Chapter 4
Chloe feigned concern, her lips curling into an exaggerated, hesitant smile, “Sophia, thank you for the thoughtful gesture, but we really don’t need these gifts. Besides, who knows if these things from the countryside aren’t hazardous? You should take them back”
Sophia’s expression turned cold, her patience thin. “Didn’t you grow up eating food from the skumst Funny how none of it ever killed you.”
Chloe’s face dramed of color, the sharp retort hitting a nerve. Memories of her less–than–glamorous origins clawed their way to the surface, and shame flashed across her face before anger took over
Her fists clenched, her eyes reddening as she tried to muster a response. “I was just trying to help,” she stammered, her voice trembling with a calculated mix of hurt and indignation. “I just didn’t want Mom to get upset with you for this kind of gesture. How could you-
“Stop” Sophia’s voice cut through Chloe’s attempt at manipulation. “She’s YOUR mom, not mine. I have nothing to do with you guys anymore.”
Chloe bit her lip, forcing herself to look pitiful, her eyes brimming with unshed tears.
“Well, aren’t you bold now,” Ethan interjected with a sneer, tightening his hold on Chloe’s waist. His expression was filled with disdain as he glared at Sophia. “If you’re going to leave, then leave already. You’re just embarrassing yourself here.
He was convinced this scene was another ploy to draw his attention
The thought disgusted him.
Walter, standing nearby, clenched his jaw. His usually composed expression was darkening. He briefly considered dumping the sacks onto Ethan’s arrogant face but restrained himself out of respect for Sophia.
Before U
Walter could speak, Sophia touched his arm lightly, signaling him to let it go.
She grabbed the sacks from him and tossed them back into the trunk without hesitation. “I don’t owe the Stewart family anything. No thanks necessary
With a sharp slam of the trunk, she climbed into the car and motioned 10
Walter. “Let’s go.”
Walter gave Ethan and Chloe one final glance, his polite demeanor intact but his eyes sharp as daggers. Without a word, he slipped into the driver’s seat, started the engine, and drove away, leaving the pair in a cloud of dust
Ethan waved the exhaust fumes from his face, his expression twisting into a scowl. Let’s see how long she can keep up that tough act he muttered bitterly.
Something about Sophia’s reaction unsettled him. She no longer clung to him or endured his insults with quiet persistence. Instead, she had walked away without hesitation, without even sparing him a glance.
The realization irritated him in ways he couldn’t explain. His mood soured further, and his words turned sharper. “Bringing wild grass and dirt to the Stewart family as a thank–you gift Typical of someone so low–class. Chloe, stay away from lowlife trash like her,”
Hearing Ethan’s biting remarks, Chloe’s heart soared with satisfaction. She masked her glee with a troubled expression, lowering her eyes. “But… she’s my sister… after all”
Ethan pulled his hand away abruptly and stormed back toward the hotel.
Left behind, Chloe felt no anger at his sudden departure. On the contrary, she reveled in it.
She could barely contain the triumphant smile threatening to break across her face.
The more than despised Sophia, the better.
One day, Sophia would be erased entirely from Ethan’s life.
On that day, Chloe’s position would be secure, her world untouchable
Her heels clicked confidently against the pavement as she hurried to catch up to Ethan, her steps light with triumph.
Meanwhile, in a sleek black car parked discreetly nearby, Cary leaned back lazily, one hand propping up his chin.
He clicked his tongue, clearly amused Tristan, did you see what was in those sacks That’s some top–tier medicinal herbs. Rare stuff, Really rare.”
1/3
$D
Dreame–Read Romance…
Open
Chapter 4
Tristan didn’t respond, his intense gate fixed on Sophia’s car as it disappeared into the distance. After it vanished completely, he lowered his eyes, his expression calm but unreadable.
The truth was clear–those sacks weren’t just filled with random plants or cheap gifts. They contained rare medicinal herbs that were so valuable that even Tristan’s family needed significant influence to obtain them
The supposed “fake” heiress of the Stewart family, rumored to have grown up in the slums, clearly wasn’t what everyone thought she was
“Seriously, Chlor must be blind, Gary remarked with a mocking laugh. “If her family knew what kind of thank–you gift she just turned down, they’d beg Sophia to give it back. Id pay to see that scene”
“Let’s go,” Tristan said, his tone calm as he leaned back against the seat.
