Chapter 6: The Woman Who Discovered She Was Being Used
Sophia arrived at Reed Industrial Holdings at 8:45 the next morning.
She hadn't slept.
Her eyes were swollen, her hair was pulled into a loose ponytail, and she carried a thick folder containing every document she could find related to SB Strategic Media.
Daniel greeted her in the lobby.
"Good morning, Ms. Brooks.""
"Is Marcus here?""
"Yes. Please follow me.""
They entered a small meeting room instead of the executive conference room.
Marcus was already seated.
He wore a dark blue suit and was reviewing a printed email.
Sophia placed her folder on the table.
"I brought everything.""
Marcus gestured toward the chair.
"Thank you. Sit down.""
She sat.
For a moment, she looked at him as if searching for the man she used to know.
"Marcus, I need you to believe me.""
"I'll believe the evidence.""
She nodded.
Daniel connected his laptop to the conference room screen.
A series of emails appeared.
The first was from Adrian to a company accountant.
We need to create a consulting arrangement before the end of the quarter. Use SB Strategic Media. Sophia can register it. We'll describe the payments as marketing services.
Sophia covered her mouth.
The next email was even worse.
Make sure the contract doesn't require detailed deliverables. We can produce the reports later if anyone asks.
She looked at Marcus.
"He wrote that?""
Daniel clicked to the next message.
Another email appeared.
This one was sent directly to Sophia.
Baby, I need you to register the company. It's just a formality. I'll handle the business side. You won't have to worry about anything.
Sophia felt sick.
She remembered reading that message while sitting in Adrian's apartment.
She had been excited because Adrian told her the arrangement would give her a financial foundation before graduation.
She had trusted him.
Daniel continued.
The next email had been sent several weeks later.
Once the payments are complete, we can close the company or turn it into a legitimate business.
Sophia's eyes filled.
"Why would he do this?""
Marcus didn't answer immediately.
She looked at him.
"Did he use me?""
Marcus closed the folder.
"That's what we're trying to establish.""
Sophia shook her head.
"I never asked him to steal anything.""
"Did you know the invoices were false?""
She hesitated.
"I knew we hadn't completed every project listed.""
"Did you question the payments?""
"Yes. He told me everything was approved.""
"Did you spend the money?""
Her shoulders dropped.
"Some of it.""
Marcus nodded.
"Then you need to cooperate fully with the investigation.""
Sophia wiped her cheeks.
"Will I go to jail?""
Marcus looked at her seriously.
"I can't promise you anything about the legal consequences. That's why you need independent legal advice and complete honesty.""
She stared at him.
"You could help me.""
"I won't interfere with an investigation.""
"But you own the company!""
"Exactly. I have a responsibility to protect its employees and shareholders.""
Sophia looked down at the table.
For the first time, she seemed to understand that Marcus wasn't going to rescue her simply because he had once loved her.
At eleven, Adrian arrived.
He walked into the room with his phone in his hand and immediately noticed Sophia.
"What are you doing here?""
She looked up.
"Adrian, we need to talk.""
He ignored her and faced Marcus.
"Have your auditors lost their minds?""
Marcus gestured toward the empty chair.
"Sit down.""
Adrian remained standing.
"I want the investigation stopped.""
"That's not going to happen.""
"You have no proof that I stole anything.""
Daniel opened the folder.
"We have email correspondence, payment records, and invoices that appear to contain false service descriptions.""
Adrian pointed at Sophia.
"She registered the company. She's responsible for it.""
Sophia stared at him.
"What?""
"You were the owner, weren't you?""
"You told me it was your arrangement!""
Adrian laughed.
"Don't pretend you didn't know what was happening.""
Sophia stood.
"You said the money was for marketing work!""
"And you received it!""
Her voice broke.
"Because I trusted you!""
Adrian shrugged.
"That's your problem.""
Marcus watched him carefully.
"Adrian, sit down.""
"Don't tell me what to do.""
"Then leave.""
Adrian turned toward the door.
But Sophia stepped forward.
"No. You're going to answer me.""
He glared at her.
"What?""
"Did you know the contract was false when you asked me to register the company?""
Adrian said nothing.
"Did you use my name because you thought nobody would suspect me?""
He rolled his eyes.
"You're being dramatic.""
Sophia's hands trembled.
"Answer me!""
Adrian leaned closer.
"Listen, sweetheart. You wanted a luxurious life. You wanted expensive clothes, nice restaurants, and a future with someone successful. I gave you all of that.""
