Chapter 153 Consequences

Chapter 153 Consequences

Sophia met Henry's worried gaze and gently pressed her fingertips against his tense forearm, shaking her head once more.

"I'm really fine. It's just a minor scratch. After treating it, it doesn't hurt anymore. You don't need to worry so much."

She deliberately softened her tone, trying to smooth away the murderous rage churning in his eyes. But when Henry's gaze swept over the faint red scratch on her chin, his expression grew even colder.

After confirming Sophia was steady on her feet, he slowly turned around, his icy stare locking directly onto Clara.

Clara was already trembling from the earlier confrontation, and now, under his penetrating gaze, she felt like invisible hands were choking her throat, making her breathing rapid.

Henry approached step by step, each footfall seeming to press on everyone's heart. The air in the mediation room seemed to freeze, and even the ticking of the wall clock became particularly jarring.

"Clara," Henry's voice wasn't loud, yet it carried bone-chilling authority. He looked down at the woman cowering in fear, his lips curving into a cold laugh. "It seems the Miller family has given you too much confidence, making you forget your place and forget what kind of people you shouldn't mess with."

Clara's teeth began chattering, her hands clutching desperately at her clothes, fingernails digging into the fabric, yet she couldn't utter a single word.

She wanted to retreat, but her back was already pressed against the cold wall, leaving nowhere to go.

Oliver, watching this scene unfold, turned alternately pale.

He was already displeased with Clara's malicious false accusations, but Henry's current stance clearly indicated he intended to escalate this matter, which would be utterly humiliating for the Miller family's reputation.

Steeling himself, Oliver stepped forward, extending his hand to shield Clara, "Mr. Windsor, perhaps there's been some misunderstanding. Clara was just acting impulsively and was upset about losing her jewelry."

"Misunderstanding?"

Henry's gaze suddenly shifted to Oliver, the sharpness in his eyes nearly cutting through him. "Oliver, control your people."

He paused, the threat in his voice unmistakable, "If not for Sophia's past connection to the Miller family, do you think you'd still have time to stand here talking to me after what she did today—framing and physically harming Sophia?"

The words hit Oliver like a bucket of ice water.

He immediately recalled last week's board meeting, where several directors had anxiously mentioned cash flow problems. The Miller Group was currently seeking investment from the Windsor Group's fund division. If Henry created obstacles, the Miller Group would face complete ruin.

Actually, he wouldn't even need to create obstacles. A single word would suffice.

Oliver opened his mouth, the words sticking in his throat before dissolving into uncomfortable silence.

Seeing that Oliver clearly had no intention of defending her, Clara felt like she'd lost her last lifeline.

She suddenly raised her head, looking at Henry with tear-filled eyes, her voice breaking, "Mr. Windsor, you can't just believe Ms. Brown's side of the story! I was just panicking about losing my bracelet, and Molly pushed me first! They started the violence!"

She pointed at Molly, trying to paint herself as the victim.

"Bullshit!" Molly exploded on the spot, rolling up her sleeves to charge forward before Sophia restrained her, though she continued glaring furiously at Clara.

"You're the one who falsely accused Sophia of theft, and now you're trying to turn the tables? Do you think nobody can see through your pathetic schemes? Let me tell you, Clara, this isn't over! I'll have my assistant prepare legal papers. See you in court!"

Sophia watched Clara's desperate death throes with cold eyes, feeling nothing but complete disgust.

She stepped forward slowly, her voice clear and icy as winter wind. "Clara, do you think lies will save you? You will pay the price for everything you did today."

The words sounded like a final judgment, completely shattering Clara's psychological defenses.

Her legs gave out, and she slumped against the wall, covering her face with her hands as desperate sobs echoed through the mediation room.

Oliver watched her pitiful state with nothing but a headache, yet felt compelled to bend down and help her up.

Henry didn't spare another glance for the woman on the floor. He carefully wrapped his arm around Sophia's shoulders, his palm gently rubbing her back as his tone instantly turned tender, "Let's go. Don't let these awful people ruin your mood."

He looked at Molly, gesturing for her to follow.

Molly made a face at Clara and Oliver before quickly catching up with them.

The three walked through the crowd of onlookers, ignoring Oliver's complex, indescribable gaze and Clara's sobs as they strode directly out of the police station.

Feeling the sunlight on her skin, Sophia finally breathed a small sigh of relief.

"I'll never let you suffer this kind of humiliation again." Henry kissed the top of her head, his voice firm with conviction.

Sophia shook her head. Her chin had already been treated by the doctor Henry had called—now it felt refreshingly cool and completely painless.

"Henry, thank you for coming to help me today."

Henry looked down at her. "Don't thank me anymore."

They gazed at each other and shared a smile.

That evening, Sophia had just finished her skincare routine and was sitting at her vanity applying ointment when her phone suddenly rang.

An unknown number flashed on the screen. After a moment's hesitation, she swiped to answer.

"Hello? Ms. Brown? This is Kurt—Oliver's friend."

A frivolous voice came through the phone, accompanied by noisy music in the background, clearly from some bar or club.

Sophia frowned slightly, her tone cold, "What do you want?"

"Nothing major." Kurt chuckled awkwardly, trying to sound casual. "It's just that Oliver has something he wants to discuss with you—about what happened at the police station today, and some misunderstandings between you two in the past. He wants to clear things up face-to-face. Would it be convenient for you to come out? We're at the usual place. We'll wait for you."

Without hesitation, Sophia refused, "I'm not available, and I'm not interested. Oliver and I have nothing to discuss. Don't waste each other's time."

"Come on, Ms. Brown, do us this favor!" Kurt persisted on the other end. "Oliver's not in a great mood today—he's had quite a bit to drink. He just wants to say a few words to you. If you don't come, he'll probably drink until dawn."

Before Kurt could finish, there was a scuffling sound on the other end, followed by Oliver's somewhat low and hoarse voice, "It's me."

Sophia's grip on the phone tightened, her tone growing even colder, "Oliver, having your friend call me—what's the point? Do you find it amusing to force me into meeting you this way?"

"What do I care if you drink until dawn?"

Oliver fell silent for several seconds on the other end, seemingly organizing his words as the background music grew quieter.