp suit, her ex boyfriend, Wilson.
Sofia's breath caught in her throat. "You?" she talked with a soft voice.
Wilson smirked. "Surprised? You shouldn't be. Pamela and I have unfinished business with you both."
Charles jaw clenched. "What do you want?"
Pamela stepped forward, arms crossed. "Revenge. You humiliated me, Charles. You chose her over me, a nobody janitor." Her voice poured out with venom. "I told you this wasn't over. And now? Now I will watch everything you love crumble."
She tossed a folder at Charles' feet. Nathan quickly picked it up and scanned the contents, his expression was not a good one.
"This... these are forged documents linking you to illegal transactions," Nathan murmured. "Pamela, where did you get these?"
Pamela chuckled. "Does it matter? What matters is that by morning, every news outlet will be reporting that Charles is nothing but a fraud."
Sofia's heart was gripped in fear. "You can't do this!"
Pamela raised a brow. "Oh, yeah but I can. Unless..."
She trailed off, a sinister smile curling on her lips.
"Unless what?" Charles asked coldly.
Pamela's gaze flickered to Sofia's stomach. "Unless Sofia walks away."
Silence stretched between them. The weight of her words settled like ice in Sofia's veins.
Charles stiffened. "You want me to give her up?"
Pamela smirked. "Not just give her up. I want you to publicly announce that your relationship was a mistake and fake. That she was nothing more than a fling. Do that, and I make this problem disappear."
Sofia's hands clenched into fists. "You're disgusting."
Wilson leaned against the railing, his expression smug. "Think it over, lovebirds. You have until sunrise. Choose wisely."
As they left the rooftop, Charles was silent, his expression was really bad.
"Charles," Sofia whispered, "whatever you're thinking"
He breathed in deeply. "I won't lose you."
She cupped his face, forcing him to look at her from his being he was blind. "And I won't let you destroy yourself for me."
He pulled her into his arms, holding her tightly. "We'll find another way."
But even as he said the words, doubt and fear was in his heart. The clock was ticking. And by morning, their love might be shattered forever.
As dawn approached, Nathan rushed into the room with a grave expression. "Sir, there's another development. Someone has just submitted an anonymous tip to the authorities. A warrant is being prepared for your arrest. If we don't act now, you'll be taken in by noon."
Sofia felt the floor tilt beneath her. "No..."
Charles remained eerily calm. "Then we need to get ahead of them. Call a press conference. I'll face this at once."
Nathan hesitated. "Are you sure? This could destroy you."
Charles smiled grimly. "Or it could expose the real villains behind this."
Sofia squeezed his hand, determination and love burning in her eyes. "Then we fight together."
The sun was rising. The battle was about to begin. To be continued...