CHAPTER 135: SUDDEN INCIDENT

The next morning, Sophia woke up in Lucas’s arms.

"Up?" his low voice asked above her.

She kept her eyes closed and replied, "Weren’t you supposed to go back to your room last night? Why are you in the kids’ room?"

"I realized their beds weren’t big enough," he said.

She didn’t get it at first. When she opened her eyes, she froze. What should have been a bed for six children had been doubled in size—so massive that it took up half the room. The strangest part: she hadn’t felt herself being moved at all.

"I swapped every bedroom’s bed to this size—except ours," Lucas said.

Sophia’s drowsiness turned to shock. "How did you do that?"

"If I want something, there’s nothing I can’t do. Get up—it’s late," he replied, then hauled her to her feet.

Downstairs, the kids had already finished breakfast and sat quietly, waiting for Mrs. Wilson to take them to school. Before Sophia could head down, her phone buzzed.

"Hello?"

"Sophia, something came up. Can you come over?" Howard’s name lit the screen. If Howard called, it meant trouble—he never bothered her with problems he could handle himself.

LT Pictures.

Howard stood frowning as he looked at the young man in front of him. "You just debuted, and you’ve already caused a major scandal?"

"I don’t think it was my fault!" Leon insisted.

"Not your fault?" Howard asked in return.

Jodi beside him looked sullen. "They were insulting me—so he retaliated. That’s on them."

"Are you saying because they insulted someone, you get to start a fight?" Howard snapped. "Jodi, I took you on to be his manager, not his babysitter to watch him pick fights."

Sophia felt a headache rising. She’d invested a lot into Leon, but now he’d gone out and started a brawl after someone said something about Jodi—someone even filmed it. The footage hadn’t gone public yet; they were waiting to see how the parties would resolve it.

"Sophia, I really didn’t do anything wrong," Leon protested. "They started it—they slandered us!"

"If you can’t stand a few insults, you don’t belong in this industry," Sophia said, anger slipping into her voice for the first time. "Listen: I put a lot into you. Do you know how much? If this blows up, it won’t just affect you—your whole future in this business could be ruined."

She pressed her fingers to her forehead. "People are already circling. If you keep acting like this and can’t face reality, I suggest you quit now. Don’t waste the money I’ve spent."

"I—" Leon scowled. "I just wanted to stand up for Jodi. Why should they be allowed to insult someone’s family like that?"

Jodi rubbed her temple. "Sophia, you’re right. I didn’t keep him in check—this is my fault too. Blame me if you must. I’ll watch him from now on."

Jodi was a top-tier agent — loved by many, envied by even more.

She’d never had anyone step up for her before, let alone start a fight on her behalf.

So even though Leon had caused a mess, she couldn’t help feeling a small flicker of warmth inside.

Sophia took a deep breath. She’d spoken too harshly earlier.

"Jodi, I’m sorry. I got carried away — I shouldn’t have snapped at you. What’s done is done. Let’s focus on minimizing the damage."

When a rising star like Leon made a mistake, the media could spin it into a dozen ugly versions of the truth.

And since it happened because of Jodi, rumors would spread like wildfire — agent-actor scandals always sold best.

Sophia’s fingers tapped rhythmically on the table.

"Leon, you caused this. What’s your plan?"

Leon’s expression hardened with determination.

"I... I’ll take responsibility. The damage is done, so I’ll face it head-on. Even if it goes public, as long as our PR strategy is solid, maybe we can still control the fallout."

A faint gleam of approval flashed in Sophia’s eyes.

The people who filmed the fight just wanted hush money — that much was obvious.

Leon was still a rookie, but he already had the guts to stand his ground. No wonder she’d chosen him.

She turned toward Jodi. "And you? What do you think?"

Jodi didn’t hesitate. "We can’t pay them off. It’ll only feed their greed. If Leon really becomes famous later, those videos will resurface at double the price. We can’t give them leverage — not once."

"Good," Sophia said, decisive again. "You’re in charge of cleanup, Jodi. Leon, come with me — we need to talk privately."

Her appreciation for Leon was real — but so was her frustration with his lack of restraint.

"Sophia..." Leon muttered, lowering his head at last. He finally looked like someone who knew he’d screwed up.

"I warned you," she said, her tone calm but firm. "Think before you act. Every choice has consequences. I admit I lost my temper earlier, but this is your last chance. You won’t get another."

Leon nodded quickly. "I understand."

"Good. And don’t just say it — remember it. I don’t have time to keep cleaning up your messes. The semifinals are in two days, and I’ll be there myself. So make sure you prove me right."

"I will," he promised, clenching his fists. He couldn’t afford another mistake.

Sophia left the studio and headed straight for her car.

She slid into the driver’s seat, took a breath, and reached for the ignition—

Click.

Something cold and solid pressed against her waist.

Her pulse spiked.

"Who’s there?"

"Drive!"

His voice dropped low on purpose; she stole a glance in the rearview.

The man was shrouded in shadow, wearing something like a raincoat.

"If you keep peeking at me, watch out, my knife has no eyes!" he said, voice all menace.

