Chapter 8: Leaving the Past behind
"No! I really need your help to move to your place!" she said with urgency in her voice. Noah nodded in understanding, quickly paid the bills, and led Sophie out through the side door.
After a little while, they arrived at Sophie's house. Just as Noah was about to walk in, Sophie turned to him and asked him to wait outside for a few minutes.
Five minutes went by, and when Noah finally stepped inside, he was surprised to see that all traces of Sophie's past relationship with Nathan had disappeared. There wasn't much for Sophie to clear out since Nathan seldom stayed over.
"Hey Noah, just hold on for a second. I need to pack a few things," Sophie said, sounding a bit rushed.
While he waited, Noah took a look around Sophie's home. In the living room, he noticed a big photograph of Sophie holding a trophy, smiling widely as she celebrated her success as the top model.
He thought to himself, "If she hadn't stepped back from the modeling world, she would have already become an international model by now."
Five minutes later, Sophie came out of her bedroom, holding a teddy bear in her arms. "This is all I have," she said, a hint of nostalgia in her voice.
"Are you sure you don't want anything else?" Noah asked, looking around as if there might be something she missed.
"No! Let's leave the memories behind," Sophie replied, shaking her head firmly, showing her determination.
Suddenly, Noah stepped closer and pulled her into an embrace, pressing his lips against hers. For a moment, Sophie felt a rush of confusion, but as she processed what was happening, she closed her eyes and kissed him back.
However, things took a turn when Noah's hands began to move under her skirt, causing them both to freeze in the moment.
"Let's save the rest for when we get home," he suggested gently, breaking the tension. "But tell me, has my kiss made your memories a little brighter?" he asked, his voice soft and sincere.
Sophie wrapped her arms around Noah, feeling the calmness of his breaths against her. In that moment, she realized that she was done letting anyone hurt her. From now on, she would hold onto what was truly hers tightly, determined to protect her heart and happiness.
Back in the Cherry Blossom Tree Forest, Nathan had been waiting for four long hours. He had planned to continue waiting, but then his phone rang. It was Amber.
"Nathan, where are you? I'm at your house, but I can't find you. My stomach hurts, and I'm really worried! Why haven't the photos been taken down yet? I feel like I'm going to be ruined!" Amber's voice was filled with desperation, and it seemed like there was no end to her worries.
Hearing her distress, Nathan quickly rushed home. When he arrived, he saw Amber standing outside his door, looking lost and pitiful. Without thinking, he ran up to her.
"I won't let you be ruined, and I won't let Global Pictures be harmed either," he reassured her, trying to provide some comfort amid her panic.
"Nathan, you're all I have. Please don't leave me or the baby," Amber pleaded, putting on an act of utter loneliness that tugged at his heartstrings.
Nathan gently patted her back, trying to soothe her. That night, he ordered his staff to release a statement claiming that there were other people present during the incident. The truth was that Amber had simply lost her balance due to her injured right leg and had accidentally fallen into Nathan's arms, landing on the bed. Contrary to what the photos suggested, they hadn't been kissing.
However, even in such a delicate situation, Nathan was still determined to divert blame onto Sophie. He hinted that someone was orchestrating these events and urged the public not to be misled.
Once Nathan's PR statement went live, he paid several influential social media accounts to help clean up Amber's reputation. Over the next three days, he employed every tactic he could think of to restore Amber's professional image. His ultimate goal was to continue to shift the blame onto Sophie.
He knew that gossip like this usually only lasted a few days before the public lost interest. Once something new hit the news, this little scandal would be buried beneath a tide of fresh stories and fade from everyone's minds.
It wouldn't be long before Amber could return to work. Their plan was to have her win a spot in the top 10 model awards, then announce that she would be going overseas to study. This way, she could discreetly give birth to their child.
The only reason Nathan was willing to accept the child was that Amber was his first love. She had stood by him patiently through the years, and he recognized her potential for a bright future. He wasn't about to let go of this opportunity, considering how much she could contribute to his life and career.
