Sophia knew Lukas intended to stand up for her. Anyhow, I endured much nonsense from Alexander’s relatives when I was married to him, so now that the tables have turned, I don’t feel sorry for him at all. I’m petty, and I don’t care!
After speaking to her, Lukas laid down his fork and summoned the staff to request two additional sets of cutlery. At the same time, he also placed an order for two more dishes. Once that was done, he raised his head to look at Alexander. “According to Ms. Fletcher, you are trying to court Sophia. Is that true, Mr. Xenos?”
With a calm expression, Alexander looked Lukas in the eye and replied, “Yes, it’s true.”
The latter took a sip of his drink and asked, “If my memory hasn’t failed me, you and Sophia divorced about a year ago. Am I right?”
“You’re right.”
Lowering his head, Lukas looked at his glass. Since his face was hidden from everyone else’s sight, no one could discern his expression as he spoke. “I’m confused. Since the two of you were divorced just a year ago, why are you suddenly courting her again? If you love her, why did you divorce her in the first place?”
When he raised his head again, the gaze he directed at Alexander was piercing and stern, customary for someone who had held a high position for years.
Yet, Alexander was not intimidated. “I was young and arrogant then, so I never knew to cherish her. It was only after our divorce did I realize she meant so much to me. That’s why I want to try and win her heart again. I’ve seen the error of my ways and wish to make amends for it.”
Lukas chuckled and said, “Whether you have a sudden realization or wish to make amends, it is none of Sophia’s concern. You had your chance, but you blew it. Sophia is not obliged to forgive and forget just because you’ve seen the error of your ways.”
Following that stern rebuke, Lukas slammed his glass onto the table.
His sudden movement stunned Samuel so much that he choked on his food. The poor man had been watching the drama unfold as he enjoyed the meal.
Sophia could not help but laugh at Samuel’s reaction while she poured him a glass of water.
Samuel’s comical sideshow disrupted the rising tension between Lukas and Alexander, instantly lightening up the atmosphere at the table.
With a frown on his face, Lukas said to Alexander, “You know what I mean, don’t you, Mr. Xenos?”
“I get your message, Mr. Dawson. However, I have no plans to give up on Sophia unless she marries someone else and bears him a child,” the latter declared.
He was making it clear that marriage alone would not make him give up on her, as the marriage might fail and end in a divorce as well. Instead, he would only let go when she had a child with that man.
Sophia, who was enjoying her soup, choked on the liquid and coughed when she heard Alexander’s shocking declaration.
Although she knew the man had become more and more brazen, she did not expect him to go so far as to say such words in Lukas’ presence.
Lukas snorted and retorted, “That is your problem, not hers.”
With that, he turned to Sophia and asked, “Are you done with your food?” His countenance became much gentler at once.
“Yes,” she replied.
They had started their meal before Kayla arrived, so Sophia had time to eat her fill.
Upon glancing at the unfinished food on Lukas’ plate, she wanted to say something, but he had already risen to his feet. “If you’re done, then let’s go.”
Sophia shot a glance at Alexander, for she was aware that Lukas wanted to keep her away from him.
Immediately, she dabbed the corners of her mouth with a napkin and smiled at Alexander before walking out of the private room with Lukas.
“Lukas!”
When Lukas heard her, he slowed down and asked, “Are you displeased with what happened earlier?”
“Not at all. I know you did what was best for me,” she answered.
He stared at her briefly, then said, “I’m glad you understand that. Both Grandpa and I knew what happened between you and Alexander. There are many outstanding young men in our social circle, and we can introduce them to you. They aren’t inferior to Alexander in any bit. After you meet those men, maybe you’ll realize Alexander is not that fantastic after all.”
“But I’ve liked him for many years…” Sophia sheepishly said.
Lukas was taken aback by her confession. His mind drifted back to the distant past as he seemed to recall someone saying the exact same thing to him before.
