Noah Valentine stared at Sophia Sullivan's expressionless face, the smile fading from his lips.
He rubbed his stiffened cheeks, coldness rising in his eyes.
"You want money? Name your price."
He pulled a bank card from his pocket and held it out.
"There's 200,000 in here. Take it."
Sophia didn't even glance at it, swatting it away with a flick of her wrist.
The card clattered to the floor with a sharp sound.
"You disgust me."
Her quiet voice cut through Noah like a knife.
His expression darkened as he suppressed his anger.
"People change. Haven't you? Even if you claim those drawings are yours now, who'd believe you?"
He took two aggressive steps forward, pointing at the door.
"I'm the famous artist here! Those fans outside came for me!"
"Does stolen success sit well with you?" Sophia met his gaze. "Don't those compliments make you sick?"
"That signature is mine now!" Noah nearly shouted. "You accuse me of plagiarism? I say you stole my talent!"
The memory of first seeing Sophia's artwork still haunted him.
So young, yet so brilliant.
The gap between genius and mediocrity had crushed his spirit.
Jealousy coiled in his chest like a venomous snake.
"Damn you!" Noah spat. "I haven't created anything worthwhile since meeting you!"
His frenzied eyes held disturbing sincerity.
This was a side of Noah Sophia had never seen.
Before she could respond, someone knocked on the lounge door.
"Noah? I'd like to discuss our collaboration."
Noah shot Sophia a warning glare.
"Take the money and keep quiet. Without proof, slander could land you in court."
Turning to the door, his face instantly smoothed into a pleasant smile.
"Miss Evans, let's use the conference room. This place is a mess."
Chloe Evans immediately noticed Sophia inside, her face twisting in displeasure.
Why was this woman everywhere?
She affected a girlish tone, dripping with false innocence.
"Noah, you look terrible. Has some obsessive fan been bothering you?"
Her eyes widened dramatically at Sophia.
"What's she doing here? Fans are supposed to wait outside! Sneaking into private areas is just creepy!"
Liam Winston smirked nearby.
"Sophia, first cutting in line, now stalking backstage? If Ethan Sullivan knew how desperately you chase men, he'd dump you instantly."
Unconscious bitterness laced his words.
Noah adopted a weary expression.
"This lady's one of my anti-fans. She's delusional—accusing me of stealing her artwork and trying to extort money."