fanqie novel
Chapter 26
Chapter 26
Standing beside the car, Sonia talked on the phone in the cold wind. She felt a little dizzy, and her feet swayed.
Toby’s gaze darkened, then he calmly took the phone from Sonia’s hand and hung up before picking her up and walking to the other side of the car.
Being lifted into the air all of a sudden,
Sonia was shocked, and the umbrella
nearly flew out of her hand. She panicked
and grabbed the man’s shirt with one hand
as her face grew slightly cold.
“Toby, let me down!”
Ignoring her, Toby opened the passenger
door and stuffed her into the car.
*President Fuller, are you done creating trouble?” Watching as the man tugged on her seatbelt, Sonia snapped coldly, “I can find a driver. You don’t need to care about
me!”
During their six years of marriage, Toby never cared about her. The two had only had a handful of conversations. But, after their divorce, she and Toby had met several times in just a few days.
When did Seafield become so small?
Toby noticed the discomfort and
stubborness on her face, and annoyance
filled his heart. “The weather is so bad. Even if you order for a substitute driver, no
One will take vour order.”
“It’s my business whether I get one or not.”
“Sonia.” Toby leaned closer to her. His cold breath enveloped her, and his eyes were cold and sullen. “Do you have to be so stubborn?”
There wasn’t much space in the car, so Sonia had nowhere to hide when he approached her.
Her face grew chilly. She was about to speak, but she accidentally glanced behind the man’s back and found that he couldn’t
hold the umbrella when he carried her into
the car. It was raining heavily outside, so
most of his back was wet.
Sonia’s heart gave a fierce shudder, and
the words she was about to say died in her
mouth as she quickly looked awav.
Toby cast her a glance before continuing to pull the seat belt across her. However,
because he was too close, his fingers accidentally rubbed against her heaving
chest.
Both of them froze.
Sonia was the first to react. She pulled the seat belt from his hand and inserted it into
the buckle.
Toby’s Adam’s apple bobbed. I’m sorry.”
“It’s okay. I know you didn’t mean to do it, President Fuller.” Sonia thought about
what Chester said when they were playing
cards just now, and she couldn’t help but
taunt him. “President Fuller, you’re a rare
‘saint” that’s only seen once every thousand vears!”
Met with the woman’s cold remarks, Toby frowned, but he quickly got into the driver’s
seat and started the engine.
Toby asked, “Where do you live?”
“Bayside Residence,” Sonia answered stonily, then looked out the window and
rested her chin on her hands.
Neither of them spoke again. Silence filled the car, the only sound was the slight swiping of the wipers.
Sonia had been exposed to the rain, so she
was feeling very uncomfortable.
Now that the heater was blowing hot wind,
the cold was replaced with heat. After a
while, she grew groggy and fell asleep in
the car.
They soon arrived at Bayside Residence, but Toby didn’t know which building Sonia
lived in. Seeing how flushed her face was, he figured she had caught a cold, so he looked for a drugstore along the road and got down to buy a box of flu medicine.
“Sonia.” Toby patted the woman on the cheek. “Have some flu medicine.”
After calling her several times, Sonia still didn’t respond, but she coughed a few times. Hence, he took the medicine, then
pinched her jaw and forced the medicine
into her mouth.
Sonia’s lips were a bit cold, but very soft. It
felt a little seductive, which made it
difficult for Toby to control himself as he
plunged deeper in.
All of a sudden, the phone on the car’s ammest vibrated.
Toby returned to his senses. His eyes
scanned over Sonia‘s slightly swollen lips,
whereupon he realized what he had just
done. His eyebrows twitched, then he
answered the phone.
“Toby, have you finished discussing the collaboration?” Tina’s soft voice sounded from the other end of the phone.
“Yeah”
*Then come to the Outlet Mall to pick me
and your mom up.” Tina said. “Madam
White and I went shopping, but it suddenly
started raining heavily. The driver went to
school to fetch Tyler. He can’t make it, so I
called you.”
