Chapter 4 - SOPHIA REYNOLDS HAD HER OWN PLAN
Sophia Reynolds had never intended to become Adrian Moretti's wife.
She wanted something more useful.
Access to his empire.
She had grown up beside him in a wealthy New York family. They'd dated when he was twenty-two, before he inherited control of the Moretti businesses.
Back then, Sophia loved the excitement.
The private parties.
The danger.
The way Adrian could make people move aside without saying a word.
But when his father died and the family businesses became complicated, she left.
She married a financier named Julian Reynolds.
The marriage lasted seven years.
Then Julian's investment firm collapsed.
Sophia's money vanished.
Her social circle began avoiding her.
And suddenly, Adrian Moretti looked attractive again.
She called him.
Told him she was frightened.
Lonely.
Facing financial ruin.
Adrian came.
Just as she'd expected.
But she hadn't expected Claire to leave.
Claire had always been useful.
A quiet wife.
A respectable academic.
A woman who made Adrian appear stable to investors.
Sophia had assumed she'd remain in Chicago, providing the perfect public image while Sophia enjoyed Adrian's attention.
Now Claire was gone.
And Adrian was distracted.
One evening, Sophia met Julian in a private restaurant.
He looked exhausted.
“You said Moretti would invest.”
Sophia stirred her drink.
“He will.”
“When?”
“Soon.”
Julian leaned forward.
“My creditors aren't waiting.”
Sophia's expression hardened.
“Neither am I.”
He lowered his voice.
“Does Adrian know about the offshore accounts?”
“No.”
“Does he know you still own half the company?”
“No.”
Julian stared.
“Then stop playing games.”
Sophia smiled coldly.
“Adrian loves rescuing women.”
Julian shook his head.
“He's not stupid.”
“No,” Sophia replied. “But he's arrogant.”
She leaned closer.
“And arrogant men are easier to manipulate than stupid ones.”
Neither noticed the waiter approaching their table.
He placed the bill down.
Then walked away.
But beneath his tray, a small recording device continued running.
May you like
Someone else was interested in Sophia Reynolds.
Someone who had been watching her long before Claire filed for divorce.
