Chapter 72 How Do You Explain Now
Lily noticed Sophie's frantic demeanor and smirked coldly.
Who would've thought Sophie could actually get scared?
Sophie quickly turned to Michael, "Michael, since this happened because of me, I'll go see if he was bribed to do it."
Lily sneered, "Wasn't it you?"
Sophie's face went pale, panic rising within her.
She couldn't be sure if Lily had more evidence.
Sophie hastily explained, "Lily, how could I do something like this? I know you're mad because I didn't back you up earlier, but I swear this has nothing to do with me."
She looked to Michael for help.
Michael frowned but stayed silent.
Lily's eyes were icy, "Alright, then swear on it. If you were behind this, may you die a horrible death, live in poverty forever, and have bad luck follow you everywhere."
Sophie bit her lip, hesitant to swear.
She didn't want to be poor!
She had worked so hard to become wealthy.
Sophie looked pitifully at Michael, "Michael, I didn't do this. I'll apologize, but making such a vow is too much."
Michael instinctively felt Sophie had a point.
An apology should be enough. Why curse herself?
Alvin, seeing this, said to Michael, "Mr. Roberts, if Ms. Scott didn't do this, swearing wouldn't affect her, right? If she's unwilling, maybe she really is guilty."
Alvin had never liked Sophie's act.
Sophie's eyes filled with tears as she looked at Michael.
In the past, Michael would have softened.
This time, Michael gritted his teeth, "Sophie, just swear. I believe it has nothing to do with you."
Sophie was on the verge of tears.
She didn't want to curse herself.
But she was stuck.
Lily watched with a mocking smile. She hadn't expected Michael to agree to make Sophie swear.
In the past, he would have defended Sophie.
What a surprise.
Everyone turned to Sophie.
Reluctantly, Sophie repeated Lily's curse.
Lily listened, her gaze meaningful, impressed by Sophie's resolve.
Sophie felt a chill but didn't dare provoke Lily, fearing she had more evidence.
Afterward, Michael turned to Lily, speaking carefully, "I'll get to the bottom of this. Thanks to you, the firewall issue was resolved."
"I did it for the money. Alvin, make sure the payment goes to my account."
Lily turned and returned to her desk.
With the test successful, the follow-up was easy.
Back at her desk, her colleagues whispered cautiously.
"I heard she's the real Ms. Roberts. We were misled by the imposter."
"Who would have thought an adopted daughter could dress more like Ms. Roberts than the real one?"
Sophie's face was awkward as she walked out, knowing everyone saw her as a fraud.
She couldn't stay in the office, feeling that everyone mocked her.
She needed to silence Lorenzo.
Sophie left her desk.
Lily finished coding, integrating it into the software.
She headed to the manager's office and knocked.
"Ms. Roberts, come in."
Seeing Michael, Lily said calmly, "I've integrated the tested code. My work here is done. If there's nothing else, I'll be heading out."
"Lily, I knew you wouldn't let me down. I never realized you were so talented," Michael said, genuinely impressed.
He had tried so many people without success, yet Lily had resolved the firewall issue in just two days.
Michael looked at her with pride. "I'm confident about entrusting you with the company."
"I don't want it," Lily replied bluntly, then turned to Alvin. "Just transfer the agreed payment."
She didn't want to stay any longer.
Michael, anxious, blocked her path. "Lily, running the company is more meaningful and profitable than streaming. I'm doing this for your good."
For her good again!
Lily's tone was mocking, "Michael, is it for my good or to control me?"
If she returned, it would be the same old dynamic.
Michael just couldn't handle her being out of his control.
Michael was stunned. "How can you think that? I just want to make up for the past."
Seeing Lily's wary eyes, his heart ached. He hadn't expected her to distrust him so much.
Lily's tone was calm, "If you really care, stop doing these pointless things."
Lily opened the office door and saw Sophie outside, looking displeased.
Without a glance at Sophie, Lily returned to her desk, packed her things, and left.
Michael stumbled a few steps but didn't follow. His face was grim.
Sophie was deeply resentful. Why did her years of effort pale compared to Lily's rebellion?
Swallowing her resentment, Sophie said, "Michael, I believe Lily will understand your intentions someday."
Michael gave a bitter smile, "Maybe."
Alvin, seeing Sophie's concern, felt frustrated but stayed silent. It was Michael's personal matter.
Lily went straight home.
Soon, Alvin called, "Ms. Roberts, the partner requires a tech handover to continue the collaboration. Can you join us at their office tomorrow?"
Lily frowned, "Fine, but I won't handle anything further. I don't want the partner to know who I am."
"No problem. The payment's been processed. Please check."
Alvin hung up and turned to Michael, "Mr. Roberts, it's arranged."
"Why does she agree when you ask?" Michael asked, puzzled.
Alvin's expression was complex. "Maybe because I'm an outsider. Ms. Roberts is kind and doesn't want to trouble me."
Michael gave a bitter smile, "I don't know how to communicate with her anymore."
The next day, as Lily prepared to catch a cab, she saw Michael's car.
Michael hurried over, holding a dessert bag. "I remember you love this bakery's cakes. This is their new item."
Lily glanced at the dessert. "Sophie likes this bakery, not me."
"But I remember you liking it too," Michael insisted.
"Because you bought it for Sophie and got me one too. It's not my favorite."
Michael's face fell. "Why didn't you say anything before?"