I met Sofia's gaze, deeply aware of the gravity of the moment."Sofia, it's true that I began as your father's employee," I started, my voice unwavering despite the palpable tension in front of everyone.Sofia's eyes mirrored a sense of betrayal."But I am not your father's employee anymore. Your father threatened my job and my safety if I continued to be with you. Yet, I chose to stay by your side, under any condition," I declared, locking my eyes intently with hers."The truth is, I haven't accepted any money from your father. I even had to pay a penalty of $50,000 to cancel the bodyguard contract for you."Sofia's eyes suddenly turned serious. "You paid $50,000 to my father to cancel the bodyguard job just to stay with me?""You can call your father; I even had to take out a loan for that," I responded earnestly.It was last week when Lucia reported my relationship with Sofia to Francesca, and Francesca demanded I leave the job with a penalty.Beside that I had to pay the apartment
Me and Sofia returned to our apartment using a taxi, as Sofia's car was confiscated by her mother.Sofia, her eyes brimming with sadness, said, "How can Beth lie in front of others, and how can they not believe me?"I hugged Sofia to calm her. "Don't worry, your grandpa will wake up in two days and he will explain everything.""Alex..." Sofia called out, her voice tinged with despair. "We don’t have any money anymore.""Who said that?" I asked.Not long after, there was a knock on the front door. I found Francesca standing there with an envelope."It's your $50,000 penalty money," she said, her gaze fixed on me sternly. "Don’t you dare hurt the young miss.""I won’t," I answered and slammed the door closed.I looked at Sofia, my eyes sparkling with happiness. "See, my dear Sofia, you found a way to take back our $50,000. This is enough for our half-year's expenses. What do you want to eat?"Sofia smiled and hugged me. "Will we be okay?""I am your boyfriend and your fiancé, I will tak
Inside the Andersons' mansion, where everyone was listening and watching, I declared to the group.“I am a painter, so I want all of you to understand that the only way I can make money is by selling my paintings,”“Is it okay for me to earn money from there?” I asked clearly. “I’m afraid later Chris will accuse me of cheating by selling my paintings.”Chris laughed. “Do you think getting money is easy by selling paintings?”“I got news that the Eden Group is searching for painters for their exhibition this week. If I can exhibit my painting there and sell my painting for a million dollars, you will accept your loss, right?”“A million dollars for your painting?” Chris and also people there laughed so hard till their stomach ached.“Who do you think you are? Pablo Picasso? I don’t even know if you can put your painting in such an elite exhibition.”“Do you dare to accept the bet or not?” I asked.“Of course, I accept.”“Richard Anderson,” I turned to him. “I hope you can be a witness
"The question is wrong," I said. "You should have asked, 'How can you believe in this poor person?'" I placed my hand on his shoulder as we found a chair at the back, enjoying the warmth of each other's company."Maybe because I love you," Sofia happily giggling, and I think I'm falling in love with her naive.Few days later, I was mostly spending my time in the apartment, watching dramatic movies with Sofia, cooking daily meals, and going out for beautiful dinners.I wanted to enjoy my college days with Sofia. If anyone asked why, it was because in my past life I hadn't graduated from college; Instead, I was a diligent worker, constantly focused on finances, striving to make it through each pay period, living from one payday to the next, and laboring relentlessly with funds that never quite sufficed.When people have money, don't you think they need to enjoy life as if they were in heaven?Yet, at the same time, I took time to check on the Eden Group, which had already started to go
At the Eden Group's painting exhibition, the initial plan was to showcase amateur paintings—a venue where people could make business deals and purchase art casually.The exhibition didn't start as an amateur painting showcase; it was solely for business deals. This change occurred when Alex used it as a cover to sell his own paintings and win a bet.As the first million-dollar purchase of a painting came from the Eden Group itself.Unexpectedly, the event escalated in seriousness when renowned art critics from around the globe flew in just to view the artworks.However, Alex clearly didn't believe anyone would genuinely want to pay more than a million dollars for his work."No one in their right mind would buy that painting," he thought.Yet, it seemed Alex had grossly underestimated the allure of art and the fervor of art investors.***I was still in Sofia's apartment when I received a phone call."The media want to meet the painter?" I was hesitant about revealing my identity as I
Jeremy was shocked. "She really wants you to die? And doesn't care about you?"He clutched his head, feeling a slight headache."How can this be happening?" Jeremy threw a vase across the room."Where is Alex right now?" Jeremy demanded, pressing a knife against Miranda's stomach."At the university." Miranda said in fear."Alright, lead this girl to find the guy and bring him here. I believe she can find where he is," Jeremy commanded.The five men quickly moved, dragging Miranda away.***In my class, I was half-listening to the professor, drowsy, when a man suddenly entered the room with Miranda. "Professor, I'm sorry, but we need Alex here. It's an emergency."The professor looked around the class. "Anyone named Alex? Please, come forward."I stood and walked to the door."What's up?""Follow us," the man said. "It's urgent."I followed them to the parking lot, where only a few people were around. I found four people with Miranda's face was pale among them. Secretly, I noticed a s
“Please don’t kill my son,” Vex Bolton pleaded. “Tell me want you want!”“Your son tried to kill me!” I yelled back the voice was echoing inside the mansion. “If he hadn’t started this, I’d be too lazy to bother him! I just want a peace, is it hard!”“I am sorry, so sorry. I didn’t know you are with Sicilia.” Jeremy stammered. “It won’t happen again.”I hung up the phone, pulled out my smartphone, and called Francesca.“What is it, Alex?” she answered.“I believe I had report about Vex Bolton trying to kidnap Sofia. Now, Jeremy Bolton, his son, is in my hands. Do you want him or not?”“What do you want in exchange?”“Nothing. Since he started by kidnapping my friend.”“Do you know we and Bolton are like water and fire?” Francesca asked.“It’s much better. When you want to kill Vex Bolton, I will help you.”“Great, send him to our place. We can try to use him for the negotiation; if it does not work, we will just go to war. Remember to take Vex Bolton's head for us.”“Don’t worry.”I w
In the mansion of Anderson."You, a painter, what do you know about business?" Chris Wellington scoffed. "I suggest you leave now, or I'll need to call security to kick you out."Sophia grabbed my hand, her voice trembling with determination. "Alex, let's get out of here. I will never return to this family again.""Stop it, Sophia," her mother approached us, concern etching her features. But Sophia didn't care; she simply shoved her mother away."Guard! Take Sophia," Sophia's uncle commanded.I started to laugh, disbelief coloring my tone. "So, this is the meaning of family? You would sacrifice your daughter for a $100 million project?""Shut up," Grandma Anderson snapped. "Take Sophia and kick this guy out. He is not worth to be here."As a guard approached, wielding an iron baton, I launched a quick attack to his face, and he fell down.Causing shock to everyone there.The other guard who dared to come close received a kick to his stomach.As we walked to the gate, more guards came,