Chapter 2
James stood there, stunned, unable to process what had just happened.
He glanced down at the card on the floor, and his cold, angry expression finally cracked.
A $500 supermarket gift card!
James stared at the card, a glint of intrigue flashing in his eyes.
Before, he might have dismissed last night as an amusing fling, but now, Sophia had piqued his curiosity.
When his assistant brought him a change of clothes, James casually held the bill and said, "Find the woman who broke into my room last night. I want all her information on my desk within an hour."
Meanwhile, Sophia dragged her aching body back home.
She still felt terrible; James's relentless demands last night had left her sticky and unwashed.
And she had given all her money to James!
That was the last of her cash after paying her adoptive mother, Mia Wilson, her medical bills. She had hoped to use the gift card for emergencies, but now that was gone too. This month was going to be tough.
Barely making it home, Sophia opened the door only to have a cup thrown at her!
"You ungrateful girl, where were you all night? What shameful things have you been up to?" her stepmother, Hazel Carter, sneered from the couch, her face full of disdain. "Raised in the countryside with no manners, and the moment we bring you back, you start chasing after rich men?"
"How can a shameless woman like you be fit to marry the heir of the Smith family? Your late mother's engagement should go to Veda! They grew up together; they're the perfect match!"
Sophia clenched her fists, her eyes cold.
She had been lost by her nanny shortly after birth, and her mother, Ava Davis, had been so heartbroken that she eventually took her own life.
Her father, Hayden Brown, married Hazel and brought Veda, his illegitimate daughter, into the family, never bothering to look for Sophia. Thankfully, Mia had taken her in from the orphanage and raised her.
It wasn't until Veda was diagnosed with thalassemia that the Brown family sought her out, using Mia's illness to coerce her into staying and donating blood to Veda.
They even wanted to steal the engagement Ava had arranged with the Smith family.
Though Sophia had no interest in the Smith heir, who was only feared because of his powerful uncle, she wouldn't let them insult her and her mother like this!
Sophia had endured enough, but now she was done being patient.
She glared coldly at Hazel and asked, "Did Veda tell you that?"
Veda, standing nearby, looked smug and retorted, "You did it, didn't you? How shameless, going after someone like that."
"But you're just a country bumpkin with no class. It's no surprise you're so short-sighted."
"When Dad gets home, I'll tell him everything and have him replace you as Mr. Smith's fiancée!"
Sophia's lips curled into a smile as she walked up to Veda.
Seeing Veda's smug face, Sophia grabbed her hair and slapped her hard!
Sophia said, "I don't care about your childhood sweetheart, and unlike you and your mistress mother, I don't have men on my mind all the time. Stop playing these disgusting games with me, or next time, it won't just be a slap!"
Veda was stunned that Sophia dared to hit her. "You hit me?"
Hazel was also shocked, screaming and glaring at Sophia, unable to speak.
Sophia asked, "Why wouldn't I?"
Sophia tightened her grip and slapped Veda again. "Don't think I don't know what you're after. My mother's will states that only I can inherit her estate if I fulfill the engagement. If you think I've done something improper, show me the proof!"
If it weren't for reclaiming what Ava left her, she wouldn't stay in this disgusting place!
Veda clutched her swollen face, glaring at Sophia with a twisted expression. "You wretched bitch! I'll kill you!"
Sophia grabbed her by the throat and said, "Go ahead and try."
She wasn't afraid of Veda's threats. Veda didn't have the power, and even if she claimed Sophia had slept with a man, there was no evidence.
Even if they got surveillance footage, it would only show her running away. As for her virginity, that could be faked.
But before Sophia could think of a plan, the butler rushed in. "Mrs. Brown, Ms. Brown..."
Seeing Sophia treating Veda this way, he was terrified. "Let go of Ms. Veda Brown! Mr. Chase Smith and Mr. James Smith from the Smith family are at the door! If you harm Ms. Veda Brown, they won't let you off!"
Sophia's heart skipped a beat.
Chase was here now!
Veda would definitely accuse her of losing her virginity, and with Chase's ambiguous relationship with Veda, he would believe her!
If they forced her to undergo an examination, the traces on her unwashed body and her virginity would expose their scheme!
What should she do?
Before Sophia could come up with a plan, the villa door was pushed open.
Chase followed a tall man inside, looking very respectful. Seeing Veda's disheveled state, his face darkened.
"Sophia! How dare you treat Veda like this!"
"Apologize to Veda right now! Or forget about me fulfilling the engagement!"
Sophia was stunned, not by Chase's threat, but by the man behind him!
He wore an expensive suit, his demeanor as imposing as a solitary pine tree, tall and commanding. His handsome, noble appearance and deep eyes exuded an air of untouchable authority. Just standing there silently, he radiated an aura of immense power.
He was the man she had spent the night with!
Connecting Chase's words, Sophia panicked.
Chase's uncle, the business tycoon everyone in Emerald City wanted to associate with, the current head of the Smith family, James!
She had slept with such a powerful man and even given him a hundred dollars?