Chapter 7
She couldn’t bear to part with her money.
Elijah watched her reaction and suddenly found it laughable.
The more he had cherished her before, the more he despised her now.
Five years ago, his own sister had jumped to her death after relentless bullying.
Later he met Katia, who tearfully claimed Sophia had bullied, excluded, and humiliated her.
Seeing her face bearing some resemblance to his sister’s, his heart softened.
He shielded her, indulged her, and even developed feelings.
Katia took the breakup settlement and left the country without looking back.
Later when she returned, she put on a pitiful look and begged him for help.
At first, he might’ve felt bitter about being abandoned by Katia years ago.
So he didn’t reject her advances.
This led to her seizing the chance when he got drunk and taking him to a hotel.
She deliberately whispered “Williams” in his ear, making him think it was Sophia, and he kissed her.
But waking up to see her hypocritical face filled him with disgust.
She wasn’t Williams at all.
The real Williams was Sophia, who’d worn out recipe books and ruined pots of soup upon hearing about his stomach problems.
She loved him never because he was heir to the Williams Group, nor for his wealth or status.
She was the only one he’d let down his guard to cherish after a day of corporate battles.
Her quirky and lively nature, her pure-hearted simplicity, always lifted the weariness from his shoulders.
This was the version of her he loved-utterly free of schemes.
Yet he was the one who’d schemed against that innocence.
Fortunately, she still didn’t know.
Elijah locked eyes with Katia, his tone brooking no argument,
“Not a word about us getting the marriage certificate.”
Beads of sweat formed on Katia’s forehead.
She recalled the trending topics she’d manipulated, smearing Sophia as a mistress climbing the social ladder, and mur- mured her agreement.
Elijah didn’t dwell on it, turning to dial his assistant.
“Use every connection. Turn over all of Los Angeles to find Sophia.”
“Understood, Mr. Anderson.”
“But sir, mortgaging all the Williams Group assets to acquire Chairman Williams’ shares… If cash flow dries up, we won’t be able to save ourselves.”
Elijah was unhappy that his capabilities were being questioned.
But since it involved Sophia, Elijah patiently explained.
“Don’t worry. In Los Angeles, no one can match my capabilities. Even if outsiders come to bid, Katia has the final say. She’ll definitely choose me.”
The assistant was silent for a moment, then nodded. “Okay, Mr. Anderson, I’ll arrange it right away.”
Three days later, at the Williams Group shareholder sale meeting.
“Katia’s here?” My father smiled and waved at me, still wearing his doting father expression.
“I’m old and in poor health. It’s a waste for me to hold onto the shares your mother left behind.”
I watched him quietly without a word.
He sighed, shaking his head with feigned helplessness:
“Dad plans to hand these shares to more capable hands. Your stepmother Sandra and I… are packing for Australia to enjoy our retirement.”
Sandra wore a victor’s smile, eyes brimming with triumph.
Katia, neglected by Elijah for days, was seething with anger.
“Sis, Dad’s Australian immigration list only includes our family of four!”
