Chapter 2
Febcity’s stern expression melted into warmth as she turned to Chloe, gently taking her hand. Her voice was drenched in affection, each word meant to comfort and reaffirm. “Chloe, don’t feel guilty. Everything she has–everything she ever had–she stole from you. You’re the one who deserved this life. You’re the one who had to suffer so much out there while she lived comfortably, basking in what was never hers. She owes you all
this
Her gaze shifted, hardening as it landed on Sophia. Her voice grew sharp, and cold. “Sophia, if you had been humble and well–behaved, perhaps we could have kept you around as a second daughter. But every time I see you, I’m reminded of the years I wasted treating you like a treasure, unaware that my real daughter was cast there, struggling to survive. That is something I can never forgive.”
Felicity passed, letting her words cut deep before adding, “Besides, your real family has already come to claim you. They may be from the slums, but they are your blood. Don’t think you can keep clinging to us, pretending you belong here. We’ve been more than generous in raising you all these years.
Griffin stepped beside her, placing a calming hand on Felicity’s arm. His eyes swept across the crowd, gauging their reactions, before turning to Sophia Sophia, even though you’re not our biological daughter, we’ve shared many years under the same roof. If you ever need help in the future, I’ll see what I can do for you.” He paused meaningfully, then glanced at Chloe with a small, approving smile.
Chloe stepped forward gracefully, lifting the hem of her gown to take a champagne glass from a passing server. Her movements radiated sophistication, and her sparkling outfit drew all eyes room.
“Sophia,” Chloe said softly, her tone laced with mock kindness, “here’s thirty thousand dollars. Dad prepared this just for you. It’s not much, but it should help if your family back in the slums gets… well…
She trailed off with a knowing smile, leaving her meaning hanging in the air. She handed Sophia the card, the smirk on her lips growing,
Then, raising her champagne glass, Chloe added, “Sophia, even though you don’t want to go back where you come from, and we hate to see you go, we can’t selfishly keep you here at the expense of your family. They’re your blood, after all. Don’t you agree?”
Every word hinted at the same message: Sophia was a shallow opportunist who refused to return to her humble roots, while her family from the slums were parasites
It paimed the Stewarts as noble and principled while casting Sophia in the worst possible light.
Chlor basked in the chaos she’d stirred, her satisfaction almost palpable. Whispers rippled through the crowd, their gazes filled with pity, disdain, or cold judgment, all trained on Sophia.
Tonight was her sight to destroy Sophia’s reputation, to ensure she’d never set foot in Virelia City’s high society again.
A giant of malor flickered in Chloe’s eyes as her lips curled into a calculated smile.
Without warning, she stumbled forward, her champagne glass tilting ominously. The liquid arced through the air, aimed squarely at Sophia’s face. “Argh”
A sharp cry pierced the room.
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ban tartowe the champpagar cand ladd, Sepaksa moved with startling precision. Her slender, pale hand shot out, gripping Chloe’s wrisa mid–swing. Dimagine to Articair appicasians, Bopitur’s band backd Chlore in an iron grip, unmoving no matter how hard Chloe sirvig
in tea trease atravyro se tecat tver Chilee’s anonsereda only caused the champagne to splash back onto herself, souking her exquisite gown,
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Anlassy sommariling inace swig van Boswo the stage at the void the eps in a hurry. “Sophia, let go this instant she demausted her tone
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11:46 AM
Chapter 2
The transformation wasn’t lost on Chloe, who stood frozen nearby. An icy shiver crawled up her spine, and a strange, unexplainable fear began to bloom within her.
“Arghhh!” There came another scream.
Chloe’s scream shattered the tense silence as Sophia yanked her forward with startling force.
With one decisive motion, Sophia’s hand pressed against Chloe’s head, shoving her straight into the champagne tower.
The cascading tower collapsed in an explosion of glass and champagne, crashing onto the floor in a glittering, chaotic mess.
