Sophia Sullivan ended the call.
She had arranged everything at the villa.
Settling into the car, she massaged her temples.
Just as she closed her eyes to rest, her phone vibrated.
The screen lit up with a new message.
The contact read "Old Man York."
"Girl, if you don't come back soon, I'll wither away."
A tearful cat meme followed.
Sophia couldn't help smiling.
People were truly different.
While Mr. Winston Sr. remained stern, Benjamin York acted like an overgrown child.
He always chased after youth trends.
Sophia was still composing her reply.
The phone rang urgently.
She answered to dramatic wailing.
"Sophia! Have you forgotten this old man?"
"Three years! You're always 'busy'!"
"I'm growing mold alone in Potter's Town!"
Sophia held the phone away.
Only when the crying subsided did she bring it back.
Someone bullying Benjamin York?
They should be grateful he wasn't playing pranks on them.
Who'd dare provoke the master potter?
But the old man needed pampering like a child.
"Who'd dare bully Master York? Aren't they afraid of your disciples?"
Benjamin snorted.
"I'm old. Useless now."
"In my youth, I could craft pottery for three days without sleep."
"Now my inspiration's dried up. Everything looks the same."
Art feared losing its soul.
But he quickly changed subjects.
"Come back! Some brat won't stop pestering me!"
"Won't take no for an answer!"
Sophia heard the pride in his voice.
If he truly disliked the visitor, he'd have thrown them out.
Now divorced, her time was her own.
It was time to visit the old man.
She checked her calendar.
"I'll come to Potter's Town this Saturday."
"Really?" Benjamin's voice brightened.
"No standing me up this time."
"I'll be there."
After more reassurances, Sophia hung up.
Driving back, she reflected.
However kind Isabella Robinson was, she couldn't overstay.
The Robinsons had their own affairs.
Liam Winston's three million and villa were drops in the ocean.
Not enough to sustain The Nexus.
Her M-Country assets remained frozen.
When she married Liam, she'd vowed to retire.
To live normally.
Fate had other plans.
"First, unfreeze the funds."
Returning to the Robinson estate, Sophia entered the safe room.
Her best friend had prepared it specially.
She locked the door, pressing a hidden button behind shelves.
A screen descended slowly.
Blue light pulsed in the darkness.
Sophia accessed the encrypted site.
Requesting backup card activation.
Her fingers danced across the keyboard.
Code scrolled like flowing water.
Changing IDs. Verifying credentials. Accessing backend.
Every movement fluid.
Her expression turned icy.
She became one with the shadows.