Sophia stared at him.
"With stolen money?""
"Watch your mouth.""
Marcus stood.
"That's enough.""
Adrian turned toward him.
"This is between us.""
"No. The company money belongs to the company.""
Daniel placed another document on the table.
"There's an additional issue.""
Adrian frowned.
"What now?""
Daniel opened a financial report.
"The auditors traced a portion of the payments to a personal account associated with Mr. Mitchell.""
Adrian's face tightened.
"That's impossible.""
Daniel turned the page.
"Approximately thirty-one thousand dollars was transferred to an account used to pay for personal expenses.""
Sophia slowly looked at Adrian.
"Thirty-one thousand?""
He avoided her eyes.
"You don't understand.""
She shook her head.
"You told me the money was for my business.""
"Some of it was.""
"Where did the rest go?""
Adrian slammed his hand onto the table.
"Enough!""
Marcus spoke calmly.
"Mr. Mitchell, you're being suspended from all executive responsibilities pending the investigation.""
Adrian stared at him.
"You can't suspend me.""
"I can.""
"My father will never allow this!""
Marcus looked at Daniel.
"Please escort him out.""
Two security officers appeared at the door.
Adrian turned toward Sophia.
"Don't you dare say anything else. You understand me?""
Sophia stepped back.
For the first time, she wasn't afraid of losing him.
She was afraid of what he had done with her name.
The security officers escorted Adrian out.
As the door closed, Sophia sank into her chair.
She covered her face and began crying.
Marcus waited until she had calmed down.
Then he pushed a glass of water toward her.
"Drink.""
She accepted it with trembling hands.
After a few moments, she looked up.
"Marcus, I know I don't deserve your help.""
He said nothing.
"I know what I did to you at graduation was horrible. I was cruel. I was arrogant. I thought money and status were everything.""
Marcus looked at her.
"Why are you telling me this now?""
"Because I finally understand what I threw away.""
He leaned back.
"Sophia, you didn't throw away a diamond ring. You threw away seven years of trust.""
Her tears fell again.
"I know.""
"No, I don't think you do.""
He reached for the folder.
"When you needed tuition, I worked extra shifts. When your mother needed surgery, I sold equipment to cover the bills. When you thought you weren't good enough to graduate, I reminded you that you were.""
Sophia nodded.
"I remember.""
"But you never once asked whether I was okay.""
She lowered her head.
"I was selfish.""
Marcus continued.
"I didn't need you to love my money. I didn't even need you to admire my job. I just wanted you to respect me.""
Sophia whispered, "I'm sorry.""
He looked at her for several seconds.
Then he stood.
"The legal team will contact you about the investigation. Cooperate fully. Don't destroy anything, and don't let Adrian pressure you into changing your statement.""
She looked up.
"Is there no chance for us?""
Marcus stopped near the door.
"Sophia, I'm not the same man who knelt in front of you on graduation day.""
He opened the door.
"And I don't intend to become him again.""
That afternoon, Marcus received an unexpected visit.
Richard Mitchell arrived without an appointment.
He looked exhausted.
His tie was loose, and his usual confidence had disappeared.
"Marcus, I need five minutes.""
Marcus invited him inside.
Richard sat opposite him.
"I owe you an apology.""
"For what?""
"For my son's behavior. For the financial mess. And for the way our company was managed.""
Marcus listened without interrupting.
Richard placed a document on the desk.
"I've reviewed the audit findings. Adrian will no longer have access to company funds.""
"That's a good start.""
Richard nodded.
"But there's something you should know. I found another contract.""
Marcus glanced at the document.
"What contract?""
Richard opened it.
It was an agreement involving a commercial property development outside Chicago.
A large investment had been approved under suspicious circumstances.
Marcus scanned the figures.
Then he stopped.
The contract had been signed by a company that didn't appear in the original acquisition disclosures.
"Who owns this company?""
Richard looked uncomfortable.
"That's the problem.""
He slid another page across the desk.
Marcus read the name.
His expression changed.
The company was registered under the name of someone he knew.
Someone who had been present at his graduation.
Someone who had stood beside Sophia and laughed at his worn construction clothes.
Marcus slowly raised his eyes.
"Adrian?""
Richard shook his head.
"No.""
He pointed to the signature at the bottom.
"Your assistant needs to investigate this woman.""
May you like
Marcus stared at the document.
The name printed there was *Sophia Brooks*.
