Chapter 494

Sunlight streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows, casting golden patterns across the office. Sophia Laurent stood by the window, her fingers absently tracing the edge of her phone.

Alexander Valdemar's call came at the perfect moment.

She cherished those dinners with Patriarch Valdemar. The warmth of genuine familial affection was something she'd never experienced in her twenty-odd years with the Lowells.

"I'll pick you up soon."

His voice resonated through the phone, deep and gentle with an undercurrent of tenderness she'd come to recognize.

A smile tugged at Sophia's lips as she ended the call. This flutter of anticipation was foreign to her Lowell days.

Her assistant entered with a troubled expression.

"Ms. Laurent, the online backlash against Pearl Group is intensifying."

Sophia took the tablet. The screen overflowed with scathing comments.

"She's determined to destroy the Lowells!"

"Even Emily Lowell wouldn't stoop this low against her own family."

"Capitalists will do anything for profit."

Her fingers glided over the screen with detached calm.

"Ignore them. Wait for the press conference in three days."

She knew the Lowells too well. Dr. Quincy's departure had severed their last lifeline.

"Monitor the Lowells and Emily."

The assistant soon returned with updates: The Lowells had fled to Ryan Cunningham's villa, while Emily had been taken into police custody.

A humorless laugh escaped Sophia's lips, her eyes flashing with irony.

She'd given everything to the Lowells, only to receive betrayal in return. Now they were tasting the bitterness they'd sown.

"Release the news."

Turning back to the window, she watched the sunset paint the sky in fiery hues.

A new beginning beckoned.