Replacement Bride Left With His Baby (Sophia and Easton) novel Chapter 20

**The Case of the Bleeding Shadows by Emma Blackwood**
**Chapter 20**

As Easton set foot in Japoria, his agenda was twofold. He was there not only to visit Rothea Designs and deliver a token of appreciation from the Foster Group, but also to glean insights about the enigmatic boss who orchestrated the company’s successes. He had heard whispers about this figure, and curiosity gnawed at him like a persistent itch.

However, to his dismay, the atmosphere at Rothea Designs was thick with secrecy. The moment he mentioned the design director’s name, the staff would fall silent, their expressions shifting to wary caution. It was as if the mere mention of her name cast a shadow over the room, quelling any desire to speak further.

A sense of frustration began to bubble within Easton. He couldn’t shake the feeling that the trip might have been a waste of time. Yet, as he wandered through the sleek, modern office filled with vibrant designs and bustling creativity, his eyes landed on a familiar face—a small headshot of Sophia, framed and elegantly displayed on a wall. His heart raced, disbelief washing over him. *So, she does know the founder of Rothea Designs. That explains why the acquisition by Crestview Group has gone so smoothly. She must have been the one pulling the strings behind the scenes all along.*

A wave of realization hit him. *If that’s true, then perhaps Sophia was the one who had quietly helped restore my father’s museum all those years ago.* The thought sent a mixture of warmth and confusion coursing through him.

Easton’s emotions were a chaotic storm. He and Sophia had never shared a deep love; their marriage had crumbled under the weight of misunderstandings and unmet expectations. Their divorce had been anything but amicable, a bitter end to what had once been a hopeful beginning. He had honored the terms of their separation, even stepping in to assist Crestview Group during a crisis. But a nagging voice in his mind reminded him that Sophia still harbored resentment towards him, a fact that stung more than he cared to admit.

Yet, despite the bitterness of their past, Sophia had made a choice to set aside her grievances. She had ensured that Rothea Designs would support his father’s museum. That gesture, selfless and unexpected, pierced through Easton’s defenses, stirring feelings he hadn’t anticipated. *Could it be that she still cared, in some way?*

After spending a couple of days in Japoria to finalize his affairs, Easton instructed Gordon to arrange a flight back home. He was eager to return, but the weight of his thoughts lingered.

Upon landing, Easton was immediately met with a frantic call from the manager of one of Foster Group’s malls. Panic laced the manager’s voice as he reported a stampede that had caused chaos, prompting a police lockdown. Easton felt a dark cloud settle over him at the news, and he wasted no time in commanding Gordon to drive him straight to the mall.

The mall, nestled among affluent neighborhoods and bustling schools, was a cornerstone of the community. A stampede followed by police intervention could tarnish its reputation and cripple business. As they sped through the streets, Easton’s mind raced with the potential fallout.

Upon arrival, they found the scene in disarray. The manager and a cadre of police officers had just finished dispersing a throng of reporters clamoring for information. The mall was eerily quiet, save for the presence of law enforcement and a handful of executives trying to make sense of the chaos.

“Where’s your family?” Easton crouched down, meeting the boy’s tear-filled eyes.

“Mia twisted her ankle, and I wanted to get some ice for her, but everyone here is so busy that no one would help me,” Lucas replied, his voice trembling with distress.

Easton’s heart ached for the child. He scooped Lucas up, his expression turning serious. “I’ll go get the ice with you. No more tears, okay?”

Lucas instinctively wrapped his small arms around Easton’s neck. “Thank you, mister. You’re really handsome. I like you,” he said, his voice still shaky but brightening with a hint of admiration.

Easton chuckled softly, lowering his head to meet Lucas’s gaze. The boy’s innocent charm was disarming—his sweet voice and chubby little hands tugged at Easton’s heartstrings. Without thinking, he reached out to touch Lucas’s hand, a faint smile breaking through the tension that had gripped him since he arrived. In that moment, amidst the chaos, a flicker of warmth ignited in Easton’s chest, reminding him of the simple joys that still existed, even in the darkest of times.