Toby glanced at Sonia in the passenger
seat, then replied in a low volce, “Okay. I’ll
be there in 15 minutes.”
“Be careful on the road.”
There was a faint fragrance in the car, which was the smell of the perfume Sonia
usually used. The more Toby smelled it, the more troubled he felt.
Taking an umbrella, he got out of the car
and called Tom to inform him that he was
at the south entrance of Bayside
Residence
About five minutes later, Tom arrived.
“President Fuller.” Tom came over with some clothes. He was a little surprised to See Toby standing beside the car, then he
took a look at the car behind him.
Hey, isn‘t that Miss Reed‘s car?
Toby took the clothes and the car keys, then glanced at the car behind him with a
knowing gaze. “Drive her car and bring her to the Sheraton Hotel, then ask the
attendant to take her temperature.”
“Okay.” Tom replied without asking any
questions.
Toby drove to the Outlet Mall, occasionally
thinking of Sonia’s stubborn appearance
and her soft lips, which disturbed him,
He lowered the windows of the car slightly and he felt better after being caressed by the cold wind.
After arriving at the Outlet Mall, Toby quickly spotted Tina and Jean standing at the entrance, both carrying several
shopping bags.
He took an umbrella and got out of the car, then hurriedly walked over. “It’s so cold. Why didn’t you wait inside?”
Upon seeing him approach, a slight smile
appeared at the comers of Tina‘s lips.
“Madam White and I just came out, and
Surprisingly, you arrived at the same time.”
Reside her. Jean Snickered, “Who said we
just came out? Tina knew that you were
coming, so she wanted to come out to
wait for you! Don’t look at what she bought. All she bought for herself was a coat. The rest are clothes for you.”
“Madam White.” Tina blushed a little after being exposed. “If you say anything more, Toby will think I’m not reserved at all.”
“Oh, we’re all family. Why are you still being so polite and calling me Madam White?”
Hearing this, Tina blushed even more.
“It’s cold outside. Let’s get into the car
first,” Toby urged while taking the shopping bags from Tina’s hand and covering her head with the umbrella,
After Tina got in the car, he went to fetch
Jean.
After getting in the car, Jean said, “Tina, look at how well Toby takes care of you. He brought you into the car first before coming to fetch me, his own mother. How biased. I think when you really get married, he won’t care about me anymore.”
The grin on Tina’s face grew wider. Afraid
that Jean would tease her again, she
changed the subject and asked Toby. “Is
this Tom’s car?”
“Yeah.” Toby’s eyes moved, then he said in
a low voice, “Tom sent my car to 4S
Automation for maintenance.”
“No wonder you’re picking me and Madam
White up in his car.”
At this moment, Jean intervened, “I heard Tina say that you were talking to people at Sakura Heights about a cooperation, and you even bought some pastries for Tina. How many boxes did you buy? Let me try
some.”
Toby had wanted to determine if the person in Paul’s private room was Sonia, and he left the place with her too
afterward.
He completely forgot to buy the pastries.
Toby said, “I was so busy discussing business matters that I forgot about it. I
have the boss‘ phone number. I‘ll get them to send a few boxes home tomorrow.”
“Look at you. How forgetful,” Jena chided. “Tina was thinking about you while she
was shopping. She bought plenty of stuff for you, but you even forgot to buy pastries for her.”
With that, she took Tina’s hand and said with a smile, Tina, have dinner at my
house tonight. You’ve just recovered, so I’ll
cook some soup for you to nourish your
body.”
Tina gave her a small smile. “Thank you, Madam White.”
At this moment, the phone in her bag
vibrated a few times.
After checking and seeing the content and
picture in the message, the smile on her
face froze.
“Tina, what’s wrong?” Jean asked, as if sensing that there was something off
about Tina’s expression.
