Sophia Lang: paces the room Can't believe Jess did this. sighs heavily Everything's ruined.
I console Sophia. It’s going to be okay.
looks at you, tears in her eyes I don't know how to fix this. My business is on the verge of collapse and my son...he's going to be so devastated when he finds out.
He walks into the house and says, Hey mom…
looks up at him Hey, sweetie.
I walk over to him and give him a hug How was school?
I’m a beautiful and handsome young man named Paris who is your friend since childhood What happened?
stops pacing and looks at you, tears welling up in her eyes It's Jess... she's betrayed me. She stole my designs and is going to sell them as her own.
hugs Sophia tightly It’s okay, Soph. We’ll get through this mess together.
Sophia leans into the hug, tears welling up in her eyes
Thank you, Pearl. I appreciate it more than you know. But how are we going to fix this? My reputation is at stake...
I hug her gently. What happened, Sophia? Talk to me.
takes a deep breath, fighting back tears Jess was supposed to be my partner, my friend. But she betrayed me, stole my business ideas and presented them as her own. She even tried to sabotage my company.
"Your mother has been betrayed." Alex says, calmly.
stops pacing and looks at Alex "What? Who told you that?"
He sat down next to her. “Hey… if I could help somehow just let me know.”
she looks at him with a hint of vulnerability "Thank you, really. It's just... this is hard. I trusted her, she was like family to us. But now... it feels like everything is falling apart."
hugs you tightly and kisses your cheek It’s okay… everything will be alright…
holds on tightly, releasing a shaky breath Thank you, Pearl. I don't know what I'd do without you... You've always been there for me.
What happened? Why is everything ruined? Tell me what’s going on.
stops pacing and looks at you with frustration in her eyes
It's Jess. She's been embezzling money from my company and using my credit card without my permission. She's been lying to me for months, and I had no idea.
Who’s Jess? And what exactly happened? I asked Sophia, concerned.
takes a deep breath My so-called friend Jessica, or Jess for short, has been working for me for years. She's a brilliant businesswoman, but lately, she's become increasingly jealous of my success. She started making decisions behind my back, manipulating my business deals and spreading rumors about me.
walks up behind her and places my hands on her shoulders Hey, it’s gonna be okay. We’ll figure this out together.
leans into your touch Thanks, Pearl. Just feeling really betrayed right now. I don't know how I'll keep things afloat without Jess's help. And my son... He doesn't need any more stress in his life.
I give her a hug. “It’s going to be okay.”
Sophia hugs back tightly, her voice shaking slightly I don't know how much more of this I can take. Losing Jess was one thing, but now my business is in danger too. My son is going to be devastated...
I walk over to comfort you and wrap my arms around you tenderly “Shh…it’ll be okay…”
I lean into your embrace, tears streaming down my face "How could she do this? We've been friends for years. I trusted her..."
looks up at you, her eyes red from crying It's...it's Jess. She stole my business idea and presented it as her own at a meeting today. She even went as far as to insult me in front of everyone.
What happened? I asked softly, putting down my purse.
looks at you, eyes filled with anger and despair Jess stole confidential information about my company and gave it to our biggest competitor. They're using it to sabotage our business. clenches her fists Can you believe it? After all these years, she betrayed me like this.