CHAPTER ELEVEN
Lady Sophia sat amidst the shadows of her dimly lit boudoir, the only sound was from the soft crackling of the fireplace. The crumpled wedding invitation lay on her lap, Max's words seared into her mind.
She rose, pacing the room with deliberate slowness, her silk nightgown rustling softly. The flickering candles cast eerie shadows on the walls, mirroring the turmoil within.
"How could he?" she whispered, her voice barely audible.
Sophia halted before a mirrored console, her reflection staring back. Her eyes burned with determination.
"I won't let him marry her. Out of all the families, it's the Worthingtons".
She turned away, her gaze sweeping the room. Her eyes settled on a small, hidden compartment in her dresser. A sly smile spread across her face.
With delicate fingers, Sophia opened the compartment, revealing a note with the Roughs contact information. She'd kept it hidden, anticipating a moment like this.
The "Roughs" are known for their ruthlessness and ability to carry out illegal activities with cold efficiency. These activities can range from petty crimes like theft and smuggling to more violent crimes such as kidnapping, extortion, or even murder. They operate on the fringes of society, where the law has little influence and survival often depends on power, intimidation, and brutality.
"Thane can help me," she thought. "He owes me a favor."
Lady Sophia's association with the "Roughs" began several years ago, when her family's business interests required... unsavory negotiations. Her father, had dealings with Thane organization, utilizing their "services" to eliminate competitors and secure lucrative contracts.
Sophia, then a teenager, had overheard whispers of these transactions. Curiosity piqued, she began secretly observing her father's meetings with Thane. The encounters left her both repelled and fascinated by the "Roughs'" ruthless efficiency.
As Sophia grew older, she leveraged her knowledge to aid her own social climbing. Thane, impressed by her intelligence and audacity, offered her a mutually beneficial arrangement: he'd provide her information and influence, while she'd supply him with high-society connections and insight
Sophia's mind whirled with strategies:
"Create a diversion at the ceremony... Use Thane's men... Ensure the carriage is ready... Take Max to the old windmill on the outskirts... No one will suspect a thing."
Her thoughts danced with precision, each step meticulously planned.
As the fire crackled, Sophia's resolve solidified. She'd kidnap Max, conceal her involvement, and change the course of events.
"I'll show him," she whispered, "he can't discard me like a worn glove."
The shadows in the room seemed to deepen, as if conspiring with Lady Sophia
************
Lady Sophia's carriage rattled through the dimly lit alleys of the city's underbelly, the gas lamps casting flickering shadows on the cobblestone streets. Abby, her loyal maid, sat beside her, concern etched on her face.
"Milady, are you certain this is wise?" Abby whispered.
Sophia's jaw set in determination. "I need someone with... particular skills, Abby. Thane have connections, and I require someone with more... persuasive abilities."
The carriage halted before a dilapidated tavern, its sign creaking in the wind: "The Black Swan." Sophia's coachman, opened the door, his eyes scanning the surroundings.
"Wait here," Sophia instructed. "Abby, stay with him. I'll be brief."
Sophia descended into the tavern's murky atmosphere, the air thick with smoke and cheap ale. Patrons eyed her with curiosity, their faces a mix of scarred veterans and desperate souls.
A figure emerged from the shadows, his features chiseled from granite. Black beard, black eyes, and a scar above his left eyebrow.
"Thane" Sophia called, her voice firm.
Thane's gaze lingered on Sophia's elegant gown before meeting her eyes. "Lady Sophia. What brings you to our humble establishment?"
Sophia's smile was calculated. "I require assistance. Discreet assistance."
Thane's expression remained impassive, but a spark flickered in his eyes. "What kind of assistance?"
Sophia's voice dropped to a whisper. "Kidnapping. I need your....reliable men for the job."
Thane's eyebrow rose. "Who?"
"Maximilian Powell." She whispered
Sophia opened her purse and brought out coins, the gold coins clinking onto the table.
Thane's gaze locked onto the coins before returning to Sophia. "Consider the job done."
Sophia's nod was curt. "Alright. But discretion is paramount."
Thane's smile revealed crooked teeth. "The Roughs are experts in discretion, milady."
Sophia, age 14, stood frozen in the grand foyer, witnessing her parents' vicious argument. Her father, Lord Ashford, towered over her mother, Lady Adeline,his face twisted in disgust.
"You're nothing but a burden, Adeline," he spat. "Your addiction is a stain on our family's reputation."
Lady Adeline, once a radiant beauty, now trembled, her eyes sunken, her skin pale. "Please, Henry, don't leave me. I'll try to stop..."
Sophia's father turned away, his voice dripping with disdain. "You've tried before. You've failed. I won't tolerate this shame anymore."
As Lord Ashford stormed out, Lady Adeline collapsed to the floor, sobbing uncontrollably. Sophia felt a mix of fear and helplessness.
In the following years, Sophia watched her mother's downward spiral, her addiction worsened, fueled by despair and abandonment. The once-grand estate fell into disrepair, reflecting the family's crumbling dynamics. Her father returned occasionally, only to criticize and belittle her mother.
Sophia vowed to never repeat her mother's mistakes.
One evening, as Sophia, now 14, helped her mother prepare for a ball, her mother words struck a chord:
"Sophia, darling, don't be like me. Be strong, be beautiful, and never let anyone control you."
Sophia looked at her mother, seeing the ravages of addiction and heartbreak. In that moment, she made a silent promise:
"I won't be weak, Mother. I'll rise above this. I'll be the one who commands love and respect.
Her childhood trauma forged her steel-like determination to control her destiny. Fearful of being dumped, rejected, or abandoned like her mother, Sophia cultivated a flawless exterior, seeking power and dominance to safeguard against vulnerability."