At that time, his situation wouldn’t just be dangerous—it could also hinder Scott Henry’s progress.
He couldn’t let that happen.
But he had tried every method imaginable, and Sophia was unmoved by either persuasion or pressure. Scott Richard had no choice but to test her stance.
“Sophia, here’s the thing: your father and I were very close friends. Before he passed, he entrusted me with the formula, but somehow a few ingredients were missing.
This project carries his hard work and dedication. Completing it would fulfill your father’s wishes and allow this hemorrhoid ointment to benefit the world. So, I wanted to ask—what will it take for you to give me the complete formula?”
Sophia didn’t answer but instead asked, “If my father and you were such close friends, how could he possibly give you an incomplete formula?”
Scott Richard froze for a moment before forcing a laugh. “Perhaps your father made a mistake.”
Sophia frowned. Something didn’t feel right about this.
“If you want the formula, I’ll be straightforward,” she said. “I can give the formula to the Scott family…”
Scott Richard’s face lit up with joy, but before he could celebrate, Sophia continued:
“However, I want equity shares in the technology and a 30% profit share.”
Hearing this, Scott Richard’s expression changed instantly.
“Thirty percent? That’s impossible! The Scott family has put so much effort into developing this project, and you want 30% just like that?”
Sophia laughed. “Is 30% too much? If that’s not acceptable, then pay me $50 million. I’ll sell you the formula!”
Scott Richard abruptly stood up, his eyes wide with shock. “$50 million? Are you out of your mind?”
Sophia yawned, clearly tired of conversing with someone like him.
“If you think it’s too expensive, don’t buy it. No one’s forcing you. Why act like I’m pressuring you to purchase it?”
With that, she yawned again and walked away.
Behind her, Andrea remained silent throughout the exchange.
“Andrea, what should we do about this?”
Andrea watched Sophia’s departing figure and said coldly:
“$50 million? Is she worth that? Fine, don’t pay her. I have my own ways of making her hand it over!”
—
Because of this formula, Sophia’s divorce seemed to be at a standstill. Scott Henry’s lawyer was also stalling, clearly intent on securing the formula before finalizing the divorce.
Sophia understood that Scott Richard wouldn’t dare resort to drastic measures openly. However, Andrea was a different story—she was far more dangerous when operating in the shadows.
She didn’t doubt that Scott Henry had been instigated to attempt to violate her in her own room. Andrea, as both her mother-in-law and Scott Richard’s wife, would go to great lengths to protect her son’s and her husband’s interests.
Sophia had no choice but to stay vigilant.
—
On Saturday, Anna and Barbara invited Sophia to go clubbing. They rarely had a day off and had been saying how much they missed Sophia. Feeling bad about refusing them, Sophia only issued a limited number of appointment slots that morning and closed her clinic early.
No matter how much her patients begged, she remained firm.
It wasn’t that she was heartless—seeing patients every day left her with no personal time. Even as a doctor, she was still a normal person who needed a break.
She changed into a tight black dress, swapped her flats for heels, quickly applied some beauty cream, and finished with a touch of lipstick before heading out.
Her friends had already arrived, accompanied by their boyfriends, includingNathan.
When Nathan saw Sophia, he greeted her as if nothing had happened, then attentively served Anna drinks, acting the perfect boyfriend.
Sophia ordered a cocktail with a low alcohol content.
The bar was dimly lit, with colorful strobe lights flashing across faces, making it hard on the eyes.
Sophia took a cautious sip of her drink, checked that there was no strange taste, and then drank the rest.
Nathan smiled and approached her with a bottle. “Miss Sophia, you handle alcohol well. I won’t stop you; drink as much as you’d like!”
Sophia gave him a bland look and said nothing.
Everyone played dice games, and the atmosphere grew livelier. Around 8 PM, there was a live performance at the bar, and the energy soared.
Her friends drank more and more, and Sophia ended up drinking quite a bit herself.
After a few glasses, she started to feel uncomfortably full. She stood up to go to the restroom, but before she could take a few steps, Nathan followed her.
“Sophia,” he called, leaning in close and staring at her chest with a sly smile. “You look stunning tonight—the most beautiful of all your roommates.”
Sophia frowned. “Would you dare say that in front of Anna?”
“Aw, come on!” Nathan had a slightly soft, playful tone typical of southern men. With his good looks and flirty demeanor, most girls found him irresistible. “Sophia, are you nearsighted?”
Sophia coldly shook her head. “No.”
“If you’re not nearsighted, can’t you see that I like you?”
Sophia was unimpressed. This man clearly knew how to charm women, and most would fall for it. But having grown up with brothers who were all handsome, she was completely immune to men like him.
With a sneer, she said, “I honestly didn’t notice. Nathan, don’t make a scene. I’ll pretend I didn’t hear that. Treat Anna well!”
She turned to leave, but just as she reached the stairs, two men grabbed her and dragged her toward the elevator.
Before Sophia could resist, the elevator began ascending. It was then she realized she had been kidnapped.
In such a chaotic place as a bar, no one paid attention to small scuffles. The elevator stopped on the fourth floor, which housed private rooms often used by patrons for drinking or, occasionally, worse.
The elevator doors opened, and a staff member stepped in. Nathan slipped him a $100 tip, and the staff member quietly backed off.
Sophia frowned, staying calm and thinking of a way out. She always carried needles with her, so escaping wouldn’t be difficult. But for Nathan to act so boldly, someone must have been behind this.
One of the men opened a door and signaled to Nathan. “Hurry up! Take the photos and send them to me!”
“Got it!” Nathan said as he pushed Sophia into the room.
Suddenly…
*Bang!* A solid punch knocked Nathan into the door. Before he could react, a sharp kick to his stomach made him vomit up all the alcohol he had consumed. The force of the kick was evident.
Sophia looked up and saw Scott Livinus standing in front of her, dressed in a tailored suit.
A menacing aura surrounded him, his eyes cold and filled with a ruthlessness Sophia had never seen before.
