Sophie’s Plot Unfolds

Sophie's reappearance continued to weigh on Alex's mind as the days passed. She had made subtle moves before, but there was something different this time—her desperation was palpable, and Alex could feel her plotting in the background. Yet, he was more focused on protecting his family, especially with Isabella's pregnancy progressing.

Meanwhile, Isabella tried her best to stay calm despite the looming tension. Her bond with Alex had grown stronger through all the turmoil, and she refused to let Sophie's presence threaten their happiness. Every morning, she focused on preparing for the twins, determined not to let Sophie or Ethan disturb their peaceful moments.

However, Alex was not taking any risks. He increased the security around their home, adding more guards and surveillance cameras, and instructed Victor to keep a close eye on anyone who came near the estate. He couldn't shake the feeling that Sophie wasn't working alone—Ethan's presence in the shadows haunted him, and the fear of his return gnawed at his mind.

One evening, while Alex was in his study reviewing documents, Victor entered, a troubled look on his face.

"Mr. Grey, you're going to want to hear this," he said, handing Alex a file.

"What is it?" Alex asked, his expression hardening as he opened the file.

"It's about Sophie. She's been making inquiries—about your family, about Isabella."

Alex's grip on the file tightened. "What kind of inquiries?"

"She's been speaking to a few people in town, asking subtle questions about Isabella's background, trying to gather information. It's not much yet, but it feels like she's digging for something."

Alex closed the file with a snap. "She's trying to find a weakness," he muttered, his jaw clenched. "But I'm not going to give her one."

He stood up, pacing the room as he thought. Sophie's obsession was becoming more dangerous by the day, and if she found any way to destabilize their lives, she would take it.

"We need to stay ahead of her," Alex said, turning to Victor. "Keep watching her every move. If she gets too close, I want to know immediately."

Victor nodded. "Understood."

Despite Sophie's increasing interference, Isabella was not the same timid woman she had once been. With each passing day, she grew more confident in her role as Alex's partner and the mother of their soon-to-be-born twins. She had come a long way from the uncertainty she felt when she first entered Alex's world, and now, she felt stronger than ever.

One afternoon, as she sat in the nursery organizing baby clothes, her phone buzzed. It was a message from Veronica Grey, Alex's mother.

Let's have lunch tomorrow—just the two of us. I want to celebrate the twins. Love, Veronica.

Isabella smiled at the warmth in the message. Her relationship with Alex's mother had grown significantly over the past few months. Veronica had initially been distant, unsure of Isabella, but as she saw how deeply her son loved her, and how dedicated Isabella was to their family, her approval had solidified.

Isabella texted back quickly, confirming the lunch plans, and then continued her work, feeling a sense of peace. She wasn't going to let Sophie's interference cloud her joy. The twins were coming soon, and that was all that mattered now.

Days later, the long-anticipated family event that Sophie had been subtly maneuvering toward finally arrived. It was an annual charity gala hosted by the Grey family, a highly publicized event attended by business elites, media personalities, and dignitaries. The perfect setting for Sophie to make her move.

The evening began smoothly. Isabella, dressed in a stunning gown, walked hand in hand with Alex, her pregnancy only adding to the radiant glow she carried. The couple was the center of attention, and Isabella felt the eyes of everyone in the room on her, but not with the discomfort she had once felt. Now, she felt pride in standing beside Alex.

Sophie, however, was watching from the sidelines, calculating. She wore a deep red dress that was designed to catch Alex's eye, but her real plan was far more devious. She had learned from past failures that subtle manipulation wouldn't work on Alex anymore. She needed something explosive—something that would create scandal.

As the night progressed, Sophie positioned herself near Alex, waiting for the right moment. She had slipped a small vial of powder into her clutch—something that, if slipped into Alex's drink, would leave him disoriented, vulnerable to whatever story she wanted to spin. Sophie's plan was simple: drug Alex, manipulate him into a compromising position, and then make sure Isabella found out. It would destroy their relationship, and Sophie would be there to pick up the pieces.

But Sophie had underestimated Alex.

As Sophie inched closer to Alex, her heart raced with excitement. She waited for him to step away from the crowd, toward the quieter part of the ballroom, drink in hand. She smiled, thinking that this would finally be the moment she regained control.

But just as she was about to slip the powder into Alex's drink, a hand caught her wrist.

"Looking for something?" Alex's voice was cold, his grip firm as he stared her down.

Sophie's heart stopped. "Alex, I—"

"Don't bother." His voice was deadly calm, but the fire in his eyes told her she had gone too far. "Did you really think I wouldn't see through this? You've been trying to sabotage my life for months, Sophie. But this is where it ends."

Sophie's mouth went dry as she looked around, realizing that people were beginning to notice the scene unfolding. Alex motioned toward Victor, who was standing nearby, and within seconds, security discreetly moved in to escort Sophie away from the event.

"No!" Sophie hissed, trying to pull away from Victor's grip. "You don't understand, Alex—this is all a misunderstanding!"

But Alex didn't respond. He simply turned his back on her, walking toward Isabella, who had been watching the scene from across the room, concern etched on her face.

As Sophie was led out of the ballroom, the whispers in the crowd grew louder. The social fallout would be devastating—she had been publicly humiliated, and there would be no recovering from this. The once-respected Sophie had been exposed for her schemes, and society would cast her out without hesitation.

That night, as Alex and Isabella returned home, the weight of the evening finally began to settle. Isabella was quiet, thinking about how close they had come to another disaster, but also feeling a sense of relief that Sophie's games were finally over.

"Are you okay?" Alex asked as they sat together in the living room, the fire casting soft light across the room.

"I am," Isabella said softly. "It's just… I can't believe she would go that far."

Alex sighed, running a hand through his hair. "She's desperate. She wanted to destroy everything we've built together."

"But she didn't," Isabella said, reaching for his hand. "She can't."

Alex squeezed her hand gently, nodding. "You're right. We've come too far to let someone like her tear us apart."

For the first time in months, Alex felt like the storm had passed. Sophie was no longer a threat. But as they sat together, a thought lingered in the back of Alex's mind—Ethan was still out there. Sophie might be gone, but the real danger was yet to come.