The next day, Sophia finally had a rare quiet morning. She was lounging in the sun-drenched garden when her phone rang, shattering the peace.
“You’ve been quiet forever—cat got your tongue?” she snapped.
The caller hesitated, stammering nervously, “Wait—Vanessa Cole wants to talk to you.”
Sophia frowned, rubbing her temples. “Vanessa? What does she want now? If she’s got a grudge, she can come to my house and say it to my face. No need to stalk me through you.”
“You forgot? Before your divorce, she fell sick—she’s been trying to contact the Ghost Doctor for treatment. That’s… you. Naturally, she reached out to me.”
Sophia smirked. “Oh, that’s interesting.”
As ideas for mischief danced in her head, the voice on the phone hurried her. “She’s ready to pay up front. Do you want the job or not? If you don’t, I’ll just decline her offer.”
“Take it. Tell her to meet me at Uptown Café.”
She hung up, stroked the cat sleeping in her lap, then stood. “Time to handle some business.”
But just as she grabbed her coat, Ethan appeared at the garden gate.
“Dad wants you to attend a gala tonight—with Nathan Torres. Maybe pick out a new dress while you’re out. You’ve been gone for years, Sophia—you deserve some new clothes.”
Sophia stopped mid-stride. “Nathan again? And a gala? Why am I suddenly his plus-one?”
Ethan chuckled. “Can’t tell you that. Just don’t forget the dress.”
He left her to stew in frustration. Sophia glared at his retreating back, then down at her cat. “You live the good life, huh? I’ve got work to do.”
She tossed on her coat and left for the café.
A few blocks away, Vanessa Cole arrived in a chauffeur-driven car, sunglasses and all, dressed like she was heading for a fashion shoot.
“Remember,” she told the driver, “the Ghost Doctor doesn’t like chatter. Let me do the talking.”
The chauffeur just sighed, pocketing the keys before following her inside.
Vanessa scanned the café, then froze.
“Well, well. Sophia Reed. Didn’t your sugar daddy have you on a leash? What are you doing here alone?”
Sophia stirred her coffee lazily. “You really don’t learn, do you? Keep running that mouth, and it’s your face that’ll pay for it.”
Vanessa’s smile turned sharp. She lunged to grab the cup and throw it—but Sophia flicked it aside before she could.
“You—!”
“What, me? I reserved this table, ordered this coffee. You trying to steal from me now? Has your family gone so broke you’ve resorted to scavenging leftovers?”
The entire café went silent. Every head turned toward Vanessa.
“She’s dressed to impress but can’t afford her own drink,” someone whispered. “Guess even the rich can go broke.”
Vanessa’s cheeks flushed crimson. She yanked her sunglasses back on, hissing, “You only have money because your man pays for everything. I’m not here to fight—I’m here to meet someone important. You’re not worth my time.”
The chauffeur frowned. “Strange. The Ghost Doctor should be here by now… but everyone here’s on a date. Are we early?”
“Doesn’t matter,” Vanessa said stiffly. “We’ll wait. It looks better that way.”
From her corner, Sophia smirked. Watching Vanessa make a fool of herself was almost too easy. She picked up her coffee and began walking toward them, ready to play her next move.
