CHAPTER 11: SHE WON’T BE BULLIED AGAIN

Sophia had just gotten home when the TV began broadcasting news about her. On screen, she looked breathtakingly stunning.

She lifted her eyes and gave a mocking smile. The Morgan family must be losing their minds watching this. Even funnier—Andrew hadn’t recognized that the woman at last night’s gala was her. Going blind in old age?

Sure enough, chaos erupted inside the Morgan household.

"This is impossible! She’s still alive? And she’s Luna?"

"Didn’t you see the interview on the news? How could that be fake?"

Susan’s face turned pale as she snapped back, "Without us, how could she have even survived? And in just a few years, she’s suddenly a world-renowned designer? It’s a scam!"

Andrew’s voice cut coldly through the air. "She is Luna. That’s a fact carved in stone. And let me remind you, Susan—if we breach the contract, Morgan Group will owe double the penalty. Forty million dollars."

"What?!" Susan’s voice cracked into a shriek. In the middle of a financial crisis, how could Morgan Group possibly shoulder that kind of loss?

She cursed under her breath, her anger boiling over. "That little tramp! Daring to take advantage of us at a time like this? I’ll make her pay!"

"Mom, I’m coming with you!" Olivia’s teeth clenched in rage. After disappearing for years, Sophia had the audacity to return in glory?

Meanwhile, Sophia lounged lazily on her sofa, eyes closed, her pale slender fingers tapping rhythmically against the armrest. A cold smile tugged at her lips. By now... they should be here.

Sure enough—Bang! Bang! Bang! A series of violent knocks thundered against the door.

Her eyes opened, a trace of amusement flickering within. Finally.

Elsewhere, in the back of a car, Alex cast a cautious glance at the rearview mirror. Lucas sat silently in the back seat. Skipping work to personally check on a woman—this was the first time he’d ever broken his own rules.

...

The moment Sophia opened the door, Susan lunged forward, her hand flying toward Sophia’s face.

But Sophia was faster. She caught Susan’s wrist in a vice-like grip, flung it aside, and barked coldly, "What do you think you’re doing?!"

Susan froze for a split second, then her humiliation twisted into rage. "Sophia! It really is you!"

Sophia’s lips curled into a mocking smile. She crossed her arms and leaned casually against the doorframe. "Mrs. Miller. Long time no see. Still full of fire, I see."

"You dare talk back? You ungrateful little bitch! The Morgans raised you for years, and you ran off without a word—now you’re back to extort us? Believe me, I’ll ruin you!"

Susan’s voice screeched like a shrew in full rage.

Sophia merely watched, calm and unbothered, letting her rant until her voice cracked. Then she lazily twisted open a water bottle and murmured, "Tired yet? Thirsty? Want a sip?"

Susan snorted, smugly reaching for it. "At least you know your place."

And then—

Splash!

Icy water poured straight across Susan’s face.

"Mom!" Olivia panicked, digging through her purse, only to realize she hadn’t brought tissues. Luckily, someone handed her a few, and she hurried to press them into Susan’s hands.

Susan wiped the water frantically, but for some reason, the tissue was white, but after wiping the water off her face, it turned black like ink and stained Susan’s face.

"Darling!" Andrew’s eyes went wide with outrage. He roared, "Sophia, you’ve gone too far!"

He raised his hand, ready to strike.

But just as his palm lifted, Sophia clapped her hands sharply.

At once, more than twenty men in black suits and dark sunglasses stormed out from inside the villa, forming a wall of muscle around her. The oppressive energy in the room spiked instantly.

Susan and Olivia shrank back, clinging to Andrew’s side in fear.

"You... what are you trying to do? I’m your mother! And Olivia is your sister!" Susan’s voice trembled, her bravado cracking into panic.

Murderous intent flickered in Sophia’s eyes, her voice sharp as a blade.

"Mother? Sister? Who gave you the audacity to say those words out loud?"

She strode forward, gaze like a drawn sword, and clamped Susan’s chin in a merciless grip, leaning down with an aura that crushed the air.

