Chapter 122
Hearing Sophia's words, my mind went blank first, then a chill shot up from my feet and spread through my entire body.
Ethan and I had never had any inappropriate relationship.
Let alone that kind.
Sophia dared to spread lies about me.
Seemed she hadn't learned her lesson yet!
"Alright, it's settled then."
After saying this, Sophia pulled open the stairwell door.
I stepped forward and blocked her path.
"Lucinda, what are you doing here?"
Sophia looked shocked and angry, instinctively hiding her phone behind her back.
I held out my palm. "Give me your phone."
Sophia naturally refused. "In your dreams!"
"Your refusal doesn't matter. If you won't give it to me, I'll take it."
I shoved her against the wall, reaching for the hand she'd hidden behind her back.
"Let go of me!"
Sophia struggled desperately, not forgetting to threaten me.
"I'm carrying the Percy family's only great-grandchild! If anything happens to it, the Percy family will never forgive you!"
I paused. The baby had just escaped danger. If something happened now, it would be troublesome.
"Since you know this baby is so important, you'd better not fight me."
"If the baby's lost, I'll just get scolded. But you'll never marry into the Percy family."
"Are you sure you want to gamble with it?"
Sophia's resistance noticeably weakened.
I seized the opportunity to snatch her phone and used her finger to unlock the screen.
But after searching through her gallery and photos, I couldn't find any pictures of Ethan and me.
"Where are the photos you mentioned?"
Sophia laughed softly. "So you heard everything."
"But I don't have any photos. What I said was a lie."
I stared into her eyes and repeated, "Show me the photos."
Sophia put on a helpless expression. "I told you, I was lying. If you don't believe me, there's nothing I can do."
I didn't believe her.
If she had no photos, she wouldn't have said that.
So I bet she was lying to me.
"Fine. I recorded what you just said. Since you claim you don't have them, I'll go find Leopold and see what he says."
Sure enough, Sophia panicked.
"Why would you go to Leo? He doesn't even know about this."
I tossed her phone back. "To have him investigate, obviously."
"He's always suspected something between Ethan and me. I thought he was overthinking it, but now it seems someone's spreading false rumors. Might as well investigate thoroughly."
"Lucinda, haven't you caused Leo enough trouble? Can't you just leave him in peace?"
Sophia was furious, as if I were deliberately making problems for Leopold.
This was her usual psychological manipulation tactic.
Every time she said this, I'd give up on approaching Leopold and choose to let things go.
"Give me the photos, and I won't bother him. Whether he gets peace or not—that's not up to me. It's up to you."
Sophia's expression wasn't as firm as before. Her eyes showed hesitation, too.
I knew I was getting somewhere. "I just want the photos. I won't cause any more trouble."
"Really?" Sophia sought confirmation suspiciously.
"Why would I lie?" I glanced at her belly. "You have Leopold's child now, plus Mrs. Percy's support. What can I do?"
The wariness in Sophia's eyes faded somewhat. She touched her belly, saying smugly, "Smart of you."
"In that case, then..."
She unlocked her phone screen again, opened her gallery, and pulled up a private album.
My pupils trembled. There really were photos!
"Lucinda, who said you could come here?"
Suddenly, an angry shout came from behind me.
My heart sank.
Sophia was going to change her mind!
Sure enough, the next second, she stuffed her phone into her bag and put on a tearful expression as she rushed past me.
"Mrs. Percy, Leo, thank God you're here! I was so scared just now!"
"I don't know what Cindy heard, but she demanded I give her an explanation and even tried to attack me. If you'd come any later, something might have happened to my baby again..."
I cursed inwardly. So close!
Slowly turning around, I saw Alicia standing not far away, her face livid with anger.
Leopold stood beside her.
Donovan had lied to me. Alicia hadn't been sent back at all.
Leopold seemed to read my thoughts. He walked over and explained in a low voice, "Grandmother said her heart was bothering her earlier. I specifically brought her back for an examination."
I glanced at him without speaking.
Alicia angrily reminded Leopold, "Leo, she's tried to harm your child multiple times. Aren't you going to teach her a lesson? Why are you wasting words on her?"
Leopold frowned in displeasure. "Grandmother, things may not be as Sophia says. You're biased against Lucinda."
"I'm biased?" Alicia was furious. "If she hadn't targeted Sophia, would your child have almost miscarried? Would your grandfather have collapsed and still be in the hospital?"
"Even my heart problems—she caused them."
"This disaster of a woman doesn't respect her elders, has no morals, and causes nothing but trouble. I feel cursed just mentioning her!"
"Mrs. Percy, please don't be angry. Think of your health."
Sophia played the good girl while shooting me a smug look.
I felt no ripple of emotion, watching her calmly.
The same old tricks over and over. Wasn't she bored?
But Alicia certainly fell for it.
In her anger, she didn't forget to praise Sophia.
"Though Sophia's family background is lacking, at least she's sincere toward you and respectful toward your grandfather and me. She never defies us."
"The Percy family is Silverlight City's first family. We don't require a granddaughter-in-law with an illustrious background, but she absolutely cannot damage the Percy family's reputation!"
Leopold looked at her. "Grandmother, Lucinda hasn't disrespected you. Look how much Grandfather likes her—"
Alicia cut him off sharply. "Your grandfather is blind and foolish, unable to see her lowly tactics. You've been together for years, yet she still hasn't shown any signs of pregnancy."
"But you and Sophia have been together how long? And she's already carrying your child."
"Based on that alone, Lucinda isn't fit to be a Percy family daughter-in-law!"
Leopold wanted to argue back, but Sophia gently stopped him.
"Leo, your grandmother's heart is still bothering her. Don't upset her more with your words."
Leopold looked impatient but stopped talking.
Sophia had silenced him, but that wasn't enough. She turned to look at me.
"Cindy, even though you and Leo have broken off your engagement, Mrs. Percy still watched you grow up as an elder."
"Even if you're unhappy, you shouldn't drive a wedge between Leo and her. After all, her harsh words come from a place of love. She only wants what's best for you."
Hearing her self-righteous lecture, I responded coldly with sarcasm.
"When it comes to driving wedges, I can't compare to you."
"Leopold, I just heard Sophia on the phone. She not only admitted the online video was her doing, but also said she's selling an even more explosive story."
Leopold's expression instantly darkened.
Sophia denied it in panic. "I didn't..."
I waved my phone at her, indicating I had a recording.
Sophia's face went pale.
The next second, she clutched her stomach again, crying out in pain.
Leopold ignored her, turning to ask me, "What more explosive story?"
"It's—"
"Mrs. Percy!"
I'd barely started when Sophia let out a terrified scream.