His eyes returned to their normal unreadable darkness.
Gary raised an eyebrow, surprised by the sudden shift. “Giving up on finding that doctor already?”
A fains smile played on Tristan’s lips, cold and enigmatic.
From the start, the doctor hadn’t been his only goal.
What Tristan truly wanted was to witness Sophia sever all ties with the Stewart family–and with Erhan Baker.
Now, he had seen in happen with his own eyes. That was enough
Closing his eyes, Tristan’s smooth, magnetic voice echoed faintly in the car, laced with a subtle, iry elegance. “It seems the doctor has no interest in the Stewart family
In another car, Waher’s gaze flicked toward the rearview mirror, where Sophis sat in the backseat
Her head was lowered as her slender fingers tapped rhythmically on her phone screen. Her expression remained calm, detached, as though the earlier confrontation had left no mark on her at all.
Walter couldn’t help feeling a pang of regret. How much has she gone through while living with the Stewart Family? Her indifference toward them seemed almost too effortless, as though it has been forged through years of resilience.
Softening his voice, Walter said. “Miss Roscente, I must apologize. If only we had found you sooner, you wouldn’t have had to go through so much with the Stewart Family”
Sephia paused in her movements. Her fingers brushed lightly against the phone’s screen before she turned it off and slipped it into her pocket. Her tone was measured but unconcerned. “It’s fine. Better late than never
After a brief silence, she asked, “Chloe’s been with the Roscente Family for, what, twenty years! How come she doesn’t know you?”
Walter replied smoothly, as if seeing the question coming “Miss Roscente, I’ve already explained this. According to the Roscente family’s rules, that Miss Stewart isn’t qualified to meet me. That’s why she doesn’t know who I am”
y, a mix of intrigue and
skepticism
Sophia raised an eyebrow, an
an amused smile tugging at her lips. Her eyes gleamed faintly, a
‘Rules?‘ she thought. The Roscente family is supposed to be a poor, shum–dwelling family, according to Chloe. Since when do familles like that have qualifications or rules for who can meet whom!
And he said I have six siblings? How could a supposedly impoverished family afford to raise that many children!
Her thoughts turned to Walter’s earlier actions–the way he had hauled two burlap sacks filled with priceless medicinal herbs as if they were mere trifles.
The puzzle pieces didn’t fit.
Walter seemed to sense her lingering doubt and quickly added, “Miss Roscente, please don’t worry. You won’t be required to undergo the family’s customary test. Since you’ve returned so late, you’ll be allowed to enter the main house directly.
He paused, his voice taking on a note of quiet pride. “That said, whether you can stay in the main house will depend on your abilities. But from what bean see, Miss Rescente, you’re far more capable than that Miss Stewart. I have no doubt you’ll succeed”
Sophia’s brows arched slightly as his words sank in. Test? Main house!
2/3
Dreame–Read Romance.
Open
Chapter 4
None of this sounded remotely like the life of a struggling family living in the slums.
rl back in
Sophia leaned back in her seat, a faint glimmer of curiosity Bashing in her eyes.
The more she heard, the less the Roscente family resembled the pitiful image Chloe had painted.
The car sped smoothly along the road, its tires humming against the pavement. After a sharp turn, it transitioned into a grand avenue lined with
periretly manicured trees and orate streetlights
Sophia shifted her gaze in the window, watching as the towering skyscrapers of the city center gave way to sprawling estates.
Each property boasted a distinct architectural style, from sleek modern designs to grandiose classical mansions.
Sophia narrowed her eyes, her mind stirring with a faint sense of recognition.
She knew this place. She had read about it in countless newspapers and magazines, always mentioned in the same breath as the most influential figures in Virelia. Yet, she had never imagined she would see it for herself, let alone be driven through its gates
This was the Virelis Supreise,
The name alone carried weight. Bring the most exclusive residential district in the city, Vireba Supreme wasn’t just a display of immense wealth. It was a symbol of untouchable status, connections, and influence,
Even the prestigious Stewart family, with all their resources, couldn’t claim access to this enclave of elites
Yet, Walter’s understated car navigated the area with ease. Gates opened without hesitation, and the car moved as though it belonged there-
Sophia’s lips curved into a faint, knowing smirk. The so–called “bum–dwelling Hoscente family Chloe had mocked didn’t align with what she was seeing now. Not even close.
AD