"Listen well. Mention my mother again, or dare to slander her name, and I’ll tear your mouth apart myself."

With that, she released Susan’s chin in disgust, lips curving into a cold smile. Her voice dropped to a mocking lilt.

"Call it bullying if you want, or accuse me of abusing my power. I don’t care. I’m no longer the Sophia you humiliated six years ago. Remember this—our little game is only just beginning."

Her brows arched as she flicked her fingers, her command like ice.

"Throw them out. If they refuse to leave, call the cops and charge them with trespassing."

"Yes, ma’am!" the bodyguards answered in unison.

The towering men had barely stepped forward when Olivia shrieked, "Don’t touch me!"

Susan lashed out, screaming, "Andrew, look at the monster you raised!"

Andrew’s face was an ugly shade of gray. Outnumbered and cornered, he knew there was no winning tonight.

Grinding his teeth, he spat, "Sophia, you’re ruthless. Just wait—one day, you’ll be on your knees begging me to take you back!"

Sophia didn’t even blink. Empty threats? She’d heard more than her share. They didn’t scare her in the slightest.

The Andrew before her was nothing like the proud man of years past. Now his words were bitter, his posture pathetic. And yet, in Sophia’s heart, another wave of determination rose.

Mom... thank God you didn’t live to see this. If you had, it would’ve only broken your heart further. But don’t worry. What Andrew owes you, what Susan owes you—I’ll collect it all, piece by piece. I’ll strip him of everything, until he knows the agony of betrayal and public disgrace.

Moments later, the three unwelcome guests were driven out of Silver Lake Villa.

Not far away, inside a car—

"Boss, should we step in? But... uh... I can’t take on twenty-plus bodyguards," Alex muttered nervously.

Lucas gazed at the villa, an almost imperceptible smile tugging at his lips.

This woman was turning out to be far more interesting than he’d ever imagined.

"Back," he ordered coolly.

"Huh? We’re just leaving?" Alex’s nerves spiked. We came all this way just to slink off empty-handed?

Lucas’s tone was steady, absolute. "There’s time. For now, get a gift ready. We’re paying a visit to Carter Group."

Alex blinked. "Carter Group? Boss, you’re planning to work with them? Didn’t you say you had no interest in their project?"

Lucas’s eyes cut to him, cold and sharp. "Talk less. Or should I cut your salary?"

Alex instantly snapped his mouth shut and pressed harder on the gas. The car sped away from Silver Lake Villa.

Inside, Sophia closed the door and turned back—only to be met by six pairs of wide, glistening eyes staring at her.

"Mommy—!"

The chorus of six childish voices made her chest tighten.

Sophia pressed her fingers to her brow, at a loss for how to explain.

Then came the sniffles—soft sobs bubbling up among her children.

"Don’t cry, Mommy! We’ll be really good!"

"Yeah, don’t worry, Mommy. We’ll take care of the bad guys for you!"

"Mommy... but who’s our daddy? You’re almost twenty-six—you can’t stay single forever, right?"

The first few comments warmed her heart. The last one made her freeze.

Her eyes lifted toward little Faye, exasperation flickering. Was her fake crying really that unconvincing?

"Faye, sweetheart, Mommy’s a superhero. You don’t have a daddy. I’m sorry."

But the words were barely out when six voices chorused in unison, "Mommy’s lying! We’re not three years old anymore—we’re five!"

Sophia couldn’t help but laugh. They were too old to fool now. Back when they were three or four, she could’ve pointed at the moon and told them it was the sun, and they’d have believed her without question.

"I really don’t know who he is. I’m not lying to you. But if that’s not good enough, then maybe you should go out and find a daddy."

There was no point in hiding the truth any longer. A lie could last a while, but never forever.

"Deal! Pinky promise—we’ll bring Daddy back in a few days!"

Their words were playful, innocent, and full of conviction. To Sophia, it was nothing more than a joke. She humored them, hooking her pinky with theirs.

Then she smiled and asked, "Mommy’s going to Carter Group to see Aunt Harper. Who wants to come with me?"

"Me!"

Six little voices rang out together, perfectly in sync.