Chapter 8
Thirty minutes later, Sophia’s car came to a stop at the entrance of the Abyss.
The place was packed with people, and modified race cars filled every corner of the venue.
Judging by the crowd’s energy, it seemed like a big race was happening tonight.
“SOPHIA“” A shrill, excited voice rang out from the crowd.
Sherry, wearing a fiery red mini dress, spotted Sophia without f
fail and ran straight toward her.
She trotted over on her sky–high heels and can wait to see Sophia.
Throwing her arms wide, Sherry pulled Sophia into a tight hug and planted a loud kiss on her check.
Sophia tumed her face to avoid it, but Sherry’s dramatic, mock–crying voice stopped her. “Waaaah! You’ve been serving time for three years and didn’t visit me once. Three whole years! Do you know how I survived without you?”
Sophia was at a loss for words,
In the end, she let Sherry leave a bright red lipstick mark on her cheek.
Satished, Sherry slung an arm around Sophia’s shoulder and grinned. “So, where’s my face mask? You didn’t forget, did you?”
Sophia pulled the gift bag from her hand and flicked the pink bow tied on top with her slender fingers. “Here, with your favorite bow
“Love you forever! Sherry squealed, grabbing the bag and puckering up for another kiss.
Sophia dodged this time, and Sherry finally relented. “Zack and the boys heard you were coming and threw together a party upstairs just for you.”
Sophia raised a brow. “What’s next? Did they light a fireplace and prepare for me to burn all my past regrets and start a new life??
“Of course! It’s standard procedure Sherry joked with a wink.
“You should’ve told me to bring something to bum, then,” Sophia quipped.
“Three years are up–time to welcome back our queen. So, feeling like making a splash tonight?” Sherry’s eyes sparkled with excitement, darting toward the car Sophia had driven in.
Her RAZE lit up when she saw the sleek, understated sports car. “Wait a second, is that a Bugatti limited edition but for racing? They haven’t even released this yet. And you’re already driving one?”
“Picked it from the garage. It’s the most racing one, and the most low–key option I could find, Sophia said casually
Sherry’s jaw dropped as she ran to the car, brushing her hand reverently over its body. “Honey, your new family must be filthy rich”
Sophia was about to respond when a sweet, deliberately soft voice interrupted. “Sophia, what a coincidence. I didn’t expect to see you here”
Chloe appeared, dressed to perfection in a designer outst and carrying an expensive lundur.
She strutted over, flanked by a group of hungers–on who surrounded her like she was royalty.
Stopping in front of Sophia, Chloe flashed a delicate smile. “Ethan just got called away by some f
some friends.”
Her words dripped with implication. The “coincidence of meeting here wasn’t random at all–she insinuated that Sophia had shown up specifically to chase after Ethan
Sophia gave her a flat glance and replied coolly, “What makes you think I’d care for the whereabouts of the trash I tossed away?”
Chloe’s smile faltered, her face twisting in shock. ‘Did did she just call Ethan trash?”
She stared at Sophia, mouth agape.
Sophia had spent three years fawning over Ethan like a lovesick puppy. Chloe believed that, there was no way Sophia could have let him go.
Chloe forced herself to remain calm.
1/2
ex
Dreame–Read Romance—
Open
11:47 AM
Chapter 8
She was sure that Sophia was putting on a front.
After all, Chloe was now the one standing proudly by Ethan’s side, acknowledged as his fiancée.
She was the victor–the one meant to crush Sophia underfoot
Chlor’s s
‘s sense of superiority swelled as she put on a delicate smile, her gaze sliding past Sophia to the sleek sports car behind her. “Sophia, didn’t you move back to the slums! This car where did you get it?
Feigning regret, she lifted a dainty hand to cover her mouth. “Oh no, I didn’t mean anything by it. I just wanted to remind you that even though you’re no longer a Stewart, you should still be mindful. Try not to tarnish the name while you’re out and abour.”
One of Chloe’s followers pounced on the opportunity, sneering. “Everyone knows the fake heiress of the Stewart family got kicked out and is just a slum rat now. If she’s done something disgraceful, it’s on her. The Stewart family–and especially you, Chloe–don’t need to take the blame”
Another follower chimed in mockingly. “Sophia, you’re so obvious. You found out Ethan would be here tonight, so you rented a flashy car to show off. Trying to catch his eye, huh?”
Another one laughed. “Picked it from a garage? A slum rat like you has a garage? That’s rich”
She paused, and continued, “Everyone knows Ethan is Chloe’s dance. Sophia, you’re so desperate, just quit embarrassing yourself, will your
The saunts came like a barrage, each one harsher than the last. Chloe basked in the attention, her lips curving into a smug smile she barely concealed. Yer outwardly, she maintained her pretense of concern, raising a hand as though to calm the crowd. “Don’t be harsh,” Chloe said sweetly. “Erhan and I are engaged now. I’m sure she wouldn’t stoop to low as to covet someone else’s hance.”
Her tone was syrupy, but her words dripped with mockery thinly veiled as kindness.
