Chapter 67

"What?" Isabella whispers beside me, her voice trembling with shock.

The entire room falls into stunned silence. Every face reflects pure astonishment. No one had anticipated this.

No one could have imagined that Sophia—quiet, unassuming Sophia—was the mastermind behind one of the largest charitable organizations in the country.

Hell, I was married to her for years, and I had no damn clue. That says everything about how blind I've been.

"Did you know about this?" Sebastian asks, his eyes wide, mouth slightly agape.

"No," I growl, frustration boiling inside me. How had I missed something so significant about her?

I watch as Sophia pushes back her chair and rises. Daniel stands with her, offering his hand with a warm smile. She places her fingers lightly in his, and he escorts her toward the stage. My jaw tightens when his palm lingers on the bare skin of her back as he helps her up the steps.

Once she reaches the podium, he steps aside. She embraces Elizabeth briefly before taking her place at the microphone.

"Hi," she chuckles nervously, clearing her throat. "For some reason, addressing a room full of rowdy teenagers is easier than speaking to a room full of adults."

A ripple of laughter spreads through the crowd.

She continues, her voice steady now. "Most of you already know me, but for those who don’t—my name is Sophia Sterling. As Elizabeth mentioned, we’re here today to celebrate all of you for your unwavering support of the Hope Foundation."

Her gaze sweeps across the room, commanding attention. "As a teacher, I’ve witnessed heartbreaking realities—children with bruises from abusive homes, kids going hungry because they can’t afford lunch, students wearing tattered clothes because their families can barely survive. And worst of all, children who have no home at all."

The room is utterly silent, every ear tuned to her words.

I’ve never seen the city’s elite so captivated by a speech before.

"Seeing their suffering broke my heart," Sophia continues. "So I started helping—one child at a time. First one boy in my class, then another, and another. Before I knew it, I was supporting dozens. That’s when the idea for the Hope Foundation was born."

She pauses, her eyes shining with emotion. "I wanted to create a safe haven for them—a place where they wouldn’t have to worry about survival. We began with the first Hope House, and by God’s grace, we’ve expanded to every major city in the country."

Pride radiates from her as she gestures to the tables filled with children of all ages. "In four years, we’ve helped thousands of kids. Some have gone on to prestigious universities like Harvard and Princeton. Others are still under our care, from infants to teenagers. We ensure they lack nothing—food, education, even allowances for the older ones."

Her voice softens. "This foundation exists to give them hope—to prove that their past doesn’t define their future. So from the bottom of my heart, thank you. Your support has changed lives."

The room erupts in applause as she steps back. People rise to their feet, clapping until she descends the stage.

Elizabeth takes the microphone. "That concludes tonight’s program. Please, enjoy the rest of your evening."

I stare at Sophia, utterly mesmerized. Who knew there was so much depth beneath her quiet exterior?

"Damn," Nathan mutters beside me, shaking his head. "I never would’ve guessed she founded the largest children’s charity in the country."

His gaze flicks between Sophia and Amelia, who remains seated while Sophia is swarmed by children. One of them—a young man—looks oddly familiar.

"No kidding," Sebastian adds, still slack-jawed.

It’s surreal. Like she had an entire secret life none of us knew about. And I never miss details.

Someone drops into the seat Olivia had vacated. I turn, ready to snap, only to find Elizabeth settling in.

"Don’t mind me," she sighs, pulling out her tablet. "Just exhausted. You’re Sophia’s family, right?"

Nathan nods numbly.

"Perfect." She starts typing without another word.

Isabella leans in. "Isn’t that Jacob Montgomery of Montgomery Tech? What’s he doing with Sophia?"

I follow her gaze to the young man now laughing with Sophia. Of course—that’s why he looked familiar.

Montgomery Tech exploded onto the scene two years ago. At twenty, Jacob became the youngest self-made CEO in the industry. His innovations have made him a formidable name, threatening to dethrone even the most established businessmen.

If I were the jealous type, I’d be worried about him overtaking my spot as the top entrepreneur in the country.

Elizabeth answers without looking up. "Jacob was one of our first beneficiaries. An orphan. Sophia recognized his talent early, encouraged him to start his own company, and funded it when no one else believed in him. Now he’s worth millions. As thanks, he made her the second-largest shareholder in Montgomery Tech."

Another bombshell. We exchange stunned glances.

Isabella scoffs. "So she’s profiting off these kids?"

That’s it. I slam my palm on the table. "Enough with the damn snide remarks."

Heads turn, but I glare them into silence. Isabella looks at me like I’ve lost my mind.

Elizabeth raises an eyebrow. "Where have you been living? Sophia doesn’t need anyone’s money. She was a millionaire long before this foundation."

Nathan frowns. "What?"

Elizabeth shrugs. "She’s private about it, but trust me—she’s loaded. If she wanted, she’d rank among the top five wealthiest women in the country."

I do the math. That would put her net worth in the billions.

"The best part?" Elizabeth continues. "She doesn’t flaunt it. No designer labels, no flashy cars. People underestimate her constantly."

A bitter realization hits me. We underestimated her. Repeatedly.

Even when I offered her that divorce settlement, assuming she’d struggle without me—God, what a fool I was.

Isabella pales. "That’s impossible."

Elizabeth smirks. "Shouldn’t her own family know this?"

Shame burns through me. We were her family. And we treated her like an outsider.

Before I can dwell on it, a commotion erupts.

Sophia is standing toe-to-toe with Penelope Harrington—the self-proclaimed queen of high society.

And from the look on Penelope’s face, this won’t end well.