CHAPTER 53: THE SCAPEGOAT

"When you’re out in the world, all you’ve got is your word."

Sophia pulled out a sleek black card. "There’s two hundred thousand on it. No password."

Leon’s expression shifted—conflicted, defensive, a little lost.

"You need the money," she said softly but firmly. "You can keep your pride if you want, but think about your grandmother. Power respects power. Only when you rise high enough do you get to make the rules."

Leon hesitated, then slowly reached out and took the card.

Sophia’s lips curved into a faint smile. "Good. I’ll be waiting to see how brightly you shine."

She didn’t choose the wrong people—never had.

By the time she left the hospital, night had fallen. The city lights shimmered across her windshield as her phone began to buzz.

Lucas.

He never called her first.

"Hello?"

"Where are you? I’ll come pick you up."

Sophia leaned lazily against the car door, amusement curling in her tone. "Well, well. What’s gotten into you, Mr. Hilton? Don’t tell me you’re falling for me."

Lucas paused for a moment before speaking again. "Grandfather’s will gets announced tomorrow. Someone was... kind enough to invite me to stay the night at their estate."

Sophia caught on instantly. "So you want me to play along. Again."

She chuckled. "Funny how I keep bailing you out, yet somehow neither the Morgans nor the Trumps have done me a single favor in return."

Lucas’s voice dropped lower. He didn’t want more drama with Aiden—too many Hilton relatives were already circling like vultures.

But if Sophia went with him, especially with the kids... that would send a message.

"What do you want in return?" he asked finally.

"Hmm, you’ve really forgotten how to win people over, haven’t you? That’s disappointing, Mr. Hilton."

He smirked through the phone. "You already have me. Isn’t that enough?"

Sophia rolled her eyes. "You’re impossible."

"But you like me that way."

She laughed under her breath. "Oh, love you to death, sweetheart~"

The six kids climbed into the backseat as she hung up, grinning.

She drove off, heading toward the Hilton estate. Ten minutes later, she reached the main intersection—only to spot another car identical to hers.

"Mommy, the north road’s jammed," said Billy from the back.

The north road was quicker, but if it was blocked, they’d have to take the longer southern route.

"Then we’ll take the south road," Sophia said, signaling the turn.

But strangely enough, the other Rolls-Royce took the same turn—accelerating, almost as if to overtake her.

"Mommy, that car just passed us!"

"It’s fine," she said calmly. "We’re not racing. Safety first."

The traffic light ahead flicked from green to yellow. Without hesitation, she eased her foot off the gas, letting the car slow to a smooth stop right at the line.

She lifted a bottle of water to her lips—

And then—

BOOM!

A deafening explosion shattered the night.

Sophia’s bottle slipped from her hand as her pupils contracted in shock.

A massive truck had appeared out of nowhere, slamming full-speed into the Rolls-Royce that had just passed her—

The car flew into the air, flipped several times, and came crashing down in a twisted heap of metal.

The truck sped off without stopping.

Sophia froze, her heart hammering.

"Mommy! We have to help!"

The six children scrambled to open their doors, but Sophia snapped back to her senses.

"Stay in the car! Call an ambulance—I’ll check on the driver!"

Her legs trembled as she ran toward the wreck. The Rolls-Royce was mangled beyond recognition, the driver’s side crumpled inward. Blood streaked down from the man’s temple.

"Somebody—help me!" he yelled, trying to pry the door open. "Please!"

But no one moved. People only stood there, staring, phones raised to record.

Sophia’s voice broke as she screamed again, "Help! He’s still alive!"

Slowly, bystanders began to gather around...

And meanwhile, in Aiden’s villa, Lucas had just arrived.

On the giant TV screen behind him, the news played footage of the crash.

"Looks like the city’s not so safe tonight," someone murmured. "A car got totaled on South Road. A Rolls-Royce—stretched edition."

As soon as Lucas stepped into the room, he caught a glimpse of the TV—and froze.

That car...

It was Sophia’s. The exact Rolls-Royce she’d driven out earlier that day.

