Replacement Bride Left With His Baby (Sophia and Easton) novel Chapter 74

**The Case of the Bleeding Shadows by Emma Blackwood**
**Chapter 74**

As Easton settled into his chair at the head of the expansive conference table, he methodically flipped through the stack of papers before him. The room buzzed with a quiet anticipation, the air thick with the weight of unspoken thoughts. With a deliberate movement, he lifted his gaze, his eyes sharp and inscrutable, scanning the faces of those gathered in the room. For a fleeting moment, his gaze lingered on Sophia, who sat among her colleagues, her focus unwavering.

The agenda for the day at Foster Group revolved around tightening the reins on trade logistics. The discussion was crucial, aimed at ensuring that all transport partners adhered to the newly established requirements. Sophia, ever the diligent participant, listened intently, her pen dancing across the notepad as she jotted down every significant point that emerged from the conversations.

As the meeting progressed towards its conclusion, the head of the Maritime Authority rose to switch on the projector, plunging the room into a dim light that cast long shadows across the polished table. Sophia kept her head down, meticulously revising the newly proposed clauses, blissfully unaware of the penetrating gaze that Easton directed towards her from his commanding position.

Moments later, she lifted her eyes, only to find herself caught in an unexpected gaze with Easton. Their eyes locked, and in that instant, Sophia felt her heart quicken, a flutter of confusion washing over her. Yet, as she studied him more closely, she noticed something in his expression—a glimmer of light, reminiscent of scattered stars, danced in his eyes, hinting at a tenderness that lay just beneath the surface.

‘Tenderness?’ she thought, blinking in disbelief at the notion. Shaking her head slightly, she chose to dismiss the thought and redirected her attention back to the screen, focusing on the presentation rather than the man who had so suddenly captivated her.

When the lights flickered back on, the atmosphere shifted, and their minds quickly returned to the matter at hand.

“Mr. Foster, we have covered all items on today’s agenda. Is there anything else you wish to add?” the head of the Maritime Authority inquired with a tone of respect.

Easton nodded, his voice steady and commanding as he navigated through the files, seamlessly adding several vital points to the discussion. Sophia felt a swell of admiration for him; he had an uncanny ability to cut through the noise, addressing the core of the issues without allowing any room for excuses regarding past mistakes at the port.

The department heads seated below him appeared increasingly uneasy, their expressions tense as they absorbed his every word, hardly daring to breathe.

The meeting stretched on for two and a half hours, and by the time it concluded, Sophia felt the weight of fatigue settle in her bones as she gathered her papers. Just then, the head of the Maritime Authority approached her, his demeanor friendly. “Ms. Roth, Mr. Foster has arranged a dinner for this evening. Would you be available to join us?”

A light smile graced Sophia’s lips as she replied, “I appreciate the invitation, but I’m afraid I already have plans for tonight.”

“Ah, perhaps another time,” he responded, his tone understanding.

As Sophia wrapped up the conversation, her phone buzzed insistently in her pocket. It was May calling. “Sure, just send me the pin for Yana Hotel. I’ll drive over now,” she responded, her mind already shifting gears.

Meanwhile, Sophia followed the GPS directions, pulling up in front of Yana Hotel, where she spotted May eagerly waiting outside.

“Come on, just park and hand the keys to the valet,” May said with a bright grin, already linking her arm through Sophia’s. “Let’s head upstairs. Someone’s been dying to see you tonight.”

May’s words were laced with playful suspense, and Sophia could only shake her head, a smile tugging at her lips in amusement.

As they stepped into the private room, Sophia halted abruptly in the doorway, momentarily taken aback by the figure waiting inside.

Successfully unlocked!

May leaned in closer, her voice a conspiratorial whisper. “I ran into him a few days ago. You know we always work with Hayes Group. He was so earnest when he asked if I could arrange for you two to meet. I simply couldn’t say no.”