Ignoring her soaked clothes and dripping hair, Sophia quickly assessed that her wet clothing, while clinging to her body. wasn’t revealing anything inappropriate. She opened the bathroom door with as much dignity as she could muster
William’s worried face greeted her, along with several concerned staff members hovering in the background.
“Grandpa,” Sophia said with a strained smile, “I’m sorry about this. Would you mind giving me a moment? My clothes are wet, and I need to change.”
William’s sharp eyes took in her disheveled appearance, the bruises forming on her wrists, and the fear still lingering in her eyes despite her brave front.
“Are you alright, my dear?” he asked quietly.
“I’m fine now,” she assured him, though the tremor in her voice betrayed her.
William nodded reluctantly. “We’ll be right outside if you need us.” He cast a dark look toward the bathroom where Henry remained before ushering the staff out of the bedroom.
Once alone, Sophia quickly changed into dry clothes, leaving her wet hair untended as she rushed downstairs to find Billy in the garden.
Henry emerged from the bathroom, his face dark with fury as he stalked to the closet. He stripped off his soaked clothes, carelessly tossing them into the hamper while water dripped from his hair onto the expensive carpet.
“Sophia Wilson,” he muttered through clenched teeth, “you’ll pay for this.”
He had just pulled on a dry shirt when a knock sounded at the bedroom door.
“Mr. Harding,” the butler’s voice called, “your grandfather requests your immediate presence in his study.”
Henry’s jaw tightened. Of course she would run straight to his grandfather. Sophia always knew where to find allies to call for help. From day one, his grandfather had been wrapped around her finger.
William sat behind his massive desk in the study, watching his grandson enter with barely disguised contempt. The fire that had propelled him from his hospital bed to Maple Grove still burned in his eyes, but faced with Henry’s casual. arrogance, he momentarily found himself speechless.
“Do you realize,” William finally said, his voice dangerously quiet, “that what you just attempted is a crime? Rape is a criminal offense, Henry, even when the victim is your wife.”
Henry shrugged, leaning against the doorframe with affected nonchalance. “Isn’t this what she wanted? Trying to get my attention, and I obliged her request.”
William’s fist came down hard on the desk. “Is that what you think this is? Sophia being unreasonable? Have you never once considered that you might be wrong?”
“What exactly did she tell you?” Henry asked coolly.
“She didn’t need to tell me anything,” William retorted. “I know Sophia’s character. She wouldn’t resist you like this unless you’d done something truly reprehensible.”
1/2
Chapter 118
Henry tilted his head, his eyes filled with contemplation. “Grandfather, with all due respect, you should be more concerned with your own health than with my marriage. And to clarify–Sophia is the one who filed for divorce. She’s the one causing all this trouble. I haven’t said a single word about ending our narriage.”
William’s face flushed with anger as he struggled to his feet, gripping the edge of the desk for support. “You ungrateful, selfish-
The words died in his throat as a wave of dizziness washed over him. His knees buckled, and he collapsed back into his chair, one hand clutching at his chest.
“You… you…” William gasped, his face turning an alarming shade of gray as he slumped forward.
Henry’s expression changed instantly from defiance to concern Grandfather!” He rushed forward, catching the old man before he could slide from the chair.
“Someone call an ambulance!” Henry shouted, his voice echoing through the mansion. “Hurry!”
As staff rushed in and chaos erupted around them, Henry supported his grandfather’s limp form, finally revealing panic in his expression.
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