Replacement Bride Left With His Baby (Sophia and Easton) novel Chapter 25

**The Case of the Bleeding Shadows by Emma Blackwood**
**Chapter 25**

Sophia stood tall at 5 feet 7 inches, her posture exuding confidence, yet even her stature felt dwarfed by the magnetic presence of Easton. The air between them crackled with an intensity that made her heart race, a sensation that was both thrilling and unsettling. Their proximity was becoming almost suffocating, bordering on dangerously intimate, and she could feel the heat radiating from him as if it were a tangible force.

In a moment of instinctive self-preservation, Sophia took a step back, only to be jolted by the realization that her heels were higher than she typically wore. She stumbled, her balance wavering precariously, but Easton was quicker than she anticipated. With a swift, assured motion, he caught her, his hand firm yet gentle as he steadied her.

For a fleeting second, she found herself enveloped in his arms, surprise flickering across her features like a spark in the dark. But just as swiftly, she regained her composure and sprang away, her cheeks flushed with a mix of embarrassment and annoyance.

Easton let out a low, teasing laugh that sent a shiver down her spine. “Ms. Roth, you can’t even spare me a simple hello, yet here you are, falling right into my arms?”

Sophia’s mind raced, her thoughts a whirlwind of indignation. *What on earth makes this insufferable man think I still harbor feelings for him?* She narrowed her eyes, her voice icy as she retorted, “Easton, are you…?”

*Out of your damn mind?* she finished silently in her head, biting back the words. She caught herself mid-sentence, realizing he wasn’t worth the breath it would take to argue with him.

With a flick of her hair that spoke volumes of practiced confidence, she offered him a smile that was both glamorous and dripping with sarcasm. “I hate to burst your bubble, Mr. Foster, but you aren’t even a blip on my radar. Everyone in Jenston knows your type—those busty, sweet-faced news anchors who flutter around you like moths to a flame.”

She paused for dramatic effect, letting the weight of her words settle between them. “Even if I ever considered throwing myself at someone, you wouldn’t even make the shortlist. Now, if you’ll excuse me.”

With that, Sophia pivoted on her heel, striding away with purpose. Easton’s gaze lingered on her retreating figure, his eyes dark and inscrutable, filled with emotions he was unwilling to reveal.

The meeting she was headed to was with Vincent from Prosperity Group. When she had taken over Crestview Group upon her return to the country, Prosperity Group had already locked in a five-year environmental program with Crestview. Julian had been the one managing the project, but with his workload piling up, he had reluctantly handed it off to Sophia during last week’s meeting. Now, it was her responsibility to navigate this tricky terrain.

As she entered the café where they were to meet, she spotted Vincent immediately. “Mr. Shaw, I apologize for keeping you waiting,” she said, forcing a smile as she approached him. “I had to stop by the Maritime Authority and got caught up for a bit. I hope I didn’t delay you too much?”

Gordon blinked, taken aback, realizing that Easton hadn’t absorbed a single word he had said about work.

Easton’s gaze snapped up, his eyes sharp and impatient. “Didn’t catch that?”

“Y-Yes, Mr. Foster. I’ll get on it immediately,” Gordon stammered, hastily exiting the office, eager to escape the frostiness that enveloped the room.

Once alone, Easton’s focus returned to the images of Sophia and Vincent on his screen, a cold, sarcastic smile creeping across his lips as his gaze turned even chillier.

He thought, *You’d rather align yourself with the Shaw family than accept the far superior deal Foster Group offered? Sophia, you truly have a knack for surprising me.*