CHAPTER 26: I HAVE A SECRET FOR YOU

[Breaking News: Mr. Andrew Drops a Bomb—Lucas and Sophia Are Getting Married Because of Children!]

When Sophia saw the headline splashed across today’s feed, she tossed her phone onto the couch. "Well, looks like I’m their new target."

"Mommy, now everyone’s going to say you’re only marrying Lucas because of us," one of the little ones murmured.

"Don’t worry about it." Sophia smoothed her eldest’s hair and pulled her into her arms. "People think this will threaten me, but they’re wrong."

Her six children were her treasures. Andrew couldn’t possibly know about them. Which meant the leak came from Ethan.

Harper, who had been sulking in silence, finally lifted her head. "Sophia... could it be Lucas? What if he’s just playing with you?"

Sophia had thought about that possibility too—but she couldn’t find a reason. Lucas could snap his fingers and have any woman in the world. So why choose her? And when he learned about the six kids, he hadn’t even flinched.

"Right now, everything Andrew’s saying makes you look bad," Harper pressed. "Just being Luna isn’t enough to protect you. Let me help. Cut ties with Lucas, and come work for my brother’s company. Please?"

Sophia shook her head. "Harper, have you ever heard of YL Group?"

"Of course," Harper said instantly. "It’s practically neck-and-neck with Hilton Group, though still a step behind. If Hilton’s number one in the world, YL is number two. Why?"

Sophia’s lips curved. She tugged Harper close and whispered something into her ear.

Harper froze. "What—? You?! You’re the chairwoman of YL?!"

"Sophia! Don’t mess with me, I didn’t study enough to survive your kind of joke!"

Sophia clapped a hand over her friend’s mouth, eyes twinkling with mischief. "Calm down, will you? Deep breaths. Don’t panic."

If Harper weren’t so well-mannered, she might have sworn right then and there. She searched Sophia’s face desperately for any sign she was bluffing—but found none.

"Oh my God. Sophia, you’re serious!"

"When have I ever lied to you?"

Harper grabbed her shoulders dramatically. "That huge contract my brother just signed—it was from you, wasn’t it?"

"Mhm," Sophia said with a casual nod. "But business has to make a profit. It was just a win-win deal."

"No way. YL’s been around forever—"

Sophia’s eyes dimmed, a flicker of sadness crossing her face. "It was my mother’s. The only thing she left me. My safety net. No one else knows. Harper, I lied to you before."

Aurora Turner had once been a true society lady, wealthy enough to found YL on a whim. Later, she left it in the hands of her trusted friend, Marcus Gordon. After Sophia went abroad, she inherited full control through her mother’s will—Marcus simply remained the face. To the world, Marcus was the owner of the YL. In reality, it was always Sophia.

"If Andrew knew your mom was the owner of the YL Group, he’d never dare treat you this way..." Harper murmured, patting her back. Then her eyes widened, sparkling. "Wait. I’m best friends with the boss of one of the top three largest groups in the world!? Sophia, this is insane—I hit the jackpot!"

Sophia laughed softly. "Alright, don’t get carried away. You can’t tell anyone. Not a soul. This secret stays between us. Even the kids don’t know."

She glanced back at her six little ones playing on the slide in the corner.

"So what’s your plan?" Harper asked.

"I’m going to Morgan Group."

"No! Andrew’s waiting for you there!" Harper protested. She’d secretly scoped it out herself—paparazzi, reporters, all planted by Andrew, ready to swarm the second Sophia showed her face.

"Morgan Group has a contract with me. If I don’t show up, they’ll pull even dirtier tricks."

"Then I’m coming with you."

When Sophia left the house, she looked back at her six children.

"If anyone comes knocking, you do not open the door. Understand? And remember—call Mommy right away."

"Bye, Mommy!"

They waved obediently. Sophia’s lips curved, her eyes softening with maternal warmth.

At the door, Dustin watched her car pull away. His eyes lit up as he turned. "Billy, she’s gone! Let’s move!"

Billy whipped out his laptop and immediately locked onto Morgan Group’s system.

"Billy, what should we do?"

"Last night, I traced a massive wire transfer into Morgan Group—two hundred million."

Billy’s face darkened. They bullied Mommy once, and now they thought they could keep pressing? Not on his watch.

Without another word, he broke through the firewall and slipped into their system...

...

Morgan Group Headquarters

"Bad news, boss! Something’s happened!"

Paul burst into the office, his usual composure gone.

"What is it? Don’t panic. This is a company—keep it together."

"Boss... the two hundred million Hilton Group gave us to cover the deficit—it’s gone!"

"What?!"

Andrew slammed both hands onto his desk and shot to his feet, eyes wide in shock.

"It’s true. Every cent was siphoned out. Ernest couldn’t even catch a trace. Not only that, but part of our own funds have been drained too!"

Even Ernest—ranked on the international hacker boards—hadn’t managed to track the culprit.

"I’ll check it myself—"

He had just reached the door when the desk phone rang.

"Hello?"

"Boss, Miss Morgan has arrived."

"Olivia?"

"No, sir. It’s Miss Sophia."

Andrew’s expression sharpened instantly, his gaze turning cold and predatory.

...

Downstairs, outside Morgan Group

Sophia was surrounded.

"Miss Morgan, is it true you already have children?"

"Miss Morgan, is Mr. Lucas Hilton really the father of your kids?"

"Miss Morgan, rumors say that while you’re the eldest daughter of the Morgan Family, you’re actually illegitimate. Who was your real mother?"

Harper shoved through the crowd to protect her, but suddenly a strong hand yanked Harper aside.

Sophia’s eyes turned icy, pinning the reporter who had just crossed the line.

"My mother is dead. Do you want to go join her?"

The man who had been shouting questions froze on the spot, silenced like a firework that fizzled out.

"If you call yourself paparazzi, at least understand the meaning of respect. If you don’t know it—I’ll teach you."

The man lowered his head, shame flashing across his face.

Sophia turned, her gaze sweeping across the reporters still chasing her. "Your job is to follow the news. I can’t control that. But I can sue you—for harassment and disrupting my life."

Her piercing stare landed on every single face, and with her photographic memory, she made sure none of them would be forgotten.

The crowd quieted, tension thick in the air. Only then did she grab Harper’s hand and stride into Morgan Group.

...

Upstairs, in the executive office

Andrew paced behind his desk, waiting for her.

Sophia pushed the door open, walked straight in, and sat down without hesitation. Lifting her chin slightly, her voice cut like ice:

"Mr. Morgan, what exactly is it you want from me?"