After Effects

Sophie herself did not know what mess she had created for herself when she decided to directly kidnap Melania. She only knew that Robert could not take any legal steps. But, right now she could not risk exposing her identity to the world. While she was travelling to the headquarters, she could only think of ways to defend herself. The higher-ups were all present at the headquarters. Only C was exempted from coming to the meet, as she requested him using their code-word, which refers to an emergency situation.

Since, they urgently summoned her, nothing could come good out of this situation. She could only hope that the old men support her. This was the first time, she went against her work ethics. She knew that she has to give a proper explanation. Otherwise, the matter can escalate to a level where it would definitely be hard to rewind. She could only pep-talk herself before reaching the headquarters.

C did not know that things had already escalated to this point. Otherwise, he would never have agreed to her request of babysitting Melania. C was currently working on a project given by Sophie to complete in her absence. Literally, he was babysitting Melania, as she would sometimes demand chocolates from him. Luckily, he knew about her habit and had stuffed his pocket with chocolates before coming.

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At the headquarters:

Few men of respectable, noble families, and government officials were sitting at the headquarters. There were famous elusive personalities who were rarely seen siting and chatting among themselves. Everyone had grim looks on their faces. Sophie was praying inwardly, so that she could avoid any catastrophe. C was not present. She needed to be strong. She took a deep breath and entered the hall where everyone was gathered.

Once she entered the hall, each and every eye looked towards her direction.

The person sitting on the main seat, gestured her to have a seat and said in a mellow voice, "Now that Ms. Watson has arrived, shall we start?"

Everyone, including Sophie nodded in approval.

"Good."

He cleared his throat and looked at Sophie through his round spectacles, and with a benign smile on his face asked, "What is the reason you blasted apart that island?"

"Erase traces."

"Of what?"

"Me, being present there."

"How do you know that there wasn't any surveillance camera nearby?"

"There were 15 surveillance cameras, and 30 drones."

"And?"

"I disabled them all."

"That's my girl." Grandpa Tan cheered from the side. But when he felt others glaring at his direction, he regained his stern face, the smile could not be seen anymore. But inwardly he laughed hard.

"What good will that do?" The benign faced man again smiled at Sophie and questioned her.

"As I already answered… Erase traces."

"Tell me, why did you go to that dangerous island?"

"To rescue Melania Watson." This time it was C who answered. Sophie was astonished to find C here. He was supposed to be with mom. She raised an eyebrow at C, who in turn gave a reassuring smile.

"What is the evidence?"

"I am the evidence." Melania answered and like any other movie, stepped out from behind C. She was still wearing the hospital gown, her hair still disheveled from all that patting.

"You are alive?"

"Yes."

"But we searched for you all throughout the nation. We couldn't find you at all. We were so worried." One after the another, they raised concerns. Sophie was dumbfounded at first, but afterwards brought Melania to her seat, and told her to seat down. Meanwhile, she chose to stand on her right side, with C on her left. Their stance was very clear.

"Mommy, I did not expect you to come here of all places."

She then turned to C and scolded him, "You shouldn't have brought her here."