"Well, look who finally decided to show up!" Aiden drawled as he walked over, a smug smile playing on his lips. "Didn’t think you’d come in person. Don’t blame me for not greeting you properly—"

Before he could finish, Lucas shoved his arm away, his expression darkening until his face was shadowed with barely contained rage.

"Aiden," he said, his tone low and lethal, "I thought you still had your uses. But it seems you’ve mistaken my patience for weakness. Hilton Group has fed you too long if you’ve forgotten your place."

He spun on his heel and stormed out.

"Mr. Hilton?" Alex scrambled to keep up. "What happened—?"

Lucas didn’t answer. He wrenched open the car door, sliding into the driver’s seat himself.

"Keep eyes on Aiden," he snapped.

The engine roared to life, and the car shot forward, disappearing into the night.

Alex blinked after him, utterly lost. "What the hell just happened?"

...

South Road.

By the time Lucas arrived, the wail of sirens filled the air. Paramedics were already rushing around the wreck.

He jumped out before the car had even stopped.

"Sophia?!" He shouted, scanning the chaos. "Sophia!"

He rushed toward the nearest ambulance—only to see an elderly woman, unconscious and bleeding, being lifted inside.

"Lucas?"

The familiar voice behind him made him spin around.

Sophia stood a few yards away—her clothes stained crimson, hair a tangled mess, but alive.

For a second, Lucas couldn’t breathe. Then he was moving, pushing through the onlookers, pulling her into his arms with crushing force.

He never let anyone touch him. His obsession with cleanliness was legendary.

But with her—none of that mattered.

Sophia blinked up at him, dazed but mischievous, and deliberately pressed her bloody hands against his crisp white shirt, leaving two perfect red handprints.

"Lucas," she said weakly, "what are you doing here?"

"I saw the news." His voice was tight, almost trembling. "Are you hurt? Tell me the truth."

Sophia tilted her head, pretending to think. In truth, her mind was still spinning from shock.

"Mommy!"

The six kids ran toward her, surrounding them.

Sophia gave a faint wave before letting her knees buckle slightly. "I... feel dizzy... I can’t..."

Her body went limp, and Lucas caught her before she hit the ground.

"Sophia?"

"Too dizzy," she murmured, eyes fluttering shut, "I’m going to faint..."

She looked so small and fragile in that moment that Lucas didn’t even think—he just swept her up in his arms, bridal-style, and carried her toward the car.

"Mommy!" the kids called out as they hurried after him.

Back at Blackstone Manor, Lucas carried her upstairs himself.

"Good heavens!" Mrs. Wilson gasped as soon as she saw them. "Young Master, what happened? The Madam—she’s covered in blood!"

"Bring the medical kit," Lucas ordered sharply.

Sophia was an expert at playing faint—she didn’t even twitch an eyelid.

"Sophia? Hey, Sophia?"

His hand brushed her collarbone before he froze, jaw tightening.

"Young Master, the kit is here."

"Thank you," he said curtly, taking it. Then, with a quieter tone, "Mrs. Wilson, change her clothes and check for any injuries."

He stripped off his bloodied shirt and disappeared into the bathroom.

Mrs. Wilson hesitated before reaching for Sophia’s blouse—only for Sophia’s eyes to snap open and a sly smile to curve her lips.

"Mrs. Wilson," she whispered, "I’ll handle it myself."

"But, Madam—"

"It’s fine. Just a scratch."

By the time Lucas came back out, Sophia was sitting up, freshly changed.

"Any injuries?" he asked.

Mrs. Wilson shook her head. "None that I could see. I think she’s just... shaken."

Lucas’s brows furrowed as the memory of the explosion flashed in his mind.

"You can check on the children. I’ll stay with her."

Once they were alone, he reached down and pinched Sophia’s nose shut.

Within seconds, her eyes flew open, glaring at him. "You’re bullying the wounded!"

"So you were faking."

Sophia caught his hand, her palm cold against his skin.

Lucas looked down, his voice suddenly softer. "That car..."

He paused, his expression unreadable. "It took the hit for you."