As Sophie's manager sat at her desk, she read over the press release from Global Pictures. She couldn't help but feel a bit amused by what she saw.
With a sense of curiosity, she decided to visit Sophie at her house. She let herself in using the spare key Sophie had given her, only to find the place empty.
Feeling unsure about where Sophie could be, she picked up her phone and dialed Sophie's number. After a couple of rings, Sophie answered.
"Sophie, why aren't you home?" the manager asked, concern evident in her voice.
Sophie, who was busy preparing a bath for Noah, laughed lightly. "Oh, I haven't told you yet! I moved to a new place."
"Where did you move to? Is it a safe area? Does Nathan know about this?" the manager inquired, her voice full of questions.
Just then, Noah walked into the bathroom. Before Sophie could respond, he spoke up, unaware she was on the phone, "You should have left that kind of work for the maids!"
Sophie just smiled, knowing she had a lot to explain to her manager.
Lisa's voice was filled with worry and urgency on the other end of the line. She couldn't help but question, "Sophie, who's there with you? Are you trying something drastic just to get to Nathan? I had a feeling something was up. In these chaotic times, who else would stand by a model who's stepped back? You're really testing my patience! Is someone helping you? Tell me where you are, and I'll come get you. You don't have to go to such extremes. Please, I need to see you right away, or I feel like I'll lose it!" Lisa's anxiety was palpable.
Caught off guard, Sophie felt unsure of how to respond. She glanced over at Noah, who was nearby, and covered the phone's mouthpiece with her hand. "My manager seems to think I'm up to something by moving houses," she explained to him, seeking his advice on how to handle the situation.
"My manager seems to have misunderstood my moving houses, so I need to step out for a bit to explain things to her," Sophie told Noah.
"Do you trust her?" Noah asked, his expression thoughtful.
Noah had actually looked into Lisa's background on his own. He found that she was passionate and professional, though a bit simple-minded at times. While she might not be the top manager in the industry, her loyalty to Sophie was unwavering, making her a valuable ally.
"Uh-huh," Sophie affirmed.
"Then let me go and pick her up right away," Noah suggested.
Sophie pondered his offer for a moment. She trusted Noah's judgment and realized she was no longer the same Sophie who would let others manipulate her. She was determined to handle things differently now.
She informed Lisa that someone would be sent to pick her up from her old place. Lisa sighed, sounding a bit disappointed, but Sophie simply smiled as she ended the call. Turning to Noah, she said, "I filled the bath. Are you going to use it now?"
Noah raised an eyebrow, buttoning his shirt as he spoke, "We have a guest coming, and the man of the house should be present. But more importantly, I want to bathe with you."
Sophie blushed, her cheeks turning rosy, but she nodded shyly,
Lisa was feeling really angry and upset. She couldn't understand why Sophie would give up so much for Nathan. It was especially hard for her to believe that Sophie would choose to be with another man, especially when there was clearly no real love in the entertainment world.
Most people in that industry were only looking for a good time. They would have one night of fun and then pretend they didn't know each other the next day. Lisa thought it was so foolish for Sophie to get involved in something like that.
As Lisa paced back and forth, her frustration grew. She muttered curses under her breath, feeling the heat of her anger. Finally, just when she thought things couldn't get any worse, Noah's assistant arrived at the house and spotted her.
"If you want to see Miss Sophie, follow me," he said, trying to sound important, almost like a mobster.
Lisa knew Noah, but she had no idea who his assistant was. Because of this, she wasn't very nice to him. In a moment of irritation, she lifted her leg and kicked at him, not caring about the consequences.
"If anything happens to my precious Sophie, I will make sure both you and your boss regret it," Lisa warned fiercely.
Ethan, trying to keep his carefully styled hair in place, winced as the unexpected kick threw him off balance. His face contorted in pain, but he quickly regained his composure. "Let's not discuss who will be paralyzed first. Just come with me," he replied, attempting to sound calm.
"Mmnnnh." That was all that escaped from Lisa's lips as she shot a fierce glare at Ethan while getting into the car with him.