Tina immediately locked her phone and
said softly, “It’s nothing. My mother sent
me a message asking when I’m going
back. I’ll reply to her later.”
Jean didn’t suspect anything and turned to
talk to Toby.
After making sure that Jean wasn’t looking
at her, Tina picked up her phone again and
read the message her friend had sent her.
This friend of hers was also playing cards
at Sakura Heights today. She said that she
w Toby and wanted to say hello, but she saw himchasing after Sonia. Then, the
two of them sload by the car and chatted for a long time
Tima turned off the volume before clicking
on the video
She saw Toby saying something to Sonia, then he picked her up and placed her in the driver’s seat of her car before driving away
It was just a short ten-second video, but
Tina felt chills all over her hands and feet
as she held her phone in a firm squeeze.
Aren’t they divorced? Then why did Toby get
into Sonia’s car? And why did he lie to me?
Tina remembered that at the banquet that
night, Toby seemed to be on her side, but
as soon as Sonia made the request, he gave her the Ocean’s Heart because he didn’t want to humiliate Sonia. And today’s
video…
Tina felt a sense of panic in her heart. She was afraid that even though Toby and Sonia were divorced, Toby still wasn’t fully
hers.
Could it be that she was destined to be
unable to keep something she stole?
When Sonia woke up in the hotel, it was
already the next morning.
She remembered being caught in the rain
last night and catching a cold, but when
she woke up, she felt refreshed.
Sonia soon remembered that Toby had driven her back to Bayside Residence yesterday afternoon. While she was still in a muddled state, she felt someone feeding
her something…
Was it Toby?
Sonia banished the images from her mind, then quickly washed up before leaving the
hotel.
After arriving at the office, Sonia called
Daphne. “Dwells’ boss will come to the
office to sign the contract later, so get the
contract ready.”
Daphne was surprised. “President Reed,
you managed to seal the deal with
Dwells?”
“Yeah. Although Sonia didn’t want to admit it, if it hadn’t been for Toby coming to the private room yesterday afternoon, Dwells boss wouldn’t have relented and taken on Paradigm Co.’s order.
She owed Toby a favor.
“Okay.” Daphne nodded, then quickly went to prepare the contract.
After taking off her coat, Sonia hung it on
the hanger. Just as she was about to sit
down and settle the documents Daphne
had sent, the phone on her desk rang.
She answered, “Hello?”
“President Reed, a gentleman named Zane
wants to see you,” the receptionist
reported. “Do you know him?”
Sonia responded, “Send him up.”
Soon, there was a knock on the office door, and the receptionist led a man in.
The man was dressed in comfortable and loose casual clothing; his jet-black hair was thick with the ends slightly curling
upward, and his facial features were so
perfect that no flaws could be found. He
was handsome and carried himself with
ease and natural poise.
His narrow eyes swept nonchalantly
across the office before finally landing on
Sonia
“President Reed, you adapt really well.” Zane walked toward the desk, then pulled
out the chair and sat down. He began
makina conversation with Sonia as if they
making conversation with Sonia as if they were close friends. “You’ve only been in Paradigm Co, for a few days, but you already possess the spirit of a proper leader. I couldn’t tell that you’d been a
housewife for six years.”
“I didn’t expect that the romantic and
suave playboy who couldn’t refuse any
women would turn out to be the youngest
son of the mayor.” When it came to being
sharp-tongued, Sonia was never weak.
Zane raised his eyebrows. “President
Reed, I was complimenting you for finally being yourself, yet you’re insulting me?”
“I was praising you for being popular with the ladies.”
Zane knew that this woman looked gentle and dignified, but she was extremely good at talking. After adjusting his posture, he said, “I know that Paradigm Co. has an overseas order and wants Dwells’ factory to produce it, but I know a factor that’s even better at producing foreign goods.”
“Are you saying that you want to introduce resources to me?” Sonia looked at him in surprise. “Why?”
