2024-12-17 17:27:38Ethan quickly stepped away from the wall when he noticed someone approaching from behind. His heart raced, but he maintained his composure, pulling out his phone to text Sophia about what he had overheard as he walked back toward the cleaner’s room.
Text: “Sophia, I need to tell you something urgent. James sent Paul—someone I used to trust—to get information from me. I thought Paul was still the friend I knew, so I told him about everything you’ve done for me. But I just found out he’s working for James now. James is furious about your help and from his words I clearly heard him say he would ruin both of us. I don’t know what exactly he meant, but I don’t want you to face trouble because of me. Maybe you should take back the apartment key.” After sending the message, Ethan let out a shaky breath. His mind raced with doubt and regret. In just two days, Sophia had completely changed his life. He thought about the way she had treated him to an expensive meal just to apologize for how James humiliated him, and their laughter during the late-night movie. She had even gifted him a three-bedroom apartment—something he never dreamed he could afford. It wasn’t just her generosity; it was her kindness that truly mattered. She made him feel seen—like he was more than just a cleaner everyone else ignored. How could anyone think I’d take advantage of her? Ethan thought bitterly. The sudden ringing of his phone snapped him out of his thoughts. It was Sophia. “Hello?” Ethan answered. “Ethan, I want you to leave the company now,” Sophia said, her voice rushed and firm. “Don’t let anyone stop you. Find a way out and take a taxi to the location I’ll send. I’ll pay for the fare.” “Okay, I’ll leave now,” Ethan replied, startled by her urgency. Sophia hung up, and within a few minutes, Ethan arrived at the location she had sent. Sophia walked up to the cab and paid the driver before turning to him. “Why did you call me here so suddenly? What’s going on?” Ethan asked, looking around. “I was worried James might try to hurt you,” Sophia admitted. “But don’t worry—I’ll handle this. I’ve already told my dad about the text you sent. He’ll summon James today and deal with him appropriately.” Ethan frowned as thoughts swirled in his mind. Why would James say he’d make the Caldwells beg for his mercy? If they helped him, why repay kindness with revenge? “Hey, Ethan, what’s wrong? You look worried,” Sophia said, snapping him out of his thoughts. “Oh, it’s nothing,” Ethan replied, his gaze fixed on the table. “I’m just thinking about what James might be planning… and how Paul betrayed me.” Sophia placed an order, then turned back to him. “You said something in your text earlier. About the apartment key. Why did you say I should take it back?” Ethan froze, shocked that Sophia would actually consider taking back the key. Speechless, he reached into his pocket and placed the keys on the table. Sophia’s gaze remained on him. “Do you have anything to say?” “Um… no. Nothing,” Ethan replied, his voice shaky, avoiding her eyes. “You suggested it, Ethan, and now I’m accepting it. Do you have a problem with that?” Sophia pressed, testing him. “It’s fine… just that…” Ethan cleared his throat, regaining some composure. “I think James already knows about it. Maybe we should slow things down. We don’t know what he’s up to.” Sophia sighed and leaned back. “Let me tell you how I met James,” she began, her voice calm. “I met him at a restaurant. He finished eating at the table next to me, but when the waiter brought the bill, he said he didn’t realize the place was so expensive and only had half the money. Security was called to take him away, and as they dragged him out, he begged them to stop, claiming he had no family or friends. He said he’d lost his parents young and survived by doing small jobs like unloading trucks. “I felt sorry for him. I asked the staff to let him go and paid his bill. When I left, he was waiting outside. He thanked me and asked if I could help him find a job. I saw the pain in his eyes and decided to help. I took him to my dad, who warned me about trusting strangers but let me help him because it was what I wanted. “For weeks, he stayed at my parents’ house. I treated him kindly, but then he asked me to marry him. “Ethan’s eyes widened at the mention of marriage” I was shocked and told him no. After that, I stayed away from home for three days. The maid later called to tell me James wasn’t eating and kept asking for me. Out of pity, I agreed to date him—but I had no intention of marrying him. “My dad eventually gave him a branch to manage, and I helped him get his own apartment so he wouldn’t rely on us so much. But then he started pressuring me again to marry him. He said if I didn’t, he might hurt himself. That’s when I realized he was manipulating me. I ended the relationship, made it clear it was over, and stepped back. That’s the truth about James.” Sophia’s voice softened as she finished. Ethan sat silently, processing her story. So that’s why James is afraid I’ll take advantage of her—because of his own insecurities and how she helped him. Ethan resolved to look into James’s family history to find out more. “Ethan, are you okay?” Sophia asked, noticing his thoughtful expression. “Oh, yeah, I’m fine,” Ethan replied. “I think I understand why James is so defensive. He knows how kind-hearted and open-minded you are, and he assumes I’ll take advantage of that like he did.” Ethan didn’t tell Sophia the last words he heard James saying before he left the walls, but they echoed in his mind. ‘I’ll make the Caldwells beg for my mercy.’ Whatever James was planning, Ethan knew he couldn’t let it happen.
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