Chapter 2 Same Windsor Surname
Henry's expression instantly darkened.
A mocking smile tugged at the corner of his mouth, his voice grinding out each word from between clenched teeth.
"Sophia, you think I'm your gigolo?"
Sophia's lips curved slightly as she pressed the card directly into his hand.
"Don't put it so crudely. We do have an emotional foundation, after all."
After all, she'd feel a twinge of reluctance knowing she wouldn't be able to sleep with such a specimen again.
But circumstances didn't allow it now. Her reluctance couldn't change anything.
"I'm doing this to protect you. You need to understand my good intentions."
Sophia instantly buried that flicker of emotion completely. She dressed and stood up, grabbing her purse. Just as she was about to leave, she paused at the door and blew Henry a kiss.
"Don't block me, okay? Maybe fate will bring us together again someday."
Her smile was brilliant and alluring, but she turned and left without hesitationHenry's hand clenched inch by inch until veins bulged prominently across his knuckles, a flash of obsession flickering in his eyes.
Sophia went downstairs and got in her car.
Before driving off, she sent Oliver a message:[Go straight to the Miller Manor.]She had no desire to see them in that bridal suite.
From here to the Miller Manor was only a thirty-minute drive.
Sophia got out and strode inside.
Gavin was sitting on the sofa waiting for them.
Sophia called out sweetly, "Grandfather."
Gavin's eyes filled with affection as he looked at Sophia. "Sophia, you're here."
Sophia nodded and sat obediently beside Gavin.
Gavin patted the back of her hand gently. "Don't worry. When they arrive, I'll definitely stand up for you."
Sophia smiled. "Alright."
Before long, the sound of car engines came from outside again.
Oliver and Clara had arrived.
Oliver had waited for Sophia at the villa for ages, never expecting that she would go straight to the Miller Manor instead.
He was seething with anger.
But when he saw Sophia smiling softly on the sofa, he couldn't help but be momentarily stunned.
They hadn't seen each other for two years.
In his memory, Sophia had been pure and pretty, like a blooming jasmine flower.
But the woman before him now had long hair cascading lazily around her shoulders, exquisite makeup on her face, like a rose in full, stunning bloom.
He felt somewhat bewildered.
Could two years really change a person this dramatically?
Oliver collected his thoughts. "Grandfather."
Gavin's gaze didn't turn toward Oliver, but fixed instead on Clara beside him.
Clara wore a light-colored dress today, her hair pulled back, with subtle makeup, looking very demure.
She spoke carefully and nervously, "Grandfather."
Gavin's expression was stern as he said harshly, "The Miller family isn't a place just anyone can waltz into. Throw her out!"
Oliver immediately stepped in front of Clara. "Grandfather, Clara is someone I brought here."
Gavin gave him a cold look. "Either she leaves, or you both leave together!"
Oliver's face turned grim.
Sophia, on the sofa, nearly laughed out loud.
Gavin's health hadn't been good lately, which was why he'd called Oliver back from abroad.
If he didn't return, his inheritance rights would be completely stripped away.
Oliver had grown tired of living in poverty abroad for two years.
Bringing Clara back was simply because he thought Gavin had finally accepted their unshakeable love.
He never expected Gavin to still not accept them.
Clara's face was written with embarrassment. Being despised and humiliated by Gavin was bad enough, but having Sophia witness it made it worse.
She forced a smile. "Oliver, you and Gavin have a good talk. I'll head back first."
Clara was giving Oliver an out, so he could only nod with a grim expression. "Drive carefully. Let me know when you get home."
"Okay," Clara replied.
Sophia silently rolled her eyes, thinking with disgust, 'Idiot.'
She must have been blind to choose Oliver back then.
Gavin gripped his cane with both hands and slowly stood up from the sofa.
"I didn't call you back just to deal with your situation with that woman. This concerns the company too."
"The company's profits have been declining for years, and this afternoon, several deals we had locked down were snatched away by the Windsor family."
"The Windsor family?" A flash of surprise crossed Sophia's eyes.
Everyone in Emerald City knew the Windsor family.
This family had a century of history and stood at the pinnacle of power, controlling two-thirds of the city's economic lifeline.
Even though the Miller family considered itself part of high society, compared to the Windsor family, they seemed insignificant.
Sophia didn't know much about the Windsor family, only that the Windsor couple had just one child whom they treasured deeply.
However, the entire family kept a low profile, and no one knew what their heir actually looked like.
Oliver stared at Gavin in shock, asking incredulously, "Haven't we always had no conflicts with the Windsor family? Why would they suddenly target us?"
Sophia was still pondering the Windsor in her mind.
Henry was also surnamed Windsor.
Her expression grew complex.
The same surname—one representing a top-tier heir to a wealthy family, the other a male model in a bar. Worlds apart.
"Not sure." Gavin sighed deeply. "I found out there's an auction tomorrow night that the Windsor family heir will attend. You two go together to see what the problem is and whether it can be resolved. The Aventis Project is crucial, but right now it's stuck in the Windsor family's hands."
Sophia nodded. "Understood."
Gavin glanced at Oliver. "It's getting late. You should both head home. And Oliver, remember this—if you dare have any more involvement with that woman, I'll write a will leaving all my assets to Sophia!"
Oliver's eyes widened, replying somewhat resentfully, "Grandfather, I'm your actual grandson."
He couldn't help but glare at Sophia with resentment.
What methods had this woman used to manipulate Gavin so completely?
Sophia met his gaze calmly, even with a hint of provocation in her eyes.
Oliver taking Clara abroad had made the Miller family the laughingstock of the entire city.
She has tolerated it for so long just to leverage the power of the Miller family to establish herself. Otherwise, her confused biological parents might do something reckless for that fake daughter.
She would never let herself be bullied again.
Gavin struck his cane forcefully against the floor, producing a heavy thud.
"Oliver, remember this—it's not your turn to call the shots in this house yet!"