Chapter 11: The Apology

All eyes turned to Henry, who stood, stunned, gazing at Sophie, until she too looked away, seemingly embarrassed by her own actions. A sardonic chuckle escaped Henry's lips. He glanced over at Theo Roberts and Ella, who wore triumphant smiles. With a sigh of resignation, he mumbled, "I'm sorry." Without another word, he turned on his heel and left the building. Ella's mocking laughter filled the room. "Bravo, Sophie! That’s how you keep a man in line. Well done." Grandpa Mitchell chimed in, a hint of approval in his voice, "That's the spirit, Sophie. That’s my granddaughter. As long as you divorce this wastrel and marry Smith, the cosmetics company’s leadership is yours." Swallowing her indignation, Sophie replied, "Ella, he's already apologized. Please, leave my parents out of this." The weight of the moment pressed down on her, but she swiftly made her exit, determined to find Henry. He hadn't gone far; she found him by the riverside, lost in thought. "Does it still hurt?" Sophie asked hesitantly, coming up behind him. "Not really." "I'm sorry for what happened earlier. I just... I was worried about our family," she stammered, detecting a coldness in his voice. Henry turned to face her. "It's fine. I understand your dilemma," he reassured. A heavy silence hung between them. "Do you believe," Henry started, his voice earnest, "that one day, I'll make you the happiest woman in the world?" For a moment, Sophie's heart raced, her logical mind battling a flicker of hope. But reality crashed down. "All I want is for our family to be safe and happy." "Including me?" Henry probed. "You decide," she retorted, heading towards his scooter, eager to put distance between them. That evening, the Mitchell family was summoned to a celebratory dinner at the Marriott International Hotel. The Mitchell clan was out in full force. Sophie, still reeling from the day's humiliations, was reluctant to attend. But Leah Mitchell, ever the opportunist, hoped to win favor with Joseph Mitchell. Perhaps, just perhaps, they could be reintegrated into the company's fold. On their arrival, the Mitchells had already occupied several tables. It seemed there was no place for them. "Congratulations on your lovely daughter and exemplary son-in-law," Leah chirped cheerily to Amanda Mitchell and Daniel Mitchell. Amanda shot Leah a sidelong glance, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "Why are you here? I recall mentioning that if you were too busy, there was no need to attend." "Such an important family event? We simply had to come!" Leah replied, feigning innocence. "But we seem to be out of seats," Amanda retorted, a hint of smugness in her voice. "Maybe you should head home. After all, what does this celebration have to do with you?" Sophie, her patience worn thin, tugged at Leah's arm. "Mom, let's just go." "Why should we? Isn't this a family celebration? Aren't we part of the family?" Leah’s voice rose, her fiery spirit taking over, ensuring she was not to be trifled with. The entire room's gaze was fixated on Henry, who stood motionless, looking at Sophie. She averted her gaze, clearly flustered by the intensity of the moment. After what felt like an eternity, Henry's face broke into a wry smile. He glanced towards Theo Roberts and Ella, catching their triumphant smirks. "I'm sorry," he murmured, voice laced with a hint of resignation. Without another word, he turned and left the room. Ella's laugh, dripping with condescension, rang out. "Well done, Sophie! Keeping your man in check. Admirable." The patriarch, Grandpa Mitchell, added, "That's the spirit, Sophie. That’s how a Mitchell woman behaves. Divorce this good-for-nothing, marry Smith, and the cosmetic company leadership will be yours again." Sophie bit her lip, trying to suppress her emotions. "Ella, he's apologized. Can we please not drag my parents into this?" The tension in the room was palpable. Sophie quickly made her exit, determination in her step, hoping to find Henry. She located him by the riverside, lost in contemplation. "Does it still hurt?" she asked, her voice quivering. "Not really," he replied tersely. "I'm sorry," she whispered, tears threatening to spill. "It's just... I'm worried about our family." "I know where you're coming from," he said without looking at her. They shared an uncomfortable silence. "Do you believe," Henry began, his voice tinged with hope, "that one day, I can make you the happiest woman in the world?" For a fleeting moment, Sophie dared to hope. But logic reigned supreme. "All I want is peace for our family." "Including me?" Henry pressed. "You decide," she snapped back, retreating towards his scooter, eager to leave the scene. That evening, the entire Mitchell family was summoned to a grand dinner at the Marriott. The entire clan turned up in full force. Sophie, fresh from the day's humiliations, was hesitant. However, Leah Mitchell saw an opportunity. If they could make a good impression, maybe there was a chance for their return to the family business. Upon arrival, they realized they were latecomers. Tables were filled, with no space for them. "Why did you come?" Amanda Mitchell sneered at Leah, her words dripping with sarcasm. "There's no place for you here." Sophie's cheeks flushed with embarrassment. "Mom, let's just go." "Why should we? We're as much a part of this family as anyone else," Leah retorted defiantly. Leah quickly reprimanded Sophie, then turned back to Amanda with a plastic smile, "Sorry for Sophie's manners. I was hoping we could chat." Ella and her husband approached, gloating. "Why are you standing here? Can't you see there's no place for you?" The subtle dig did not escape Leah, who tried to save face. "Ella, always the understanding one," she said, trying to hide her annoyance. The rest of the evening went on much the same. Theo Roberts, in a thinly veiled attempt at humility, suggested that Henry could squeeze into a table by the door, the least prestigious spot. Sophie, caught in the crossfire of familial expectations and marital loyalty, whispered to Henry, "Maybe you should just sit there." Henry, ever the enigma, simply smiled and headed towards the door. The highlight of the evening was the entrance of Feng Ziruo, the heiress of King City's largest jewelry and antique company. Her arrival caused a stir, especially as she seemed to recognize Henry, though she couldn't quite place him. The room buzzed with excitement at her arrival, as whispers and speculations filled the air.