During the whole ride, Lisa didn't hold back. She constantly tried to intimidate Ethan with various threats, letting him know just how serious she was. She even brought up Sophie's family background, hoping to rattle him further and show him that she wouldn't back down easily.
All that was missing was a knife at his throat to complete the tension in the air.
When the car finally pulled up to the estate, Lisa fell silent, her shock evident. The Tribeca—this place was a true landmark in New York City. It was an exclusive area with only a handful of luxurious homes, each belonging to wealthy and influential families.
"He—He... just who the hell is your boss?" Lisa stammered, feeling her knees wobble beneath her.
"You'll find out as soon as you step inside," Ethan replied, his tone laced with annoyance. He clearly had a bit of a temper.
Lisa's heart raced, nearly leaping out of her chest as her earlier bravado faded away. The thought of whoever awaited her inside sent a shiver down her spine. She realized that this person was definitely someone she wouldn't dare to cross.
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hasnathh [A. N: Thanks for reading, drop Powerstones that will help a lot and drop reviews if you like the story and add to your library]
Chapter 9: Surprise For Lisa
After the car smoothly turned and passed through the metal gate, it pulled up in front of a stunning villa with a beautiful fountain gracing the entrance.
Lisa was gently guided out of the car and taken into a lavish living room that looked like it belonged in a Spanish palace.
Sophie was lounging on the sofa in cozy white loungewear, her face free of makeup, yet she looked as gorgeous as ever.
"Sophie, what's all this about? Did you find yourself a wealthy old man?" Lisa whispered as she got closer to Sophie. "Did you do this just for Nathan's sake?"
"Lisa, there's something important I need to tell you, but you must promise not to get upset," Sophie said, pulling Lisa down to sit beside her on the sofa.
"TELL ME! Did you find a new boyfriend?" Lisa demanded.
"No!" Sophie replied, shaking her head with a hint of a smile she tried to hide.
"That's a relief!" Lisa sighed with contentment.
"I'm married!" Sophie suddenly revealed, leaving Lisa completely speechless.
A few minutes passed before Lisa finally blurted out, "What did you say?! You're married?! To whom? Why would you risk your happiness like this?" As Lisa bombarded Sophie with questions, Noah finished some urgent business matters and emerged from the study room upstairs.
To Lisa's shock, he walked behind the sofa, leaned down lovingly, and whispered softly into Sophie's ear. Sophie turned to look at Noah and nodded in agreement, "I know, I won't take more than another thirty minutes."
Noah seemed pleased with her response, gave Lisa a quick glance, and headed back upstairs.
In just those few moments, Lisa was left frozen in disbelief. "Sophie, pinch me, please. I need to know if I'm dreaming."
"Why?!" Sophie tugged at her to snap her back to reality.
"So, you're telling me you married Noah Kingsley, the CEO of Collider Scope Entertainment?" Lisa asked, trying to wrap her head around it.
"Uh-huh," Sophie confirmed.
"For real?!" Lisa asked again, needing reassurance.
"Yes, it's true. He's my husband now," Sophie nodded, affirming Lisa's disbelief.
Upon hearing this, Lisa's emotions swung from deep sadness to overwhelming joy. "No wonder your article stayed on top of the search rankings, and Nathan couldn't take it down no matter how much money he threw at it. Sophie, this is an amazing surprise! You made the right choice. If you were going to marry, it couldn't be someone like Nathan. But I never imagined you'd marry the CEO of the top modeling agency in the country, Collider Scope Entertainment. They're on a whole different level than Global Pictures. This news completely erases my hatred. Can you imagine Nathan's face if he found out? How satisfying would that be?!"
"But I'm not ready to announce my relationship with Noah just yet," Sophie explained calmly, radiating confidence and a dazzling aura. "With Noah's support, I know my career can soar to new heights. However, I fear that people will only see me as Noah's wife, not as Sophie the model. Three years ago, I became the top model in New York, and now, three years later, I believe I can achieve that again on my own terms. I want to reclaim what's rightfully mine. Lisa, if you're still willing to help me, we can tackle this together. But if you're not interested, I won't push you. I can help you cancel your contract with Global Pictures and find a better job elsewhere," she said gently.
