CHAPTER 44: NO SECOND CHANCES

Lucas stepped out after cleaning up, and the house looked deserted.

"Sophia, if you’re smart, don’t come back tonight!" he snarled through gritted teeth.

Of course Sophia had already bolted. She wasn’t stupid—she wasn’t going to stand there and wait to be lectured.

"Mommy, where are we going?"

"If they won’t come pick a fight with us, then we’ll go start one. Times have changed—be smart, okay?"

Eric nodded, not entirely understanding but eager to help.

...

Down at Morgan Group.

Sophia marched into the building with her six kids trailing behind her like a royal retinue. Andrew had just finished a meeting when reception called, "President Morgan, Miss Luna is here."

Her?

"I’ll be right there," he said, annoyed.

Sophia pushed the door open, slid off her sunglasses, and plopped down into a chair, crossing her legs.

"Sophia, what are you doing here?" Andrew demanded.

"President Morgan, did you forget our agreement?" she asked coolly. "The penalty’s due within three days. Since you haven’t paid, I came to collect in person."

"You brought six kids to demand money? Sophia, aren’t you a little overconfident?"

The children stood behind her in a neat line like miniature bodyguards.

Sophia’s smile turned wicked. "Don’t underestimate them. If they cause a scene, I won’t be the only one you can’t control."

"You’re already Lucas’s now. Why keep harassing me? I’m your father."

Sophia gave him a contemptuous glance. What kind of man raises his daughter only to sell her off—putting her in a disgusting man’s bed—to secure a contract?

"Shut up," Sophia shot back. "I’m not just a designer named Luna anymore; I’m Lucas’s wife. And you know what that means—Hilton Group."

Her tone was proud, and it hit Andrew like a slap. Still, he dared not lash out. Right now she was favored in Lucas’s eyes—crossing her would be the same as crossing a man without mercy.

"You think Lucas actually loves you? Dream on. He’s playing you!" Andrew spat.

"Oh please. Do you think every man in the world is as shameless as you?" Sophia sat up straighter, meeting his eyes. "Andrew, my mother adored you—why did you kill her? Didn’t it ever haunt you at night?"

"Ridiculous! I would never hurt her!" he barked.

"It was your worthless daughter Olivia who told me everything. Otherwise I wouldn’t have known. My mother’s death is tied to you. Andrew—Morgan Family—just wait. I will make you pay for what you did to her."

Sophia reached out. Angela handed over an envelope; it was a lawyer’s notice, and Sophia slid it across the desk.

"In three days my lawyer will contact you personally. You’d better hire someone competent. Don’t waste time with amateurs, or this won’t even begin."

She arched a brow, then rose and walked out. Harsh words today, more action tomorrow.

Andrew’s eyes flicked to the signature on the letter. His pupils tightened. Dylan Scott—the legendary top-tier lawyer. A man who had never lost a case.

Ask him to find a good lawyer? That was a provocation. Sophia was cornering him.

He couldn’t handle this crisis alone. The Trump family couldn’t be trusted; others refused to deal with Morgan Group now that Sophia had her new status. Even if there were offers, they were mere drops—nowhere near enough.

"Paul."

"Yes, President Morgan?"

"Pack up the blue-and-white porcelain from my collection. Ship it to Hilton Group."

He was going to roll the dice.

Hilton Group.

"Boss, Andrew’s here. Not sure what he wants."

Lucas’ fingers tapped a steady rhythm on the armrest.

"He suddenly lost the money I gave him, and Sophia’s been breathing down his neck. No one in the business world wants to work with him now — of course he’s trying to come after me."

Lucas’s read of the situation was precise. "Let him in."

"Okay."

Andrew walked in plastering on a smile that was far too bright.

"Mr. Hilton! A small token — nothing fancy."

"High-grade blue-and-white porcelain," Lucas said flatly. "It showed up at the LD auction two years ago and sold for seventy million. President Morgan actually parted with it?"

"How could I not?" Andrew replied with an exaggerated bow. "Mr. Hilton has helped me so much — this is nothing. I was wrong to suspect you took the money back. You’ve always been straightforward; I’m embarrassed I even thought it."

"So you’re here to apologize? Fine. Apology accepted — you can go."

Lucas pushed the topic away, his face unreadable.

"Mr. Hilton, actually I have a favor to ask."

He said nothing, letting Andrew continue.

"Sophia is my daughter, after all. As her father, I couldn’t bear to see her suffer. Yes, there are complications — I admit that — but blood ties don’t change."

He was clearly hinting that Sophia was his child — and by extension that Lucas was his son-in-law. Very obvious grasping at family ties.

Lucas’s expression hardened. "I don’t like beating around the bush. President Morgan, don’t play the sympathy card in my office."

"Yes, yes, of course, Mr. Hilton." Andrew stammered, then shifted gears. "I’m asking if you could lend me another two hundred million to tide me over. Afterward, Morgan Group will cooperate closely with Hilton Group."

"Everyone wants to partner with Hilton Group," Lucas replied coolly. "Hilton’s money isn’t a windfall you can count on. Do you really think because I once helped you, I’ll do it again?"

"Mr. Hilton, I—"

Without looking up, Lucas cut him off. "Appointments are required to see me. Today I showed you courtesy — there won’t be another exception. I appreciate your intentions, and I’ll accept the porcelain. Alex, see him out."

One favor doesn’t mean a second one is guaranteed.

Andrew’s face went from pale to flushed.

"President Morgan, please..."

Alex stood by with a professional smile, and Andrew clenched his jaw as he rose and left. Where could Andrew find the funds now that Lucas refused to help?

His brow furrowed as he thought of someone: the person who had talked about partnering with him to take Lucas down. Would that person be willing to part with two hundred million to help him?

Andrew pulled out his phone and made a call.

Minutes later his expression grew even more serious. After a short conversation the other end said something that made Andrew nod repeatedly in agreement.