Divorce To Marry a CEO

Chapter 46: Jessica's scheme

Larry stood frozen, watching as Sophia leaned into the car and gave Alexander a kiss. The affection between them was clear—there was no denying their connection. His heart sank as jealousy surged through him, but he kept his expression neutral, unwilling to let his feelings show.

As Sophia got into the car and they drove off, Larry sighed. He knew that there was no place for him in her life, but he couldn’t help the growing feelings that tugged at him. For now, all he could do was watch from the sidelines.

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But Larry wasn’t just visiting Sophia. Over the past few weeks, he had also managed to cross paths with Catherine, Sophia’s mother. The encounter had been carefully orchestrated—he had followed her to the market one afternoon, timing it perfectly so that he could offer his help just as she was struggling with her bags.

“Oh, let me help you with that,” Larry said, rushing over to Catherine as she tried to juggle multiple grocery bags.

Catherine, surprised but grateful, smiled at him. “Oh, thank you, young man! You’re very kind.”

“It’s no trouble at all,” Larry replied smoothly, taking the bags from her. “Where are you headed? I’ll walk you there.”

As they walked, Larry made small talk, asking about her family and casually mentioning Sophia. Catherine, always eager to talk about her children, mentioned Sophia’s work at Allure Fashion and her son Ethan, who was still in school. Larry listened intently, gathering information without giving away too much about himself.

By the time they reached Catherine’s car, Larry had made quite the impression. “You’re such a gentleman,” Catherine said, smiling warmly. “Thank you again for your help.”

“My pleasure,” Larry replied, tipping his head slightly. “I hope we cross paths again.”

Catherine waved as she drove off, completely unaware of the true nature of the man she had just met. Larry watched her car disappear into the distance, satisfied with the encounter. He knew that ingratiating himself with Sophia’s family was another step toward his ultimate goal.

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Unbeknownst to Larry, Alexander was already aware of his every move. His men had been following Larry closely, reporting back on his interactions with both Sophia and Catherine. When Alexander heard about Larry’s encounter with Catherine, his expression darkened. He knew exactly what Larry was up to, but for now, he was content to play along.

Still, he wasn’t taking any chances. The next day, he quietly increased the security detail around both Catherine and Ethan, ensuring that they were watched at all times. Alexander was no fool—he knew that Larry was dangerous, and while he hadn’t yet revealed his hand, he was preparing for the moment when Larry would make his move.

For now, though, Alexander continued to pretend that he was none the wiser. He let Larry think he was getting closer, all the while using him to lead him directly to Gerald, the real mastermind behind Larry’s sudden appearance in their lives.

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As the final week of the competition drew to a close, the pressure inside Allure Fashion was at an all-time high. Sophia’s team was working around the clock, putting the finishing touches on their design. The energy was electric, and despite the long hours, everyone was optimistic about their chances.

Nina, on the other hand, was becoming more and more erratic. Her frustration at being outshined by Sophia was getting the better of her, and she was taking it out on her team. She refused to listen to their ideas, insisting that her vision was the only one that mattered. Her team had begun to lose hope, realizing that under her leadership, their chances of winning were slim.