Chapter 4 As A Reward For Her Acting

Gavin's response was quick and decisive. "Okay, I'll inform the client," he agreed, recognizing the genuine concern in Sophie's eyes.

Her face lit up with relief and a small, grateful smile.

"I'll get us a taxi. Wait here," she said, turning to jog toward the street.

Meanwhile, Sam emerged from the club, approaching Gavin with a respectful demeanor. "Mr. Hewitt, it's done," he reported, his voice low.

A subtle hint of coldness flickered at the corners of Gavin's mouth as he responded simply, "Good."

"Where are you going now?"

Looking at Sophie who was waving at him, Gavin paused to think for a while before answering, "Kreles Road."

Sam watched with a hint of surprise as Gavin climbed into the taxi with Sophie.

Inside the cab, the cramped quarters made Gavin visibly uncomfortable; he frowned, unable to stretch out his legs.

Meanwhile, Sophie seemed almost dazed, the stress of the evening's events still clinging to her. Her main focus was on reaching the safety and familiarity of home.

Once they arrived and entered the house, Sophie's tension finally began to ebb away.

"So, are you going to tell me what happened?" Gavin, still concerned about what happened back at the club and the implications of their abrupt departure, finally broke the silence.

Earlier that day, Gavin had already received the investigation results and pieced together Sophie's background.

His initial caution had eased; he found himself no longer wary of this young woman who had unwittingly become entangled in his complex life.

In his mind, he had even resolved to leave the house to her upon their eventual, inevitable separation-a gesture of goodwill for her role in the facade they maintained.

To Gavin, extending this help was a minor concession, nothing that burdened him.

Sophie, unaware of Gavin's contemplations and decisions, took a moment to collect herself before recounting the day's unsettling events.

"I had no idea that Vernon could be so shameless."

The memory of Vernon's unwelcome touch caused her to shudder visibly.

Gavin watched as Sophie's expression morphed into one of anger, her fists clenching tightly.

The sight was unexpectedly amusing to him-not cruelly so, but rather because it was so starkly genuine. Unlike the usual pretenses he encountered in his social and professional circles, Sophie's raw, unfiltered reaction was a refreshing change.

Sophie's voice carried a note of genuine concern as she warned Gavin. "I've heard that Vernon is connected with gangsters. You and your colleagues should be careful."

Gavin nodded, appreciating her concern, and then shifted the conversation towards her professional struggles. "Is this project very important to you?" he inquired.

With a nod, Sophie's face clouded with a mix of hope and regret. "Their company requires a large-scale creative advertisement. If I land this project, I could earn a commission of nearly two thousand dollars."

Gavin, accustomed to dealing in much larger figures, couldn't help but smile at her earnestness. He found her satisfaction with what he considered a modest amount both endearing and refreshing.

"That's a decent sum. Maybe he'll change his mind and sign the contract with you tomorrow," he said, half-jokingly.

Sophie laughed at his optimism.

"That's impossible, unless you threaten him or something."

Their light-hearted exchange was abruptly interrupted by the ringing of Gavin's phone.

He answered it, his face hardening as he listened to the report on the other end. "Mr. Hewitt, your grandfather came back ahead of the scheduled time," came the low voice from the caller.

Gavin's expression shifted, a clear sign that this unexpected return was significant.

"I see. I'll be right there," Gavin said curtly into the phone.

After ending the call, he stood from the sofa, his demeanor shifting to one of professional readiness.

"Something important has come up at the company. I need to go back right now," he explained to Sophie, who looked surprised by the sudden change of plans.

"At this hour?" Sophie asked, glancing at her watch. It was nearly nine o'clock, and she couldn't help but feel a twinge of resentment towards Gavin's demanding job.

"Yes," Gavin confirmed as he moved toward the door.

Before stepping out, he turned back briefly. "Lock the door!"

Sophie nodded, watching as he disappeared into the night.

Once the door clicked shut, she was left alone with her thoughts. It really wasn't easy being in Gavin's shoes, she mused, the weight of his responsibilities palpable even in his absence.

The next morning, the blaring alarm pulled Sophie from her sleep.

