Sophia's Scheme

At the Lloyd Media Group Head Office

As Roy exited the chairman's office, he bumped into his brother Leo Lloyd, who was the CEO of the Lloyd Media Group.

Leo frowned when he saw Roy's bruised face. "Did you make Dad so mad that he hit you?"

"Ah, this?" Roy touched his swollen cheek and smirked. "I consider this a love mark."

Leo shook his head at his brother's nonchalant attitude. "Roy, why did you do that?"

He was referring to why Roy had helped Noran go against Sophia's online manipulation. Leo knew his brother well; Roy would never do anything that didn't benefit himself. He definitely didn't help Noran just because of the friendship they shared. There should be a hidden agenda.

Roy sighed. "Why did you and the old man have to ask the same thing? I don't think I need to answer to you guys when I didn't use any of the company's resources to handle that scandal."

Leo looked a little upset at Roy when he realized Roy wouldn't give him a clear answer. "I know you've secretly established your own cyber company over the years, which was why you hadn't been taking your work seriously here, but you're still part of the Lloyd Group, Roy. You shouldn't go against anyone from the Carter Group without consulting us."

"I know, I know…" Roy replied, sounding impatient. "I know how important the Carter Group is to us. You don't have to repeat what that old man said. But you know what? I've had enough…"

Leo raised his brows at his brother, not understanding him.

"I had enough of seeing you guys submitting to the Carters' demands all these years just because they throw you some cash," Roy stated, growing agitated. "How many times have they used us to cover up their dirty deeds and manipulate the media? The Lloyd Media Group is just as powerful as they are. So, why do we need to keep listening to them?"

"Roy, you should know this is just business. A collaboration that's beneficial for both parties."

Roy scoffed. "So, did my actions affect the profitability of both their business and ours?"

"No, but you should know it might affect our business relationship with them," Leo retorted.

"Brother, Sophia Carters doesn't run the Carters Group."

"But she's a very important figure to the Carters. So, whether it's business or personal affairs, there's nothing beneficial in going against her wishes. If there's nothing to gain from this, why did you…"

"So, you want me to side with her?" Roy interjected before Leo could finish his sentence. "The old man just informed me that she approached us this time to tarnish Noran's wife's reputation and create narratives of her love affairs with Noran. Do we have to scoop so low now that we need to help her with her personal affairs?"

Leo was quiet for a few seconds before answering, "We'll consider her offer if…"

"Leave me out of this," Roy interrupted Leo as he walked past him. "I already told the old man that if you guys want to take up her offer, I'll face the Lloyd Media Group on the opposite side."

"Roy, you…" Leo couldn't believe his ears.

Did his brother, who had always avoided trouble, declare that he would oppose them if they were to support Sophia?

…

At the Carter's Investment Group Office

"I can't believe this!" Sophia screamed and in a fit of rage, she swept her arm across the table, sending papers, pens, and office supplies flying in all directions.

Initially, she wanted to tarnish Shuri's reputation and send Karlene to jail for the humiliation she suffered in the café. However, not only did Roy intervene to control the online narratives in Shuri's favor, but Ethan, renowned as the best lawyer in the city, also stepped in to defend Karlene.

First Noran, and now even Roy and Ethan.

"Why?! Why do they have all the best men siding them?!" She slammed her fists down, scattering the remaining items in a chaotic frenzy.

"Yet, they dare ignore me?!" She uttered loudly, her voice trembling with anger.

Just a moment ago, Lloyd Media Group got back and informed her that they would not take up the offer to cooperate with her to mess with Noran and Shuri.

Then, her father, Roderick Carter, the Chairman of the Carter Group, had called her over to stop her from pursuing Noran, stating that marrying him wouldn't benefit the Carter family. He added that if she were just after a royal bloodline, he could easily get another man within the Kingston family to wed her.

However, Sophia was stubborn. She knew it was illogical and rather impossible to separate a married man, especially one who gave up his prestigious last name, from his beloved wife to marry her. Nevertheless, being Top of Form

a high achiever since birth, Sophia never once failed to get anything or anyone she wanted. Noran would be no exception.

Moreover, she was unwilling to accept she'd lose to a nobody like Shuri, who had nothing but a pretty face. Thinking back to the humiliation she faced in the café, Sophia couldn't wait to crush those clear and taintless eyes that viewed her as nothing more than a dirty pest.

However, with her father's disapproval and Lloyd Media Group's refusal to help, her hands were tied now. At the moment, she didn't dare to create another scandal on her own to go against her father's wishes, but she couldn't just let everything slide.

"What should I do?" she muttered, biting her thumbnail in agitation.

As she paced back and forth in her lavish office with frustration, a sudden thought struck her like a bolt of lightning.

"Noran's parents," she whispered to herself, a sly grin spreading across her lips. "Yes, I can use them to deal with Shuri."

With a newfound sense of determination, Sophia quickly formulated a plan in her mind. But little did she know, this decision would set into motion a chain of events that would alter the course of her life forever.