Isabella arched an eyebrow.
She turned to Sophia.
"Darling, didn't you say short track skating was just a casual hobby?"
"Why are you betting the Blood Jade today?"
"Aren't you afraid Liam and that wretched woman will target you?"
Isabella knew Sophia's capabilities.
In her eyes, Sophia would always be the best of the best.
There was no way she'd lose to someone like Liam.
But the Blood Jade held special significance.
Isabella had pieced together the story these past few days.
Mr. Winston Sr. had entrusted Sophia with the family heirloom.
The implications were profound.
All of A-City's elite now watched Sophia with keen interest.
Mr. Winston controlled the majority of the Winston Group's shares.
He was the true power behind the throne.
Whoever married Sophia might gain a stake in the Winston empire.
"It's not thieves I fear, but greedy eyes."
Isabella gently patted Sophia's shoulder.
"Those two are blinded by ambition."
"One day they might actually try to steal it."
Sophia smiled faintly.
Her eyes shone with trust.
"With you here, their scheming is pointless."
Isabella immediately lifted her chin proudly.
Her smile brightened like sunshine.
"Of course!"
She wrapped an arm around Sophia's shoulders.
Confidence rang in her voice.
"Leave everything to me."
"I promise those two won't lay a finger on the jade!"
Without hesitation, Sophia handed the Blood Jade to Isabella.
Their bond ran deep.
"I'll treat you to dinner after the match."
"Deal!"
They walked side by side toward the rink.
Short track skating required constant training to maintain peak form.
Sophia hadn't skated in three years.
Rust was inevitable.
Beyond physical conditioning,
She'd spent this time rediscovering her rhythm.
Today's competition felt more like practice.
Tension built as the event began.
Contestants glanced nervously at the giant screen.
"The draw's starting—please don't put me in the first heat!"
"They say Zephyr's competing today."
"Will he finally show his face?"
"The prize money's huge this year."
"And the Sullivan CEO brought his niece."
"But VIPs like that stay in private boxes."
"No chance we'll see them."
"Liam actually showed up?"
"Him and his new wife became laughingstocks at their wedding."
"Then they tried signing that plagiarist artist."
"How do they dare show their faces?"
"You don't understand."
"They're using this to rehab their image."
Sophia ignored the chatter.
Only Ethan bringing Emma surprised her.
She couldn't spot their box.
Perhaps he'd taken her advice about Emma needing socialization.
The starting pistol fired abruptly.
Skaters scrambled to their positions.
Isabella cupped her hands around her mouth.
"Go get 'em, darling!"
Sophia nodded.
She checked her lane assignment.
The matchups flashed on screen.
Sophia's eyes narrowed.
"What a coincidence."
She'd expected to face Liam in finals.
Yet here they were in preliminaries.
Liam stood stiffly in neon yellow gear.
Expressionless behind his goggles.
Sophia made final adjustments nearby.
As she bent down, she noticed the man beside her.
Zephyr.
His entire face was hidden behind goggles and a mask.
Even during awards, he always wore disguises.
Never revealing himself.
Sophia studied him from the corner of her eye.
Something about his presence...
Felt strangely familiar.