Sophia Sullivan's brow furrowed deeply.
Worry was etched across her face.
"Mom, time is running out."
"Every second Liam spends in the Underground City increases the danger."
Her original plan had been to bring Mrs. Winston here to provoke Sophia.
But the tables had turned against her.
Now, Sophia just wanted to leave as quickly as possible.
Staying any longer would only humiliate her further.
"No matter how wrong Liam was, Mr. Winston Sr. wouldn’t just stand by and do nothing."
At those words, Mrs. Winston momentarily forgot the pain in her face.
"You're right! The old man wouldn’t be so heartless!"
Chloe Evans' words emboldened her.
When she turned back to Sophia, her posture straightened with renewed confidence.
The humiliation she had suffered replayed in her mind.
Her fury could no longer be contained.
"Sophia Sullivan, what are you so smug about? Just you wait—I’ll make sure you regret this!"
Her gaze flickered to her reflection in the nearby glass.
Her designer suit was splattered with mud.
One earring was missing.
Her wrist was red, and her face was a patchwork of flushed and pale skin.
There wasn’t a trace of the elegant socialite left in her appearance.
The more Mrs. Winston looked, the angrier she became.
The muffled snickers around her only fueled her humiliation.
"What are you all staring at? Bunch of nobodies!"
Her dignity in tatters, she trembled with rage.
Suddenly, Mrs. Winston jabbed a finger at Sophia.
"You wretched little—"
Before she could finish, a sharp cry tore through the air.
"Ah—let go!!!"
No one saw Sophia move.
In an instant, she had seized the outstretched finger.
With a swift twist—
A sickening crack echoed.
Mrs. Winston's face contorted in agony as she staggered back.
Had Chloe not caught her, she would have collapsed on the spot.
"Sophia, have you lost your mind? How dare you lay a hand on me?"
Her finger felt broken.
Sophia's lips curled into a mocking smile.
"I told you before—I am insane."
"Mrs. Winston, if you want to live a long life, don’t provoke me."
"Or I’ll make sure you regret being alive."
Under normal circumstances, Mrs. Winston would never let this slide.
But when her eyes met Sophia’s, a chill shot up her spine.
The murderous intent in that gaze was bone-deep.
A familiar terror seized her once again.
"You… you…"
Her lips trembled, but no more words came out.
Those born into privilege knew how to read a room.
In that moment, she knew—Sophia would kill her without hesitation.
The realization horrified her.
How had she never noticed before?
Sophia wasn’t some meek lamb.
She was a venomous, man-eating flower.
"Mom, are you alright?"
Chloe pretended to comfort her.
Secretly, she wished the old hag would drop dead.
But even she hadn’t expected Sophia to go this far in public.
No matter what she thought, she had to play the part for now.
She and Mrs. Winston were still on the same sinking ship.
Just then, a black Maybach pulled up outside the crowd.
A tall, heavyset man stepped out, dripping with gaudy jewelry.
His wealth was unmistakable.
Chloe’s eyes instantly welled up with tears.
"Sophia, I know you hate Mrs. Winston."
"But no matter how angry you are, you can’t just hit her!"
She gently patted Mrs. Winston’s back, her demeanor fragile.
Her act was tiresomely familiar.
But Chloe knew this angle showcased her vulnerability best.
And more importantly—it would catch the man’s attention.
Sure enough, the man stormed over.
"What the hell is going on here? Who dares cause trouble on my turf?"
The crowd parted for him.
Chloe’s lips curved faintly.
The fish had taken the bait.
Men like him were the easiest to manipulate.
They always fell for the damsel-in-distress routine.