Chapter 4

As Alexander sat in his office, he couldn't shake the feeling of urgency gnawing at him. His private investigator's words cut through the silence, snapping him back to the present.

"I've finally found her address," the investigator announced, his voice tinged with relief.

Alexander let out a frustrated sigh, his patience wearing thin. "Took you long enough," he muttered under his breath, rolling his eyes in exasperation.

Dominic interjected from his position in the corner of the room. "I think you should take it easy on him," he advised, his tone calm and measured.

Alexander turned to face his best friend, his expression incredulous. "Take it easy? Do you know how fast the news is spreading?" he countered, his frustration boiling over.

Determined to put an end to the chaos once and for all, Alexander made a snap decision. "I'm going there right now," he declared, his jaw set in determination.

Dominic offered to accompany him, but Alexander shook his head. "No, you can stay back. You've prepared the speech, right?" he asked, his tone brusque.

Dominic nodded, handing over a sheet of paper containing the carefully crafted words. "Here it is," he confirmed, his gaze steady.

As Alexander scanned the words on the page, a sense of grim satisfaction washed over him. The confession, penned by Sophia Bennett herself, would bring an end to the relentless speculation and put an end to the turmoil that had consumed his life for the past twenty-four hours.

"This is perfect," Alexander declared, rising from his seat, he marched out of the door, ready to confront Sophia Bennett and put an end to the madness once and for all.

As Alexander pulled up to the picturesque street lined with brownstone houses, he couldn't help but admire the simple yet charming architecture. Each house seemed to exude a sense of comfort and warmth, with neatly trimmed tulips adorning the sidewalks, adding a touch of color to the serene surroundings. It was the kind of neighborhood that felt inviting, like a peaceful retreat from the bustling city.

Parking his car in front of the designated house, Alexander took a moment to soak in the tranquil scenery. The gentle breeze carried the faint scent of flowers planted on the pathway leading to the porch.

Alexander knocked on the door and after a brief wait, the door swung open to reveal a man who appeared to be around his age. Alexander's eyes narrowed slightly as he took in the sight, his mind racing with questions.

"She has an actual boyfriend?" Alexander couldn't help but wonder within himself.

"I'm here to see Sophia," Alexander stated his voice cool and composed despite the questions he had within him.

The man regarded him with a guarded expression, but there was a hint of politeness in his demeanor. "Sophia's not available right now," he replied evenly. "Perhaps you can come back later.”

Alexander's jaw tightened, frustration bubbling beneath the surface. "I'll wait," he declared firmly, his resolve unyielding.

Just then, Sophia's voice broke through the tension, her presence a welcome relief. "It's fine, Jake. Let him in," she said, appearing behind Jake with a weary expression.

As Alexander caught sight of Sophia, he took in her appearance. Despite the signs of exhaustion evident in her swollen eyes and the disheveled state of her hair, she looked radiant.

With a nod from Sophia, Jake stepped aside, allowing Alexander into the house. The living room felt cozy, the space was a reflection of eclectic tastes, blending vintage elegance with modern comfort seamlessly.

Photographs of Sophia, another woman who was seated in the living room, and the man who had answered the door, now known as Jake, adorned the walls.

As Alexander took a seat across from Sophia, the tension in the room seemed to thicken. Sophia's gaze flickered between Alexander and Emma, her heart pounding in her chest as she braced herself for the confrontation that was about to unfold.

“I suppose you all know why I am here,” Alexander stated, his voice laced with an edge of accusation.

Sophia's breath caught in her throat, her mind racing with a thousand different excuses and explanations. She opened her mouth to speak, but the words seemed to stick in her throat, choked by the weight of guilt and fear.

“I'm sorry. I didn't mean to cause you any harm,” Sophia finally managed to say, her voice barely above a whisper. Emma reached out, squeezing Sophia's arm in a silent gesture of reassurance, but the fear in Sophia's eyes remained palpable.

“Who told you to do it? How much did they pay you?” Alexander's voice cut through the silence, with a hard tone. 

Before Sophia could respond, Jake interjected, his agitation evident in the tension of his shoulders and the furrow of his brow. “Okay, can we slow down here? No one paid anyone to do anything,” he interjected, his voice tinged with frustration.

"It was just a simple lie, I promise. I didn't know it would escalate into such a big deal," Sophia added, her voice tinged with regret.

"Well, it has escalated into a big deal now, so you have to clean up your mess," Alexander said sharply, handing Sophia a sheet of paper. She read it aloud:

“My name is Sophia Bennett. I'm a stalker and an imposter. I lied to be in a relationship with Alexander Sterling Harrington because I'm delusional. I've always wanted to be with Alexander because I'm obsessed with him. I love everything about his stature, his blue eyes, and everything else about him mesmerises me. I apologize to Alexander and the public for all the trouble I've caused in the past twelve to twenty-four hours.”

"You're going to start an I*******m live and read that out in the live, okay?" Alexander said with a commanding tone. Emma and Jake shared a look, their eyes widened in shock.

"She's not doing that," Emma declared firmly.

"I will," Sophia interjected, patting Emma's knees. "It's the price I have to pay," she said, reaching for her phone.

Jake's phone buzzed with a text from his father.

"At least you're capable of getting a girl to like you, surprisingly."

"Stop, you don't have to do the I*******m live anymore; I have a better offer," Jake said urgently facing towards Sophia.