Zane shrugged, then spoke in a lazy and
casual manner. “We have a business
relationship, don’t we? If I have good
resources, of course I’ll introduce it to you.
Treat it as a personal favor!”
Sonia didn’t believe his nonsense. “Mr.
Coleman, we’ve only met once before, so we‘re not even close with each other, and
another man. If I don’t get my revenge, I’d
be a sorry excuse of a man…
Sonia looked at the woman in the photo. “Your girlfriend is very beautiful. I didn’t
expect that there would come a day where you would get cheated on.”
Zane ignored the sympathetic look she
was giving him. “Yeah. I can’t tolerate
being cheated on! So, I want to take revenge on Dwells. No friend around me is This content © 2024 NôvelDrama.Org.
allowed to cooperate with Dwells. You and
I are partners, so of course, you can’t
cooperate with them either. This standard of the foreign goods this factory produces
is higher than Dwells’. Believe me.” Zane
fiddled with his phone. “I’ll send you the
number of the person in charge at
Rentoor.”
“Rentoon?” Sonia was slightly shocked.
She knew about Rentoor Inc. They were a
well-known factory in Norfolk. Because of its high quality, many foreign companies approached them to produce their goods.
She even heard that their production
orders were scheduled until next year.
Initially, Sonia wanted to approach Rentoon
too, but because she didn’t have any way
to do it, she went for the second best
option and chose Dwells.
“I’m very familiar with their business in
Norfolk,” Zane explained. When he saw the box of mangoes by the table, he picked one up and peeled it before eating it. “Call him and talk to him first.”
Sonia immediately copied the number given by Zane before dialing it. The other
party picked up fairly quickly.
Sonia knew the overseas order like the
back of her hand, so her conversation with
Rentoor’s commerce department went smoothly. It didn’t seem like she was a newbie who had just entered the industry at all; she spoke in such a clear and organized manner that even Zane was
looking at her with admiration.
Finally, Rentoor’s staff told Sonia that after
signing the contract, they could produce
her goods within the time limit, but she
needed to go to the factory on Thursday to
have a look. The two parties would discuss again before going through with the contract
After hanging up the phone, the burden in Sonia’s heart was lifted completely. “Zane, you’ve done me a huge favor.”
“As long as you don’t cooperate with
Dwells, we’re friends.” Zane had finished
eating a mango and was wiping his hands with a tissue. “Four Seasons Orchard has good mangoes this year. Did Toby send
them?”
As Sonia thought of what happened
yesterday afternoon, she frowned. “No.1
divorced him a long time ago, so I won’t
accept the things he sends. A childhood
friend of mine bought these. You can bring
them back if you like.”
“Really?” Zane raised an eyebrow and gave
her a knowing look.
Sonia found the look he was giving her to be strange. After taking a look at the time, she got up and put on her coat. “Mr. Coleman, if you don’t have any plans for
lunch, let me treat you to a meal.”
“Sure. Then I’ll have to pick the restaurant well.” Zane followed her out of the office.
“Sonia, you b*tch. Come here right now! |
must teach you a proper lesson!”
As soon as Sonia came out, she heard the
noises outside, and the voice was rather
familiar. Looking up, she saw Jean
standing not far away from her. With her hands on her hips, she was screaming at
Sonia at the top of her lungs.
There were emnloveee around her who
There were employees around her who tried to throw her out, but they retreated after being scolded by Jean
Sonia walked over in her high heels, then asked calmly, “Madam White, is something wrong?”
“You b*tch. You’re finally showing
yourself!” When she saw Sonia, Jean
became even angrier. She stalked toward Sonia in a rage, then raised her hand to
slap Sonia
Sonia was no longer the daughter-in-law of the Fuller Family, so she did not have to
bear with Jean anymore. She grasped Jean’s wrist forcefully and pushed her away which caught the latter completely off guard. Because of that, Jean lost her balance and fell onto the ground. Her image was ruined as she moaned in pain.
