Chapter 15
15
Sofia
Brett and I strode toward the office. Determination was palpable, mirrors of each other in posture and stride. We spent all night gathering evidence, piecing together fragments of information that pointed to one man - Roger Adams.
As we reached the oak door, I paused just for a moment, eyes glistening with resolve. I glanced at Brett, seeking reassurance in his steady blue gaze. He gave me a slight nod, his unspoken encouragement fanning the embers of my courage.
“Let's do this,” I whispered. And with a deep breath, I pushed open the door.
Inside the office, Roger sat behind the antique mahogany desk, his fingers tapping rhythmically on the polished surface. His smug expression faltered slightly when he saw the fiery determination in my eyes. He underestimated my tenacity.
“Roger, we've come here because we have reason to believe you've been sabotaging our ranch so you can swoop into take it over.”
For a fleeting moment, Roger's face betrayed him, his eyes widening before quickly recovering and composing himself. I was not a woman he could easily manipulate or intimidate.
“Really, Sofia? Is that what you think?”
“Save your manipulative tactics, Roger,” I retorted, eyes never leaving his. “We've gathered proof of your involvement - witnesses, surveillance footage... everything we need to expose your lies and deceit.”
As I spoke, I glanced at Brett, grateful for his presence. It wasn't just his physical strength that gave me comfort, but also the knowledge that he too had a stake in this fight. We were united in the desire to protect the ranch, and as I looked at him, I felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude for his unwavering support.
“Did you really think we'd let you destroy our home without a fight?” My voice was cold, words slicing through the air like a sharpened blade. “We will do whatever it takes to stop you, Roger. You have no idea what we're capable of.”
Roger shifted uncomfortably in his chair, the confidence he once exuded now waning. He glanced between us, trying to gauge our resolve. It seemed that he finally met his match.
A bead of sweat trickled down my temple as I stood my ground. Brett moved to stand beside me, his presence a silent show of support. His arms crossed over his chest, creating an almost impenetrable fortress of muscle and determination.
“Is that really all you've got?” Roger scoffed, leaning back in his chair with feigned nonchalance. His smirk widened, revealing a row of unnaturally white teeth beneath a pencil-thin mustache. “Baseless accusations and wild conspiracies? I expected more from you.”
Despite my trembling hands, my gaze remained locked on Roger's eyes, refusing to let him see how much his words affected me. The room was alive with tension, the air thick, as if waiting for the spark that would set everything aflame.
“Your arrogance will be your undoing, Roger. You'll see.”
“Is that a threat, dear?” Roger's smirk returned in full force, his eyes gleaming with malice.
“Consider it a promise,” I replied, heartbeat pounding in my ears like the hooves of the horses I had grown up riding.
“Very well, then,” Roger sighed dramatically, feigning disappointment. “I suppose I'll just have to wait and see what you two can come up with. But don't keep me waiting too long; I have businesses to run, after all.”
My fingers tightened around the manila folder, its weight filled with the proof of Roger's deceit.
“Your dismissal doesn't change the truth.” I opened the folder and spread its contents across his polished mahogany desk. Witness statements from ranch workers and even a few former employees of Roger's own company stared back at him, detailing his plans to sabotage and take over. The damming surveillance footage showed Roger orchestrating the destruction of the fences, allowing the cattle to escape and wreak havoc on the barn.
Roger's smirk faltered as he glanced down at the evidence, his eyes darting between the papers and the images frozen on the screens before him.
“Seems like you've been quite busy, Roger,” Brett added, stepping forward and placing a hand on the corner of the desk. His voice was firm, unwavering as he met Roger's gaze. “You should know that we're more than willing to take this to the authorities. Your little empire won't survive the legal consequences.”
I watched as Roger's confident facade crumbled, the realization of the weight of the evidence sinking in. A part of me felt a twinge of sadness for the man who once had been a family friend, but it was quickly overshadowed by the burning determination to protect the family's legacy and the life I built.
“Is all of this worth it?” I asked. “You're risking everything you've built just to get your hands on our land.” My heart pounded with each word, the truth of my conviction resonating. The love for the ranch, family, and the life we had built here coursed through my veins like a wild river, reminding her of what I was fighting for. And with Brett by my side, we could overcome any obstacle that stood in their way.
Roger's eyes flickered between the damning evidence and the unwavering duo before him. Panic threatened to overtake his smug expression as he clenched his fists, knuckles turning white. He stole a glance at Brett, who stood tall, a pillar of strength beside me.
“Listen, Sofia,” Roger began, attempting to regain control of the situation. “I’m sure we can work something out?—”
“Enough.” I took a step forward, closing the distance between us. “You've done enough damage already. I want you to stop trying to take over our ranch – immediately.”
A bead of sweat rolled down Roger's temple as he hesitated for a moment, weighing his options. He glanced at the papers in my hand, the accounts of his deceit laid bare for all to see. The game was up, and he knew it.
“Alright, Sofia,” he conceded through gritted teeth. “You win – this time.”
My heart raced, relief washing over me like a warm tide. I could not have done this alone, and my gratitude towards Brett swelled. We faced this challenge together, our bond stronger than any adversity thrown at us.
The heavy oak door swung shut behind us as we stepped out of the ranch's main office, our shoulders visibly lighter, as if a great weight had been lifted.
“Whew,” Brett exhaled, running a hand through his hair. “That was...intense.”
I nodded, my eyes meeting his. “It was. But we did it.”
As we walked down the corridor, the familiar creak of the floorboards beneath my feet felt like the beating heart of the ranch itself - a steadfast reminder of the legacy we were striving to protect.
“Thank you,” I said, glancing over at Brett. “For standing by me in there. I don't know if I could have done it without you.”
Brett offered me a lopsided grin, his blue eyes crinkling at the corners. “You're stronger than you give yourself credit for, Sofia. You would've handled it just fine on your own. But I'm glad I could be there with you all the same.”
A comfortable silence settled between us as we continued walking. Life had thrown us both curveballs, but now, here we were again, side by side, fighting for something greater than ourselves.
“Remember those nights we used to sneak into the barn and talk for hours as kids?” Brett asked.
I smiled, the memories flooding back. “Of course I do. We'd talk about everything and nothing, until the stars faded and dawn crept in.”
“Yeah, we've come a long way since then, haven't we?”
“We have.”
It was time to start a new journey with Brett. He had been patient. My heart was ready to let him in.