The call connected quickly, and Adrian Carter’s disdainful voice came through.8
“Only ten days and you already regret it? Sophia Green, I thought you were tougher than that.”
I pressed my fingers to my temple, irritated
“Send me the raw surveillance footage from the Award Ceremony.”
“What do you need that for?”
“You really want me to spell it out? Don’t tell me you don’t know.”
There was silence for a moment, then he said,
“Chloe’s trending right now. Don’t stir up trouble.”
I laughed bitterly, as if I’d heard the funniest joke in the world.
“Trouble? Do you not see how badly I’m being torn apart online?”
“If you hadn’t bullied Chloe, would people be cursing you? Sophia, can’t you reflect on yourself for once?”
“Just post an apology statement, the netizens will stop, and Chloe will forgive you. She’s magnanimous like that.” I ground my teeth,
“I did nothing wrong. If you want me to apologize, forget it!”
Slamming the phone down, I blocked and deleted him.”
Once I’d calmed myself, I called my junior. He was a hacker working abroad.
“Do me a favor..”
I gave him the time and location.8
He chuckled warmly. “Anything for you, sis. I’ll send it later.”
I composed myself and headed to the banquet my father was hosting that evening.
Tonight, he would formally hand over his U.S. company to me in front of the business elite.
My father rarely returned to the States, so his presence stirred a sensation among high society. The ballroom was packed.
But before I could even enter, I was blocked at the door by more than a dozen women waving fan club colors for Chloe Miller.B
“Isn’t this the bitch who bullied Chloe?”
“Do you know where you are? This is a banquet hosted by New York City’s richest man. You don’t belong here.“”
“You’re not even fit to shine Chloe’s shoes!”
I frowned. How had details about the banquet leaked?
Sending my assistant to investigate, I tried to walk past without a glance. Bat someone suddenly yanked my hair.
“How dare you bully our Chloe–you deserve to die!”
“Whore, you hit her, we’ll beat you to death!”
They shoved me to the ground, slapping my face repeatedly.
The attack came so suddenly that security only reacted after a moment, then quickly restrained them.8
I was left disheveled–hair a mess, gown stained, face cut with several scratches.X
Furious, I ordered,
“Call the police!”
“Please don’t, Sophia,” Chloe said sweetly, appearing with Adrian on her arm. “They’re just young girls who don’t know better. A criminal record will ruin their lives.”
No wonder Chloe’s fans had shown up outside the banquet.
I sneered.”
“Maybe you’re right. It’s not just them who should go to jail. Their idol belongs there too.”
Adrian stood before me, towering over me arrogantly.
“Still unrepentant? This is the price you pay. Do you finally realize your
I got to my feet.
mistake?“:
“Yes, I made a mistake. I was blind to ever fall for someone as heartless as your“!
Chloe immediately stepped in front of him protectively.
“Shohia how can you say that? He’s heen en good to wo lately he hasn’t even hean sleeping herause he’s worried about
1.2
8:01 AM
Chloe immediately stepped in front of him protectively.
“Sophia, how can you say that? He’s been so good to you. Lately he hasn’t even been sleeping because he’s worried about you.”
I laughed, staring straight at her.
“Not sleeping? Did you watch him all night to know that? Standing at his bedside?”
Adrian’s face twisted with rage.
*Sophia, do you know what you’re saying? Do you know how important a woman’s reputation is?“!
My heart turned cold.
So he did know a woman’s reputation mattered.
Chloe’s reputation was sacred, but mine could be dragged through the mud.
