The Call Boy I Met in Paris — Episode 25
“Me?” Justin stared at Sophie, genuinely caught off guard. He owned properties across the city, including the development beneath the sales center’s polished model, but no one had ever tried to buy him a home because they worried about his roommates. Her generosity was becoming the one force his wealth could not prepare him to resist.
Earlier, Sophie had admired the featured house despite its price. “The design by Lake Enterprises is stunning, and the location couldn’t be any better,” she had said, unaware that the man beside her had approved the project. Justin had nearly revealed himself simply by reacting when she spoke his company’s name.
Now a sales representative guided them toward the model. “Transportation around here is extremely convenient,” she explained. “The subway is just around the corner, the school district is excellent, and the new Maple Plaza will open next year.” Justin knew every detail because Maple Plaza was the very project connecting his company to Sophie’s.
“What’s your take on the neighborhood?” Sophie asked him. She was already imagining practical things—his commute, future security, and a stable address her family could verify. The school district was irrelevant to their temporary marriage, yet hearing it mentioned summoned an image of a future neither of them had agreed to want.
“It’s great,” Justin said. That was an understatement. The site had been selected after years of analysis, and Lake Enterprises expected its value to rise sharply once Maple Plaza opened.
Sophie nodded and turned to the representative. “Do you have any pamphlets on the site?” When the woman went to retrieve them, Sophie examined the house model more closely, mentally rearranging finances that Justin knew she could not spend carelessly.
“You don’t have to buy me anything,” he said. The protest held no performance this time. “You already gave me a job. That’s more than enough.” He could buy the entire row of houses without noticing the expense, but accepting Sophie’s sacrifice felt different.
“You can’t keep living with four roommates while pretending to be my husband,” Sophie replied. “And I’m not handing you thirty million dollars today. We’re looking at options.” Her firm tone did little to hide that she had already decided he deserved better.
Before Justin could argue, a familiar voice sliced across the sales center. “If it isn’t my loser sister and her loser husband.” Stella approached with Derek at her side, satisfaction lighting her face as soon as she recognized their interest in the model.
Sophie’s shoulders stiffened. The fragile excitement of choosing a home disappeared beneath the armor she always wore around her family. Justin moved closer without touching her, offering support she could accept without appearing weak.
“Hey, sis,” Stella said brightly. “House hunting so soon after getting married?” Her gaze swept over Justin’s tailored suit, annoyed that he no longer looked as easy to ridicule as he had at the family estate.
“That’s none of your business,” Sophie replied. She refused to explain that the house was for Justin or that her concern had brought them there. Any vulnerability offered to Stella would become a weapon by nightfall.
Stella slipped an arm around Derek’s. “Well, Derek insists on buying me a house.” She emphasized the claim as though a deed could prove she had won more than Sophie’s former fiancé. “Isn’t that right, babe?”
“That’s right,” Derek said. His eyes settled on Justin with the resentment left from their confrontation outside Joey’s store. “Whichever one you fancy, I’ll buy it for you.” The boast was aimed at Sophie, a reminder of the wealthy husband she had rejected.
The sales representative returned with several glossy pamphlets. “Ms. Swift, here are the materials you asked for.” Before Sophie could take them, Stella reached across and snatched the top brochure.
“I’ll take whichever lot she’s looking at,” Stella announced. The representative hesitated, glancing between the two women. Stella pulled a card from her purse and held it out with a triumphant smile. “Use this card.”
Sophie’s face remained composed, but Justin saw the old wound beneath her silence. Stella did not want the property; she wanted proof that anything Sophie chose could be taken from her, just as Derek had been.
“Sorry,” Stella said, pressing the brochure against her chest. “It’s mine now.” Derek smirked beside her, evidently convinced his money had settled the contest before it began.
Justin studied the card in Stella’s hand and then the sales terminal behind the desk. This development belonged to Lake Enterprises. A single message from him could freeze the transaction, reserve every remaining lot, or reduce a thirty-million-dollar house to whatever price he chose.
He took out his phone beneath the edge of the display and sent Patrick a short instruction. Then he looked at Stella and Derek with an easy smile neither of them understood. “I don’t know,” he said. “I just have a feeling today is not going to be a good day for you two.” Behind the desk, the representative inserted Stella’s card—and the terminal flashed a bright red error.
