Chapter 407

Chapter 407

Robert could tell that Sophia wasn't going to lay everything out at once—she was deliberately toying with him. And the worst part? He couldn't pull rank as her father or scold her for it. He had to play along and ask on cue, "Only what?"

Sophia leaned back, completely at ease as she spun her tale. "From what I understand, that driver may have had a habit of drinking while driving, but aside from that one vice, he's actually a decent guy. Good character. If something goes wrong, he won't run from responsibility—he'll own up to it. His only real concern is his family back home. The elderly parents. The kids."

"He's hoping that since he's not trying to dodge responsibility, maybe some kind soul will help look after his family. Give them a little financial support."

Robert's expression went rigid. After all this rambling, Sophia was basically asking for hush money on the driver's behalf.

Looking at her now, he could barely recognize the sweet, obedient girl she used to be. She'd become just as repulsive as Alice.

He'd always thought Alice was vicious enough, but Sophia was proving herself every bit her equal. Alice wanted him dead, sure—but Sophia had quietly killed three people without batting an eye...

How did he end up with these two daughters?

"Are you even listening? I don't want to repeat myself!"

Sophia's voice rose sharply.

Robert took a deep breath and forced himself to respond. "So... how much does this driver need to, uh, support his family?"

"Not much. Fifty million. Cash." Sophia's lips curved into a faint smile.

"Fifty million?? He's really asking for that much?"

Robert's tone dripped with skepticism.

Did that driver really have the nerve to demand such a sum?

Or was it not the driver at all—but Sophia herself who wanted fifty million?

Making him take the fall, and now trying to squeeze him for a fortune on top of it. Robert's face betrayed nothing, but inside, his heart felt like an overheated furnace about to explode.

He regretted it. Regretted ever adopting Sophia. He'd raised himself a venomous snake, one that would turn around and bite. Sure enough, someone else's child could never truly be loyal!

Sophia's brow furrowed sharply as she rolled her eyes. "What, you think I'm pocketing the difference?"

She absolutely was pocketing the difference.

She only planned to give the driver's family five million. The rest would go straight into her own personal stash.

That driver's family were all country folks who'd never had money. They'd never seen five million in their lives. That amount would be more than enough to keep those peasants comfortable for the rest of their days.

"No, no! Of course not!" Robert said the words, but his forced smile was painfully stiff—clearly saying one thing and thinking another.

Sophia sneered at the sight. "I said fifty million, so it's fifty million. Believe it or not, that's up to you. I'm not forcing you to hand over the money. But if you're not willing to pay, well... that driver's 'admirable character' might just disappear. Once he wakes up, he might tell the police he was actually hired to kill those people as part of a cover-up..."

Robert's face went deathly pale. At this point, he didn't even have the standing to challenge Sophia. "Give me some time. I'll get the fifty million in cash together and deliver it personally to the driver's family."

"Personally? What, you don't trust me?" Sophia pressed.

Robert fell silent.

He hadn't expected Sophia to be shameless enough to say that. Letting her deliver the fifty million was basically the same as admitting she'd take a huge cut. What was the point of pretending otherwise?

Sophia wasn't even bothering to keep up appearances anymore!

Robert felt his intelligence and dignity had been thoroughly trampled.

He closed his eyes, trying to relax his body and mind so his voice wouldn't sound quite so gritted when he spoke—lest Sophia find more fault with him. "Trust you? Of course I trust you, Sophia. Right now, you're the only person I can trust. Without you, how could I have hidden James so smoothly? How could I keep Alice in check?"

"I'm grateful to you—more than I can say. I would never distrust you. It's just that you mentioned cash, and fifty million in bills is pretty heavy. You're a young woman, and I was worried it'd be too much for you to carry when you make the delivery."

Sophia knew Robert must be seething inside, but even so, he didn't dare question or defy her. The feeling was intoxicating.

She was thoroughly enjoying herself.

"I don't think it'll be too heavy."

Sophia said, "Mr. Baker, we may not be blood-related, but you said it yourself—you raised me for over ten years. So delivering money? That's a small favor well within my abilities. Of course I'm happy to help."

Robert's chest ached with suppressed rage, but he still had to nod with a forced smile and say words he didn't mean. "Well, thank you so much, Sophia. I'll leave the delivery in your hands."

Sophia raised an eyebrow in satisfaction, settling back comfortably against her chair. "You're welcome."

...

The Baker family estate.

Sawyer had only stepped away to use the bathroom. When he returned to the living room, he found Emily—who'd been worn down with worry over James—asleep on the couch.

Seeing her like this, Sawyer's heart ached.

Emily was a light sleeper.

He didn't even dare breathe too loudly.

Afraid he'd wake her.

He was about to tiptoe back to the couch to watch over her when his phone suddenly rang in his pocket. Sawyer's eyes went wide as he fumbled frantically to pull it out and silence it. He glanced anxiously toward Emily, and only when he confirmed she was still asleep with her eyes closed did he slowly exhale in relief.

Looking at the screen, he was surprised to see it was Ursa calling.

He walked over to the front door and called her back.

"Hello?"

Before Sawyer could even ask why Ursa was calling, a trembling, tearful voice came through the line. "Murderer! You murderer! You liar! You'll get what's coming to you! You'll die a terrible death!"

Sawyer frowned, caught off guard by the barrage. "Ursa, what happened? Why are you calling just to curse me out?"

"You deserve to be cursed! Still playing innocent? Ash's entire family is dead! I only just gave you their address, and suddenly they're all killed in some 'accident.' If it wasn't you, then who? Sob..." Ursa's voice broke. "Ash and his family are dead because of me. Because I was stupid enough to believe your lies and give you their address... I'm an accomplice!"