Chapter 449

After Yvonne left, Rose smiled at Sophia and pointed at a cafe nearby. "Let's talk over there, shall we?"

"All right."

Sophia's impression of Rose was rather complicated. It wasn't bad, but it wasn't good, either.

Rose had not sought out Alexander at all for the past thirty years or so, yet suddenly turned up to bringhim overseas. That wasn't what a good and responsible mother would do.

"Don't worry. I won't cause you to miss your flight." The corners of Rose's lips curled as she noticedSophie checking the time on her watch.

Sophia returned the gesture and followed her into the cafe that wasn't too crowded then.

Rose chose a spot with more privacy and ordered two lattes before they each took their seats.

"Mdm. Lenoir, may I know why you're looking for me?"

Rose was being quite amiable, and Sophie remembered that the former said she wouldn't object herrelationship with Claudius.

Nonetheless, Sophia had no idea whether Rose truly approved of their relationship or was merelyputting on an act in front of Claudius.

Rose flicked her hair and retrieved a set of documents from her bag, which she handed to Sophia. "Ms.Yarrow, since you need to go through a security check before boarding your plane, I'll keep things brief.

You must be questioning why I'm sending Claudius overseas when he's been doing fine all this whilewithout me. Indeed, my absence as his mother doesn't affect his life in any way. In truth, I didn't seekhim out for the past thirty years as I had no idea he existed."

Sophia's hand that was opening the file jolted slightly. "You didn't know he existed?"

Just then, the waiter served them their drinks. Rose paid him his tip and waited for him to depart beforecontinuing, "I believe you've done a background check about me. My family was bankrupt when I leftthe country thirty-four years ago. While in Moranta, I depended on my aunt. Back then, I had broken upwith Claudius' father for six months already.

"We tend to be so reckless and stubborn during our youth. I had broken up with Zachary because ofKristen. After that, I bumped into him when he was on a business trip in Norham. I was naive to think Icould teach him a lesson back then, as I ended up the fool. I only realized I was pregnant after I hadmoved overseas, and it was too late for an abortion. I inquired about Zachary, learning he was stilltogether with Kristen. As such, I resented him and the child. Once I was eight months pregnant, Ireturned to the country wanting to send the infant to Old Mr. Xenos immediately after giving birth.

"Yet when it came time to do so, I regretted my decision. Unfortunately, the nurse informed me that mychild had died due to oxygen deficiency. I initially refused to believe her, but they brought a stillbornbaby to me to prove their point. I was so exhausted after labor and devastated by the pain of losing mychild that everything that happened after that seemed like a blur. I spent two more months in Chanaeaand departed only after giving my child a proper burial. I never returned after that as there were toomany people and incidents I wasn't willing to face." Rose cast her glance at Sophia. "I only knew ofClaudius' existence last year. I established UI together with my husband as well as the support of myuncle. My cousins subsequently took the positions of the higher-ups in the company after the passing

of my aunt and uncle. As the saying goes, greed knows no bounds. They weren't satisfied with theircurrent state and yearned to possess UI. I would never hand over Jeff and my life's work to thoseunsatiable monsters. Actually, I discovered my son's existence thanks to them. I had no idea how theyfound out that Zachary and I had a son who was over thirty years old and went by the name Alexander.My cousins assumed I would be passing down UI to him. Hence, they dispatched many assassins toChanaea to do away with him."

At that point, Sophia understood the whole story.

"So why did the hospital deceive you regarding your child's death?"

"You'd better pose this question to Kristen."

Kristen again.

The smile on Sophia's face faded. "Does he know about all this?"

Rose took a sip of coffee. "Sooner or later."

Rose gestured at the documents Sophia was holding. "Aren't you going to take a look?"

Sophia pursed her lips and removed the documents from the file, revealing a will.

She was taken aback for once. "Mdm. Lenoir, what's the meaning of this?"

"My cousins are unscrupulous and no longer care about our familial ties. It wouldn't be safe for me orClaudius to hold on to this will. If you hadn't appeared, my only option would be to pass it to Yasmin."

Sophia frowned. "You mean you expect me to bring it back to Chanaea?"

"You are pretty bright after all."

Rose grinned at Sophia. "Never in their wildest dreams would they expect the will to be in your hands."

She paused before continuing, "Worry not. Three lawyers have notarized the will. Whatever it stipulateshas to be followed unless I say otherwise."

Sophia felt that something was off but couldn't quite put her finger on it. She looked at the older womanand hesitated before questioning, "I hope you don't mind me asking this, but I suppose you haven'treached the age of sixty yet, right?"

"I'm sixty-two."

Rose tapped her fingers on the rim of her cup. "You must be curious why I already have a will readywhen I'm only sixty-two."

Sophia continued staring at Rose without a word.

She was indeed intrigued.

While people these days preferred planning ahead, and Rose didn't seem to be in a good place at themoment, Sophie still felt that she would not be so easily overcome when she'd managed to survive allthis while.

No matter what the reason was, it was unorthodox for someone like her to prepare a will this early.

Rose glanced at her watch. "I was diagnosed with breast cancer seven years ago and had undergonesurgery to remove it. My check-up last year, however, revealed that I have relapsed."

She got to her feet and looked at Sophia for one last time. "The doctor says I might pull through thisyear with luck. If not, perhaps you'd hear of the news of my passing from Claudius the moment youreach Chanaea. Sophia, I'm really fond of you as my daughter-in-law. I'll take you skiing if I'm still alivewhen you're back in Moranta."

Rose turned to leave after finishing her sentence.

Sophia sat there in shock as Rose's figure disappeared into the distance.

This was not what she'd foreseen happening.

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