CHAPTER 45: SHE RUNS, HE CHASES!

On the other side of town.

Sophia dragged Harper out with her and sat down quietly in a dessert café.

"Sophia, are you saying you want to apply direct pressure?"

"No. Direct pressure is just for show. It’s only fun when you watch your opponent struggle before they break. Don’t you think?"

She had other plans. Bringing the Morgan Group down in one blow wasn’t what she wanted.

"I don’t get it," Harper admitted.

"Some moves can be executed one at a time, or all at once. You remember the Wright family in City Y, don’t you?"

"Of course."

The Wrights had shifted their focus to City Y after finding the competition in City A too cutthroat. Their tourism empire now spanned the globe, with business branches everywhere.

"I happen to have a very convenient uncle there~"

Sophia barely remembered Frank’s face, the man who stole everything from the Turners before marrying into the Wright family.

Ryan could be useful—his financial skills were top-tier. But his access to information? Not nearly enough.

Sophia had it mapped out: first approach the Wrights through YL Group, then reel them in step by step.

"Sophia, isn’t that too risky?"

"YL is under Uncle Gordon’s care. His ability is unmatched, he just doesn’t bother fighting for power. YL ranks second in the world. With or without my marriage to Lucas, just by relying on YL I could walk sideways anywhere."

But she didn’t want that. Revealing her strength too soon would only start the game earlier—and that would make it boring.

"So you don’t want a quick victory?" Harper asked.

"No. I want it slow. Bit by bit, until they feel every ounce of the pain my mother suffered. I won’t let them off. Not a single one of them."

Harper squeezed her hand. "There’s a high-end fashion show in City Y. The brand sent an invite for you as a special guest. The Wrights are investors—they’ll be there. Are you going?"

"City Y? Of course. Why wouldn’t I? I never pass up a chance to confront the Wrights. And a first meeting deserves a proper gift."

That night, Sophia sat in her car staring at the glowing lights ahead.

"Mommy, are we going back to Blackstone Manor, or Silver Lake Villa?"

"I’m still thinking."

"Mommy, you’ve been thinking for half an hour," Billy teased.

If she didn’t go back to Blackstone Manor and people noticed tomorrow, she’d definitely hit the trending searches. But if she did go back, after running out earlier today, Lucas might actually lose it.

Which risk was worse?

"Mommy, why don’t we not go home at all? Call Auntie Harper and let’s go out to play!"

Sophia narrowed her eyes. A good idea.

She drove off, while inside the villa, Lucas paced his room with his hands behind his back.

He had been waiting all night, not even a shadow of Sophia in sight.

That woman was getting bolder and bolder. Not just sneaking out—but sneaking out with the kids?

No. She wouldn’t dare do anything reckless, not even with ten times her courage.

Lucas stood there, hands on his hips, his expression cold and ruthless.

Until midnight.

At a nightclub, Alex crouched in the corner, eyes wide in disbelief.

Could anyone believe it? The boss’s wife, right in the middle of the dance floor.

And if that wasn’t enough—she had the six kids with her.

Fumbling, he dialed Lucas’s number.

The icy voice on the other end made him shudder.

"Boss, I found her. I found Mrs. Hilton... and the six kids."

Lucas slipped off his gold-rimmed glasses, set down the project folder, and rose in one swift, decisive motion. He straightened his clothes, his face carved in ice as he strode out of the office.

Good. Very good.

Sophia, you actually dared to take my six children out into public—clubbing of all things?

Just wait.

Inside the nightclub, in the middle of the pulsing music, Sophia suddenly sneezed hard.

"Sophia! Are you sick? Did you catch a cold?" Harper asked, worry etched across her face.

"I’m fine! Keep dancing!"

When Sophia glanced back, she found her six kids forming a wall around her, acting like little bodyguards, blocking anyone from coming too close.

"Babies! You can’t do that! You’ll ruin all my chances of meeting someone!" she shouted over the music.

The kids exchanged helpless looks, caught between protecting her and her teasing words. With a glance from Angela, they reluctantly broke formation and sat down at the side.

"I’m exhausted!" one groaned.

"Mommy’s picking up bad habits from Auntie Harper," Eric muttered, wiping sweat from his face.

Billy’s expression was more serious. "What scares me isn’t this. I’m worried Mommy didn’t go back to Blackstone Manor tonight. If Daddy shows up and blames her, something bad might happen."

He wasn’t wrong—Lucas’s reputation was notorious. The thought left an uneasy weight pressing on his chest.

"Brother, my eyelid keeps twitching," Faye whispered, pressing a hand to her eye. She hardly ever had that happen, but whenever it did, it was never a good sign.

Angela immediately stood, scanning the crowd like a little soldier. "Daddy’s influence is everywhere. There could be people here who know Mommy and him. Watch carefully. If there’s danger, Mommy is our top priority."

The six kids split into pairs, scattering around the dance floor to keep watch. If anything unusual happened, they’d be the first to sound the alarm.

Meanwhile, Lucas was practically flying down the highway, pushing his car to the limit.

Alex waited at the club entrance, looking anxious. "Boss!"

"Where is she?" Lucas’s voice was low and lethal.

Alex took a cautious step back. "She’s inside. It’s late, so... maybe I should just head home and get some rest."

If the boss’s wife got caught because of him, he’d be finished at work. Sometimes, the best strategy was retreat.

But Lucas’s cold laugh stopped him in his tracks. "Walk away now, and don’t bother showing up tomorrow."

Lucas hadn’t even bothered with a disguise. The moment the staff at the entrance spotted him, they dropped their eyes, bowing nervously. Men like him were usually only seen on TV, never in person.

Without sparing them a glance, Lucas strode inside.

And in that instant, he saw her.

Sophia—shining in the center of the dance floor, the brightest thing in the room.

His fist clenched almost imperceptibly, and Alex shifted a little farther away, silently praying.

Heaven help you, Mrs. Hilton. This was a natural disaster—you can’t blame me.

The music still pounded, but one by one, people froze, turning to stare.

Even the dancers stopped, their eyes drawn to the imposing figure by the door.

Sophia, still lost in the beat, finally noticed the stillness.

"What the heck? Why did everyone just—"

She turned.

And there he was, standing at the entrance, radiating fury like a storm about to break.