Replacement Bride Left With His Baby (Sophia and Easton) novel Chapter 66

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

**Chapter 66**

Sophia nearly sputtered her wine across the table, the rich liquid threatening to escape through her nose as she coughed violently.

“May, can you please be serious for just one moment?” she exclaimed, placing her napkin down with a decisive flick and turning to face May. Her expression was a mix of disbelief and frustration, eyebrows knitted together in a stern line.

May, unable to suppress a grin, gently patted Sophia’s back. “I am being serious, I promise. I’m merely analyzing the situation at hand,” she replied, her voice laced with a teasing undertone.

Sophia shook her head vigorously, her disbelief palpable. “No way. He’s completely wrapped up in Stella. Why on earth would he spare a second thought for me, his long-forgotten, estranged ex-wife?” The thought felt absurd, almost laughable, yet a small part of her wondered if there was any truth in it.

May pursed her lips thoughtfully and wagged a finger playfully. “Oh, sweetie, you’re so wrong. You just don’t understand men and their complexities.”

This was precisely why Sophia had sought May’s counsel, but the wild theory her friend was proposing was the last thing she had anticipated. “Remember when you mentioned Vincent from the Prosperity Group? That’s when I first started to wonder,” May continued, her tone shifting to one of earnestness. “Whatever Easton’s motives are for pursuing the Prosperity Group, it all began right after those rumors about you and Vincent started circulating. The timing is just too coincidental.”

Sophia frowned, trying to piece together May’s reasoning. “But they had been partners for years. Why would he suddenly choose to sever ties with them? It doesn’t make sense,” she replied, her voice steady as she attempted to rationalize the situation.

May, however, was undeterred. “This is just business rivalry,” Sophia insisted, crossing her arms defensively. “Don’t drag me into their corporate battles.”

Seeing that Sophia remained unconvinced, May pressed on, her voice softer but insistent. “And what about the gallery fire? He risked his life to save you, Sophia. That’s not just a casual gesture; it speaks volumes about his feelings.”

A heavy silence enveloped them for a moment as Sophia contemplated May’s words. Finally, she shook her head again, a resolute look in her eyes. “We have history, yes. But Easton might be cold, yet he’s not heartless. Your theory just doesn’t hold water.”

May paused, her mind racing as she gathered her thoughts. There was one more piece of information she had stumbled upon that afternoon, and she felt it was crucial to share.

“What if I told you this?” May leaned in closer, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. “Easton was the one who ensured Yvonne received those three extra years. Does that make my theory a bit more credible?”

Easton and Ryan had been engrossed in a serious business discussion, but their attention was drawn to where Charles was fixated.

“See them? In the booth downstairs,” Charles added, his voice laced with admiration.

For the first time, Easton noticed Sophia with her hair cascading down in soft waves. The vibrant red of her lips and the sleek design of her slip dress lent her an air of elegance that was both captivating and unattainable.

She truly embodied her reputation as the most beautiful woman in the city.

Yet, seeing her in that outfit at a bar filled Easton with a sudden, sharp displeasure. She was attracting the wrong kind of attention, and he found himself bristling at the thought.

“She’s fully unlocked!” he muttered under his breath, frustration bubbling just below the surface.