Champagne soaked Chloe’s once–pristine white gown as she sprawled amid the wreckage, her dignity as shattered as the glass surrounding her.
“Sophia Steward, are you out of your mind?” Felicity’s scream rang out as she rushed toward them, her fury uncontainable.
She raised her hand, aiming a slap at Sophia’s face.
But her wrist was stopped mid–air, effortlessly caught by Sophia’s steady grip.
“It’s Sophia Roscente now,” Sophia said coldly, her voice laced with steel:
Her gaze bore into Felicity, silencing the entire room. “As you wished, from this moment forward, I have nothing more to do with the Stewart Family.”
She shoved Felicity’s hand away with a dismissive flick, her disdain palpable. Without sparing anyone a second glance, Sophia tucked her hands into her hoodie pockets and strode toward the exit.
Behind her, Felicity’s voice rose into a shriek, cracking under the weight of her anger. “Sophia, you ungrateful wretch. You’re nothing but a cheap imposter! Just scram, and if you ever dare crawl back to us, I’ll make you regret it!”
Ethan rushed to Chloe’s side, kneeling to help her up and cradling her protectively in his arms. Yet, despite his proximity to Chloe, his gaze drifted involuntarily toward Sophia.
Sophia didn’t falter. Her pace remained steady, exuding an unbothered confidence that made Ethan feel hollow inside.
Sophia didn’t even glance back at him.
A strange irritation stirred in Ethan’s chest, simmering just beneath the surface.
“Is this all just another calculated scheme?‘ Ethan wondered, ‘Another one of Sophia’s ploys to draw attention to herself?‘
He tightened his hold on Chloe, pulling her closer, as if shielding her from the fallout. His voice rang out across the room, sharp with disdain. “Sophia, you think you can get my attention by hurting Chloe?
“You venomous woman. You disgust me!”
Sophia, however, didn’t flinch, didn’t falter. Her stride remained steady, each step measured and deliberate. The quiet confidence in her movements, the unwavering calm in her departure, made Ethan’s words feel weightless, as if they’d vanished into thin air.
Outside the glittering opulence of the Century Crown Hotel, a sleek black car idled by the curb. The vehicle blended into the shadows, its polished exterior reflecting the city lights like a dark mirror.
Inside, a man redlined lazily against the seatback. His crisp black shirt fit perfectly over his broad shoulders, emphasizing his lean, powerful frame. His long legs stretched out comfortably, and the subtle indifference in his demeanor made the confined space feel heavy with unspoken authority.
His slender, jade–like fingers tapped rhythmically against the edge of the car window, the sound blending seamlessly with the faint hum of the city
Outside
The man’s silent, commanding presence seemed to draw the walls of the car inward, until the very air felt thin and heavy.
In the driver’s seat, Gary Tomlins glanced nervously at the rearview mirror, swallowing hard before speaking,
“Tristan, I swear, the target is definitely in there!” His voice carried a mixture of pride and urgency as he twisted around to face the man in the
backseat
Thumping his chest, he continued, “The system I built is flawless! That clusive miracle doctor from the Shadow Clan—the one who’s always impossible to track–is absolutely at the Stewart Family’s party tonight!*
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11:46 AM
Chapter 2
He gestured excitedly toward the car’s electronic display. “See this? My advanced tech has given us a complete view of the party. No blind spots. I’ll pinpoint exactly who the person is in no time!”
On the screen, a live feed from the Stewart banquet played, showing every corner of the grand hall.
Amid the glittering crowd, a lone person cloaked in a gray hoodie strode steadily out of the chaos, hands buried in her pockets.
Tristan Yeats‘ sparkling eyes narrowed the moment the person came into view. The faint reflection of his chiseled features shimmered against the car window, illuminated by the dazzling city lights. His striking, otherworldly face seemed carved from stone, a flawless Greek masterpiece that radiated power and magnetism.
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