She hurried to freshen up and then made her way to the office, her mind teeming with worries about Vernon.

After their altercation the previous night, she was certain he would seek some form of retaliation.

As she predicted, shortly after the morning meeting concluded, Vernon appeared at the office.

His face was a map of bruises, hues of black and blue marring his features.

Sophie's heart skipped as she caught sight of him; his appearance was startling, and fear gnawed at her.

Had someone else attacked him after their encounter?

Or had he inflicted these wounds on himself to frame her?

Lost in her apprehensions about how to defend herself should accusations fly, Sophie was completely unprepared for Vernon's next move. He approached her with a smile, an expression so at odds with his battered appearance.

"Miss Brooks, it's good to see you. I'd like to sign the contract," Vernon announced, his tone unexpectedly respectful.

Sophie blinked, taken aback. "Mr. Gibson, are you being serious?" she asked, her voice tinged with disbelief.

Vernon's demeanor was completely transformed as he smiled warmly at Sophie, his tone humble. "I've always admired your work, so I wanted to sign the contract with you personally. I hope you can forgive my previous actions and agree to cooperate with us."

His words took everyone by surprise, including the general manager, Tyson Gordon, who was visibly shocked yet pleased with the turn of events.

"Mr. Gibson, it's would be our pleasure to work with you," Tyson responded enthusiastically, shaking Vernon's hand. He turned to Sophie, beckoning her over. "Sophie, come here and thank Mr. Gibson."

"Thank you, Mr. Gibson," Sophie managed to say, though her mind was racing with confusion and disbelief.

Was she right in thinking something was off with Vernon?

His sudden shift from hostility to amicability seemed almost too drastic to attribute to mere change of heart.

Yet, there Vernon was, signing the contract without any signs of hesitation and repeatedly praising Sophie in front of her supervisors.

"Miss Brooks is quite exceptional. You're lucky to have such an excellent employee in your company," Vernon declared, much to the delight of Tyson.

The contract was signed and stamped, officially binding, while Sophie still stood in a daze, trying to process the rapid developments.

As Vernon prepared to leave, he addressed her once more.

"Now that the contract has been signed, I'm heading out. Miss Brooks, if you have any questions, just call me."

Everything was just so weird!

"Sure thing. Goodbye, Mr. Gibson!"

Sophie watched as Vernon departed, and then turned to face Tyson, whose expression mirrored her own bewilderment.

"Sophie, what did you do to him? Don't tell me all those bruises on his face came from you," Tyson asked, half-joking yet genuinely curious.

The sight of a potential client showing up with such visible injuries as well as equal enthusiasm to sign a contract was unprecedented and utterly perplexing.

Sophie shook her head, a wry smile crossing her lips. "Do you think he'd be here signing a contract if I had hit him?" she murmured, her voice tinged with irony.

Tyson let out a relieved chuckle, realizing the absurdity of the situation. "You're right," he conceded, his suspicions easing.

With a shake of his head, bemused by the morning's events, he turned and retreated to his office.

Sophie's day, however, was far from over. She had another client appointment scheduled for the afternoon.

In the parking lot.

Vernon quickly pulled out his phone and made a call.

"Yes, I've signed the contract with her. You can count on me. I promise there won't be a next time," he said in a hushed, urgent tone.

As Sophie's workday drew to a close, her phone rang with a call from Gavin.

"My grandfather has returned. He's eager to meet you. Where are you now? I'll come get you."

"I'm at the office still. Should I bring anything for him?" Sophie inquired, considering the etiquette for such a visit.

"No need," Gavin responded crisply before hanging up.

Despite Gavin's advice, Sophie opted to make a good impression by stopping at a nearby supermarket to buy some thoughtful gifts, spending over five hundred dollars- an expense that meant she'd probably have to borrow money from her friends to make ends meet for the month.

She waited outside the supermarket with her purchases, and soon a gleaming Maserati pulled up to the curb. Gavin rolled down the window, his handsome features framed by the car's luxurious interior.

"Come on in," he invited, his voice warm.

Surprised by the opulence of the vehicle, Sophie couldn't help but blurt out, "This is your car?"

Gavin chuckled at her reaction, clearly amused by her surprise.