Chapter 61 Exposing Sophie's Trick
Lily didn't need to turn around to know what Sophie was up to when she heard her voice.
Over the years, she'd been burned by Sophie too many times. She could predict Sophie's tricks with her eyes closed.
Without looking back, Lily grabbed her dress. As she sidestepped, she yanked her dress hard.
Sophie, who had stepped on her hem, lost her balance and went flying, spilling red wine everywhere.
Right in the middle of the hall was a champagne tower.
Sophie crashed into it, and the whole thing toppled over, drenching her in champagne.
The unexpected turn of events caught everyone off guard.
Lily stood still, her expression cold, watching Sophie scream in embarrassment as she lay amidst the shattered glasses. A hint of mockery flashed in Lily's eyes.
After all these years, Sophie's tricks hadn't changed a bit. But too bad for Sophie, Lily wasn't going to let her get her way anymore.
The crash drew everyone's attention in the banquet hall.
"Sophie, are you okay?" Austin and Michael rushed over immediately.
Austin stepped through the broken glass to help Sophie up. "How could you be so careless and fall like that?"
Sophie was drenched, her arms and legs stinging with fresh cuts. Anger simmered inside her. Lily was supposed to be the one humiliated!
She looked up at Lily, her eyes red, hesitating to speak. "Austin, I fell by myself. No one pushed me."
Lily's lips curled into a slight smile when she heard Sophie's words. She had pretty much guessed Sophie's plan.
Michael noticed the way Sophie looked at Lily. Did Lily have something to do with this?
Michael frowned. "Sophie, if you fell by yourself, be more careful next time. Austin, take her to the hospital."
Sophie was stunned. That wasn't what she meant at all.
She had looked at Lily on purpose to hint that she was involved! She only claimed it was an accident to make herself look considerate and wronged.
Usually, they would question Lily, but why was Michael not following the usual script this time?
Austin's expression darkened. "Sophie, be honest with me. Did Lily make you fall?"
Sophie shrank back, speaking weakly. "Austin, don't ask anymore. It has nothing to do with Lily. I fell by myself."
Her attitude suggested there was more to her words.
Austin snorted and turned to Lily. "Why did you do this to Sophie? Just because I brought her instead of you to the party?"
He couldn't think of any other reason for Lily to act this way.
Lily raised an eyebrow. "Austin, I have my own invitation. I don't need anyone to bring me."
Her words were confident.
Austin felt uneasy. "I know you. You've always been jealous of Sophie stealing your spotlight, so you made her get hurt and embarrassed."
Lily laughed. "What spotlight does she have that's worth stealing?"
Sophie's expression darkened. Austin had no retort.
Violet chimed in mockingly. "Even a blind person can see Lily is the center of attention today. As a popular livestreamer, she was invited to this party. Sophie didn't even have an invitation. What spotlight?"
Bruce added, "Are the Roberts family always this delusional? Lily's clearly the star today. Who's stealing whose spotlight?"
Their words made Austin's face turn red.
Sophie felt utterly humiliated. She looked up at Austin with tears streaming down her face. "Austin, stop. I fell by myself. It has nothing to do with Lily."
She touched her bracelet. "It's a shame this jade bracelet broke. I remember it was expensive."
Austin glanced at the broken bracelet and glared at Lily. "Are you satisfied now?"
Lily replied calmly, "Weren't those pieces of jewelry gifts from me? If they broke, so be it. Austin, how can you be so petty?"
"That's not the point! Lily, if you won't admit your mistake, let's check the security footage! We'll see how you explain yourself then!"
Sophie felt a pang of anxiety. "Austin, let it go. There's no need to overreact."
Michael frowned. "Austin, Sophie already said she fell. Just take her to the hospital."
"No way! I need to get to the bottom of this!"
Austin was fuming, especially seeing Lily's indifferent expression. He wanted to make her admit guilt.
Michael turned to Lily. "Lily, what really happened? Did you really do it?"
Lily's eyes were cold. "Fine, check the footage."
Soon, the hotel staff brought over the footage on a USB drive.
Austin snatched it. "This will show the truth!"
He was convinced it would prove Lily's involvement.
The footage showed Sophie stepping on Lily's dress, but Lily suddenly sidestepped. Sophie lost her balance because she was stepping on Lily's dress and fell.
After watching, Lily's expression remained unchanged. "So?"
Michael, having seen the footage, turned to Austin coldly. "Did you see? It had nothing to do with Lily! Sophie fell on her own!"
Austin saw the footage, too, and it looked like an accident. He felt a burning shame on his face but stubbornly said, "Lily heard Sophie and should've stayed still. Then Sophie wouldn't have fallen!"
The room fell silent in shock. How could he say something like that?
Michael shouted, "Austin, are you insane?"
Lily threw her drink in Austin's face.
Austin was furious. "Lily, what are you doing?"
The next moment, Lily threw the cup at him.
Austin dodged, and the cup hit Sophie.
Lily sneered. "Austin, why did you dodge? Didn't you know Sophie would get hit if you did? How selfish of you."
Austin jumped in anger. "Lily, you're setting me up!"
Lily looked at him with disdain. "Just giving you a taste of your own medicine."
Violet chimed in, "You said Lily shouldn't dodge. But you dodged pretty fast yourself."
Bruce added, "Sophie tried to trip Lily and make her look bad, but ended up hurting herself. She got what she deserved!"
Violet nodded. "Sophie should be the one apologizing!"
It was obvious, but were the Roberts family blind?
Michael looked at Sophie. "Why did you step on Lily's dress?"
Something was fishy.
Sophie, seeing the truth come out, bit her lip and played the victim. "I was in a hurry to catch up with Lily and accidentally stepped on her dress. I didn't do it on purpose."
Austin said, "I knew Sophie didn't mean it, but Lily intentionally hurt her!"
Lily's eyes were mocking. "I'm used to this outcome. It's always the same."
Michael felt even more guilty. He slapped Austin. "Austin, you apologize to Lily now!"
Austin was stunned. "Michael, it was Lily's fault!"
Why was he the one getting slapped?