I Ctrl+Alt+Deleted My Ex and Ctrl+C'd His Uncle novel Chapter 87

**Through Silent Meadows We Trace Stories Left Behind Yesterday by Asa Rowan Flint**

On one hand, it felt like a bold proclamation, and on the other, perhaps she was simply yearning for me to acknowledge her presence, hoping I would shatter the fragile facade of my relationship with Liam.

“Are people truly this audacious these days?” Ryan mused, his brows knitted in disbelief. The world around him seemed to have shifted, and he found it hard to reconcile this new reality with the values he once held dear.

Sophie sighed, her voice dripping with sarcasm as she remarked, “Isn’t this just perfect? She’s eager to climb up the social ladder, and I’m desperate to escape. Who knows, she might even become an ally in my quest to rid myself of Liam.”

How had I devolved back into that lovesick fool I once was in Liam’s presence? It felt as if the chains of my marriage were already forged, binding me to a future I did not want.

This woman would surely be restless. The more she lost her composure, the simpler it would be for us to gather evidence against Liam. Once we had the proof of his infidelity, I could naturally sever the ties of this marriage that felt more like a prison.

Ryan’s eyes suddenly sparkled with a newfound determination. “When we blow this up, public sentiment will undoubtedly rally behind you. At that moment, winning Liora back will be a piece of cake.”

“Exactly…” I nodded, a plan forming in the recesses of my mind.

“Miss Chandler, how delightful to see you,” a voice interrupted, slicing through our conversation like a knife. Before I could turn to identify the source, a figure settled beside me.

Marcus, with his legs crossed and a glint of mockery dancing in his phoenix-like eyes, regarded me with an unsettling amusement.

“Marcus! What are you doing here? Didn’t we agree to meet at the office later?” Ryan’s surprise was palpable, his voice tinged with confusion.

“I just happened to run into you, so why not discuss things here?” Marcus replied, his tone nonchalant, as if this were the most casual of encounters.

Sophie felt a wave of discomfort wash over her. “Since you two still have matters to discuss, I’ll excuse myself. Mr. Mason, let’s keep in touch regarding any updates.” With that, she turned on her heel and walked away, deliberately avoiding Marcus’s gaze.

Was he a ghost? How was he managing to haunt her so persistently?

She had laid everything out clearly yesterday, so why was he still clinging to her like a shadow?

“Do you know Miss Chandler?” Ryan inquired, his curiosity piqued.

“The child she carries is mine,” Marcus declared, his words hanging in the air like a thunderclap.

Ryan froze, his usual composure shattered for a brief moment. The man who had weathered countless storms now appeared momentarily dazed.

Marcus remained silent, allowing Ryan to absorb the weight of his revelation.

“Does Miss Chandler know about this?” Ryan finally asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

Marcus hadn’t anticipated this question, and irritation flickered within him. “She knows.”

“I see now why you were so furious last time, throwing insults at those socialites and creating such a scene. You were venting for her, weren’t you?” Ryan’s expression shifted as understanding dawned, his fingers tightening unconsciously.

“So what do you feel for Miss Chandler?” Ryan pressed, the urgency in his tone unmistakable.

“She’s the mother of my child,” Marcus stated, his voice steady.

“Is that all?” Ryan’s question was laced with an intensity that surprised Marcus.

“Isn’t that enough?” Marcus responded, a frown creasing his brow.

“If that’s all, then I have no objections,” Ryan said, his seriousness palpable. “Marcus, I won’t hide it from you—I have feelings for Miss Chandler. I’ve liked her for many years.”

“I don’t care who she loved before, nor do I mind whose child she’s carrying,” Ryan declared, his eyes ablaze with an uncontainable passion that almost scorched Marcus.

Was it truly so simple to voice one’s feelings?

“So rest easy. If I manage to win her over, I’ll treat the child as my own,” Ryan promised, giving Marcus a reassuring pat on the shoulder before striding away with newfound determination.

Marcus’s expression darkened ominously as he pulled out his phone and dialed Zack Mason.

Sophie squeezed Mrs. Chandler’s hand. “Mom, let’s keep this from Dad for now.”

Mrs. Chandler nodded in agreement. “Alright.”

The three of them entered the hospital room one after another, ensuring that they only delivered good news to Mr. Chandler, who remained blissfully unaware of any unusual tension.

That evening, Sophie left the hospital and headed to the Grand Central Hotel.

By now, nearly everyone in their social circle was aware that Marcus was selling the West City land, so his whereabouts were hardly a mystery.

Sophie approached the private room she had inquired about. As she pushed open the door, she was greeted by Mr. Peterson from Southern Tech Corporation.

“Hello, Mr. Peterson,” Sophie greeted him politely, stepping inside.

Mr. Peterson, a middle-aged man who had neglected his health, sat there, his bulk suggesting a lack of self-care.

He set down his wine glass and leered at Sophie, his gaze roving over her with unwelcome interest. “Ah, Miss Chandler. What brings you here today?”

“I’m here to see Mr. Morgan. Do you know when he’ll arrive?” Sophie asked, stopping just inside the doorway, hesitant to move closer.

Mr. Peterson stood and sauntered toward her. “You’re here to see Mr. Morgan? It wouldn’t happen to be about that piece of land in West City, would it?”

Before he could close the distance, Sophie caught a whiff of the nauseating alcohol on his breath and instinctively took several steps back.

“I heard your father recently suffered a heart attack and was hospitalized. The Chandler Group’s stock has been quite volatile, so your family probably can’t gather enough funds to purchase this land now,” he said, a smirk playing on his lips.

“How about this?”

He extended his wine glass toward her. “Why don’t you drink this? After Uncle Peterson secures the land, I’ll ensure you get a piece of the pie so your Chandler family won’t face bankruptcy. What do you think?”