Chapter 43

"You're not planning to stay at home after your marriage?" Teresa asked as the maid started pouring them tea. Seeing Sofia’s surprise, Teresa smiled. "I am simply curious."

"Would it not be better if you focused on charities and worked behind the scenes instead of directly managing a company?" Teresa asked, her gaze fixed on Daniel, who stood next to Alexander.

Daniel and Alexander had taken a break from the family scene after lunch to enjoy some golf at the park. The golfing field behind the mansion was a peaceful spot, with a lush green landscape stretching out beneath the August sun.

The shaded area where Teresa, Zoe, and Sofia sat was surrounded by colorful flowers, adding a touch of nature’s beauty to their conversation. The scent of blooming flowers lingered in the air, creating a pleasant atmosphere for their discussion.

The comfortable chairs provided a cozy place to relax and talk, shielded from the sun by the canopy of leaves overhead.

Beyond the shaded area, the golfing field spread out, with manicured lawns and neatly arranged holes. The sound of clubs hitting golf balls occasionally reached their ears, intermingled with laughter and casual conversation.

It was a simple yet serene setting. Sofia quite liked this place, except she was currently talking to her mother-in-law. By law, Teresa was already her mother-in-law as she was already married to Alexander.

"No, I do not plan to take a step back," Sofia answered with a smile on her face. "I was trained to lead LH GROUP. I don’t think that would change any time soon. Besides, Daniel and I are not even engaged yet."

"Moreover, Daniel always knew about my ambitions..." Sofia took a sip of her tea. Alexander had told her that Teresa disliked women who were assertive and strong. She did not like women who knew what they wanted and were not willing to slow down for the sake of their relationship.

Teresa immediately stopped working the moment she married Alexander’s father. She joined some charities and did mental stuff, and Alexander thought this was the reason why she always wanted a daughter-in-law who could accompany her in doing something meaningful for the world.

"Wouldn't it be better to step back and do something that could help the helpless? Charities would be very good for LH Group," Zoe smiled.

"Didn't I tell you to call me mother?" Teresa looked at Zoe. "I thought we already had an understanding about this matter?" Once again, Zoe blushed.

"Oh." Sofia looked at Zoe. "I don’t want to sound nosy, but when is your wedding day?"

"I—" Zoe's face turned even redder.

"Alexander and she are currently having some trouble. However, this does not mean that he is not going to marry her very soon. In fact, since Alexander and Zoe broke up years ago, he never once involved himself with any other woman. He has always been loyal, just like his father."

Sofia pursed her lips. She took another sip of her tea as she tried to hide the smile on her lips. She really needed to talk to Alexander about this matter. It seemed that he forgot to inform her that his ex would actually join them today. Sofia looked at the two men who were approaching them.

Seeing them approach, Zoe immediately got up and tried to wipe Alexander’s sweat, but the latter was quick to move away. Out of nowhere, he grabbed the towel next to Sofia and used it to wipe his sweat.

Sofia wanted to tell him that the towel was supposed to be for Daniel. However, the smirk on Alexander's face was enough to tell her that this was intentional. This man is really looking for trouble!

Alexander tossed the towel to Daniel, who caught it with a frown. "Is there going to be a problem?" Alexander asked, feigning innocence.

"No, this is fine," Sofia said, shaking her head.

Seeing this, Zoe immediately sat back down and stroked Teresa’s arm. "Please don’t be upset. Alexander is simply tired and sweaty."

"I apologize for showing such an unsightly side," Teresa said.

Sofia swallowed hard, hoping to avoid creating more drama. Alexander had told her he was simply not interested in Zoe, but it seemed more complicated now. She watched Alexander take a sip of his apple juice and toss the slice into his mouth.

"Alexander, can we save this for another time? We do not have any guests," Teresa said.

"Yes, Mother. I believe I have not introduced you to my dear wife," Alexander said, looking at Sofia.

Teresa's face turned pale. "What are you talking about?"

"Didn't you already know? Sofia and I are married."

Everyone turned to look at Sofia, who tried to hide her amusement. Alexander continued, "Mother, you have always encouraged people to pursue their true loves. Isn’t that why you always welcomed Zoe?"

"But I never expected you to marry someone without telling us!"

Alexander turned to Sofia. "Can you believe it? My mother encouraged this behavior. She wanted to sell me to Zoe, even though she knew I was already married."

"Alexander!" Teresa gasped. "How could you say something like that in front of Sofia?"

Alexander only shrugged. "I say what I mean. Sofia, tell them."

He slowly turned his gaze toward her, and right then, Sofia knew he was challenging her to reveal the relationship between him and Zoe, which was nonexistent.

"Alexander, you need to stop," Teresa said. "Zoe is a guest. There is no need to insult Miss Smith."

"If you wanted me gone, you should have warned your guests before they showed up years ago, Miss Smith," Alexander said, his tone sharp. "Is it my fault that you refuse to acknowledge it? Or is it my fault that you can no longer understand simple human language?"

Zoe's face paled. Without saying another word, she rushed out of the garden.

"Must you do that?" Teresa immediately got up.

"You can follow her and console her," Alexander said. "But the next time I see her in this house, I am going to file a restraining order, reveal all her messages to the media, and ruin her father."

"You—"

"That was not a threat," Alexander said. "It is a warning."

"Wait until your father hears about this."

"What can my father do?" Alexander challenged. Hearing this, both Teresa and Daniel’s faces turned ugly. Alexander smirked as Teresa left the garden to follow Zoe.

"What are you doing?" Daniel immediately asked the moment his mother left.

"What do you mean?"

"You could do that on another day, yet you chose to do it today when Sofia is here. Why?" Daniel asked.

"I don’t know what you are talking about," Alexander shrugged.

"Did you have to ruin this moment?"

"Your mother ruined it by inviting someone who is not family," Alexander uttered.

"Fucking jerk!" Daniel muttered. "Sofia, let's go." He pulled Sofia and started dragging her away from Alexander.

Sofia could only sigh inwardly as she looked back at the smiling Alexander. This man... is fearless. Sofia said nothing as Daniel hauled her back into the car.

"I told you he is a jerk," Daniel said as he started the car. "I apologize for letting you see that."

"I never expected the Chairman of Beaumont Empire to have that... temper." Alexander had always been gentle with her, so a part of her seemed to have forgotten that he was not a man to be trifled with.

"The last time he did this, he sent me to Asia because Mother invited Zoe."

"Why would she invite Zoe when she knew that Alex would—"

"Do not call him that," Daniel said. "Don’t think I didn’t notice how he was calling you Sofie. However, I am telling you now, that man is a beast. He is malicious and petty, and he would do everything to show his dominance. It is best that you avoid him."

Sofia pursed her lips. Isn't it a bit too late for this warning? She already married the man!

The car started moving. "Tomorrow, I will pick you up. I will take you somewhere. Bring some nice beach clothing," Daniel said after a few minutes of silence. "Mother will be there. I am certain she will apologize because of Alexander."

"Will she invite Zoe again?" Sofia asked.

This time, Daniel sighed. "I never expected her to invite Zoe this time. She always thought that Alexander would still take Zoe back after she left him years ago. I believe she always thought that Alexander was someone with a heart."

When Sofia said nothing, Daniel continued. "That man is not human. He might look good, but he has ended so many careers and ruined lives because of his greed. Mother does not understand that Zoe is nothing to Alex. She chose to leave him. She cannot just come back and expect him to welcome her with open arms. If she loved Alex, then she would know what kind of person he truly was."

4o

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