“No one can wake someone who pretends to be asleep.”
revealed Kevin’s words from the wedding day, where he claimed Clara had seduced him. The color slowly drained from Clara’s face. Her eyes widened in disbelief. “It’s not like that.”
I ignored her. I had laid out all the facts. If she chose to deceive herself, there was nothing more I could do. The police arrived quic- kly and took Clara away. The company faced a deficit of nearly a million. If no one compensated for it, Clara was looking at decad- es in prison.
“I’ve transferred the money to your account.”
“Drop the lawsuit.”
Kevin had arranged to meet me at a coffee shop. I looked at the confirmation of the transfer, feeling a strange wistfulness. Kevin truly had a deep, almost foolish devotion to Clara. Why hadn’t I seen it then? I pushed down the turmoil in my mind, picked up my bag, and prepared to leave.
“Sophia.”
“I… I missed you.”
I turned to look at Kevin. His face was ashen, his features gaunt. He was a stark contrast to his former vibrant, confident self. I
knew he simply needed a quiet, gentle, undemanding presence by his side–a mere tool.
But I was not that. I walked away without hesitation.
Clara was released quickly. As she packed her belongings, a look of triumph crossed her face. “I told you, Kevin loves me.”
“I’m not like you.”
I smiled. “But do you love him? You two deceive each other. One day, the truth will come out.” I said, a half–smile playing on my lips.
When I was investigating the company’s deficit, I discovered that Clara hadn’t given all the money to Kevin. A portion had gone to
an overseas account. That man was Leo’s true father.
A flicker of panic swiftly crossed Clara’s eyes, then she composed herself. “I am now the girlfriend of the city’s golden boy. When you speak to me, you had best show some respect.”
A laughable clown. I nodded indifferently. “A crumbling family and a disgraced heir. They’re all yours to manage.”
“And just so you know, the Blackwood family now can’t even compare to our Vance family.” I said, my voice rich with hidden meani-
Ang
Clara’s face contorted with rage. “You’re just born into a better family. What gives you the right to always look down on people?” In her fury, she blurted out secrets she had hidden for years.
I finally understood: she didn’t love Kevin at all. She simply envied me. No matter what I did–buying her gifts, treating her to meals, covering some of her expenses abroad, letting her manage my company–she always felt I was merely giving her charity, looking down on her. She always felt I was despising her.
*Fine. From this moment forward, we have no connection. You no longer need to accept my ‘superior‘ charity.” My expression turn- ed cold and emotionless as I issued the command to dismiss her. “Security, remove unauthorized personnel.”
“Sophia Vance, I will definitely live a better life than you. Definitely.” Her eyes blazing red, she declared war on me.
