Chapter 249: No Room for Two Tigers

What Henry feared most seemed to be unfolding before his eyes. He had thought that Katherine, upon seeing Sophie, would gracefully step back. But now, it appeared that the situation was evolving in the opposite direction. This thought made him increasingly anxious, fearing he might end up offending both sides. "How could that be?" Henry quickly replied with a laugh, "Sophie, let me introduce you. This is Katherine, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Cavendish, a beautiful police officer..." Upon hearing this, Sophie managed to keep her composure in front of everyone, responding with a confident smile. She raised her glass towards Katherine and said, "Actually, my husband has mentioned Ms. Cavendish before. Meeting you today, I see you truly are a great beauty, and a police officer at that. Now that you're in King City, Henry and I, of course, must offer the hospitality due to our guest. We both toast to you!" Hearing this, Henry internally groaned, recognizing that this wasn't just a toast but a declaration of territory. However, caught in a difficult position, he hastily raised his glass and offered a silly smile, "Welcome to King City." "Actually, Henry has also mentioned you to me. Seeing you in person today, I must admit, you're indeed perfect," Katherine responded with a tone that was both complimentary and competitive. "Also, Henry misspoke earlier. I didn't come to King City just for a visit; I've been transferred to the King City Police Department. Maybe we'll be seeing each other more often!" The others in the room witnessed this tense exchange silently, with Theodore's wife repeatedly attempting to discreetly tug at Katherine's sleeve, to no avail. While some might not have fully grasped the situation, Zane saw through it, unsure of how to react but inwardly praying for Henry's well-being. This was a classic case of "no room for two tigers on one mountain," especially when both were formidable. Katherine's words were a clear challenge to Sophie. Sophie was irked but restrained herself from reacting negatively to maintain decorum. "That's even better. When you're free, we could go shopping or to the beauty salon together. I've been wanting to meet a beauty like Chef Cavendish!" Henry, trying to appear calm, was internally panicking. Since when did Sophie engage in beauty treatments? And what did these exchanges mean for him? Katherine, seemingly unfazed, added, "Actually, I've never been one for beauty treatments, thinking them only for the vain. But it seems I might need to reconsider..." Theodore and his wife instantly understood the jab at Sophie being merely decorative. Henry was internally fuming at Katherine's audacity to provoke such tension. All eyes turned to Sophie and Henry, but surprisingly, Sophie remained composed, smiling confidently. "Whether one is considered a 'vase' or not, as a woman, it's important not to rely solely on a man. Earning one's own money feels much more fulfilling. And being a 'vase' isn't necessarily bad if it means being appreciated. Though, Ms. Cavendish, you seem to have potential in that regard too. But remember, while being cherished as a 'vase' can last a lifetime, once fallen and shattered, one becomes nothing but glass shards." The room was taken aback by Sophie's retort, fully realizing why Henry seemed so wary around his wife. Sophie was clearly not someone to underestimate. Not just a pretty face, her words carried an unmistakable charge, a tension palpable to anyone within earshot. Henry, caught in the crossfire, felt the most helpless, as the situation seemed to escalate. He shot Zane and Felix a look, a silent plea for intervention. Felix, catching the cue, quickly raised his glass with an air of diplomacy, "Mrs. Carson, as the esteemed General Manager of The Mitchell Group, your reputation for both intelligence and beauty precedes you. It's my distinct honor to share this meal with you today—a privilege of a lifetime, truly. This toast is to you!" Sophie, somewhat taken aback by Felix's high regard, felt a mix of nervousness and flattery. Felix was, after all, a big image of King City, a paragon among its elite families. She couldn't possibly disregard his gesture, "Mr. Cooper, you're too kind. How could I let someone of your stature toast to me? Let this be my toast to you, in hopes of future collaborations between The Mitchell and yourself." Felix, visibly concerned by the potential implications of her words, quickly deflected, "Please, Mrs. Carson, let's not stand on ceremony. If it weren't for Mr. Carson, I'd be at a complete loss." With that, he drained his glass, diffusing the tension that had been building between the two women. Henry exhaled in relief, though Katherine remained silently defiant, convinced she wouldn't lose to Sophie and willing to forgo any official status just to be with Henry, who, unfortunately, seemed utterly oblivious to her affections. "I need to use the restroom," Sophie whispered to Henry after a moment. "I'll come with you," he offered. "No need," she declined, and strode off. As Sophie left, Katherine, stirred by some silent challenge, stood to follow. Henry, stuck in an awkward position, could only watch, unable to intervene the brewing storm. Indeed, Sophie and Katherine entered the restroom one after the other, confronting each other with unspoken thoughts. "Do you... love him?" Katherine's voice wavered, betraying a sudden lack of confidence. The question, laden with the weight of shared affection for the same man, hung heavily between them. "Do you love him?" Sophie countered. "Yes," Katherine nodded, her sincerity unmistakable. Sophie was taken aback by her frankness, a pang of hurt and a hint of sourness rising within her. Truth be told, Katherine seemed a fitting match for Henry. If a divorce were ever finalized, Katherine would be a suitable choice. Yet, they were still married, and Sophie was not one to concede easily. "I'm glad to see my man is so desirable. But I'm sorry for you; he's destined to be mine. And he's not an object to be passed between us—he's a person, not something I can simply 'give' to you," Sophie stated calmly.