Sherry’s face darkened, her short fuse flaring. She was about to explode when Sophia placed a steady hand on her shoulder, signaling her to hold
back.
Sophia stepped closer to Chlor, her calm gaze locking onto hers. Her voice was steady, each word sharp and precise. “You’re right, Chloe. We’re nothing alike. I don’t chase after someone else’s fiancé and eling to them like a club stripper. Clearly, you’re well–practiced in doing just that—and you’re even proud of stealing someone else’s place.”
Sophia smiled faintly, a deliberate and cutting expression. “That’s right, Chloe. Just scream and yell. Tell everyone your legend–how a third wheel got her own way.”
The air went still, Chloe’s face turned a vivid red, her smugness crumbling into mortication.
Everyone present knew the truth–before Chloe reappeared, Sophia had been Ethan’s fiancée, publicly acknowledged by both families. Even if Ethan had been indifferent toward Sophia, their engagement had been formal and official
Yet Chloe had begun seeing Ethan well before she’d been officially welcomed back into the Stewart family.
The crowd, which had been watching with mild anusement, now
now glanced at Chloe with judgment and whispered curiosity.
Chloe’s lip trembled, fury and humiliation mingling as she struggled to keep her composure.
Her eyes welled with tears, but her dramatic display was undermined by one of her followers blurting out. “If you weren’t good enough to keep Mr. Baker, that’s your problem! Chloe didn’t steal anything–he chose her! You just couldn’t measure up!”
The murmurs around them grew louder, the careless comment confirming what everyone had suspected: Chloe had indeed taken Ethan by inserting herself into Sophia’s place.
Chloe’s nails dug into her palms as she bit her lip, anger and panic swirling inside her. “Why do I surround myself with such idiots?
Her eyes darted toward the distance, sporting a familiar guy approaching. A flicker of calculation crossed her face, and by the time she looked back,
here
if de
d’innoc
5 mican
because
T cheek
imily. I
2/2
Comment
AD
Send gift
No Ads
Dreame–Read Romance..
Open
11:47 AM c
Chapter
Chapter 9
Chloe’s voice trembled as she spoke, her teary, pitiful demeanor crafted to perfection, eliciting sympathy from the onlookers.
Just as her words faded, a strong arm pulled her into a protective embrace.
A cold, deep voice followed, “Sophia, what are you doing here?”
Ethan stood at Chloe’s side, dressed in sleek black racing gear that emphasized his confident appearance. His sharp gaze landed on Sophia, his expression hard and unyielding.
But then, something flickered in his eyes–hesitation.
Sophia’s jet–black hair was casually tied into a ponytail. Her flawless face was free of makeup, yet still strikingly beautiful under the venue’s bright lights.
She wore a short black T–shirt that exposed a sliver of her slender waist, paired with low–rise jeans that accentuated her long, toned legs, She carried herself with a natural, effortless elegance that drew every eye in the room.
Sophia didn’t need flashy clothes or desperate gestures to turn heads, her presence alone was magnetic
This wasn’t the Sophia Ethan remembered.
touched by the grief or regret Ethan had expected to find.
This Sophia was bold, radiant, and completely untouched by
When Ethan had seen her confronting Chloe moments ago, his heart had skipped a beat. He even quickened his steps.
For months, it was as though Sophia had vanished from Vircli
After the Stewart family banquet, he had attended event after event, Chloe always at his side, but Sophia had been nowhere to be found.
This was her longest absence in three years.
Ethan hadn’t believed for a second that she was truly gone.
And now, here she was, just as he’d imagined.
But as he tightened his arm around Chloe, ensuring Sophia saw the gesture, the icy detachment in her gaze stopped him cold.
There was no pain, no desperation Just confidence, cunting and unshakable.
Ethan’s expectations fell through. An inexplicable heaviness settled in his chest.
Chloe, sensing the tension, leaned into Ethan with a delicate pour, her voice sift yet barbed. “Ethan, isn’t it obvious why she’s here! She came for you, of course.
One of Ethan’s friends, eager to curry favor, chimed in with a laugh. “That’s so HER. It’s only been a few days, and here she is, sniffing after Ethan
like always
“Imagine following Ethan all the way to the Abyss. And get this: Ethan used his allas today! But even so, she had sniffed him out here,” another added with a sneer.
That’s Ethan for you!” one of his friends crowed. “So incredible that women throw away every shred of dignity just to chase after him!”
The group burst into laughter.
Their mocking stares treated Sophia as nothing more than
a joke, just like e before.
In the past. Ethan would have ignored their words, indifferent to the insults hurled at her. But tonight, those same words stirred an unfamiliar restlessness within him.
He frowned, his irritation bleeding into his tone. “I thought you’d grown a spine, staying away for so long. Couldn’t resist anymore, could you?”
His voice was colder now, meant to sting. “I don’t know how you figured out I’d be here, but this isn’t your place. I’ve only ever loved Chloe, and no amount of dressing up and playing the stray dog will change that
As he spoke, he softened his expression and glanced tenderly down at Chloe, who dung to him like a lifeline.
1/3
Creame–Read Romance…
Open
