Chapter 57
I simply smiled at Soren’s words. I was too lazy to brag about such great achievements.
Sophia glanced at me. “Whoa, I didn’t realize you were so capable,” she said.
She went on, “That person is Soren Levine, the big shot in Brinestone. Everyone shows him respect. Even Benson treats him like an equal. I didn’t expect you two to have such a good relationship.”
I waved her off. “Don’t say that. He’s a righteous man. I just did him a favor. That’s all.”
Sophia pursed her lips. “A favor? I heard about the Levine family going bankrupt, even while I was abroad. Nobody could fix that mess. I didn’t expect you to be the one who settled this
matter.”
I smiled bitterly and shook my head. Her compliments seemed endless.
“Okay. Stop making fun of me. Our company will launch in a few days. We’re expecting a crowd, so we had better get ready.”
After bidding Sophia goodbye, I headed to the hospital. I filled Tory in on everything that had been happening.
“Three years,” I said quietly. “While you’ve been lying here for three years, I’ve been working for the Laytons. Now I’m finally free, but you… When are you going to wake up?”
I sighed as I looked at Tory’s face, and my heart ached for her. She should be in the prime of her life, but instead…
The thought made me hate Camille even more. But alongside that hatred, I couldn’t help feeling grateful to Benson. Ignoring everything else that had happened, he had saved my sister’s life.
At least those three years were behind us now, and everything was finally over. I had the means to get Tory proper treatment. I was convinced that things would only get better from
here.
Over the next few days, I worked at the warehouse while Sophia stopped by every day. When I’d work late, she’d show up with food and drag me away from whatever I was doing to eat
with her.
We were starting from nothing, but we both knew that this thing was going to take off.
The launch of our business was just around the corner..
When the day arrived, a significant crowd gathered, comprised of the Hartwell family’s connections and some of my former business contacts.
“Congratulations, Max!”
Chanter 57
Soren had brought several large flower arrangements that were displayed at the entrance. The moment he saw me, he pulled me into a bear hug
Behind him, Hunter’s face darkened as he looked at me, but then he turned to Sophia. “Sophia, congratulations on your grand opening.”
She smiled politely and thanked him.
That day marked our official launch, and we’d drawn quite a crowd. Several companies had already expressed interest in working with us, which delighted me.
Just then, the screech of brakes echoed from the street.
It seemed that Camille had arrived. She strutted in on high heels, her head held high with arrogance. That pretty boy Kieran followed behind her.
“Well, look at this fancy setup. You actually went through with opening this place?” Camille looked around with a sneer, contempt written all over her face.
I frowned because I distinctly recall not inviting her to the launch. How she’d gotten wind of this was beyond me, but here she was.
Sophia narrowed her eyes, but continued to smile. “How unexpected to have you, Ms. Layton, grace us with your presence. Welcome.”
Camille snorted coldly. “Cut the act, Sophia. Don’t think I’ve forgotten about what happened last time.”
Sophia smiled and said, “And what exactly do you mean by that? Are you here to cause trouble on our launch day?” The temperature seemed to drop as she spoke with ice radiating from every word.
Compared to someone like Camille, who was all bark and no bite, Sophia’s presence was genuinely intimidating.
It was her background, coupled with her education and refinement, that gave her the confidence Camille had always lacked.
Camille snorted. “I don’t have time to deal with you today. I’m here for Max.” Her gaze then landed on me.