“Madam White, please mind your
behavior;” Sonia said coldly, “If you’re
going to start throwing hands, I will not
hesitate to do the same.”
Jean was boiling in anger. “Sonia, how
dare you say that to me!”
Previously, when Sonia and Toby were still
married, Sonia was extremely obedient to Jean and would never dare to talk back. However, she had changed completely after the divorce.
“I knew you were a b*tch! You have been putting up an act all this while to cotton up
to me!” Jean scowled. Despite wearing an elegant dark blue dress, she looked
shrewish with her ferocious expression.
“You’re the one who refused to take a
single cent from Toby when you guys
divorced! What is this attitude you’re giving
me right now? Have you no shame?!”
“It’s true that I didn’t take money from
Toby.” Sonia looked directly into Jean’s
eyes.
“Why are you still pestering my son then?!” Jean snarled.
She then took out a stack of pictures from her handbag and distributed them to the staff who were watching, “Look at your boss. What a shameless woman. My son has already divorced her and even has a girlfriend now, but she still refuses to let
go of him. She just won’t stop pestering him!”
After distributing the pictures, Jean threw the remaining pictures at Sonia. “Take a
look for yourself. How could you be so
shameless to ask Toby to carry you into
the car?!”
The pictures which Jean threw hit Sonia
before landing on the ground. Sonia picked
up a couple of them and saw Toby and her
in them–she was talking to Tohv hecide
in them-she was talking to Toby beside the car while holding an umbrella. Because the two of them were standing close to each other, it seemed as if she was hugging Toby. On the other hand, the second picture was the scene of Toby carrying her into the car.
Little did Sonia expect that someone had secretly captured pictures of Toby and her when they were at the car park yesterday
afternoon.
Jean pointed at Sonia and continued to
reprimand, “Tina’s father has apologized to
you regarding the video, but you’re such an
ungrateful brat! You do know that Tina
likes mangoes, don’t you? And yet you
dared to ask Toby to send mangoes to
your company!”
Sonia was startled by Jean’s words. She didn’t know Tina liked mangoes and
thought that the box of mangoes was from Charles. It turned out that it wasn’t the
“I’m warning you, Sonia-you better stay away from my son! The reason Toby
agreed to marry you six years ago was
because of Tina. Otherwise, given your
status, do you think you deserve to be with
Toby?”
Seeing Sonia’s pale face, Zane quickly
stood up to mediate. “Madam White, although Miss Reed and Toby have divorced, they are still friends. The pictures must be a misunderstanding, Why don’t you go back and ask Toby about it?”
“If she didn’t seduce Toby, why would he carry her into the car?” Jean questioned,
“Maybe Miss Reed was feeling unwell, and
Toby merely helped her out of kindness. Madam White, this is Miss Reed’s office after all. You’ll put her in a difficult situation by causing such a scene,” Zane said politely
However, Jean darted a glare at Zane and thereafter looked at Sonia with her eyes filled with contempt. Then, she sneered in
a loud and sharp voice, “Ha! You’re really
good at seducing men, Sonia. Not only did
you seduce the model, but you won’t even
spare Toby’s friend!”
With that, Zane was rendered speechless.
Meanwhile, seeina how Jean was beina
increasingly unreasonable, Sonia grabbed a cup of coffee from a staff’s table and splashed it toward Jean’s face. The coffee was still warm as it was splashed onto Jean’s face and her dress. Screaming, Jean quickly took some napkins to wipe the stains on her dress.
“You b*tch!” Jean almost wanted to tear Sonia into pieces when her favorite dress was stained. Nevertheless, before she
could do anything, the securities had rushed up and held her down.
Sonia put the coffee cup back on the table
and stared at Jean coldly. “President Fuller
is a renowned man in the business circle. I
hope that you will conduct yourself better,
Madam White, lest other people think
President Fuller’s mother is a rude shrew.
