Seeds planted

The morning began with the familiar bustling energy of Lancaster Developments. Sophia's office glowed with golden sunlight, spilling over the chaos on her desk as piles of files, reports, and sticky notes were placed about. She dropped into her chair, letting out a slow breath to shake off the nervousness. Today was a big test for her and she had to be ready.

She had hardly opened her laptop when her assistant, gave a quick knock and walked in, holding a steaming hot cup of coffee.

"Morning, Sophia," Clara chirped, flashing her usual smile. "Your father wanted me to remind you about the 10 a.m. meeting. He specifically wanted to know about your notes on the Hudson Project."

Sophia nodded, taking the cup gratefully. "Tell him I'll be there shortly with everything prepared. And thank you for the coffee. you're a lifesaver."

Clara smiled warmly. "Anytime I'm always here for you."

Sophia took a sip of her coffee, savoring the much-needed caffeine as she flipped through her meticulously tweaked notes. She'd poured hours into getting every detail just right—this presentation was her shot to show her dad she could step up and take on more. Her father was always tough, but lately, his expectations had started challenging her in ways she'd never anticipated.

The clock hit ten, and Sophia gathered her papers, straightened her blazer, and headed for the conference room. Her father sat at the head of the long, polished table, already flipping through a folder, while the department heads whispered amongst themselves.

"Ah, Sophia," Henry greeted as she entered, gesturing to the front so she could begin. "Please, let's hear what you have."

She swallowed, taking a deep breath to calm herself, than began confidently, "The Hudson Project marks a crucial turning point for Lancaster Developments. The next six months will not only shape our financial trajectory but also our standing among the competition."

She dove into her presentation, detailing her extensive market research, financial projections, and potential risks. As she spoke, the initial anxiety gave way to confidence. Her voice was now steady, her explanations clear. She noticed subtle nods from colleagues around the table, even catching a rare glimpse of pride in her father's eyes.

Once she finished, Henry Lancaster leaned back in his chair, offering an approving smile.

"Excellent work, Sophia. This is exactly the level of insight and detail we need."

A murmur of agreement rolled through the room, and Sophia felt a little spark in her chest. Her dad wasn't big on handing out praise at work, so when he did, it felt like it actually meant something

As the meeting adjourned, Henry approached her, placing a hand gently on her shoulder. "Impressive today. Keep this up, and you'll be leading sooner than you think."

Sophia smiled, her heart swelling with pride. "I won't let you down."

As she turned to leave she was startled by a sudden collision. Daniel Monroe stood just outside the conference room, holding a folder and a cup of coffee, wearing that familiar, smirk.

"Daniel," Sophia said, startled.

Daniel's eyes gleamed with amusement. "Great presentation, Sophia. Your dad seemed genuinely impressed."

She straightened, guardedness creeping into her posture. "Were you waiting for something?"

"Actually," Daniel replied smoothly, "I've been assigned to support the Hudson Project. So I thought we should coordinate. It'll be just like old times. We made one heck of a team back in school"

Sophia hesitated, her thoughts immediately flicking to Bobby and how he might feel about this. She glanced at Daniel, measuring her words carefully. "Fine. But it stays strictly professional."

He raised his hands, smiling reassuringly. "Of course. Its just business."

Yet, as she returned to her office, Sophia felt uneasy. Daniel had always had a way of blurring lines, making her want to question things. She'd have to tread carefully.

Across town, Knight Industries buzzed with relentless energy as always. Bobby sat in his, sleek office, overlooking Manhattan's skyline, a powerful image mirroring his role as CEO. His morning as always had already been a whirlwind: finalizing contracts, mediating disagreements between department heads, and evaluating investment proposals. Yet, rather than overwhelmed, Bobby felt invigorated. The pressure sharpened him and pushed him further. It was precisely why he was so good at his job. He felt like this was made for him

A knock at his door drew his attention as Lena stepped inside, holding a file.

"Got a minute, big brother?" Lena asked, smiling slightly.

"What's up?" Bobby asked, gesturing her in.

Lena handed him the file. "Here's the finalized paperwork for the European investors. Legal just approved it. But that's not really why I'm here. You seem distracted today. Is it because of Daniel?"

Bobby sighed, leaning back, and rubbing his temples. "I can't shake it, Lena. Sophia didn't even tell me he was working there. I had to hear it from you."

Lena hesitated, leaning against his desk with concern in her eyes. "Maybe she just thought mentioning him would cause unnecessary stress."

"She knew how I'd feel about it," Bobby replied tersely. "That's exactly why she kept it quiet."

Lena shook her head gently. "Maybe she underestimated how much it would bother you. Just don't jump to conclusions yet."

Bobby sighed, softening slightly. "You're right. It's just—Daniel has always been manipulative, Lena. I've seen him try to get between me and Sophia back in college. I can't just ignore that."

Lena reached over, squeezing his shoulder reassuringly. "Just talk to her. Communication is key to a happy marrage."

Bobby nodded slowly. "Thanks, Lena."

She smiled softly. "Always here for you, Bobby."

As Lena left, Bobby stared at the file, irritation, and unease bubbling just beneath the surface. He trusted Sophia, just not Daniel since he had a knack for manipulating situations—and people. He was a threat Bobby couldn't ignore.

That evening, Sophia was already waiting when Bobby returned home. Dinner was ready, candles casting a soft glow around the room, her hopeful eyes immediately softening his mood as he entered.

Bobby greeted her with a kiss, savoring her warmth. "Long day?"

She nodded, smiling softly. "Long—but good. How about yours?"

He hesitated, considering how much to reveal. "Busy. Closed the European deal today, thanks to Lena's help."

Sophia's eyes brightened. "That's amazing, Bobby. I'm proud of you."

His expression softened as he cupped her cheek gently. "Thank you."

Dinner was peaceful, each sharing snippets of their day, avoiding any uncomfortable topics. But eventually, Bobby's unease resurfaced.

"Sophia," he said cautiously, "about Daniel… I know you're trying to manage it, but promise me you'll be careful around him."

She sighed softly, meeting his gaze. "I promise. There's nothing to worry about. Were bot professional, and I can handle it."

Bobby nodded, though his gaze held lingering concern. "Just don't underestimate him."

Sophia reached across the table, taking his hand gently. "I won't."

That night, as they lay together, each caught up in their own thoughts, Sophia couldn't help but feel uneasy. Bobby's fears weren't unwarranted; Daniel's presence did complicate things. Yet she refused to let it impact their relationship.

Bobby, however just stared into the darkness, jaw clenched. Daniel was a dangerous threat he couldn't afford to underestimate, like he did once before. He tightened his hold around Sophia protectively, promising himself not to let anything—or anyone—come between them.

Even after both of them finally drifted off to sleep, neither of them could shake the feeling that something had started to change. A tiny seed of doubt had been planted, and deep down, they both knew—if they didn't keep an eye on it, that seed could sprout and spread before they were ready.