Chapter 271: Playing a Game of Three
Sophia finished talking, and Neil's grip tightened.
His palm felt so hot it was like it was burning her wrist.
Neil was already in his suit, the gray stripes making him look all composed and proper, a far cry from the passionate guy he'd been in bed. He said seriously, "Sophia, taking emergency contraceptives will mess up your hormones and is bad for your health."
Sophia found it funny. "Getting an abortion is worse for my health, don't you know that?"
Neil stayed calm. "If you get pregnant, have the baby."
Sophia stared at him. "Neil, do you think you're being responsible? We're divorced, and you still want me to have your baby? Fine, in exchange for thirty percent of the Ortiz Group's shares!"
Sophia knew Neil held sixty percent of the Ortiz Group's shares.
Asking for half of his shares seemed crazy, but Sophia wasn't scared and stood her ground.
Neil frowned. "Sophia, I can give you real estate worth the shares, but the shares involve too many things."
Thirty percent of the shares was a big deal for a conglomerate. Even one percent had to be given with extreme caution!
Since taking over the Ortiz family, Neil had always put family interests first, with everything and everyone else taking a back seat. He carried not just his own life but the weight of every one in the company, and every step had to be flawless.
Sophia laughed, a bit disappointed. "Neil, I'm the daughter of the Hammer family. Do you really think I care that much about money?"
As a member of the Hammer clan, Sophia was used to getting what she wanted and was an idealist when it came to love.
This was also the main reason she accepted the arranged marriage but then wanted a divorce.
She wanted a love that was one hundred percent, fully committed, which Neil couldn't give. Neil trusted no one but himself.
Guardedness was his nature, but it was Sophia's bottom line.
Neil was puzzled. "Then what do you want? Do you really need the shares?"
It was more about trust than the shares.
Sophia knew it was useless to say more to Neil. She pulled her wrist back and said calmly, "Yes, just the shares. If you can't give them, don't show up in front of me again."
"I'll consider it." Neil saying this had already crossed his bottom line. He didn't forget the purpose of his visit. "That model..."
"Wait." Sophia interrupted him, a bit puzzled. "Tell me, what made you suddenly decide to explain your scandal to me?"
During their marriage, she had asked once, not long after they got married.
She still remembered how Neil had answered.
He just said, "Don't worry about it."
It seemed like it was none of Sophia's business.
Since then, Sophia hadn't bothered to ask another word.
Neil realized she really cared about it and explained in more detail, "Jerry told me. Sophia, that model is just the spokesperson for a new product of the group. I ran into her once in the underground parking lot when she came to sign the endorsement contract."
Sophia asked again, "That's it?"
Neil nodded. "That's it."
Sophia knew he wasn't lying and couldn't help but marvel at the paparazzi's ability to fabricate stories.
Running into her once in the parking lot was turned into a vivid story of Neil and supermodel Katherine Dixon entering and leaving the company together, announcing good news, and a wedding imminent.
Sophia nodded. "Alright, got it."
Neil asked, "That's it?"
Sophia replied, "That's it."
Neil looked at her. "What about that young boyfriend of yours?"
There was a young mixed-race guy in the photo that Sophia posted online, a different person from the one she had posted about half a month ago.
Sophia joked, "If you don't leave, how can he come?"
Neil spoke calmly, "Where did you find the actor?"
Sophia retorted, "Actor?"
Neil said calmly, "Isn't he an actor? Do you really change boyfriends every half month, Sophia? You're not that reckless."
A vibrant young man opened the door from outside, saw the situation inside, and knocked uncertainly. He looked at Sophia and said with a suggestive smile. "Sophia, are we playing a game of three today?"
Neil's face turned dark.
Sophia glanced at Neil. "What do you think, Mr. Ortiz?"
"Nonsense!" Neil's face darkened, and he directly opened her suitcase, stuffing clothes and personal items into it haphazardly.
Sophia was dumbfounded. "Neil, what are you doing?"
"You've had enough fun on this trip; it's time to go home!" Neil closed the suitcase, grabbed it with one hand, and pulled Sophia out with the other.
Sophia was so angry. "You lunatic! Bastard! Old-fashioned jerk! Do you think you're still my husband? Can you still control me? Let go of me now!"
The mixed-race guy stood at the door, adding fuel to the fire. "Sophia, why is he so violent? Doesn't he worry about hurting you? I would never treat you like this."