"What are you talking about? Of course, I want to stay by your side! I dream of becoming the top manager of an international supermodel!" Lisa replied with determination. "But are you planning to stick with Global Pictures Entertainment?"
"What do you think?" Sophie shot Lisa a knowing look, encouraging her to piece the answer together. "Nathan has used me time and time again, and no matter what, I'll make sure he pays for it."
After hearing Sophie's words, Lisa burst into laughter, leaning on Sophie as her shoulders shook with mirth. "Sophie, after all these years of knowing you, I never realized just how cunning you could be! What's our next move? Are we going to release that video?"
"No! First, we need to secure a Brand Ambassador deal. More specifically, we'll take back what belongs to me right from Amber's hands. Once that's done, Amber's fans will definitely have something to say, and that's when we'll release the video. Lisa, you'll need to put in some extra effort. Help me edit the clips from the Crown Star Show and get them posted online."
"Got it! Leave it to me!" Lisa replied, her eyes sparkling with excitement as she nodded eagerly.
Hearing the plan filled her with a sense of purpose, and she realized just how much Sophie had changed. No longer the weak and fragile person she once was, Sophie had transformed into someone fiercely powerful when the situation called for it.
After their discussion, Sophie asked Ethan to drive Lisa home. She then rose from the sofa and gracefully made her way back into the gorgeous bedroom at the center of the villa.
Noah had changed into a comfortable robe and was relaxing on the sofa, savoring a glass of red wine. His head was slightly tilted back, accentuating his jawline like a perfectly crafted sculpture, making hearts flutter at the sight.
Despite feeling a bit anxious, Sophie gathered her courage and sat down next to Noah. He continued to sip his wine, then unexpectedly leaned over, gently pulling her closer by the shoulder and pressing his lips against hers.
Noah still had the wine in his mouth and shared its aromatic taste with Sophie through their kiss.
Sophie was taken by surprise, her cheeks turning a deep shade of red. Noah chuckled softly and placed a tender kiss on the tip of her nose.
"You know, if you can't handle your drinks, you'll be at a disadvantage at social gatherings. You need to practice," he teased playfully.
Sophie leaned against Noah's smooth chest, playfully replying, "So, Mr. Noah, how do you suggest I practice?"
"How about a small glass every day? What do you think?" he proposed with a smile.
"With the same technique as just now?" Sophie asked, raising an eyebrow with a hint of mischief.
Noah couldn't resist a gentle laugh and nodded, "Did you enjoy it?"
"Uh-huh," Sophie nodded with a smile.
"Alright, let's do that then," Noah said softly. He raised the glass to his lips again, and using the same method, leaned in once more. This time, after finishing the wine, they didn't part. They continued kissing passionately, transforming the sofa into their cozy haven.
As Noah's gentle kisses trailed down her body, Sophie felt herself trembling, her thoughts swirling in a haze of sensations that left her unable to think clearly.
She had never felt anything so electrifying, making her feel weak and pliable, like sand slipping through fingers.
Amidst the passion of the moment, all she could focus on was Noah's striking features—his handsome nose and those soft lips—but she felt the strength of his arms enveloping her. "Noah... let's move to the bed. I don't want to do this on the sofa," she whispered, her voice filled with a mix of longing and vulnerability. Hearing her plea, Noah paused, admiring the grace of her long, slender legs, as mesmerizing as a mermaid's tale.
Resisting his own desires, he wrapped Sophie in his arms, her bathrobe enveloping her like a cherished treasure. He lifted her up and carried her to the bathroom, gently placing her into the bathtub.
"What are you doing?" she asked, curiosity and confusion mingling in her eyes.
Noah kneeled before her, wrapping a towel around himself. He gently lifted her chin, looking into her eyes as he spoke, "I want your heart first. When I'm the only one in your heart, then I'll make you completely mine." His words were tender, filled with genuine care.
