In an instant, the air around them seemed to freeze.
Alexander Carter looked down at the little girl clinging to his leg.
The girl had a fair and adorable face. Alexander could see his own face reflected in her bright and round eyes.
Alexander felt that he could not take his eyes off of her.
He was filled with the sudden urge to take away this cute child.
Alexander stared down at the little girl and gently asked, "Where is your family?"
"Daddy! You are my daddy!" The little girl stared boldly back at him. She squinted a bit and smiled sweetly, melting Alexander's heart.
"Hold me. I don't want to walk," she mumbled.
Alexander was about to reach out to pick her up when a whiff of perfume filled his nose. A woman suddenly appeared and scooped the little girl into her arms. "I'm sorry," she said earnestly. "My daughter likes to pretend that handsome strangers are her dad. She didn't mean to offend you. I'm really sorry."
She gave Alexander a nod before turning to leave.
As he watched the woman walk away, Alexander was filled with a sense of familiarity.
Sophia gently pinched Alexa's face. "Didn't you promise that you would stop doing this?"
"But he was so handsome…" Alexa pouted and seemed about to complain some more, but Sophia gave her a reproachful look and she stopped talking.
Sophia met up with Molly, and they walked to the parking lot together.
Sophia placed the twins in the car and was about to help Molly with the luggage. When she got out of the car, she was met with two familiar figures.
Max's car key fell from his hand to the ground with a clatter.
He didn't even notice it. "Sophia?" he asked incredulously. "You are still alive?"
Sophia was shocked for a moment. Her expression turned cold. She glanced from Max to Amelia, who was standing behind him.
"Yes. I didn't deserve to die. Do you agree, Amelia?" Sophia spoke each word slowly and deliberately.
Amelia was so startled to see Sophia that she stumbled backward in horror. She twisted her ankle and fell to the ground with a cry of pain.
Amelia looked up and saw that Sophia was not the shabby-looking woman she had been five years ago. Sophia was tall and beautiful even without any makeup. Amelia shuddered at the mocking smile that lifted the corners of Sophia's mouth. Without thinking, she turned to Max for help, only to find that he was staring at Sophia with obsession in his eyes. Max walked slowly towards Sophia and reached out his hand.
"Why haven't you contacted me for all these years?"
Sophia stepped back to avoid his hand. "Don't touch me. You're disgusting."
Max was shocked and stood frozen.
Amelia was livid. She couldn't believe that Max still loved this horrible woman!
Sophia watched them both with disdain. "Wait and see," she said through red lips. "We'll see each other again. I will watch you pay for what you did!"
At this moment, Molly slammed the trunk closed, making Amelia and Max tremble in fear.
Sophia sneered, got into the car, and drove away.
Sophia and Molly began to unpack their suitcases after arriving home.
"Mommy, we want to help you!" The twins ran towards Sophia and kissed her on the face.
Sophia was pleased. She kissed them too and handed them some light luggage.
"Look at this handsome guy!" Alexa shoved a photo towards Axel. "It's my grandfather!"
Axel was speechless.
Sophia paused. She looked over and found that Alexa had opened the photo album to a photo of her father as a young man. Alexa was giggling.
"Let me have a look."
Alexa passed the photo album to Sophia.
Sophia gently touched the photos one by one. A few tears left her eyes as she looked at her parents' smiling faces.
She remembered what Max had said. There was more to her parents' death than met the eye. The Miller Group was directly purchased by the Carter Group after its bankruptcy. There should be some old employees working there.
She must find out the truth!
Sophia made up her mind as she stared at the job offer from the Carter Group on her phone.
The Carter Group had a prime location and its tall Twin Towers were magnificent.
The receptionist led Sophia into the office and reminded her in a low voice, "This is Emily, the director of the Design Department."
Sophia nodded and walked inside.
A woman sat on the sofa in the middle of the room. She looked Sophia up and down.
The woman's gaze made her uncomfortable. Sophia kept her cool and smiled politely. "Hello, I'm Sophia Miller."
"Welcome to the Carter Group." Emily smiled. She gave Sophia a meaningful look and said, "I have a client meeting tonight. You can go with me."
"Tonight?" Sophia was surprised, but she immediately hid it. "Okay."
Emily nodded with satisfaction and walked toward the door, swaying her hips. "Follow me."
Sophia was ready to go through the formalities. As they stepped out of the elevator, she saw the employees' faces become serious, as though they were faced with a formidable enemy.
A tall figure walked out of an office room, surrounded by senior executives. He wore a haut suit and had a dignified posture. He was clearly not an ordinary employee.
Sophia blinked and stared at the man. He looked familiar.
The man stopped in the corridor and turned his head.
"Sophia," Emily called her from behind.
Sophia was dragged aside before she could react.
Emily's face darkened and her eyes turned cold. "You have to know your place. Mr. Carter is ruthless and distant. If you display any inappropriate feelings towards him, you will be fired immediately."
The man was Alexander, the CEO of the Carter Group.
Sophia thought for a moment and lowered her head obediently. "I understand."
Emily snorted and walked into the office, but Sophia didn't move. She raised her head and looked down the corridor.