She started the car. Her nose twitched — she smelled iron. Blood.

"What do you want?" she asked.

"Drive. Take me out to Eastern Mountains North Road, out in the suburbs."

So it was true — she’d run into someone with bad intentions.

"If you tell me what you want right now, I might consider it. But if you don’t say, I can’t help you."

"I want money. Prepare one hundred million dollars in cash."

One hundred million in cash? Her eyes flicked to the mirror. She couldn’t see his whole face, but could make out the profile. There were bloodstains on him — who could he be?

Her phone buzzed. She reached for it, but the man behind her hissed, "Don’t try anything!"

She answered. On the other end, Lucas’s voice sounded playful. "Where are you?"

"I’m out buying a few things with my mom."

Lucas’s smile froze. Sophia’s mom was Aurora — she was buried in LA. Buying things? Impossible. Could it be—

"Sophia, where are you and Mom? Want me to come get you?" Lucas asked.

"Why would you pick me up? I have a car. Besides, I’m not going mountain climbing. — I can manage. Your office is south; we’re not on the way."

Sophia kept her hand steady on the wheel and didn’t speed up. The blade at her back edged closer; the man’s voice lowered, "Hang up."

She said, "Mom and I will be quick. I’ll call you later," and cut the call.

"Now are you satisfied? But if you don’t let him know, how am I supposed to get you the money?" Sophia muttered.

He’d barely reacted when he heard Lucas on the line — a clue he probably knew who Lucas was. He didn’t rush his demand; whatever he planned, he was thinking it through.

"Enough talk! Drive!" he snapped.

Sophia’s fingers drummed the steering wheel in no particular rhythm. A bold hypothesis formed in her mind.

Across town, Lucas sprang up. "Alex! Get the map!"

Alex hurried in. "Mr. Hilton, what’s wrong?"

"Sophia’s in trouble."

Lucas pressed his lips together and stared at the map. There was something in what Sophia had said — not going mountain climbing, not on the way to his company in the south... City A had two mountains, one north and one south. If she said she wasn’t on the way to his southern office, she must be heading north. He locked on the northern mountain on the map.

"Alex, come with me!"

"Mr. Hilton — you found her?" Alex asked.

"She didn’t say she’s not going mountain climbing. She said she wasn’t on the southbound route near my company — only the north fits. Let’s move."

They hurried out of the building. Alex called after him, "If she really is in danger, why would the kidnapper let her send messages?"

Lucas paused — Alex was right. Who’d be dumb enough to let a captive send out information under their nose?

"Mr. Hilton, there’s another road: Eastern Mountains North Road. ’Mountain’ and ’Eastern Mountains’ line up, and north fits ’not on the way to the south.’ There’s a stretch of suburbs there — it’s perfect for acting alone."

Lucas’ eyes snapped sharp. "Exactly. Call everyone. Go — get me to Eastern Mountains North Road, now."

"Pull over."

The outskirts of Eastern Mountains North Road were wide open — you could see for miles. Among the empty lots stood a half-finished building.

Sophia parked and was hauled out of the car.

"Give me the keys."

When she hesitated, the knife at his side pressed harder against her waist. She bent, handed them over.

"Don’t look at me. Walk inside."

Sophia raised an eyebrow. "You’re Samuel."

Her voice was flat with certainty — not a question. The man behind her froze for a beat; then his tone turned harsher. "I told you to behave. You better listen."

"So what — you were at the amusement park yesterday, saw me take Riley to the hospital, and trailed me? Or did you find out who I am and decide to use me to threaten Lucas for money so you can run away?"

She was sure now. It was Samuel. At first she hadn’t recognized him, but there had been dried blood on him in the car and a rusty metallic smell. He’d kept his head down to hide his face, probably altering his voice on purpose.

It made sense: Riley’s attack yesterday, and now this kidnapping — likely the same man. Samuel had been doing illegal things; the net would close eventually. He needed a fortune to flee overseas and disappear for good. But Sophia had figured him out — and she had no intention of letting him escape.

"Samuel, do you even know what you did yesterday? Riley was carrying your child. You wanted to be with her, and instead you killed your own baby. You hurt Riley badly — all because of you. You were never meant for her."

"Enough! Shut up! I didn’t mean to!" he snapped.

"You didn’t mean to? You promised her you’d become somebody she could be proud of, and then you betrayed and hurt her. You followed me yesterday — you heard how worried her family was in the hospital. Do you really think they’ll let someone who harmed their daughter walk?"

Of course not.

Samuel pulled his hood off, revealing his face. Sophia had seen him before — in the file Emma had given her. The hotel footage had caught him clearly: tall and thin, not ugly, but with heavy bags under his eyes, like someone completely worn out.

Samuel stared at her. "All I want is the money. Give me the cash and I won’t hurt you."

"You sure talk big. One hundred million dollars in cash — do you know how long that would take? And you’re not letting anyone know where we are. How am I supposed to get that to you?"

Her words seemed to strike a nerve. He moved faster. "Give me your phone, now."

He was smart enough to know not to use his own.