Con

CHAPTER 91

Sophia’s POV

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Chris and I pulled up to his grandparents‘ old house, its charming, weathered facade standing as a testament to years gone by. The paint was peeling, and the roof looked like it had weathered one too many storms. Chris parked the car and turned to me, a look of excitement mixed with nervousness in his

eyes.

“This is it, Sophia,” he said, turning to me after he parked in front. “I’m so glad you were able to come today. My grandparents mean the world to me, and this house… well, it’s seen better days. This is why I’ve decided to gift them a new one, to show my appreciation for everything they’ve done for me.

“That’s such a beautiful gesture, Chris,” I told him sincerely. I knew that he had a lot of money, but choosing to spend it on a new house for his grandparents showed that he really cared about them. “I’m glad to be a part of the project.”

We got out of the car and made our way to the front porch. As Chris knocked on the door, I could hear faint sounds from inside, some laughter and conversation. The door opened slowly, revealing Chris’s grandfather, a tall man with silver hair and kind eyes.

“Chris! Sophia! Come on in,” he greeted us warmly. I was surprised that he knew my name. “I’ve heard so much about you, Sophia. My wife and I are really very happy that you’re the one who’s designing our new house.”

“Thank you, Mr. Baker,” I said, smiling. “It’s lovely to finally meet you.”

“Call me George,” he insisted, stepping aside to let us in. “And this is my wife, Evelyn.”

We walked into the cozy living room where Evelyn sat in a wheelchair, a blanket draped over her lap. Her eyes lit up when she saw us, particularly when she saw me.

“Oh, Sophia,” she said, her voice trembling slightly. “You remind me of someone… someone very dear to

me.”

I felt a strange sense of familiarity wash over me as I approached her. “It’s wonderful to meet you, Mrs. Baker.”

“Please, call me Evelyn,” she replied, reaching out to hold my hand. “You have such a warm presence! I feel like I’ve known you for a long time.”

Touched by her words, I bent down and gave her a gentle hug. “Thank you, Evelyn. That means a lot to me.”

Chris beamed, clearly delighted by the warm reception. We all gathered on the garden patio where we enjoyed tea and sandwiches while making small talk.

“I’m really honored that you trusted me with this project,” I told them.

Evelyn nodded, her smile broadening. “Let me tell you our story, Sophia. George and I met in college. He was studying business, and I was an art major. We were an unlikely pair, but love has a way of bridging gaps.

George chuckled, a nostalgic look in his eyes. “She’s right. We fell in love, got married right after

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CHAPTER 91

graduation, and started a small business together. It wasn’t easy, but we worked hard and supported each other through thick and thin.”

“Our business grew,” Evelyn continued, her voice filled with pride. “And so did our love. We’ve had share of ups and downs, but we faced them together. That’s the key, you know. Facing everything together.”

I listened, captivated by their story, feeling a deep sense of admiration for this couple who had weathered so much and still looked at each other with such love.

“You two are an inspiration,” I said sincerely. “Thank you for sharing your story with me.”

Evelyn reached out and patted my hand. Her gaze at me lingered for a long time, but it didn’t make me feel uncomfortable. I felt a sense of belonging with Chris’s grandparents, their warmth and kindness enveloping me

Spending the afternoon with Chris’s grandparents was like stepping into a warm, cozy storybook. After thanking them profusely and promising to return soon, turned to Chris, my mind buzzing with ideas.” Thank you so much, Chris. This visit was exactly what I needed.”

Chris smiled, his eyes reflecting the same warmth as his grandparents. “I’m glad you enjoyed it. They seemed to really like you. I’m eager to see what you come up with.”

“Me, too!”

We made our way back to the office. I could hardly wait to start designing, my mind swirling with concepts that blended their rich history with their love for rustic elegance.

As we entered the office, I noticed Julia standing by the coffee machine, her usual composed demeanor slightly ruffled. Chris greeted her with a nod. “Hey, Julia. Did you know Sophia and my grandma get along so well? It’s like they’ve known each other for years. You know how Grandma can be sometimes…”

Julia’s smile was stiff, her eyes narrowing ever so slightly. “Is that so?” she replied, her voice carefully controlled. “That’s… interesting.”

I could sense the tension in her stance and tried to ease it by sharing a bit about our visit, “Grandma Evelyn is such a wonderful person. She told me so many stories about their early days. It was really inspiring.”

Julia’s smile didn’t reach her eyes. “I’m sure it was.”

I couldn’t understand why she didn’t seem happy. It made me start wondering how she’s been getting along with the Bakers. After all, she was supposed to be the long–lost Sabrina Baker, and now she was back in their lives after so many years.

I was deep into the designs already, trying to perfect the layout. My focus was so intense that I barely registered the ping of a new message on my phone.

It was from Trevis: Sinclair Realty Conference room. Now.

I quickly left my work and grabbed my notebook, my mind racing with possibilities. Maybe it’s about the luxury resort. Or perhaps a new project is in the pipeline. The thought excited me, even though I already had my hands full. This was my dream, after all to become a full–time designer known for my artistic talent.

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CHAPTER 91

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Seeing Elijah didn’t affect me as much anymore; his visits to see Reese had become a normal part of my routine. But today, there was a different energy in the air.

I entered the conference room to find Trevis and Elijah already seated. Both men looked up as I walked in, their expressions unreadable.

“Have a seat, Sophia,” Trevis said, gesturing to the chair opposite them. “We have some great news.”

Elijah leaned forward, a familiar twinkle in his eye. “Do you remember our trip to the construction site in the mountains?”

I felt a flush creep up my neck. The memories of that trip were a mix of professional accomplishments and personal moments I wasn’t keen on revisiting in front of Trevis. “Yes, I remember,” I replied cautiously.

Elijah’s smile widened. “I mentioned that I wanted you for a very special position…”

My eyes narrowed in concentration, trying to remember his words. It was all fuzzy. With everything that has happened recently, I just couldn’t remember it.

Elijah looked at Trevis, who nodded encouragingly. “Sophia, we’re appointing you as the head of the design department of Sinclair Realty.”

The words hung in the air for a moment before their meaning fully registered. “Wait, what?” I stammered. Trevis grinned. “Congratulations, Sophia. This is a big promotion. You’ve earned it.”

I was stunned. My mind whirled as I tried to process the news.

Sophia Bennett, Head of Design.

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