Sophia Sullivan's pupils constricted violently.
Her trembling fingers reached up to touch her cheek.
The tips of her fingers met a thin trail of blood.
"My face..."
Her voice shook with disbelief.
When the steak knife had grazed past her ear, death's breath had brushed against her skin.
Her heart pounded wildly against her ribs.
Thump. Thump. Thump.
Adrenaline surged through her veins.
She saw the icy glint in Sophia Sullivan's eyes.
For that moment, she truly believed she would die.
"Sophia Sullivan, you've gone too far!"
Chloe Evans finally broke down in hysterical sobs.
Her legs gave out as she collapsed onto the floor.
Sophia Sullivan approached with measured steps.
The sharp click of her heels echoed through the room.
"Stay back!"
Chloe scrambled backward in terror.
Her back hit the cold wall.
The steak knife still embedded in the wallpaper gleamed menacingly.
"The Winstons will make you pay for this!"
She shouted with false bravado.
Sophia Sullivan yanked the knife free.
The motion was swift and precise.
Chloe flinched violently.
"Let the Winstons try."
Sophia Sullivan wiped the blade with deliberate slowness.
She crouched down to meet Chloe at eye level.
A red velvet box snapped open in her palm.
The golden token shimmered under the light.
"Wasn't this what you wanted?"
Sophia Sullivan's lips curved slightly.
"Come take it."
Chloe's face turned ashen.
She shook her head frantically, tears streaming uncontrollably.
"I don't want it anymore... really don't..."
She curled into a fetal position, arms shielding her head.
Her entire body trembled like a leaf in the wind.
"Please... just let me go..."
Sophia Sullivan tossed the knife onto the coffee table.
"Get out."
Chloe scrambled to her feet like a pardoned convict.
She stumbled toward the exit in frantic haste.
Not even bothering to straighten her disheveled dress.
The manager bowed deeply in apology.
"Mr. Sullivan, we've reinforced security."
A voice crackled through his earpiece.
He looked up for instructions.
"Mr. Roscente requests an audience."
Ethan Sullivan gave a slight nod.
Julian Roscente pushed through the door.
He arched an eyebrow at the two figures on the sofa.
"You two certainly know how to make my job difficult."
Amusement laced his tone.
He leaned lazily against the doorframe.
"The media situation is handled."
His gaze lingered thoughtfully on Sophia Sullivan.