The Reckoning of Love ( Sophia Yancey )

Chapter 26 Sit-in Protest in Edgeminster

Afterward, Sophia settled herself on the couch for a movie. However, her phone rang just as she sat down, and she noticed that it was a call from the construction project’s site manager, so she answered it.

“Miss Yancey, we’ve clashed with some of the locals in the area regarding some compensation issues. We would like to ask the company for some guidance, the manager said.

She frowned upon hearing that and stated, “All compensation regarding land use, occupation of residence, and other rights were clearly listed in the proposal.”

“Yes, but we found some irreconcilable factors when we arrived at the site,” he replied solemnly.

“Are they conducting a sit-in?” Sophia asked.

“Kind of. Halfway through the second phase of our work, one of the locals said we disturbed their ancestors’ grave—”

“How much do they want?”

“They claim they don’t want money but want us to relocate. We are already halfway through the construction schedule, and a significant amount of money has been invested in this project. How are we supposed to relocate the site?” the manager grumbled.

“They don’t want monetary compensation because your offer wasn’t good enough.” The area has been cordoned off with fencing in advance of construction. So, it is inconceivable for the locals to be unaware that their ancestors” grave will be affected until approximately halfway through the second phase. Hence, they’re obviously trying to bilk us out of more money. “I’ll let the office know. Keep talking to the locals, Sophia ordered.

“Roger.”

After that, she put down the phone and flipped open her laptop to review the project’s documentation. On the land designated for the second construction phase, she observed that there were neither buildings nor forests, but rather, there was a vast grassy field. Furthermore, there were no recorded graves in the vicinity. She sensed that something was off about this situation, and as a result, she compiled the manager’s remarks into a report before sending it to her contact. It did not take long before she received a reply.

At that moment. Sophia’s phone rang again; this time, it was an unknown number from Ascot. When she answered it, the voice on the other end caused her to scowl.

“Miss Yancey!”

“Is there something you need, Mr. Ulmer?” she asked coldly.

“Miss Yancey, are you still angry at me for what happened that day? It was only a brief moment of indiscretion, Thomas responded, sounding exasperated.

“If that’s all, I’m hanging up.”

“Didn’t you message me about the construction project in Edgeminster?” he asked hurriedly.

Sophia frowned in response and blurted, “You’re my contact?”

“Well, I am in charge of Shell Capital’s projects. Are you that surprised?”

She was stumped by the question but answered bluntly, “I’ve already written down the details of the issue in the report.

“Have you been there since construction started?” Thomas asked.

“I’ve been there twice,” Sophia replied.

“When the authorities are far away with no one to oversee the situation, it is hard for anyone to ensure those under them behave,” he stated. “Miss Yancey, I might need you to head to Edgeminster with me to speak with the people on-site.”

Her frown deepened upon hearing that. Even he felt this issue was not as simple as it initially appeared. “When?” she asked.

“I have some work to sort out over here. How about next Thursday?”

“Today is Wednesday, Mr. Ulmer, Sophia corrected him helplessly. “Forget it. I’ll wrap up my work here and head there this weekend.”

“That works, Thomas said.

Without anything else to say, she hung up.

Meanwhile, Sophia spent the next two days finally finishing packing her bags and moving her belongings to her new home. On the evening she moved, she treated Elsie with the feast she had promised.

However, Elsie learned about Sophia’s injury only after they met, sending her into a panicked frenzy. Sophia then proceeded to describe the events leading up to the accident. It made Elsie wish she could borrow a knife from the chef and use it to hack and dice Walter, who was being held in the detention

center.

“This is considered a work injury, Sophia! Your boss should have compensated you!” Elsie shrieked.