Also, this is Paradigm Co.-my company.
Therefore, please make an appointment at the concierge if you would like to see me. If a situation like this happens again, FH
ask my lawyer to talk to you, Madam White.”
Before Jean could blow up, Sonia ordered
the two securities, “Madam White here has
disrupted everyone’s work. Please send
her out.”
“Let go of me! I’m going to kill this b*tch!”
Jean was still cursing Sonia as she was
dragged out by the securities, and she
looked like a shrew indeed.
Meanwhile, the staff sensibly dismissed
themselves and went back to their desks
to work.
“My apologies, Mr. Coleman.” Sonia smiled faintly while wiping the coffee stain which spattered onto her sleeve.
Thereafter, the two went into the lift. Zane couldn’t stop glancing at Sonia as he rubbed his chin with his slender fingers and commented, “I realize you’ve changed
a lot after divorcing Toby”
Before Toby and Sonia had divorced, Zane
had gone to the Fullers’ residence a few
times and had seen the way Jean treated
Sonia like a servant, ordering her about. On
the other hand, Sonia would always obey
her commands in a servile manner. As
such, Zane was very surprised to see
Sonia’s domineering stance today when
she splashed coffee at Jean and taught
her a lesson.
“Yeah. Thanks to Toby,” Sonia said in
sarcasm.
She married Toby six years ago because she loved him. She had been an obedient
daughter-in-law and served the Fullers
while bearing with Jean’s scolding and unreasonableness, thinking that by doing so, Toby would be moved and fall in love
with her.
Nonetheless, it was only later on did she
realize it was just her wishful thinking.
There was already someone else in Toby’s
heart, so no matter how she loved him
humbly and wholeheartedly, she wouldn’t
be able to capture his heart.
“It’s not a bad thing that you guys
divorced. I reckon no woman will dare to
marry into the Fullers aiven Madam
White’s character.” Zane freaked out at the thought of Jean’s fierce look. Toby is amazing for not being psychologically distorted having a mother like this.” Then, he changed the topic and asked Sonia, “The model seems pretty decent. When do you guys plan to get married?”
Sonia wasn’t that close with Zane and thought she didn’t have to tell him
everything, so she answered, “Carl is quite
busy and has gone on a business trip
overseas.”
Hearing that, Zane perceived that the two
were indeed dating, and he hummed in
response.
When the lift arrived on the ground floor, a
message came into Zane’s phone. He
glanced at it and turned to Sonia. “Miss Reed, I’ll take a rain check on the lunch as I have some matters to attend to.” “Sure.” Sonia nodded and sent Zane out of the company
After arriving at Majestique, Zane found the private room and entered it. Seeing that Toby was already here, Zane said immediately. “Your mother was making a
scene at Paradigm Co. just now.”
Toby frowned. “What did she do?”
“Sigh. It’s because of the person who took
pictures of you carrying Sonia into the car.”
Zane sat down and poured himself a cup
of tea. “I have no idea how she got those
pictures. She went to find Sonia in her
company and scolded her for being
shameless and seducing you even alier you guys are divorced.”
Zane continued asking with interest, What’s going on? Are you the one
seducing Sonia?”
“No.” Toby shot Zane a cold glance and explained in a displeased tone, “She wasn’t feeling well after being caught in the rain yesterday afternoon. I was worried that she would cause a car accident if she drove, so I decided to send her back, but
she was stubborn and insisted on getting
a temporary driver.”
“She’s right. She could have just gotten a
driver. Question is, why were you, her ex
husband, worried about her?” Zane tutted.
“Thanks to your ‘kind act, your mother
went to Paradigm Co. and called Sonia
“She’s right. She could have just gotten a driver. Question is, why were you, her ex husband, worried about her?” Zane tutted, “Thanks to your ‘kind act, your mother went to Paradigm Co. and called Sonia
names in front of all her colleagues.”
Upon hearing that, Toby was rendered speechless.