When he stood up, Sophie reached out, her hand grabbing hold of his towel. "I don't mind us being together like this. Do you still not trust me?" Her voice was tinged with desperation.
Noah patted her head gently, trying to calm both her and himself. "I truly want you, Sophie. You don't realize how irresistible you are. But I want all of you—your body and your heart. I want to wait until you're sure."
Sophie nodded, understanding the depth of his words, and held onto Noah's left hand, a silent promise passing between them.
"It's been a long time since someone has treated me with such respect," Sophie said softly. Noah understood the depth of her words. Despite her lingering anger towards Nathan and the desire to see him crumble, Noah believed in her strength and abilities. He trusted that she would find her own way to achieve what she truly wanted.
The Following Morning...
The big news about the two models from Global Pictures Entertainment had already been pushed aside by fresh stories making the headlines that day.
Meanwhile, any gossip about Nathan and Amber's supposed relationship was swiftly managed by the Global Pictures Entertainment's public relations team.
In the world of entertainment, news tends to vanish just as quickly as it pops up.
However, because of Sophie's responsible attitude and her decision to take all the blame onto herself, she gained a significant number of new fans.
These new admirers were eagerly searching the internet for all of Sophie's past appearances and photos. Little did anyone realize that Sophie was gradually making her way back into the spotlight.
Particularly during the Moon Night Show, Sophie's performance outshone that of the hottest models at the moment. Her newfound fans felt it was unjust for her talent to be overlooked.
As a result, they began sharing her videos online and reached out to Beautiful Soul to support her.
Upon watching the videos of Sophie, the designer at Beautiful Soul was completely captivated by her beauty. This admiration grew even stronger after seeing numerous photos of Sophie in various poses. The same designer, who had previously been upset with her on the day of the show, suddenly realized how perfectly Sophie complemented his jewelry. It was as if the pieces were crafted just for her.
The designer at Beautiful Soul took a moment to reflect. Earlier, his opinion had been swayed by misleading information from Global Pictures. However, with a clear mind, he recognized that Sophie's grace and professionalism were the perfect fit for the Crown Star theme.
Furthermore, Sophie's willingness to admit mistakes had built a sense of trust with Beautiful Soul. As a result, the company's senior executives quickly convened a meeting to discuss the possibility of appointing Sophie as their new brand ambassador.
After thorough deliberation, they reached an agreement. A phone call was promptly made to the office of the manager at Global Pictures Entertainment.
"Mr. Smith, Amber is almost fully recovered from her injuries, so the launch of your new product will definitely stay on schedule," Nathan assured.
"No, that's not why I'm calling, Mr. Nathan," Mr. Smith responded in flawless English. "We want to change our brand ambassador. We're considering replacing Amber with Sophie."
Nathan was taken aback by the request and struggled to find his words. "N... N-No, Mr. Smith, I don't think that's the right decision!" he urged.
"We haven't officially signed the contract yet," Mr. Smith pointed out. "If you aren't open to swapping Amber for Sophie, we'd prefer to cancel this collaboration between Beautiful Soul and Global Pictures and explore partnerships with other companies."
"W... W-We have other models, some even more famous than Amber," Nathan replied, trying to salvage the situation.
"We only want Sophie," Mr. Smith insisted firmly.
Mr. Smith was unwavering in his decision, leaving Nathan with no option but to concede.
Originally, this deal was Amber's ticket to securing a spot in the top 10 model awards. Who could have predicted that Sophie would end up reaping the benefits instead?
With this unexpected change, it was certain that Amber would be upset and throw a tantrum.
Beautiful Soul had reached out to Nathan's office with a request for a new brand ambassador. When Lisa heard about this, she couldn't contain her excitement and immediately called Sophie to share the news.
"Sophie... SOPHIE, you got the deal!" she exclaimed.
"Don't get too carried away," Sophie replied cautiously. "Amber isn't going to let this happen without a fight." Despite having the upper hand, Sophie remained vigilant and didn't let her guard down.
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hasnathh
hasnathh
A. N: Thanks for reading, drop Powerstones that will help a lot and drop reviews if you like the story and add to your library
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