Chapter 142

The door bell rang.

"Just a minute!" Sofia sang. She was in the bathroom. Water was running but she wasn't taking a bath. She had been playing with her toys again. She put on her bathing suit and went for the door.

Awestruck, Sofia appeared to have seen a ghost.

"Hey, Sofia Brentwood. Nice to see you again."

It was Noah. He walked pass her with his normal sense of arrogance like he owned the place.

Sofia shut the door and watched as he made himself at home. He crossed his legs as he ate from the grapes in a bowl.

"Where's Lily?" Sofia growled.

"Forget about my mother. She's too old to understand many things," Noah said casually.

Sofia sat. Still wondering what was going on.

"Why the hell did she send you?"

"Look, Sofia. I get it. You're intimidated by my looks and intelligence. But I'm more useful to you than my mother can be. And certainly more than Ethan could ever be," he said and winked.

Noah, just like his brother Matt had the sweetest of mouth. The problem was, he didn't know when or to whom to use it. Sofia was irritated by the mere sight of Noah.

"I hear you need help with some situation," Noah grinned and rubbed his palms.

"Look, I don't have time for this," Sofia hissed and got up to go to her bedroom. The sooner she got rid of him the easier she'd breath.

She came back soon enough carrying the package she had received earlier that day.

"Take this. Give it to Lily. Tell her I need it to be leaked to the media. There's some cash inside. Use that to get yourself and her some sense."

Noah was bitten. "I won't let you talk that way about my mother," he fired.

"At least you've agreed that you've got none," Sofia held out the door.

Noah got up and made to go out.

Noah came close to her and stood right in front of her. Sofia's nose was almost touching his but she didn't flinch back.

Then he said, "one day, you are going to come running to me for help. I'll be kind enough to return your gesture." He grinned and left.

Sofia couldn't help it. She banged the door in anger and screamed. She could never have anything to do with Noah. Not in this life. He was as useless to her as an empty pack of cigarettes.

Speaking of cigarettes she needed one!

She took out a cigarette and lighted it. She went over to the shelf right next to the kitchen. There was a bottle of whiskey. She poured some into a glass and went over to sit. She took a deep breath and turned on the television.

Sofia couldn't believe her eyes.

//

Alice was also standing by her television mouth wide open. She almost spilled her coffee as she stared at the screen. She wanted to call Sofia, but she knew her younger sister would be too stubborn to pick.

Then a call came in. It was Sofia. Alice didn't even hesitate. She might have just come back to her senses.

"Are you seeing this?"

"Of course I am."

"Is it true?" Sofia asked.

"Only one way to find out."

It was barely morning the next day and Sofia was already at her sister's house. They waited silently and impatiently for the door bell to ring. It finally did. A man dressed in grey suit and tie walked in holding a briefcase.

"Have a seat," Alice courtesied.

"Thank you ma'am." He sat and cleared his throat. "You called me to help you investigate the alleged accusations that your father was having extramarital affairs with another woman. Correct?"

Sofia and Alice couldn't even believe it.

"Yes," both replied.

"Well, okay. I did my findings over the night and it so happens that the media reports are not so far from the truth."

Alice heaved a big sigh. She couldn't believe it. Sofia didn't really care so much. After giving it much thought over the night, she saw no fuss about it.

"Now their facts may be incomplete," the lawyer continued, "but this possess a great danger on the company and could damage the family's reputation."

"So, so, what can we do?" Alice stammered.

"The best we can do is first of all prepare a lawsuit against the reporters. Then, we go on from there."

"Thank you for your services," Alice gestured with a handshake and escorted him out.

Sofia was also set to leave.

"Sofia," Alice called out, "you need to listen to me. I know how you feel. Sit down let's talk."

"There's nothing to talk about Alice. You've chosen your company over me."

"Our company," Alice corrected, "I don't know where you're getting all these ideas from. I'm sorry I spoke to you that way the other day. I need you to understand. I can get you help."

"Help?" Sofia almost laughed. "You're the one who needs help Alice. I'm done trying to live behind your shadow. Just wait and see, I'm gonna get married soon. You think I can't take care of myself? You think I can't make my own decisions? Well newsflash, I'm independent now and I'm fine on my own."

The atmosphere was getting tensed. This was not how Alice had wanted things to play out. But she knew how adamant her sister was. There was no other way.

"Sofia, stop deceiving yourself. Ethan doesn't love you. You're not going to get married to him. And leave that poor girl out of this. You're just going to get hurt in the whole thing." She wanted to add how this issue with their father could destroy their family but she kept that aside. Sofia didn't look like she cared.

"You don't get to decide who I get married to or not. You're not the boss of me. Besides, who said anything about that fool, Ethan. He deserves what he's got and more. And when I'm done with Ariana and Ethan, you'll understand," Sofia shoved pass her sister to get to the doorway. "And don't you bother checking up on me. I'm fine."

Alice saw no use arguing with Sofia. It was clear she was blinded by jealousy. Alice's only fear was that Sofia would end up making a terrible mistake that'd cost her her life. The way she was going, Sofia couldn't be stopped and now their father was messing up their name.

What was becoming of the Brentwood?