Michael used to bring questionable girls home, and when his mother found out, he’d blame Sophia. He’d say they were Sophia’s friends and that she brought them over.
Michael’s mother would punish Sophia for it. Michael would silently watch, never speaking up for her, acting like a coward.
‘Was this what Michael thought love was?’
‘That was a big joke.’
Sophia thought only her younger, more innocent self could have been fooled by such a weak man in the beginning.
But now, she saw the truth.
“Sophia, I know I messed up before. I’m trying to be better. Please trust me, I’ll treat you well. I’m serious. I want to marry you and make sure it’s done with respect.”
Michael looked confident as he raised his handsome face.
‘Did he really promise to marry her?’
Sophia was shocked. ‘What was he thinking? How could he marry someone who used to be his maid? Would his mother ever approve? After all these years, was he still trying to fool her with meaningless promises?’
“Michael, stop with your empty words. I’m not the same person anymore. Your promises only make me dislike you even more.”
Sophia stood up from the shoe stool, no longer wanting to stay.
Just as Michael was about to speak again, a knock on the door interrupted him.
‘Who could be knocking at this late hour?’
Realizing something, Michael hurriedly moved Sophia behind him. He whispered, “Go inside and close the door.”
Sophia glanced at the door and then at Michael, giving a casual nod. Then, she turned around, walked into the bedroom, and gently closed the door.
With Sophia out of sight, Michael opened the front door.
Standing there was Michael’s mother, Miranda Hayes, accompanied by two black-clad bodyguards.
Her face was stern, with a prominent scar running from her ear to her cheek, changing her once elegant features into something fierce and intimidating.
“Michael, I’ve heard you’re in Edenfield searching for a woman. Is that true?”
Michael’s face briefly registered surprise, but he swiftly masked it.
“Mom, what brings you here?” he asked, his lips pressed together as he glanced at the bodyguards behind her.
“You two, wait outside,” Miranda instructed the bodyguards standing behind her.
The men nodded obediently, “Yes, ma’am.”
Once the bodyguards had left, Miranda entered the room and gracefully seated herself on the living room sofa.
Michael glanced towards the bedroom where Sophia had entered, then settled into the single sofa.
“If I hadn’t come, who knows what trouble you would have stirred up here in Edenfield,” Miranda remarked, dressed in luxurious silk attire. Even in Michael’s presence, she kept her hands neatly folded on her knees and maintained a dignified posture that reflected her noble lineage.
“Mom, please don’t believe everything you hear. I came to Edenfield for a business collaboration with Dave. Our family’s opportunities in Blosa are limited, and I’m doing this for the sake of…”
“That’s enough!” Miranda interrupted sharply, her gaze piercing. “Do you think I’d believe that? Are you here in Edenfield because of that woman, Sophia Johnson?”
A touch of irritation crossed Michael’s handsome features. “Mom, please remember your position as the head of the Hayes family. Let’s avoid speaking harshly about others. I’d be pleased if you didn’t act like this.”
Miranda scoffed in response. “Have I ever insulted anyone besides that woman? She’s the only one who deserves it.”
Resentment filled Miranda’s eyes and furrowed her brow as she talked about Sophia. Watching her obedient son defend Sophia, Miranda tightened her grip on the sofa’s armrest and fixed a sharp gaze on Michael.
“Michael, that woman takes after her mother. If her mother hadn’t disguised herself as a secretary, infiltrated your father’s company, led him into infidelity, and leaked Hayes Group’s business secrets to our rival, we wouldn’t have faced the financial crisis. Your father wouldn’t have been accused of financial crimes, and he wouldn’t have tragically killed Sophia’s mother in a car accident before taking his own life at home. I brought Sophia back to work as a servant. I wanted her to atone for what her mother did to our family. But this woman seduced you while I was away. Is she trying to destroy us, just like her mother? I had to kick her out. It was merciful that I didn’t do worse.”
Receiving no response, Miranda pressed on. “Michael, you know everything I’ve done for this family since your father’s passing, right? Many people have been eyeing the Hayes Group for a takeover. If I hadn’t held onto control tightly, our family business would have slipped away long ago. You wouldn’t be the respected head of the Hayes family today.”
“The scar on my face reminds me of the attempt on my life by those enemies. I faced danger to protect the Hayes Group and you, nearly losing my life in the process. Yet, you’re still involved with the daughter of the person responsible for your father’s death. Michael, don’t you feel any shame?”
Miranda didn’t set high standards for her future daughter-in-law. As long as she was decent, educated, and virtuous, Miranda had no objections. But Sophia couldn’t fit that role. Even if she had become a famous actress, it was completely implausible.
Miranda strongly opposed Michael’s relationship with Sophia, especially since Sophia was divorced.
“Mom!” Light fell on Michael’s face, but it couldn’t dispel the darkness that had settled there. “I know all of this. And I’ve already told you I don’t care about Sophia. That night, I was drunk and just fooling around with her. She’s moved on, married, and has a child. Why are you bringing this up now?”
Michael only learned that Miranda had kicked Sophia out of their home afterward.
Because of this, Michael had suppressed his feelings for Sophia, never visiting her until a business trip brought him to Edenfield.
He had felt hatred, sadness, and a sense of helplessness.
As the years passed, Michael began to question why they should carry on the grudges of past generations.
The business conflicts were harsh, and Sophia’s mother ultimately lost her life.
The feud should have ended there. Neither he nor Sophia owed anything for the past.
However, Michael kept these thoughts hidden from Miranda. Her focus on the past was strong; she loved Michael’s father deeply. Even after his affair and death, she never blamed him.
Instead, all her resentment was aimed at Sophia’s mother and Sophia.
Miranda’s fixation made her a dominating and strong figure. Her ruthless tactics ensured that anyone who disagreed with her wouldn’t last long. Even with Michael, her own son, she was very strict.
Since childhood, this instilled a deep fear of her in Michael’s mind.
Upon hearing Michael’s explanation, Miranda’s expression softened. “Then what’s this gossip I’m hearing?”