Sophia could not read Lukas’ mind, but she could clearly tell he was not in a good mood based on his expression. Hence, she pursed her lips and changed the subject. “You didn’t eat much earlier. I know of a nice restaurant. Should we head there for some more food?” she proposed.
Lukas snapped out of his daze and turned his attention back to Sophia. “Okay,” he said and nodded in agreement.
Sophia settled the bill and headed out of Mirage with him.
When they were getting out of the car, Lukas suddenly blurted, “I’m not trying to dictate that you must date someone else. I just feel that you should expand your social circle and meet more people. At the same time, try to find out what your heart truly desires. That will enable you to make a better decision.”
Warmth filled Sophia’s heart. She nodded and replied, “I understand.”
“Although I have no objections to you getting back with Alexander, he may not win Grandpa’s approval since Grandpa is aware of what he and his family did to you previously,” Lukas revealed.
“If we manage to reach that stage, that’ll be his problem!” Sophia laughed.
She had no intention of helping him win Perrin over.
Glancing at her, Lukas held his peace.
The restaurant Sophia mentioned was recommended by Katherine, and the menu quite suited his palate.
Although he was there on official matters, it was also his intention to catch up with Sophia.
Alas, he had to deal with many matters at hand. Phone calls came in one after another as he was eating.
When he could finally take a breather, he massaged his temples and started apologizing to Sophia, saying, “I’m so sorry, Sophia. I’ve been quite busy lately.”
Sophia did not mind that at all. “It’s okay. Are you sure you’ve eaten enough food this time?” she asked, smiling.
Lukas knew she was teasing him, and a rare smile appeared on his face as he said, “I’m sure. I’ll get my secretary to pick me up, so don’t worry about me. It’s late. You should go home and have a good rest.”
“Where are you staying? Let me drop you off first,” Sophia offered.
Lukas immediately rejected by saying, “No. How can I let a girl send me back?”
Samuel blinked hard to hold back her tears. “Let me stay with you until Mr. Newman arrives.”
Lukas looked at her and quietly consented to that.
He fished out his phone and gave his secretary a call.
After he ended the call with his secretary, he suddenly recalled something and said, “I forwarded a contact to you. He’s my friend, Zayne Quantrill. Zayne is a lecturer at Jadeborough University. Try to get to know him.”
It was an unexpected development, as Sophia did not think Lukas was serious about matchmaking her with other men. She took out her phone and saw that he had indeed forwarded a contact to her.
This is embarrassing. If I knew this would happen, I should’ve left when he told me to.
Before Sophia could find an excuse to get out of it, her phone beeped because of a friend request notification, and simultaneously, Lukas’ voice traveled to her ears. “I asked him to send you a friend request. Do accept it.”
Sophia threw Lukas a glance and uttered, “Lukas, this doesn’t seem like a good idea, don’t you think?”
“Don’t feel pressured. Zayne is clueless when it comes to love and relationship, so he’s been a bachelor for years. If you don’t fancy him, you can teach him a thing or two about how to win a woman’s heart instead.”
Lukas was convincing, so Sophia could not find a reason to say no.
“Okay,” she answered.
Left with no choice, she could only accept the friend request, and Zayne was quick to send a self-introduction by texting: Hi there! I’m Zayne Quantrill.
Sophia gave a similar reply to introduce herself, which was the end of their text exchange, as he did not reply anymore. Coincidentally, Lukas’ secretary arrived. At that discovery, she breathed a sigh of relief and announced, “Mr. Newman is here!”
“All right. Go ahead and make your way home. Drop me a message when you’re home,” Lukas said.
“Will do.”
Sophia grabbed her bag and got ready to leave but paused when she noticed Lukas watching her. The man stood at the same spot, showing no intention of leaving. “I’ll leave after I see you get into the car,” he explained.
“Oh, okay.”
Sophia crossed the road. While getting into her car, she looked over her shoulder and saw that Lukas was still watching her.
Tears welled up in her eyes as she recalled that was what her parents did when she headed off to school many years ago. Like Lukas, they stood at the road across and watched her get into the taxi.
