Chapter 34

• Sophia reluctantly retrieves her phone from her pocket, her gaze falling upon the screen displaying Leon's name. With a heavy sigh, she realizes that the woman she confronted must have sought solace in him, relaying the details of their encounter. She expects that the situation is about to escalate, as Leon seems to be reaching out to her. Reflecting on their differences, Sophia had hoped that the woman would not involve Leon and expose the ultimatum she had given her. She understands that Leon's influence could easily sway her, highlighting how their approaches to challenges differ. While the woman, weak in Sophia's eyes, turned to Leon to rectify the situation, Sophia has always shouldered her burdens alone, sparing Leon from the details.
• Recognizing that Leon's call serves no other purpose, Sophia declines it and shuts off her phone. She is not ready to confront the brewing storm when she finds herself in such emotional turmoil. Rising to her feet, she reassembles her emotional armor, attempting to adopt an indifferent facade. Wiping away her tears, she offers one last lingering look at her parents' graves, acknowledging the weight of her actions on their legacies.
• In a mocking tone, Sophia poses a rhetorical question, imagining if her parents would be devastated if she were to let go of everything. She lets out a bitter laugh, recognizing that her father held his legacy in high regard and she is the sole remaining heir to carry forth the torch. However, she also understands that her mother would stop at nothing to make her suffer for what she perceives as a betrayal.