CHAPTER 63: TIME TO SETTLE THE SCORE

They had only come to her with suspicions—but Sophia’s phone held proof. Crystal clear, undeniable.

"Who told you? How did you even know that was my work?"

Very few people knew that Sophia’s piece was the grand finale of the show.

For Olivia to show up here, someone had clearly tipped her off.

"I don’t know what you’re talking about," Olivia snapped. "I just hate you. I wanted you to fail. I didn’t expect..."

She trailed off, her face twisting in disbelief.

The showstopping design she had destroyed was somehow restored—flawless, radiant, and on full display for the entire world to see.

Olivia slapped Sophia’s hand away and turned to leave.

Sophia’s gaze followed her.

Her appearance in City Y was no coincidence.

Among everyone present tonight, only a few people had connections to the Morgan family...

And then, Sophia spotted him.

Aiden—quietly talking with another guest, his expression unreadable.

Before she could think more on it, a man approached her with an excited smile.

"Miss Luna, your design was breathtaking! Would you consider joining my company? We need a creative partner like you. I’m sure a collaboration would be mutually beneficial."

He handed her a business card.

He was the owner of a mid-sized fashion brand in City D—successful enough to be respected, not quite powerful enough to be feared.

Another man immediately stepped forward, producing his card.

"Miss Luna, we’d love to have you on our team as well. Any chance we can work together in the future?"

Offer after offer came pouring in.

Before Sophia could answer, a firm arm slipped around her shoulders, drawing her back slightly.

Lucas.

"Mr. Hilton!" the men exclaimed, eyes lighting up with realization.

"Excuse us," Lucas said smoothly, his hand still on her waist. "I need a word with her."

He led her off to the side, his grip unyielding.

"What exactly do you think you’re doing?" he demanded.

Sophia turned on him, eyes flashing. "Lucas, are you serious right now? I’m Luna. I’m a designer. I’m here because my work closed the show. Why are you acting like I did something wrong?"

Lucas frowned, lowering his voice. "Frank and Mary are testing your identity."

"Let them," she said coolly. "I’ve got nothing to hide. Do you think I’m scared of a little test? Lucas, you underestimate me—I’m not some naive little rabbit."

She was actually hoping they’d make a move.

And right on cue, Frank started walking toward them.

"Lucas," she said quietly, "you can use me all you want, but don’t interfere with my plans."

She turned and walked away.

Lucas clenched his jaw.

Unbelievable woman. The one time he tried to help her, she pushed him away.

Meanwhile, Frank’s stomach twisted with unease. It couldn’t be her... could it?

The world wasn’t full of coincidences like this.

"Frank," Mary whispered sharply, "remember—she’s still Luna, and still Lucas’s wife. Don’t make any reckless moves. But if she is Aurora’s daughter, then we can’t waste time. We deal with it fast."

There was a calculating glint in her eyes.

With the Turner elders gone, everything had fallen to the Wrights.

If this woman was truly Aurora’s child, she could ruin everything.

Sophia deliberately walked past them.

"Wait, Miss Morgan," Frank called out.

She paused—just as she’d expected—and turned with a faint, polite smile. "Mr. Turner. Mrs. Wright. What can I do for you?"

"It’s our first time meeting," Frank said smoothly. "You look even lovelier in person. Your finale design tonight was absolutely stunning."

"Thank you," Sophia replied coolly, her tone even. She turned as if to leave.

"Wait—Miss Morgan," Frank pressed. "You look... familiar somehow. May I ask, who was your mother?"

There it is.

Sophia’s lips curved, her voice soft but edged with ice.

"My mother," she said, "was Aurora Turner—the second daughter of the Turner family."

She paused, her expression calm. "Now, she’s nothing but a lonely soul resting in an LA cemetery."

Frank froze, the color draining from his face. "You... you’re saying Aurora is dead?"

Sophia tilted her head slightly. "Mr. Turner, you knew my mother?"

"I..."

Frank barely opened his mouth before Mary dug her nails into his arm.

"Oh, we don’t actually know your mother," she said quickly with a smile. "I just thought you must feel... lonely, Miss Morgan, that’s all."

Sophia’s lips curved ever so slightly. "I see. Well, I’ve heard I have an uncle who lives here in City Y. I came specifically to find him."

Frank’s expression darkened. "And if you do find him, then what?"

"Of course—" she tilted her head playfully, "—I’ll be claiming my family ties."

Every word she said was deliberate.

With her current fame and reputation, she knew perfectly well that even if he refused to acknowledge her, Mary would already be calculating her next move.

Sure enough, Mary’s smile widened, her tone sugary sweet.

"Miss Morgan, you’re always welcome to visit us. The Wright family prides itself on hospitality."

"Oh, Mrs. Wright, you flatter me," Sophia replied smoothly. "I’ve only heard rumors that my uncle married into a big family—and took everything that once belonged to my mother. I suppose even between siblings, one should still settle accounts properly, don’t you think?"

Her gaze sharpened on Frank, a ghost of a smirk tugging at her lips.

"Don’t you agree, Mr. Turner?"

For a man who’d spent half his life negotiating in boardrooms, Frank found himself—shockingly—unnerved by the calm fire in her eyes.

He looked down, nodding weakly. "Y-yes. Even between siblings... debts should be settled."

"Mr. Turner agrees with me," she said, her voice soft but cutting. "That means I’m right. The day I step into their house, it will definitely be time to settle the score. I will get back everything they owe my mother!"

A flash of ice gleamed in her eyes.

"Mr. Turner, Mrs. Wright, excuse me. I have someone to greet."

She brushed past them, leaving a chill in her wake.

Mary seized Frank’s arm again, her voice low and furious. "Aurora had a daughter? How did I not know this before?!"

"I... I heard she’d had a child," Frank murmured, dazed. "But I only saw the girl once—when she was very little. I didn’t know it was her. And Aurora... she’s gone? She’s really gone... God, this is all my fault."

His voice trembled.

He had loved Aurora in his own selfish way. But ambition had won out—he’d stolen everything from her, climbed into the Wright family’s fortune, and buried his guilt beneath success.

His parents had died in grief over what he’d done.

Aurora—his sister—had vanished because of him.

"Frank!" Mary hissed, snapping him back to reality. "Don’t you dare get sentimental. Sophia’s here for revenge, can’t you see that? You are not to reveal your connection to her—ever! She’s no naive girl, she’s dangerous."

Her eyes flashed cold calculation.

If Lucas Hilton backed Sophia, the Wrights wouldn’t stand a chance.

"As for Aurora," she sneered, "she left on her own. No one forced her. And you—don’t forget—you’re a Wright now, not a Turner!"

Frank stared at Sophia again, heart pounding.

She was already looking back at him.

Their gazes met—an invisible spark passing between them.

Sophia raised her glass, her smile enigmatic, almost taunting.

The game has only just begun, that smile seemed to say.

Every debt, every sin—they would pay for it, one by one.

She downed her drink in a single motion, her eyes glinting with icy resolve.

Across the room, Aiden scanned the crowd, fingers brushing the rim of his glass in a subtle, deliberate motion.

Then, he began walking toward her.