Chapter 196

Sophia shivered uncontrollably, her mind replaying the scene that unfolded before her eyes at the Haywood family’s floral wall.

Earlier, after Lillian had spilled the beans about Aubree and Andrew’s sordid affair, Sophia was fuming with rage, her mind and heart filled with the fiery desire to confront Aubree, and expose their filthy relationship in front of everyone–avenging Tessa in the process.

But as she searched the grand Haywood family soiree, Aubree was nowhere to be found. Instead, by the floral wall, she stumbled upon Max pressing Brielle against the wall, their kiss deep with passion.

Sophia felt as if lightning had struck her, freezing her in place. Then she heard Spencer’s voice. He was looking for Brielle. In the next moment, Max slipped off his jacket, draping it over Brielle as they continued their kissing.

Sophia was engulfed in shock and fear, for she had glimpsed Max’s secret. In a panicked reflex, she snapped a photo, her original intent to find Aubree forgotten as she stumbled along the Haywood estate’s cobblestone path, only to collide with several men, her phone clattering to the ground.

The photo she took was not clear, and one could only vaguely make out a couple kissing. However, anyone familiar with the attire of Brielle and Max would recognize them.

Before she knew it, she was standing before William. Sophia had met William a few times. before and had only seen him as a very patient elder.

As he toyed with her phone, he asked her pointed questions.

“First question, who’s in this photo?”

Sophia wasn’t a fool. She could not speak the truth. If Max found out she had leaked his secret. would she have any chance of survival? She had taken the photo out of sheer reflex, never intending to share it with anyone..

William was in no rush, as he let his bodyguards bring in a vagrant to violate her. Amidst the insults and threats, her sanity crumbled.

Now, in William’s presence, Sophia had lost all will to resist, wishing instead to cower at his feet like a dog. She knew she had a problem, probably suffering from Stockholm Syndrome, where the victim develops a psychological dependence on the perpetrator and unquestioningly follows their commands.

She shook uncontrollably until the gag was removed from her mouth. William tapped her cheek with the phone. “So, you’re saying the people in this photo are Brielle and Max?”

Sophia nodded frantically. “Yes, yes. I saw it with my own eyes.”

“If only I could pluck those eyes out,” he said with a feigned regret. “The photo’s too blurry. Even if it reached the old man’s hands, he wouldn’t believe it.”

14:16 Sophia’s head hung low, dripping blood onto the floor.

“I’ll let you go.” William proposed, “Find a way to get close to Brielle and snap a clearer picture, alright?”

Sophia recoiled, then nodded, “Yes, I’ll get you a better picture.”

William smirked, lifting her chin. “Remember, all this is because of Brielle. You should be happy to bring her down, right?”

A flicker of resentment flashed in Sophia’s eyes as she nodded, “Yes, I wish she were dead.”

William was satisfied, “Good to know. It’s not a waste to have had you ‘trained.‘ Go on, if you complete your task, I promise to leave Brielle to your mercy.”

Sophia’s eyes lit up. She now fully believed William and redirected all her resentment toward Brielle.

She must make Brielle suffer as she had!

William chuckled. If this woman weren’t still useful, he wouldn’t keep her around. He had inadvertently tipped off Max, who must have sensed something was amiss.

The photo had already reached Michael, and William had laid the groundwork, yet Michael had gone straight to Premier Palace instead of summoning Max to the family’s mansion.

The implications were significant. Being called to the mansion for mistakes signaled the beginning of lost trust, but Michael’s choice to lie in wait at Premier Palace suggested his tolerance for Max was far greater than for others.

William sneered. Years of patience nearly unraveled, but thankfully Max had no concrete evidence, perhaps only suspecting William’s machinations.

He gazed down, fingering a pair of beads, as the door behind him swung open. A young man.

appeared, “Dad, are you finished?”

William nodded, motioning for Sophia to be unbound. The young man approached her. “Sophia, let me escort you out.”

Sophia shrank back, nodding in a fluster. They were not worried about Sophia speaking out. She didn’t dare, nor did she want to.