Chapter 8 Tangled Relationships

As they stepped out of the art gallery, night had fallen, and streetlights illuminated the plaza outside.

Jack suddenly remembered that Alexander had commandeered his car earlier. He exhaled heavily and reached for his phone. “Wait here. I’ll call my driver.”

As he spoke, he spotted a familiar yet estranged figure.

Victoria was stepping out of a white BMW, dressed in a sleek black business suit, clearly having just rushed over from her office. She noticed Sophia and Jack, her expression changing subtly when her gaze passed over the latter.

Without hesitation, she crossed the distance and drew Sophia protectively to her side, creating a deliberate barrier.

The three of them formed an awkward triangle beneath the lamplight, the air thick with years of unresolved history, unspoken regrets, and brittle tension.

"Sophia, I'm here to take you home," Victoria said with forced casualness, completely ignoring Jack as if he were invisible.

Jack opened his mouth as if to say something but ultimately remained silent.

He simply stood there, watching as Victoria led Sophia toward her car. His usually jovial face was uncharacteristically expressionless.

Victoria opened the passenger door. Sophia slipped inside without a backward glance at first. Moments later, Victoria settled into the driver’s seat.

Not once during the entire exchange did she spare Jack a single glance, let alone a word.

Inside the car, after fastening her seatbelt, Sophia couldn't help but look back at Jack still standing by the gallery entrance, then glanced at Victoria's tense expression.

“You two have truly mastered the art of mutually assured avoidance,” Sophia teased gently, trying to lighten the heavy atmosphere.

Victoria’s fingers tightened further. “Come on, don’t tease me about it.”

Sophia knew when to change the subject. She relaxed and smiled, "I'm just glad you showed up when you did. Otherwise, I'd be headed back to that dreadful mansion."

“If your message had come even a few minutes later, not even divine intervention could have saved you,” Victoria replied with a faint smirk. “By the way, how’s the perfume boutique coming along?”

"Everything's progressing smoothly. We should be open for business by the end of next month at the latest," Sophia smiled. Her sense of smell would be fully recovered by then too. "As a major shareholder, when will you find time to visit? Without your help, I'd probably still be working for someone else right now."

A few days earlier, Sophia had been job hunting when she stumbled upon a prime retail space available at a surprisingly low price. She couldn't pass up the opportunity despite not having saved enough money yet. Fortunately, she had Victoria as her friend. After sharing her vision for a perfume boutique, Victoria had immediately agreed to help, securing the space and covering all subsequent renovation costs.

"I believe in your talent," Victoria said warmly, a genuine smile breaking through. “Just repay the initial investment when you can. I don’t want any shares—you still have Emily to take care of.”

“If you truly believe in me, then follow my plan,” Sophia turned fully toward her, expression earnest. “Let’s split ownership fifty-fifty.”

Victoria glanced at her through the rearview mirror and pursed her lips. "Fine, I'll take forty percent and you take sixty. Does that work? I'm free tomorrow—I'll come by and see the place."

Hearing this, Sophia finally smiled with satisfaction. "That works perfectly."

Meanwhile, at Oasis Medical Institute's emergency department.

Alexander had accompanied Lily through various examinations, and the doctor confirmed it was just a minor sprain with no fractures. A few days of rest would allow for full recovery.

After completing the discharge paperwork, Alexander prepared to leave.

"Alexander, I'd like to stay at the hospital overnight," Lily suddenly grabbed his hand, her eyes full of expectation. "Would you stay with me?"

Alexander looked at her with a slight frown. "Your injury isn't serious. You should rest at home. I'll have my driver take you back."

"But I don't want Robert and my parents to worry," Lily said, looking vulnerable. She lowered her gaze, gently biting her lower lip. "Alexander, why have you been so cold toward me since your business trip? You used to never act this way. You promised that no matter how busy you were, you'd always call or text me. Now that I've finally returned, does none of that matter anymore?"

Alexander's frown deepened as he looked at her, pausing for a long moment.

Lily grew increasingly anxious. Had Alexander somehow figured out that she had drugged his drink that night? She knew how much he despised such underhanded tactics. Originally, she had planned to sleep with Alexander and then find someone else to take the blame. But her plan had failed, and Alexander hadn't mentioned anything. If she brought it up now, wouldn't that be admitting guilt? Wouldn't that make Alexander hate her even more?

But apart from the drugging incident being discovered, she couldn't think of any other reason for Alexander's coldness.

She clutched her hands tightly, her beautiful face tense with worry as she debated what to do.

Suddenly, Alexander spoke first, "Lily, don't overthink things."

He reached out and gently caressed her cheek, his voice softening by a fraction. “I have important matters to attend to. I need to go.”

Seeing that he truly intended to leave, Lily's unease grew stronger. She could feel Alexander gradually slipping away from her, and ultimately, it was all because of Sophia.

What if Sophia accidentally became pregnant? She might even use the child to manipulate Alexander!

She couldn't allow that to happen—she had to act first!

"Alexander," she managed to sit up and embrace him from behind, her voice choked with emotion. "In your heart, has Sophia become more important than me?"

At the mere mention of Sophia’s name, Alexander’s expression flickered with something unreadable.

He had chosen not to investigate the drugging incident because he didn't want to know the truth.

As long as he maintained the illusion, the Lily he had cherished for years could remain pure and unblemished in his memory.

He wouldn't have to question her, he just needed some time.

As for Sophia, her coldness, her detachment, and her defense of Noah all left him feeling unusually agitated.

Alexander frowned, gently pushing Lily away. He didn't answer, nor did he look at her again as he coldly walked out of the hospital room.

Only Lily's soft sobbing remained behind.

Outside the hospital, Alexander called Jack to inquire about the situation, only to learn that Sophia had long since been picked up by Victoria.

"How could you be so useless that you couldn't even stop one woman?" Alexander practically snarled through clenched teeth. "I told you to keep an eye on her. Why didn't you tell me sooner?"

"Come on, you were busy fawning over your precious Lily. How is this my fault? Sophia isn't my wife—I was doing you a favor by agreeing to take her home," Jack retorted irritably. "Besides, you know my history with Victoria. What did you expect me to do? When it comes to anything involving her, count me out."

"Good luck sorting this out yourself!" he added angrily before hanging up.

Alexander's face darkened with fury.