For the first time, Sophia saw an irritable emotion on Neil's face!
The moment Neil suddenly let go of her wrist, she hurriedly grabbed his hand. "Neil! I'll listen to you, let's go back!"
Neil looked down, his face still dark. "No more games?"
Sophia was a bit baffled. "So what if I want to play games? Is that why you're angry?"
Neil struggled to suppress his anger, just as the mixed-race guy spoke up, "Yeah, or is it because people your age don't like playing checkers anymore?"
Neil's eyebrows twitched, and he looked at Sophia. "The game you were talking about was checkers?"
"What else?" Sophia rolled her eyes. Just as she finished speaking, she suddenly realized and stared at Neil in disbelief. "Neil, you look so proper, but your thoughts are so dirty?"
Neil cleared his throat uncomfortably, maintaining his usual demeanor, and changed the subject. "Didn't you promise to go back with me? Let's go, the car is already waiting downstairs."
Neil was pressed for time on this trip. His initial plan was to see Sophia once and then catch an early flight back the next day. There were several project meetings waiting for him. It would be ideal if he could bring her back with him.
Sophia wanted to back out. "I still want to stay a few more days."
Neil whispered, "Nolan misses you."
"Impossible." Sophia knew Nolan too well. "He's always been clingy with Jerry. Jerry used to dislike kids and didn't want to deal with him. Now that Jerry needs him, Nolan is more than happy to oblige."
"Needs him?" Neil was puzzled as he led her downstairs to check out. "What could Jerry possibly need from a child?"
Sophia shrugged. "You wouldn't understand even if I told you."
"Try me."
"Chasing his crush." Sophia glanced at him and muttered softly, "You've never truly liked anyone, how could you understand?"
Neil's expression darkened for a moment, as if he was momentarily lost in thought. "Who told you I've never loved anyone?"
"Who?" Sophia laughed, her tone teasing and seductive. "Me?"
That day, I carried a sleepy Nolan out of bed and took him to the bathroom to wash up.
Ellen was already in the kitchen making breakfast, and the sweet smell of oatmeal filled the air.
"Hope!"
Elissa suddenly rushed out of the guest room, holding her phone and looking for me. She stood at the bathroom door, jumping up and down excitedly. "We're famous again, completely famous!"
I looked at her, noticing the dark circles under her eyes from a hangover, and handed the toothbrush with toothpaste to Nolan. "What do you mean?"
"ElevateJoy!" Elissa handed me her phone, "Look! Last night, Madison walked the red carpet in a dress you designed. During the interview, she mentioned you and ElevateJoy, and her studio posted it online."
Elissa added, "Madison is a natural traffic magnet. Anyone associated with her becomes famous. Several news outlets have your name now. ElevateJoy's online orders have exploded, and custom orders are booked through next year. If you hadn't said you could only take orders a year in advance, we'd be booked for years."
Elissa laughed, "Now several top-tier celebrities' agents have already added me on Facebook. As soon as I accepted, they messaged me, specifically asking for your designs! They're willing to pay double!"
I was stunned. "She mentioned me and ElevateJoy?"
Yesterday, Nolan had spent the day at the Ortiz family. When he came back, he was exhausted and fell asleep early, insisting I tell him a bedtime story.
As I told the story, I fell asleep too and forgot it was the film festival yesterday.
I opened my social account and saw Madison's studio post: [Thanks to Hope Royston and ElevateJoy.] The picture was of Madison in the dress.
I hadn't seen Madison in the dress since our fallout, and it was indeed stunning.
Elissa was overjoyed. "Yeah. Her one post achieved what the marketing department couldn't in two years. You should call and thank her."
"I'll think about it." I hesitated.
Madison's attitude last time clearly showed she didn't want anything to do with me.
It was probably because the Harris family or Larry had deeply offended her.
Even if my relationship with Larry was strained, I couldn't deny our blood ties. It wouldn't make sense to force Madison to associate with me.
Elissa saw through me. "Are you worried about last time?"
I nodded. "Yes."
"But since Madison did this last night, maybe she's moved on?"
I smiled wryly. "Perhaps. However, I can't exploit her generosity to advance myself."
Just then, my phone rang.
The caller ID showed Madison.
I was stunned, even more surprised, and answer with a smile. "Ms. Ortiz!"
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