Chapter 208
I shook my numb hand and looked down at Sophia, who was sprawled on the bed, covering her face. "Sophia, who told you I need Leopold's protection to touch you?"
Sophia's chest heaved violently, her eyes glaring at me. "Lucinda, you dare hit me!"
I sat back down in the chair, my emotions steady. "I hit you. So what?"
Sophia shot up from the bed.
Before she could make another move, the two bodyguards stepped forward to shield me.
Though they said nothing, the muscles bulging beneath their suits were enough to intimidate Sophia.
She immediately broke down and screamed. "Lucinda, you bitch! I really regret not killing you from the start!"
I raised an eyebrow coldly. "It's not that you didn't kill me—you just don't have the ability."
Sophia ground her teeth in hatred. "What exactly do you want? I'm not afraid to tell you—David will be here soon. I advise you not to act rashly, or you and the Wipere family won't have it easy!"
I asked coolly, "You think I care?"
Sophia's expression froze, her breathing growing heavier.
I lost patience, stood up again, and asked her. "Sophia, last chance. Are you going to delete that post or not?"
Sophia swallowed, looking at me, then at the burly bodyguards.
She was still struggling. "What makes you think it was me?"
"Is it hard to guess?" I countered coldly. "In all of Silverlight City, the only person who would use this method against me and dare to—is you."
"More importantly, I traced the IP that posted the original images. Although the person used a fake identity, the phone signal showed a location at this hospital."
This was what the private investigator had discovered on my way here.
Sophia's shoulders slumped, her face immediately paling.
Seeing her finally feeling guilty, I struck while the iron was hot. "Do you want me to publicly release the evidence, or handle this quietly?"
Sophia had lost her earlier arrogance, but her tone was still reluctant. "Do you even need to ask? Of course, handle it quietly. What are your conditions?"
I said flatly, "You need to apologize publicly online, admit you fabricated rumors and slandered me, and delete all false information."
Sophia froze. "How is that any different from publicly trying me?"
"Then I'll just release the evidence directly and go through legal procedures."
I turned to leave.
"Wait!" Sophia got out of bed and ran to stop me. "Lucinda, must you be so aggressive?"
I was amused by her shamelessness. "Did I force you to fabricate rumors and slander me?"
Sophia retorted angrily, "You killed my child, so I momentarily..."
At the mention of the child, my emotions instantly spiraled out of control. "But my child died at your hands. All of this was caused by you."
Sophia was left speechless and had to compromise. "Fine, I'll apologize publicly online and admit..."
"Lucinda Wipere, who gave you permission to act so arrogantly here?"
David's voice came from the doorway, carrying the unique authority and reproach of an elder.
Sophia, who had been about to yield, saw him like a savior and immediately rushed over to complain pitifully. "David, you're finally here. Lucinda brought bodyguards and forced her way into my room. Without a word, she hit me. Look, my face is swollen..."
I'd seen old-man-young-wife combinations before, but this was the first time I'd seen someone as cloying as Sophia.
What's more, she'd acted this way with Leopold before.
Now that the object was David, I was even more uncomfortable.
But David adapted well.
He reached out and patted Sophia's hand. "Don't be afraid. I'll help you get revenge."
Then he turned to look at me, his smile not reaching his eyes. "Lucinda, as I understand it, you and Leo have canceled your engagement. You and the Percy family have settled all debts."
"But what does it mean that you brought people here to trouble Sophia? Are you coming after me, or trying to embarrass me?"
I suppressed my disgust, met his gaze fearlessly. "David, I came to find Sophia because she spread rumors online and maliciously slandered me. I want justice for myself."
Hearing this, David asked Sophia with false concern, "Did you really do these things?"
Sophia understood, shaking her head with a wronged expression. "Of course not. I was explaining to her the whole time, but she didn't believe me and even hit me."
"I had no choice but to tell her you were coming to see me, but she said it wouldn't matter if you came—she'd beat you up too."
"David, I was so scared..."
David flew into a rage. "Lucinda, how audacious!"
"Hitting my person under my nose is one thing, but you dare make such wild claims about beating me, too! What are you? If it weren't for Leopold protecting you, could the Wipere family have survived until today?"
"Believe it or not, I can send the Wipere family to hell right now!"
My hands clenched silently at my sides.
Though David was no match for Leopold, he was very capable and held an important position in the Percy Group.
If he truly wanted to target the Wipere family, it would be very difficult for us to escape unscathed.
My chest felt like a boulder had been placed on it, heavy and oppressive. "David, aren't you afraid your words just now will reach Mr. Donovan Percy's ears?"
David laughed smugly. "How naive you are. You're not even Leopold's fiancée anymore. How could I let you see my father?"
The threat was ineffective, I could only yield.
I could disregard myself, but I couldn't implicate my parents. "Then what will it take for you to leave the Wipere family alone?"
David's eyes overflowed with smugness. He turned to ask Sophia, "Sophia, you tell her."
Sophia, abandoning her earlier panic, looked at me arrogantly. "Lucinda, weren't you so proud earlier? Now you're begging me, too."
"Let me think—what conditions should I set?"
She looked me up and down, her eyes full of malice. "How about...you kneel down right now and apologize to me, voluntarily take off that limited edition dress you're wearing to compensate me, and admit in front of everyone that you're an idiot. Maybe then I'll let bygones be bygones."
My expression instantly froze, and even my eyes penetrated with bone-chilling coldness.
She really dared to imagine!
"What, you're not willing?" Sophia shrugged innocently and turned to nestle into David's arms. "David, since she's unwilling, let's not force her. Do it your way."
David pulled her close dotingly, then looked at me meaningfully. "If you're unwilling to kneel, that's fine, too. As long as you can please me, I'm willing to back down."
Sophia understood the implication in David's words. The smile on her face suddenly froze.
I was disgusted.
"You..."
"Uncle David, how would you like to be pleased? Tell me—I'll definitely help you fulfill your wish."
Just then, a lazy, cold voice came from outside the door.
David and Sophia's expressions changed drastically in an instant.
I recognized Leopold's voice and quickly turned around.
In the interplay of light and shadow, a tall, upright figure slowly walked in.
His steps were steady and powerful, each one seeming to strike at people's heartstrings.
With his arrival, the entire space became cramped and oppressive, making it hard to breathe.