Chapter 260

Chapter 260

Seven o'clock. Garden Bistro.

Sophia and Jade arrived at the private dining room ten minutes early. When they pushed the door open, only Lloyd sat at the table.

He stood when he saw Sophia, looking uncomfortable. "Ms. Percy, please—sit."

Sophia pulled out a chair and sat. After the briefest pleasantries, she opened her folder.

"Mr. Wallace, I'm here to walk you through the final version of our proposal one more time. Version thirteen adds three new modules. Our cost comes in less than five percent above the Douglas family's quote, but the scalability is more than double."

Lloyd dabbed at the sweat on his temple. He was about to speak when the door swung open from outside.

Claire walked in, two assistants trailing behind her.

She wore a white dress today, makeup flawless, a polished smile at her lips.

But the venom lurking beneath that smile was nearly impossible to hide when her eyes landed on Sophia.

Claire shot Lloyd a look. He wiped his forehead, ducked his head, and scurried out.

She sat down directly across from Sophia. "Well, if it isn't Ms. Percy. What's this—didn't get the project, so you're here to beg for scraps?"

Sophia closed her folder and looked up.

Claire smiled. "Matilda, you really think sitting here arguing with me will change anything? The Douglas family, the Churchill family—they're all on my side. You're nobody. No connections, no backing. What could you possibly use to compete with me?"

Her voice grew more triumphant. "These past few years must have been tough, huh? You finally scraped together some results, and I took them just like that. What are you going to do about it? Anything I want—projects, or anything else—you just step aside like a good girl. Matilda, in front of me, you're nothing but a dog begging for scraps."

Sophia stood up.

The light in the room was bright. Her shadow fell across Claire. Then her hand rose—palm down, wrist snapping clean and fast.

The crack of the slap exploded through the private room. Claire's face whipped to the side.

Dead silence.

Sophia lowered her hand, shaking out her tingling fingers, and looked down at Claire. "I've been patient with you long enough. Claire, listen carefully—next time you run your mouth in front of me, I'll do this every single time."

Claire clutched her cheek, stunned. Then she shot to her feet. "You hit me? You worthless little—"

The second slap landed faster. It connected squarely with Claire's face.

Claire staggered back two steps, her lower back slamming into the table edge.

Her mouth hung open. Her body shook. She couldn't form a complete sentence.

The two assistants moved to intervene, but one cold look from Sophia froze them in place.

Claire pressed her hand to her burning cheek, hatred and fear warring in her eyes. She stood rooted to the spot, trembling with every breath.

The door opened from outside.

Griffin stopped in the doorway, his gaze sweeping the room. His brow knotted tight.

His eyes landed on Claire's swollen, reddened cheek.

"Who did this?" His voice dropped low and heavy—nothing like his usual composed demeanor.

Claire finally had someone to cling to. Tears burst free. She clutched her face and rushed toward him. "Griffin! It was her! She hit me! That bitch slapped me twice!"

Sophia stood where she was, mouth twitching slightly.

Griffin's gaze shifted to Sophia. The darkness in his eyes deepened. "Ms. Percy, don't you think you owe me an explanation?"

"An explanation?" Sophia's tone was even. "Ask Claire what she just called me. See if you can repeat it out loud."

Griffin's frown tightened. He turned to Claire.

Claire bit her lip. Her eyes darted away.

Griffin already had his answer.

He looked back at Sophia, lowering his voice. "Even if she said things she shouldn't have, you could've argued back—talked it out. But putting your hands on someone—that crosses a line."

"Crosses a line?" Sophia let out a short laugh.

"Griffin, where were you when Claire was spewing filth at me? Where were you when she sabotaged my project and stole it out from under me? Now she gets slapped and suddenly you show up."

"You think I should reason with her? Does she strike you as someone who listens to reason?"

Griffin's throat bobbed. Her words hit like a wall. His lips pressed into a hard line, and for a long moment, nothing came out.

"Let me be clear," Sophia said, looking straight at him. "Your sister needs discipline. Since you can't handle her, I will. Next time she comes for me, I'll hit her again."

Griffin opened his mouth. No rebuttal came.

"Griffin..."

Claire grabbed his sleeve, her voice climbing toward hysteria. "She hit me! You're just going to stand there and watch? Hit her back! Are you even my brother?"

"Claire, stop talking."

Griffin turned his head away.

Claire froze.

She stared at him, eyes blazing red. "You're... you're taking her side over mine? Did she brainwash all of you? She hit me first!"

"I said enough." Griffin cut her off, his tone leaving zero room for negotiation.

Claire went rigid, as if doused with ice water.

Her gaze burned past Griffin, locking onto Sophia.

Sophia met it without flinching. Her expression was indifferent.

She glanced at Jade. "Let's go."

Jade—who'd been watching in stunned silence—snapped out of it, grabbed the folder from the table, and hurried after her.

Sophia walked toward the door, passing Griffin without slowing.

She didn't even spare him a sideways glance.

Griffin stood motionless, fists clenched at his sides.

---

On the drive back, Sophia leaned against the car window and let out a long breath.

They reached her building quickly. Sophia got out, said goodbye to Jade, and was heading inside when her phone buzzed in her bag.

She pulled it out. Unknown number.

She answered. A middle-aged man's voice came through, polite and measured. "Ms. Percy? I'm Ronnie Ford, Lloyd's supervisor. I heard about what happened today. My apologies."

Sophia stayed quiet, waiting.

"Lloyd's decision on that project was premature. Here's what I'm thinking—if it's convenient for you, Ms. Percy, let's meet somewhere and go over the proposals again. If your plan genuinely outperforms the Douglas family's, this project is still on the table."

Sophia's fingers tightened around the phone. "Where?"

"Blue Moon Diner on Birchwood Lane. I'll be in the third-floor private room. Call me when you arrive."

"I'll be there in thirty minutes."