CHAPTER 148: THE PROVOCATION

"I’ve heard of his name," Sophia said thoughtfully, "but I’ve never met him. After all, we live in different countries. I only know he once made it onto the Forbes list."

Lucas nodded. "Yes. He’s coming tomorrow to expand DS Group’s operations here. He wants to take the domestic market by storm—and to do that, he needs to work with me."

"If that’s true," Sophia mused, "then the DS deal must be a huge one. It could easily bring in billions."

Lucas agreed. "Exactly. So according to the original plan, I have to meet him. But if I do, I won’t be able to take you to the airport myself."

"It’s fine," she said lightly. "Whatever comes, I’ll handle it."

Just then, Mrs. Wilson came out from the kitchen. "Sir, Madam, dinner is ready."

"Thank you, Mrs. Wilson," Lucas said. "Please call the children down."

Moments later, six small pairs of feet came bounding down the stairs. Each of them wore a bright smile—but Sophia instantly sensed something was off.

She knew her children too well. Their smiles were forced.

"Faye," Sophia said, crouching slightly and smiling at the youngest, "what’s wrong, sweetheart?"

Faye blinked her big eyes, clutching her doll. She was always the easiest one to read.

"Mommy, you’re leaving tomorrow... can’t you take us with you?" she asked softly. "We’re small. We could fit in your suitcase, and we wouldn’t slow you down."

Sophia couldn’t help but laugh. "Sure, you could stay in a suitcase—but I’d have six of them. What do you expect, for me to grow six arms to carry you all?"

Faye’s face fell immediately. "Mommy, it’s really hard pretending to smile in front of you. My brothers and sister said I shouldn’t make you sad, that we all have to act happy and promise we’ll behave while you’re gone... but it’s so exhausting."

"Faye!" the other five kids exclaimed in unison.

Faye stuck out her tongue, pretending to be innocent.

Sophia sighed, smiling gently. "Don’t blame your sister. I know you’ll all miss me. But I have to go, and while I’m gone, you have to be good, alright?"

Truthfully, the children were what she worried about most.

She’d never been away from them for this long—one or two days, maybe, but a whole week felt like forever.

Dinner passed peacefully enough—until the doorbell rang.

Sophia rose and walked to the entrance.

Standing there, holding an XNE designer bag, was Olivia.

She looked glamorous, almost radiant with self-satisfaction, as if she were arriving fresh off a runway.

Sophia’s expression cooled. Of all people, her?

Olivia had come alone.

Leaning casually against the doorframe, Sophia said with a faint, mocking smile, "To what do I owe the pleasure?"

Olivia’s makeup was flawless; her surgically refined features looked even sharper under the porch light. Every gesture was dripping with entitlement.

"I just came to see you," Olivia said airily. "Shouldn’t you consider that an honor? I heard you’re leaving tomorrow?"

Sophia crossed her arms. "I’m curious—who told you that? Only a handful of people even know about my trip. And as far as I recall, no one from the Morgan family was informed."

Olivia didn’t flinch. She tossed her hair back gracefully. "Relax, I just wanted to see you one last time. You’ll be gone for quite a while, won’t you? I thought I might miss our little chats... or maybe I just didn’t want you to miss me."

"Can’t see me anymore?" Sophia tilted her head, her tone calm but sharp. "What’s that supposed to mean? You think something’s going to happen to me tomorrow? Or are you hoping that once I leave, I’ll never come back?"

Olivia let out a cold snort. "I just think life’s unpredictable—storms come without warning, and misfortune strikes when least expected. Is that so wrong?"

"It’s not wrong," Sophia said lightly, "but heaven usually punishes the wicked first. So even if fate decides to come for me, I’m certain it’ll get to you before it ever reaches me."

Olivia’s face flushed red, as if she’d swallowed glass. "Do you always have to be so vicious?!"

Sophia lifted her wrist and glanced at her watch. "It’s exactly 7:23 p.m. and forty-nine seconds," she said lazily.

"You—!"

Every single time, Olivia found herself crushed under Sophia’s poise and wit. No matter how she tried, she could never come out on top; standing before Sophia always made her feel small.

"If you came here sincerely to see me," Sophia continued coolly, "then I’m sorry, you’re not welcome. But if you came to apologize to my mother, then sure—you can go to her grave and kneel."

Her voice softened just slightly, but the edge in it never faded. "And I’ll remind you one more time—if your family still hasn’t made a decision by the end of the week, someone else will make it for you."

She’d already given them seven days. If the Morgans wanted their family and company spared, they had to kneel before her mother’s grave. The deadline was almost up—and they’d done nothing.

But Sophia wasn’t worried. She might be leaving, but she wasn’t alone.

She had people—people who would make sure her orders were carried out.

"Sophia, you’re going too far!" Olivia snapped.

"Too far?" Sophia’s eyes glinted dangerously. "Aren’t you the one who’s gone too far? You show up at my door the night before I leave—what’s next? Planning to give me a little ’surprise’ tomorrow? Let me guess..."

Her voice turned almost playful.

"My car fuse suddenly blows, my brakes stop working, or maybe you’ve got something even more thrilling waiting on my plane?"

Olivia went pale instantly.

Sophia caught it—the brief flicker of panic, the stiffness in her shoulders—and her heart turned cold. So she was right.

They were planning to sabotage her car.

Olivia’s pulse quickened. How could she possibly know?

The plan hadn’t even been carried out yet, and Sophia had already guessed it.

"Y-you’re talking nonsense! Don’t flatter yourself!" she shouted, her voice a touch too loud—an obvious bluff to anyone who’d studied human behavior.

Sophia smirked. "Thanks for the warning, then. I’ll make sure to check my car thoroughly before I get in tomorrow."

"Sophia, you’re pathetic! Do you really think I’d stoop to your level?"

"Stoop?" a deep male voice cut in. "The only one stooping low here, Olivia, is you."

Lucas stepped out from inside, his hand sliding around Sophia’s waist.

He met Olivia’s eyes, his calm gaze sharp enough to freeze the air.

Just one look from him made Olivia’s heart clench. Once, she’d tried to tempt this man; now, even standing in front of him felt unbearable.

"Olivia," Lucas said, his voice dangerously soft, "if you’ve come here with an agenda, just say it. But think carefully before you open your mouth—because if you cross the line..."

He leaned closer, his tone darkening to a low growl.

"...you’ll find out exactly what it means to provoke my woman."