LOGINIt was finally the day of the divorce.Sophie woke up five minutes before her alarm rang. She made a simple breakfast muffin and the last sachet of hot chocolate—right, she needed to restock it.Wrapping everything to-go, Sophie walked to the lobby, spotting the driver Edmund sent her the day before. This time, it was an actual driver. Driving a normal inconspicuous car. Sophie giggled for no reason.“Let’s go,” she said.Her court was scheduled for nine o’clock. When she arrived, she saw several reporters waiting. More people had solved her clues than expected, but that was fine. That was good.When her Bentley pulled up in front of the courthouse, those reporters didn’t realize it was hers. Only when she stepped out did they get it, and almost immediately their cameras started to flash.“Mrs. Beckett! So it is true that you’re filing for divorce? What’s the reason?”“Does it have anything to do with the video that leaked a while ago?”“People speculated that Julia Hall was involved.
With a new list of possible partnerships in hand, Sophie began contacting the overseas suppliers. Bearing the time difference in mind, Sophie didn’t expect a response anytime soon. Frankly, she could use some more time to prepare for another very important matter.Her divorce, that would finally happen tomorrow.She had reporters ready. If she wanted to deliver the biggest blow to Adrian, the most sure-fire way was to target his carefully crafted image as a clean, self-made businessman. So she lured them—through layers so intricate that it would never be linked back to her. But she left a tiny clue. One that proved that it was valid information.If they could solve it, they would get the front row seat to witness Nation’s Ideal Husband’s true face.Of course, she also had the Langham media network with her. But the more the merrier. The more the news spread, the better.What she didn’t expect was for the Portugal linen mill to reply almost immediately after she messaged them.“Hello,
Sophie made dozens of calls this week alone. Once only looking within New York, she began increasing her scope to other states as well. Lyla and the other employees were busy packing and sending compensation. Before they realized, it was lunch.Gregory held his promise. Just before the clock struck twelve, his e-mail arrived on Sophie’s inbox. She skim-read through a few, and when she found things to be satisfactory, she forwarded it to Lawrence.Her mood suddenly improved—Gregory had gone above and beyond. He had claimed to not know the content of Adrian’s meeting to sabotage her, but it was there regardless. Lawrence swiftly texted back with the suggestion of registering Adrian’s business disruption attempt as another lawsuit. That way they had records of it to further support the divorce.Sophie decided to follow Lawrence’s advice.Now that the divorce was handled, she still had another problem—even after expanding her search, no manufacturer was willing. Not because they deemed So
The truck accident made the news, and Meadow Lane found themselves in the headlines. Sophie had contacted a news agency to show that it was, indeed, an unfortunate accident. She also contacted all the customers, ignoring the fact that it was outside business hours, informing them that Meadow Lane would take full responsibility. Lyla made a swift announcement on their website and social media page, and at Sophie’s directions, also sourced some products and souvenirs as compensation while they waited for a new production. Along with that, she had her team prepare the option of refund for those who didn’t want to wait.The customers, who were initially disappointed at the news, gradually calmed down after they saw Meadow Lane’s attempt at mitigations. Some were still spouting understandable complaints, but the reaction overall remained positive.When Sophie walked into her office at six o’clock on the next day, her phone chimed with a call from Gregory.“I’ve failed you, Mrs. Beckett. I
After Hartford Apparel, it was another supplier who called with some sort of cancellation.“I deeply apologize, Mrs. Beckett, but we suddenly faced difficulties with the procurement of cotton drills.”“Our workers are going on strike. The union got involved and now no one is there to operate the machines.”Sophie hummed in acknowledgement. That was three, Sophie noted. With Hartford Apparel, she could dismiss it as unfortunate timing. She couldn’t really do that now that it happened the third time. In fact, even if this proved to be a considerable business problem, she couldn’t help but expect more of those calls to come.But she had no time to expect hypothetical problems, because she had a real one in front of her. She scrolled on her tablet, inspecting the list of possible manufacturers and suppliers. Lyla made one call to one, and Sophie made one to another.They all agreed initially. In fact, one of them eagerly offered to come to Meadow Lane instead of having Sophie coming to th
Sophie didn’t spend too much time at Palladio. Frankly she didn’t even need new furniture—what she currently had was enough. It was Edmund who insisted on having the entire place re-decorated, half feeling guilty for leaving it so bare.“But you said I can decorate it however I want. You never considered the possibility that I am content with leaving it just like that?” Sophie chuckled.“I know! And if you actually want to live in such a bare apartment, I should just accept your decision. But that was before I saw how excited you were for those vintage trinkets!”“I saw it, you, know. Even before you left for America. The clippings you made from Father’s architecture magazine, you only took the pastel furniture, and have always preferred the vintage looking ones. Now that I see you still yearn for similar things, you expect me to believe that you’re content with an empty house?”“It’s not empty. I have a bed.”“The basic one! You wouldn’t go to Something Borrowed’s website if you were
Their dinner ended on an unsatisfactory note.Adrian had to leave because of a work emergency. Sophie couldn’t even tell if it was real or not—if Adrian was just stealing fractions of time to be with Julia Hall.“I’ll make it up to you,” Adrian had said.But it had been two days, and Adrian was now
Nation’s ideal husband. That was what people called Adrian Beckett—a title Sophie had helped him earn. A self-made man, building his kingdom within just one generation. Beckett Holdings went public after only three years, and on the announcement livestream, Adrian had turned to Sophie and proposed
Three years. Turned out Sophie could only live as Mrs. Beckett for a mere three years. “How disappointing,” she said as she put down the photos in her hands. On the coffee table, there were even more photos of Adrian Beckett. Nation’s ideal husband, they said. Sophie snickered, her eyes scanned th
Early in the morning, Sophie woke up to yet another charade.When she opened her eyes, she couldn’t find Adrian. She found him in the kitchen, operating the coffee machine. It was what she got for their first wedding anniversary, back when Sophie said she wished to enjoy espresso anytime she wanted







