Free Web NovelChapter 14: Chapter 14: Brace Up
Sophie Shaw gritted her teeth, using every ounce of her strength to keep her hands locked around Vianne Kane’s neck. "You first."
"You first!"
The two were at a stalemate, neither willing to back down first.
Vianne Kane was soon only exhaling, unable to draw a breath, and her eyes started rolling back in her head.
She was about to pass out. Her consciousness grew hazy, and the hand clutching Sophie’s hair loosened its grip.
Feeling the pain on her scalp ease, Sophie, her back against the wall, let go. The woman before her immediately crumpled to the floor, clutching her neck and gasping for air.
"Sophie Shaw, you’re insane."
Vianne Kane couldn’t believe Sophie Shaw would be so audacious as to lay a hand on her.
For the past ten years, Sophie had been a total pushover, someone Vianne could mold and crush as she pleased, who never dared to step out of line.
"Think you have backup now that you’ve hooked up with Alaric Blackwood?"
She tilted her face up, sneering between gasps. "Alaric Blackwood isn’t someone you can control. Marry him, and you’ll be the one who gets controlled."
Vianne Kane had heard last night about the meeting with The Blackwoods next Saturday.
She hadn’t expected Sophie to actually change her mind. It was a surprise, but what could a block of wood like Sophie do even if she married him?
’She won’t even make a ripple.’
"You know Alaric Blackwood well?"
"We were childhood sweethearts, of course I know him. Alaric has had enough women to form a soccer team. Who do you think you are? You wouldn’t even make the list."
Vianne Kane seethed.
She rubbed her neck, recovering her breath, and slowly climbed to her feet. Straightening the silk scarf around her neck, she said, "Sophie Shaw, don’t say I didn’t warn you. A man like Alaric Blackwood will teach you a thing or two about your place in the world. Good luck."
With that, the woman swayed her hips and went downstairs.
Sophie fought against a wave of dizziness. As soon as Vianne’s figure was out of sight, she rubbed her woozy head and quickly turned back to her room.
She rushed into the bathroom and knelt before the toilet, dry-heaving.
Her stomach was empty; she couldn’t bring anything up, and the effort sent spasms through her abdomen.
Feeling a large bump on the back of her head, she worried she might have a concussion. ’If it gets any worse, I’ll go to the hospital and get it checked out.’
Her head was spinning too much. She came out of the bathroom but didn’t go downstairs right away. Instead, she lay down on the bed to recover.
It was still early.
In the first-floor dining room, Vianne Kane saw Joel Kane sitting obediently in his chair, waiting for breakfast. Her heart seethed with hatred. Seeing that no one else was in the dining room, she immediately walked over and wrapped her hand around the little boy’s thin, soft neck.
She would do to Joel Kane exactly what Sophie had just done to her.
"Sister, Sister, I’m sorry..."
Joel Kane was often bullied by Vianne, and he had learned to grovel before her.
His face turned color as she choked him, but he only dared to tap lightly on her arm.
"Feeling brave now, are we? How dare you tattle on me to Sophie Shaw?"
"I didn’t, Sister... You’re my only sister. I only listen to you. I didn’t tattle..."
"Still trying to lie to me."
Tears streamed down Joel Kane’s terrified face. He grabbed Vianne’s hand, his small body trembling like a leaf. Stared down by Vianne’s vicious glare, he wet himself on the spot.
Smelling the stench of urine, Vianne frowned. Her gaze fell and she saw the wet patch on his pants.
"So disgusting."
She let go in disgust, grabbing the back of Joel’s collar instead. She yanked him out of the chair and dragged him out of the dining room.
"He wet his pants. He’s filthy. Take him back to his room and wash him up."
She handed Joel over to a maid, ordered someone else to clean up the urine in the dining room, then went upstairs to Joel’s room.
The maid quickly gave Joel a shower and changed him into clean clothes.
With a wave of her hand, she dismissed the maid, closed the door behind her, then grabbed the back of Joel’s neck and pushed him down onto the bed.
"My dear brother, do you really only listen to me?"
Joel hummed in affirmation several times.
"Then tell me, who do you like more, me or Sophie Shaw?"
"You. I like you more."
"Really?"
"Really. Cross my heart."
"Good. From now on, you listen to me. You do whatever I tell you to do, or you won’t have it easy."
Joel Kane nodded, trembling uncontrollably.
...
By the time Sophie Shaw’s dizziness subsided, breakfast time had long passed.
The Kane Family had a rule: three meals a day, at fixed times. If you were late, you didn’t eat.
So Sophie had to leave on an empty stomach. She found a breakfast stall outside and ordered a bowl of congee and a basket of small steamed buns.
After filling her stomach, she took out the lawyer’s business card Anne had given her, dialed the number, and made an appointment with the lawyer, Jaden.
The appointment was set for two in the afternoon. With nothing to do in the morning, she decided to go straight to a car dealership to look at cars.
Along the way, Anne called. Worried she might go hungry again, she asked her to lunch. Sophie simply told Anne to come to the dealership and help her pick out a car.
When Anne arrived, she was utterly shocked, her mouth agape enough to fit a salted duck egg. "Your contract husband gave you a card with no limit and told you to get a car?"
