Poof! Wife Status, ERASED

Chapter 15: Loving You Is My Own Business

"Sure, but you have to eat the cake first."

Knowing Sophia Holt was watching her figure, he had specifically used low-fat and low-sugar ingredients.

After taking a couple of bites, Sophia pulled him down to sit on the floor, fixing him with a look that suggested she was ready for an interrogation.

Christopher Holt chuckled. "With that expression, I don't dare say anything."

But in the end, he slowly recounted the past.

Years ago, during her time in the countryside, Christopher's grandmother had become pregnant with his father. In those harsh conditions with scarce food, it was Sophia's grandmother who had helped her. The two young women had bonded instantly, and with the added weight of a life-saving kindness, their friendship had grown deep.

Later, Christopher's grandmother returned to the city with his four-year-old father, promising to meet again.

But when she went back to visit, hoping to bring Sophia's grandmother and her child to the city, she found they had moved—vanished without a trace.

The regret had lingered with her for the rest of her life. Then, decades later, she spotted a woman on TV who looked exactly like her old friend in her youth—Sophia Roberts. She immediately sent her grandson to investigate, which led to the events on the reality show.

Later, when they discovered Sophia was doing well—and given the long-standing rivalry between the Holt and Vanderbilt families—they decided to let it go.

Christopher spoke candidly, even helping himself to a large slice of cake.

But Sophia still sensed something was off. Even with that history, was it really necessary to chase her all the way to Hollywood?

Seeing her skeptical look, Christopher quickly raised his hands in surrender.

"Alright, I admit it—I've been scheming for a long time."

"But I didn't even know you before," Sophia frowned.

"Your first film—the director was Liam Moore, right?"

"Yes."

Christopher grinned. "He's my childhood friend. I visited the set often."

She was the kind of woman who shone wherever she went, and of course, his gaze had followed her.

Christopher Holt had never envied anyone in his life—except for that damn Ethan Vanderbilt.

They talked for two hours, eventually finishing the entire cake.

"Sophia?" Christopher called out as he walked her back to her room.

She turned, a hint of confusion in her expression.

Leaning down, he flicked her forehead lightly and smiled.

"Don't overthink it. Loving you is my own business."

Sophia had never met someone like him—someone whose actions carried a quiet intensity but whose words always left room for her to breathe.

Step forward, and it felt right. Step back, and there was still space.

Back in her room, she logged into her long-dormant WeChat account for the first time in over a year.

A flood of messages from Olivia greeted her, the latest being a link to a post from the official Vanderbilt Group account:

"Due to prolonged high-pressure work conditions, Vanderbilt Group CEO Ethan Vanderbilt has stepped down effective today. The position will now be assumed by the second son of the Vanderbilt family, Daniel Vanderbilt. We appreciate your continued support."

Sophia frowned.

Weren't Ethan and Emily the only Vanderbilt children?

Where had this Daniel come from?

Scrolling further, the pieces fell into place.

After she left a year ago, Olivia had launched a full-scale PR offensive, using public outrage to deal a heavy blow to the Vanderbilts.

Fans refused to accept it, staging protests outside Vanderbilt Group offices. Rival companies seized the opportunity, joining forces to claim nearly half of Vanderbilt's business in one fell swoop.

Though Ethan had fought to salvage the situation, the Vanderbilt empire—spread across the globe—had suffered. Annual profits hit an all-time low.

That was when Richard Vanderbilt returned from retirement abroad—with a secret son in tow.

He installed the young man in the company, grooming him to take over, stripping Ethan of half his authority.

Just yesterday, the board had pushed for Daniel to take the helm. Rumor had it Ethan no longer even had access to the executive floors.

Honestly, the Ethan in the press conference looked haggard—thinner, his hand trembling slightly as he held the microphone.

Sophia had expected to feel heartache, or at least pity. But strangely, she felt nothing.

It seemed her love and hatred for him had both faded.

She closed her eyes to sleep, but the image that lingered—the one she couldn't shake—was Christopher's slightly pleading smile.

And in her dream, he held out the cake to her, leaning in slowly—until his lips brushed hers in a kiss.

Sophia jolted awake, startled by the dream.