In that instant, Ashley knew Sophie called Tribeca home, but she was clueless about Noah sharing that space with her.
Sophie, still unsure about fully trusting Ashley, paused at the villa's entrance. She turned to Ashley with a guarded smile, asking her to take Lisa back instead.
As she stepped inside, she noticed Noah was already there.
His tall and handsome figure was sprawled comfortably across the sofa, his right arm shielding his eyes from the harsh glare of the lights.
Sophie smiled gently as she silently approached Noah and settled beside him. Her fingers traced the contours of his face with a tender touch.
"Why aren't you sleeping in bed?" she whispered.
Noah sat up, meeting her gaze. "The company you're endorsing tomorrow, Collider Scope, has already received a letter from our lawyers suing them for fraud," he explained. "By tomorrow afternoon, that news will likely be everywhere."
"It's okay. I'll only be there in the morning," Sophie replied, resting her head on Noah's chest.
Though she said little else, Noah seemed to understand her unspoken thoughts. He knew exactly what she intended to do the next day.
Sophie understood that once she set her plan in motion the next day, the client wouldn't let things slide without a fight. Even the mighty Collider Scope, which usually ignored small businesses, was compelled to dispatch a stern letter from their legal team.
"Thank you, hubby!" she exclaimed.
"What for?" Noah inquired, softly running his hand along her back.
"Thank you for understanding me and for always protecting me!" Sophie whispered with heartfelt gratitude.
Noah remained silent, resting his head gently on Sophie's thigh as if it were the most comforting pillow. "I've been staring at documents all day, and my eyes are exhausted," he confessed.
"How about I read them to you?" Sophie suggested, picking up the stack of papers Noah hadn't yet finished, ready to lend her support.
After she finished reading one of the documents, Sophie let out a sigh. "Back in the day, Star King offered me such a great deal. Yet, I missed out on living those three years. Who would have guessed that I'd end up finding you in the end? It's true; fate has a way of saving the best for last."
"So, after you cancel your contract with Global Pictures Entertainment, which company are you thinking of signing with?" Noah asked, curious about her next move.
"It's still too early," Sophie replied, shaking her head uncertainly. She wasn't sure how much of her career she could reclaim, so she hadn't made any decisions yet.
"Sign with me!" Noah suggested with a hopeful glint in his eyes.
"For Collider Scope, a model like me is nothing special," Sophie admitted, recognizing that joining such a prestigious company might not be realistic for her at this moment.
Noah chuckled, steering the conversation away from the topic. His little wife clearly didn't grasp the full meaning of his words.
When he said "sign with me," he wasn't talking about Collider Scope or any company. What he truly meant was that he wanted to create a unique contract just for her. In this world, she would be the only one with him as her manager.
But he decided to keep this surprise under wraps for now.
Though he was Sophie's husband, he wanted to wait and see if she truly valued and believed in herself.
Noticing her moment of self-doubt, Noah sat up, wrapped his arm gently around her neck, and pulled her in for a demanding kiss, hoping to reignite her confidence and show his unwavering support.
"I won't let you underestimate yourself," Noah declared with determination.
Sophie, seeing through his intentions, teased, "I know you're just looking for an excuse to steal a kiss." She took his warm hands and placed them on her chest, meeting his gaze with a playful smile. "I want you to take things further,"