Divorce To Marry a CEO

Chapter 9: Exposing The Hawthornes

The storm brewing around the Hawthorne family reached a fever pitch. Despite their attempts to smear Sophia’s reputation, Alexander Evans was always a step ahead. With every dirty trick they pulled, Alexander retaliated with a blow that sent their business empire crumbling further. But now, he was ready to end it for good.

Using his vast network of contacts and influence, Alexander orchestrated a media blitz, not aimed at defending Sophia this time, but at exposing every dark secret the Hawthorne family had buried over the years. The same media outlets that had once peddled salacious rumors about Sophia now ran damning reports on the Hawthornes.

It started small—a local business magazine publishing an exposé on Marcus’s shady business dealings, painting him as a manipulative and unethical businessman. Then, major newspapers followed suit, revealing a web of corruption, fraud, and exploitation that the Hawthorne family had been involved in for decades. The public was shocked to learn how deeply embedded the family was in underhanded schemes. From fraudulent real estate deals to labor violations, it seemed like every day brought a new revelation about the Hawthornes’ unscrupulous practices.

Marcus, Evelyn, and Lauren watched in horror as their once-sterling reputation in the business world collapsed. Their phones rang incessantly, as former business partners distanced themselves and lawyers scrambled to control the damage. But it was too late—the floodgates had opened, and the Hawthorne family was sinking fast.

At home, Sophia watched the news unfold with a mix of astonishment and relief. Alexander had warned her that he would handle Marcus and his family, but she never imagined he would go this far. She had thought they would retaliate quietly, without much public attention, but Alexander had made sure the Hawthornes' fall from grace was as public as possible.

One evening, as they sat together in the villa’s grand living room, Alexander turned to her.

“They won’t bother you anymore,” he said, his voice steady.

Sophia looked at him, a sense of gratitude swelling in her chest. “How did you manage all of this?”

Alexander’s eyes gleamed with a quiet intensity. “People like the Hawthornes thrive in the shadows. All I had to do was shine a light on them.”

Sophia’s heart swelled with appreciation, but also curiosity. “Won’t they try to fight back?”

Alexander shook his head. “They’re finished. They’ll be too busy dealing with lawsuits and ruined business deals to come after you again.”

Just as he said, the Hawthornes soon found themselves embroiled in legal battles. With their dirty laundry aired for the world to see, the family’s influence and wealth were quickly stripped away. Marcus, Evelyn, and Lauren were left scrambling to protect what little they had left. They had underestimated Alexander, thinking his involvement in Sophia’s life was mere coincidence. Now, they realized too late the power they had been up against.

Sophia was free from their grasp. And though the battle had been difficult, she felt stronger than ever, especially with Alexander by her side.

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The Job Hunt

With the Hawthornes defeated and the media frenzy dying down, Sophia turned her focus back to her personal life. She wasn’t one to sit idle, and while she appreciated Alexander’s protection, she was determined to carve her own path. Her goal: to reestablish herself in the fashion world. She spent hours every day sending applications, updating her portfolio, and preparing for interviews. One company, in particular, caught her eye—Allure Fashion, a leading name in the industry. It was a well-respected brand known for nurturing young talent and fostering creativity.