Chapter 50
"Last night... Sophia seemed really unhinged. She called me in the middle of the night, asking me to help her hire some thugs to come after you."
"I didn't agree to it, but I know she won't let it go. Watch yourself."
Lillian can't meet my eyes. She stares at the floor as she says this, then walks away without looking back.
I frown in suspicion. Has Lillian suddenly grown a conscience?
Or is this just another scheme she's cooked up with Sophia?
I stay on high alert for two days. Nothing happens, but I still can't let my guard down.
My parents head back to their place this afternoon.
Seeing it's about time, I send Leo a message.
[Free tonight? Want to grab dinner?]
After changing clothes, I notice Leo still hasn't replied. Figuring he's probably busy, I decide to head straight to the bar to find him.
The moment I reach the main hall of the dance company, I run into Asher coming in from outside.
My nerves instantly go taut.
I immediately step back several paces.
"Lucinda, long time no see." Asher greets me with a smile. "Didn't expect you to perform so well and take first place in the semifinals! I knew I was right about you."
I narrow my eyes warily. Asher's petty and vindictive—I nearly destroyed his manhood. There's no way he'd suddenly play nice with me.
This has to be a trap.
"You're too kind, Mr. Wood. Are you here to see our director? He's in his office."
I deliberately step aside to let him pass.
But Asher's in no hurry. Instead, he moves two steps closer to me.
"Lucinda, I'm actually here to see you."
"What happened last time was my fault. I had too much to drink and lost my head—that's how the misunderstanding happened. To show how sorry I am, I came in person to apologize."
I reject him without thinking.
"That's not necessary. Let's just call it water under the bridge."
"I have somewhere to be. Excuse me."
Asher quickly blocks my path. "I'm genuinely apologizing. If you're worried, I'll get everyone from the company to come along. How's that?"
I still don't want to go.
But then director Samuel shows up.
"Mr. Wood, what brings you here?"
Asher repeats what he just told me.
Upon hearing this, Samuel's very supportive. "Lucinda, Mr. Wood means well. Why don't we all have dinner together? If you're still uncomfortable, I'll bring more people along."
He walks over to me, lowering his voice. "Haven't you always wanted to join a company overseas? Mr. Wood has connections abroad. He knows quite a few of the company representatives here right now. This isn't the time to burn bridges."
With Samuel putting it like that, I can't refuse anymore. I have to agree.
I quickly fire off another message to Leo.
[Something came up. Will contact you later.]
At the restaurant, Samuel and I walk into the private dining room together.
"Mr. Flores, Cindy—come sit over here."
The moment Sophia sees us, she stands to greet us.
"Sophia, you're here too." Samuel takes his seat with a smile.
"Of course. Mr. Wood said he was having dinner with you all tonight and invited me to join the fun." Sophia smiles sweetly.
But when her gaze sweeps over me, it glints with cold malice.
I pay it no mind and sit quietly.
Seeing the atmosphere grow strained, Samuel lightens things up by teasing Asher.
"This restaurant isn't cheap. Mr. Wood's going to drop quite a bit tonight."
Asher laughs carelessly. "I've been in Silverlight City this long, and you've all been so welcoming. Tonight's a good chance to thank everyone."
Samuel's the first to raise his glass. "Too kind, Mr. Wood. Come on, let's drink to that."
Everyone else raises their glasses.
I have no choice but to follow suit.
After the toast, everyone drinks.
Not wanting to actually drink, I use my finger to brush my lips while holding the glass—faking it.
To keep up the act, I pretend to cough like the alcohol went down wrong.
That's when I notice Sophia and Asher exchange a knowing look from across the table.
Both smile with sly satisfaction.
I understand immediately—Sophia being here isn't a coincidence. She and Asher are working together.
Which means I need to avoid consuming anything here tonight.
Otherwise, I won't even know how I die.
Before long, Asher tries again to make me drink with him under the guise of apologizing. I refuse.
Undeterred, he recruits Sophia to pressure me.
Samuel and the others, oblivious to the undercurrents, all tell me to at least take a small sip.
Unable to keep declining, I pick up my tea. "Fine. In that case, I'll substitute tea for wine and accept Mr. Wood's apology."
I take the tiniest sip—barely enough to wet my lips.
Triumph flashes simultaneously across both Asher's and Sophia's faces.
Anxiety creeps in. While everyone's chatting, I quickly send Leo my location.
[Come pick me up here. Hurry!]
After that, I feign dizziness and lean back in my chair, refusing to eat or drink anything else.
Soon after, I hear Sophia and Asher whispering conspiratorially.
"Mr. Wood, she's not getting away tonight. You better keep your end of the bargain."
"Don't worry. Once this is done, I'll have my teacher write you a recommendation letter for the Royal Ballet Company audition."
Sophia sounds thrilled. "Perfect. I'll be waiting for that."
After their scheming, Sophia comes over to help me up.
"Cindy, still feeling bad? Let me help you get some fresh air—you'll feel better."
I mumble a refusal. "Don't wanna go."
But Sophia forcibly pulls me out anyway.
The moment we exit the private room, two staff members who'd been waiting by the door grab me under the arms and haul me toward the second floor.
I'm no match for two grown men. All I can do is keep playing unconscious.
Once inside a room, they finally dump me on the bed.
"You can leave now."
I hear Sophia dismissing them. My nerves stretch even tighter.
The door barely clicks shut before I hear Sophia's heels tapping across the carpet, step by deliberate step, closing in.
The next second, she's patting my face, laughing with contempt.
"Lucinda, you're pathetic."
"I told you you're not my match, yet you keep clinging to Leo. And to steal him from me, you even played him those voice messages I sent you—running to tattle like a child!"
"You think way too highly of yourself! As if Leo would actually help you? Ridiculous!"
"Might as well tell you—Leo's the type who responds to softness, not force. No matter how badly I screw up, the second I act hurt, he drops it. And if I actually cry? He'll bend over backward to make me feel better."
"Want to know where he is right now? He's at that little food cart behind our old high school buying me clam chowder and grilled cheese. I mentioned offhand that I was craving it, and he dropped everything at work to go get it."
"You must be furious, right? Too bad—there's nothing you can do about it right now! Just wait. After tonight, you'll finally know your place!"
My heart feels like it's been pierced by a thousand arrows. Every breath is excruciating.
I try desperately to convince myself not to care.
But I can't do it!
My eyes snap open. Before Sophia can react, I grab her and slam her down onto the bed, using the sheets to bind her.
"At my celebration party, you kept claiming I hired someone to assault you, didn't you? Well—why don't we make that story come true right now?"
Sophia's face drains of color. "Lucinda, you wouldn't dare! Leo will never forgive you!"
I laugh coldly. "Guess we'll see who gets here first—him or your ruin."
I've barely taken a step off the bed when—
CRASH!
The door explodes inward, kicked off its hinges!