CHAPTER NINE

Sophia assessed the group swiftly, noting their positions and weapons with a trained eye.

The first man lunged at her with a metal pipe. She sidestepped, seized his arm, and twisted it behind his back. A sharp elbow to his ribs sent him crashing to the ground, groaning in pain.

The remaining four hesitated, their confidence shaken.

One, wielding a knife, charged.

Sophia ducked, rolled, and sprang up with a powerful roundhouse kick. The impact sent the knife-wielder slamming into the wall before he collapsed, dazed.

Another man tried tackling her from behind, but she anticipated it. She dropped to a crouch, letting him soar over her and land awkwardly. Before he could recover, she drove a sharp knee into his side.

The last two men moved in, attempting to corner her.

Sophia's instincts sharpened. She pivoted, blocking and countering with precision. One swung a bat—she caught it mid-air, yanked it from his grip, and struck him with the handle. Spinning on her heel, she delivered a final punch to his partner.

Both staggered back, defeated.

Panting, Sophia surveyed the damage. Bruised but standing, she turned to the SUV.

Through the tinted window, she locked eyes with Raymond. Awe and disbelief flickered across his face.

She gave him a reassuring nod before sliding into the car.

Raymond moved to the front seat, his gaze scanning her injuries. "I've already called my dad," he murmured. "But no one will believe you handled five men in under ten minutes."

His attention dropped to a fresh bruise on her hand. Without a word, he reached for the first aid kit.

Sophia's breath hitched as he applied ointment, his touch surprisingly gentle.

The scent of his cologne—Creed Aventus—mixed with the faint trace of Kérastase Elixir Ultime in his hair. A scent familiar in the Smith household, yet utterly intoxicating up close.

Her pulse quickened.

Raymond caught her reaction and met her gaze. "Are you alright?"

"Yes," she managed, voice barely above a whisper.

His eyes darkened. "My heart is pounding so fast."

Sophia blinked. "Me?"

"No. Me." He exhaled sharply, pressing a hand to his chest. "I don't understand why."

Her lips parted, but before she could respond, the sound of an approaching car broke the tension.

Will Smith strode forward, his usual composed demeanour faltering as he flung open the car door.

Without warning, he pulled Sophia into a tight embrace. "Thank you," he whispered, his voice thick with emotion. "You saved my son."

Sophia stiffened, taken aback. Will Smith—one of the most powerful men in the country—was hugging her?

At the Smith estate, the atmosphere shifted.

They gathered in Will's study, tension thick in the air.

Will's face was flushed with anger. "This confirms it. We have a traitor in this house."

Ryan exhaled. "Catarina told me she caught the new maid eavesdropping on Raymond's conversation earlier."

Gasps echoed.

"Isla?" Mrs. Smith's voice trembled.

Ryan nodded grimly.

Before anyone could react, Catarina burst in, breathless. "Isla is gone!"

A cold chill settled over the room.

Tony's eyes widened. "No wonder she had Raina's exact scent and mannerisms... They're sisters!"

"Call a detective," Mark said urgently.

"We can't involve the media," Will warned. "We need discretion."

"Leave it to me," Ryan said. "I'll find someone we can trust."

Tony retrieved a portrait of Raina, his fingers tracing a scar along the woman's jaw. "I saw the same scar on Isla's hand when she served me tea."

Mark straightened. "Then we were compromised from the start."

His gaze sharpened at Tony. "Why are you only bringing this up now?"

Tony scowled. "Did you ask?"

Mark's jaw clenched. "You little brat—"

Ryan stepped between them. "Enough. Tony, show the detective the portraits when they arrive."

Sophia, quiet until now, studied the images. "If they're aware we're onto them, they'll prepare for your Manchester visit, Raymond. You'll need extra security."

Mrs. Smith's face paled. "Ray, don't go. Let your father handle it."

Raymond exchanged a look with Ryan.

Will turned to his wife, feigning offence. "So my life means so little to you, Joyce?"

She rolled her eyes. "That's not what I meant."

Will smirked. "Funny how women love their children more than their husbands."

A small chuckle rippled through the room.

But Mark's solemn voice cut through. "We nearly lost our brother tonight. And now, Isla is gone. This isn't over."

A heavy silence fell.

Their world was under attack.

---

Later That Night

Catarina walked through the quiet garden, carrying a bottle of Ryan's favourite green drink.

Under the pawpaw tree, he waited.

As she approached, he took the bottle but never let go of her gaze. "Sit with me."

She hesitated. "Ryan, you always ask me to do the hardest things."

With a firm yet gentle tug, he pulled her down beside him. "Everyone's asleep. Just for a little while."

Tears welled in her eyes. "I missed you."

He wrapped his arms around her. "Soon, we won't have to hide anymore."

She swallowed back emotions, changing the subject. "I heard the factory lost thousands today."

Ryan sighed. "Dad brought it up during the board meeting."

"You've done well running it. He shouldn't judge you over one mistake."

"He doesn't like losses."

Catarina bit her lip. "Then give him a win. What if we introduce a milk flavour? Lactose-free, mixed with soya for diabetics. No sugar, just aspartame."

Ryan blinked. "How do you always know this stuff?"

She sighed. "I research anything that could help Smith Group. I want to take stress off you."

His voice turned raw. "If Dad disowns me when he finds out about us... will you still want me?"

Catarina held his face. "I've saved enough for us. If we lose Smith Group, we'll build something new together."

His throat bobbed. "You're too good to be true."

Tears slipped down his face. "I'm saving too... just in case."

They clung to each other, lost in the moment.

Neither noticed Sophia nearby.

She had come to retrieve her hairbrush from Catarina's room but found it empty.

Curious, she wandered into the hallway—then froze as she spotted Catarina.

Her eyes widened.

Catarina wasn't alone.

She was with Ryan Smith.

The second son.

Sophia's breath caught as realisation dawned.

They were lovers.