hapter 63
Sophia innocently blinked her eyes. “He fell accidentally.” This was the official story Jonathan had given out,
Charlotte felt sympathy for Sophia, who looked so meek and well behaved. “Life in this family must be tough.”
Coming from a wealthy family herself, Charlotte understood all too well the scheming and backstabbing that could occur within a farmily. Even the Grant family wasn’t immune to it. That was why Charlotte had left the Grant residence after graduating from the police academy.
Sophia’s eyelashes fluttered slightly as she lowered her gaze. “I’ve grown up.”
Charlotte patted her head. “You did the right thing this time. How about I introduce some bodyguards to
“Really?” Sophia’s eyes lit up. She hadn’t expected such a good turn of events.
Charlotte nodded. “They’re all injured veterans. Though they can’t work on the front lines anymore, they’ll more than suffice to protect you.”
“Thank you, Charlotte,” Sophia said sincerely.
Upstairs, it was unclear what Jonathan and Howard had discussed, but Howard was no longer shouting about calling the police. He was silent, just glaring at Sophia with a sinister look.
Sophia smiled brightly at him and raised her chin provocatively. Howard’s gaze seemed like it could tear her apart, but just as he was about to move, Jonathan held him back.
“Ms. Grant, I’m really sorry. There’s been a bit of a misunderstanding between the two kids. I didn’t expect Sophia to trouble you and have you come all this way,” Jonathan said.
Charlotte didn’t respond. She had anticipated that to them, this would be considered a family matter.
Charlotte just looked at Sophia, who rolled her eyes and pointed meaningfully at the bank account number printed on her chest. Jonathan’s eyes twitched, and he nodded reluctantly.
Sophia finally relented. “Alright, let’s just drop it.” She felt bad for
aking Charlotte come all this way for nothing.
Sophia escorted Charlotte out, waving at her with a smile. “Charlotte, I’ll
you to a meal sometime.” Charlotte gave her a thumbs–up.
As soon as Sophia entered the house, she met Jonathan’s deep, penetrating gaze. “Why did you call the police?” he asked.
Sophia replied firmly, “I was scared. Of course, I had to call the police for protection.”
Jonathan countered, “Aren’t you afraid Howard will call the police and have you arrested?”
Sophia wasn’t afraid at all. She shrugged her shoulders with a defiant air. “He fell on his own, didn’t he? Arrest me? Does he have any evidence? Or are you all going to testify for him?”
Jonathan didn’t respond. Sophia scoffed. “I’m not underestimating him, but he’s a good–for–nothing waste. Does he really think he can arrest me?
“He has no evidence that I pushed him down the stairs, but I have evidence that he was the one who attacked me first. Even if all of you testify for him, I’m not afraid. At worst, it would be considered excessive self–defense.”
She continued, “Thanks to Howard, I’ve been quite popular online lately. If anything happens to me, it will be blown out of proportion. ‘Top Scorer Among STEM Students Sophia Kills Someone‘ or ‘Chandler Group Chairman’s Children Turn On Each Other‘–which title do you think is better?
“Jonathan, you’ve reaped a lot of benefits from me being in the spotlight, haven’t you? Compared to Howard, that waste, would you really let me go to jail?”
Jonathan felt a pang of guilt. “What are you talking about?”
Chapter 63
“You’re so hypocritical, Sophia mocked him. “Even though I don’t attend any parties, I know everything.
“Now the whole of Jelasburg knows that your two daughters are top scorers among STEM students, especially nie. Anyone who offends me dhe well. No one has dared to offend you in this period, right?”
Jonathan’s eyes darkened. He hadn’t expected her to know so much. Sophia was right; her name had gained some recognition in the high socialy začle
The Sampson family, who had offended Sophia, had gone bankrupt and were now in jail. The Lynn family and the Foley family were also falling apart with bankruptcy just a matter of time.
As for the Shelton family? The couple hadn’t divorced yet, but they were already living separately, and divorce was just around the corner.
In such a short span of time, so many incidents had occurred, all of which were more or less connected to Sophia. People gossiped and speculated, and gradually, they began to believe that Sophia possessed some sort of magic touch.
Those who had attended Liam’s birthday party and indulged in the gossip knew that Benedict’s girlfriend had gone missing, another prediction that Sophia had seemingly gotten right..
‘Better safe than sorry,‘ they thought. No one could be certain that they wouldn’t be the next target. The prominent families of Jelasburg each had their own calculations. As long as their interests remained unaffected, they would avoid offending Sophia if they could,
Regardless of the truth behind these stories, Jonathan was currently basking in the limelight. This was precisely why he was so tolerant of Sophia.
“Pay up,” Sophia said, simply wanting to remind him that she was well aware of everything.
Jonathan paused mid–reach for his phone. “This outfit of yours-”
“I had it custom–made. It’s convenient,” Sophia replied.
Jonathan entered the bank account number and transferred the money. Once the funds hit her account, Sophia hummed a tune cheerfully and headed back to her room. As she passed Howard’s room, her expression turned cold.
She let out a disdainful snort. Although she didn’t know how many fans Howard had left, she was certain that some would seek revenge after his
livestream.
It had happened during a few cycles before. Although she had retaliated, it still hadn’t felt satisfying enough. This time, she was going to make sure it was explosive. Right now, Howard was vulnerable.
‘Since I can’t harm him physically, I’ll just have to destroy him mentally,’ Sophia thought.
That night, a small, round metal object rolled into Howard’s room.
Howard had been struggling with insomnia and restless sleep. When he opened his eyes, he saw a woman in a white dress sitting motionless at the foot of his bed, her hair trailing to the floor. It looked like something out of a horror movie.
As she slowly turned her head, he realized it was Yvette.
Before he could ask why she was in his room, he saw her face slowly split open, blood seeping out continuously. Eventually, her face began to rot, with flesh and blood dripping off bit by bit.
Howard’s blood–curdling scream echoed throughout the entire villa, waking everyone who lived there.
Jonathan and Heather were the first to rush over. When they pushed the door open, they saw Howard huddled under the covers, trembling violently.
“Howard, what’s wrong?” Heather tried to pull the blanket off him, but he clung to it tightly.
Howard’s voice, trembling and quivering, came from under the covers. “There’s a ghost, a ghost in a white dress with long hair, right there.”
2/2
Chapter 63
At his words, everyone’s paze shifted to Yvette, who was standing there in a white nightgown with her hair louse,
Sophia, with her arms crossed, smirked. “Oh, he’s scared? Saw a ghost?”
Sean frowned. “Sophia, enough of that.”
Sophia glared at him. “What’s your problem? Why are you snapping at me? If you’re so brave, go catch the ghost.”
Sean didn’t respond and avoided her gaze.
Sophia rolled her eyes.
Wette looked as if she had been struck. She spoke softly, her voice gentle. “Howard?”
After being comforted by Heather and Jonathan, Howard emerged from under the covers. The moment he saw Yvette, he screamed again. “Ghost, get away from me.
Yvette’s face turned pale, and she bit her lower lip.
Sophia gloated. “The ghost he’s talking about is you, isn’t it?”
Yvette’s eyes welled up with tears, and she looked utterly wronged. “I’m not a ghost. I don’t know why this is happening.”
Sophia continued to pour salt on the wound. “I told you before that you don’t fit in with this family, but you just wouldn’t listen. If you keep this up, maybe the Chandler family will end up like the Sampson family.
“I guess I’d better save up some money, so I don’t suffer when you all go bankrupt.”
AD