"Mhm."
"Holy crap! That’s a rich family for you, so generous."
"Help me pick one out."
Anne licked her lips, looking at the luxury cars on display in the showroom, and rubbed her hands together eagerly. "Since your husband said not to pick anything too cheap, let’s pick something classy."
She pointed a finger at an Algarve Blue Porsche Cayenne.
Sophie took a deep breath. "Isn’t this a little too extravagant?"
"This car befits the status of Mrs. Blackwood."
"I’m scared."
Seeing Sophie’s timidness, Anne shot her a glare. "What’s there to be scared of? You’re Alaric Blackwood’s wife now. Straighten up and own it."
"My marriage contract with Alaric Blackwood is only for one year."
She was afraid that if she spent too lavishly, Alaric wouldn’t renew the contract when the year was up. ƒreeωebnovel.ƈom
’I want to ride this tycoon’s coattails for a few more years. The title of Mrs. Blackwood will be helpful for developing my career.’
"Why don’t you ask Alaric Blackwood what he thinks?"
"Good point."
Sophie took a picture of the Cayenne and sent it to Alaric Blackwood on WeChat. [Will this car do?]
He replied instantly: [It’s perfect.]
Seeing the reply, Sophie turned to Anne and said, "He said it’s fine."
"Then what are you hesitating for?"
Sophie bit the bullet, swiped the card, and completed the paperwork. She could pick up the car in three days.
Walking out of the dealership, she felt like she was floating on a cloud.
In her entire life, the most expensive car she’d ever ridden in was a stretch Lincoln. That was when she was in college, for Mr. Kane’s birthday. He had sent a driver and car to pick her and Vianne Kane up and take them to the grand hotel where the party was being held. It was quite a spectacle that day.
’And now I get to drive a luxury car myself.’
Having just bought a car worth millions, Sophie decisively took Anne out for a nice lunch.
Anne, enjoying the lavish meal, was delighted. "A husband this generous... Sophie, have you considered trying to win him over for real?"
"I could never."
Sophie didn’t dare to even think about it with Alaric Blackwood.
"Why not try?"
"Maintaining a long and harmonious contractual relationship is enough."
"The two of you were betrothed as children. What are you afraid of?"
"The difference in our status is just too great."
Sophie was very self-aware on this point. Besides, Alaric was such a player...
"If I were you, I’d cling to that golden thigh for dear life," Anne said, exasperated with her friend.
Sophie just smiled. "Alright, let’s eat."
「At the same time.」
The Zephyr Teahouse.
Alaric Blackwood was having tea with Mrs. Ford.
"My dear Alaric, when can I meet my granddaughter-in-law?"
"Soon."
Mrs. Ford’s eyes held a trace of disdain. "You rascal, you’re just fobbing me off. Don’t tell me you got rejected again?"
"Don’t worry. I’m devastatingly charming. Who would dare reject me?"
Alaric had a nonchalant air about him. He had just habitually put a cigarette between his lips, without lighting it, when Mrs. Ford came at him with a pair of scissors and snipped the cigarette in two.
Alaric: ...
Mrs. Ford had made it a habit to carry a small pair of scissors with her. Her late husband had loved to smoke. After he retired, she would follow him around like a shadow, busy snipping his cigarettes. In the end, the old fool still couldn’t quit.
He died of lung cancer.
The man was gone, but the old woman’s habit remained.
"It’s time to eat. You two, brother and sister, will have a meal with me," the old woman commanded.
Alaric was about to agree when his phone rang.
The call was from Jaden.
"Is Sophie Shaw the one you were betrothed to as a kid?"
A slight smile touched Alaric Blackwood’s lips. "She is."
"She’s coming to the firm at two this afternoon for a consultation. You want to come over and listen in?"
"It’s my wife’s business. Of course I have to be there."
"Have you eaten?"
"Just about to." frёewebηovel.cѳm
"Then come over, we’ll eat together. Just don’t! Bring! Your! Sister!"
Jaden bit out the last four words.
It wasn’t a reminder, but a warning.
Alaric hung up and declined his grandmother’s invitation.
Hearing he was having lunch with Jaden, Nina Halloway, who had been listlessly slumped over the table, immediately perked up. "Take me with you."
"Not you. You stay here and keep Grandma company."
Nina Halloway shot him a look. "If you keep this up, I’ll turn into a stumbling block on your road to winning over your wife."
Alaric scoffed. "You can’t threaten me."
With his reputation as a playboy, was he really going to be afraid of Nina trying to sabotage him?
—
「Two in the afternoon.」
Sophie Shaw and Anne arrived at Garland Chase Law Firm.
The receptionist led them to Jaden’s office and brought in two cups of freshly ground and brewed coffee.
Cradling the warm coffee cup, Sophie explained her situation. Jaden sat in a leather swivel chair behind a large desk, his brow furrowing as he listened.
"So, you voluntarily gave the money to Damian Morgan, and you gave it to him in cash, so there are no transfer records. All the paperwork for founding Heart of the Ocean was handled by Damian, and you have no proof of your initial investment share, is that right?"
Sophie nodded. "Under these circumstances, is there any way for me to get Heart of the Ocean back?"
"There is."
"What is it?"
