Chapter 107
Chapter 107
Half an hour later, Sophia and Dorian met up at the entrance of the Hebert residence. The servants recognized Sophia from her previous visit and let them right in.
“Benedict, if you’re really determined to start a celibate life, you’ll have to step over my dead body first,” Kelly sobbed, holding a fruit knife to her throat.
Even her meticulous makeup couldn’t conceal the haggard, exhausted look on her face; she seemed to have aged á decade overnight.
Sophia and Dorian exchanged a glance, their eyes gleaming with the unmistakable spark of gossip–hungry spectators. Without a word, they both leaned against opposite sides of the doorframe, craning their necks to peek inside. They found the living room was packed with people.
Sophia scanned the crowd until her eyes landed on Benedict, dressed in plain robes, and completely bald. ‘Well, look at that shiny head, Sophia thought to herself.
“Mom, put the knife down first. Let’s talk this through calmly,” Benedict pleaded anxiously, his newly shaved head glistening as he stepped forward to grab the weapon.
But Kelly brandished the knife, snapped at Benedict and said, “Don’t you dare come any closer.”
Tears streamed down Kelly’s face as she wailed in anguish, “Benedict, promise Mom you won’t leave, okay? You’re my only son. Are you trying to kill me? If you dare step out that door, I’ll kill myself right before your eyes!”
Kelly was absolutely determined, gripping the fruit knife firmly as she pressed it against her neck, cutting a thin bloody line.
“Kelly, calm down and put the knife down,” Leon said, his brows tightly furrowed and his face dark with anger as he glared at the scene before him.
As Leon spoke, Kelly went hysterical, and shouted, “Leon, are you trying to replace our son with your bastard if he becomes celibate? Benedict’s the heir while I’m alive! Your child won’t enter this house. If my son enters monastic life, I’ll end it all.”
Kelly’s words instantly incurred the wrath of the entire Hebert family, with her in–laws bearing the brunt of it. Her relationship with Mrs. Lucy Hebert was already strained, and now Lucy looked ready to lunge at Kelly.
Suddenly, the living room erupted into chaos; a chorus of accusations as everyone began loudly criticizing Kelly.
“Grandpa, Grandma,” Benedict said apologetically, “Mom didn’t mean it that way. Please don’t misunderstand.”
Kelly looked from her son to her husband. Suddenly, a bitter smile broke across Kelly’s face as tears streamed down her cheeks.
Dorian, there to watch the drama, had brought sunflower seeds and handed Sophia a handful. Puzzled, he whispered, “Sophia, Mrs. Hebert has a knife her throat, but they’re still blaming her. Aren’t they worried she might actually slit her throat in the moment?”
Sophia watched Kelly stand before the crowd, powerless against the world. Sophia clicked her tongue and said, “Just talking is pointless. Holding a knife to your own throat is stupid. If you’re done living, why not take a few others down first?”
Dorian’s eyes widened. “You’re right, Sophia. Mrs. Hebert is pitiful; she did everything for her son, but he barely defended her. If anyone ever treated my brother like that, they’d regret it.” said Dorian.
Sophia nodded at Dorian’s fierce look, but then said, “Hey, don’t be so violent. You might have a heart attack and die. Who’ll protect your brother if he’s taken advantage of? Even ghosts need peace.”
In the original storyline, Dorian had a strong brother complex. He resented Yvette because Evander was just one of many suitors in Yvette’s dating pool.
Dorian paused for a moment, then grinned slyly and said, “Just kidding; if you really wanted to get rid of someone, you wouldn’t need brute force. There are plenty of ways to do it without leaving a trace.”
Sophia nodded this time and thought, ‘Good point.”
1/3
Chapter 107
Just as Sophia and Dorian were furtively munching on sunflower seeds while watching the drama unfold, Kelly suddenly spotted them. “Sophia Kelly
called out.
The shout brought all conversation in the living room to an abrupt halt as every eye snapped to Sophia in unison.
The crisp sound of cracking sunflower seeds cut through the silence. Sophia froze mid–bite, then, after an expressionless sweep of the room, handed the seeds back to Dorian and strode in with deliberate confidence.
Kelly’s eyes lit up as if she’d found her last hope. “Sophia, please talk some sense into Benedict. I’ll pay whatever it takes, just name your price,” said Kelly.
Among the Heberts present, some knew Sophia by reputation, while others didn’t.
Lucy glared at Sophia, annoyed by Sophia’s presence and Kelly’s favoritism. Lucy said imperiously, “Who do you think you are, barging in uninvited? Which servant let you in? Are we paying them to let in any random nobody?”
The Heberts who had heard of Sophia exchanged uneasy glances and fell silent.
Sophia looked at the scowling old woman before her, suddenly broke into a smile, and tossed out a completely unrelated question: “Mrs. Lucy Hebert, you’re quite a great ballroom dancer, aren’t you?”
The room fell into bewildered silence.
But Dorian’s eyes lit up. He quickly slipped over to stand quietly by Sophia’s side, the perfect spectator ready to enjoy the show.
Although Lucy didn’t quite understand why Sophia said that, she straightened her back, and pridefully said, “I’m a professional dancer. Don’t let my age fool you; if I really got going, you wouldn’t stand a chance against me!”
Sophia nodded with a sly grin. “Exactly, Mrs. Hebert. If it weren’t for ballroom dancing, you wouldn’t have found love again in your golden years,” said
Sophia.
‘What the hell?‘ Everyone thought and their eyes shot Leon Hebert.
Dorian suddenly realized the old man looked like he’d been cuckolded and couldn’t help but laugh.
Lucy paled in shock and shrieked, “What outrageous lies are you spouting? I don’t even know you!”
Lucy pointed at Kelly, tears streaming down her face. “Did you bring this little tramp here, Kelly? You’re getting out of line, dragging in some nobody to ruin my reputation! What did I do to deserve a daughter–in–law like you? I might as well die!”
The rest of the Hebert family kept silent, while Leon looked like he was about to explode with rage.
Leon watched his mother’s hysterical outburst with displeasure. Though he was upset, he dared not say a word, and thought ‘Sophia never let a slight go unpunished. If I spoke up, I might be her next target.‘
Kelly fearlessly set down the knife and asked, “Is it true, Lucy? Did you really find a new romance?” Ignoring everyone’s reactions, she burst into mocking laughter. “At your age and with Grandpa Leon still around, you found a new flame?”
“Shut up, Kelly” Leon shouted, not daring to scold Sophia but taking it out on his wife.
Kelly completely ignored Leon, fixing Sophia with a gossip–hungry gaze.
Sophia merely glanced at Kelly indifferently. With instant understanding, Kelly whipped out her phone and deftly transferred money to Sophia.
“Is 30 thousand enough for gossip? Is it the real deal?” Kelly asked eagerly.
Sophia smiled at Kelly’s enthusiasm and said, “Guaranteed authentic, guaranteed interesting, guaranteed satisfaction.”
Kelly immediately relaxed. Human nature is all about gossip. Once there was juicy news to be had, Kelly completely forgot about her suicidal thoughts.
14:16 Mon, 9 Jun GE
Chapter 107
62%
With the money received, under Kelly’s excited gaze and despite Blake and Leon’s glowering faces, Sophia said, “All the evidence of the affair is on Lucy’s phone; photos, videos, messages, and transfer records with ‘love‘ notes.”
At these words, a heavy silence fell over the room, and Lucy’s sobs died in her throat.
Kelly frowned skeptically and said, “You must be mistaken; Lucy only uses a basic phone.”
