Chapter 429

Sophia was momentarily consumed by a wave of nostalgia. She remembered Edie’s regal presence in Crownridge—everyone either respected or feared her. No one dared cross Edie, and her mere presence commanded deference.

The thought of Edie's past power ignited something in Sophia. A wicked smile spread across her face. "Yes," she thought, "it's all Odalys' fault. I just need to find her and make her take the blame. She's the one behind everything."

Sophia mentally prepared to confront Odalys, corner her, and force her to take the fall. The thought filled her with a dark exhilaration. Determined, she hurried from her room, ready to find Odalys and force a resolution. But upon opening the door, she froze. Two police officers stood in the hallway.

Her heart skipped a beat, and the color drained from her face. She hadn't expected this. Just hours earlier, after her injury, they'd escorted her to the hospital and left. Wasn't it over?

"Ms. Bennett," one officer said calmly, producing his badge. "We're here to arrest you for defamation and intentional harm."

"What!!" Sophia snapped, reeling. "What do you mean, arrest me?" She was completely caught off guard. How could they still be here? She'd assumed everything was handled. The police had left after bringing her to the hospital. Now, they were back to arrest her!

"Is Odalys behind this?" Sophia hissed, her voice growing frantic. "You're the police! You should be upholding the law, not bending to her because she married well! That day, Odalys set me up! She could have explained everything, but she didn't! She left me to believe it was my fault!" Sophia trembled with rage, her eyes blazing with accusation.

The officers exchanged a look. One replied coldly, "You don't get to accuse others just because things aren't going your way. You've made a mistake, and now you'll pay for it."

Sophia's eyes narrowed, her teeth gritting in frustration. She lunged toward the door, but before she could move, the officers grabbed her—one on each side—and forced her from the room.

"Let go of me!" Sophia screamed, struggling against their grip.

A few feet away, Lee watched, his eyes narrowed in cold amusement.

"Ms. Bennett," he called out, his voice icy. "Would you like me to get you a megaphone?"

Sophia froze, utterly confused. A megaphone? She turned to Lee, bewildered. What was he talking about?

"What do you mean, a megaphone?" she asked instinctively.

Lee approached, his presence imposing. Towering over her, he smirked condescendingly. "Since you seem to think we're framing you, it seems you have some issues with the police, don't you? So, if you still believe we've wronged you, we'll make sure you understand exactly who's in control here."

Lee's voice grew colder. "I'll have someone bring a megaphone, and then we can announce everything you've done that day to the entire crowd. It'll be like an advertisement for your actions. If anyone believes you and supports your cause, we'll let you go. How does that sound?"

Sophia stood frozen, the weight of his words sinking in. A megaphone? Was this some kind of sick joke? She didn't know how to react. This felt personal; the police were clearly siding with Odalys, mocking her.

Her heart sank. "They're all against me," she thought bitterly. "Even the police are in on it."

Desperation filled her eyes as she locked her gaze on Lee. "What's your relationship with Odalys?" she demanded.

Lee's eyes gleamed coldly as he stepped toward her. "Go get the megaphone," he ordered. "Since Ms. Bennett hasn't shouted enough yet, let's make sure she gets her voice out loud and clear."

Sophia's world seemed to tilt. She couldn't believe the police were turning against her, humiliating her. Her hands trembled; she almost collapsed.

"Is this necessary?" she mumbled weakly. "How long will I be locked up for?"

She pictured the headlines, her reputation sinking further. This can't be happening, she thought, her stomach twisting in dread.

The officer glanced at her, his face hard. "You will be detained for three days and fined 1,500 dollars as a warning."

Three days. The words echoed in her head. Even three hours would destroy her. If she went to jail, it would be over—her reputation, her career, everything. There was no one who could help her.

She was trapped. The once-golden star of the Bennett family was now a pariah. Everyone had turned away, all because of Odalys.

Sophia's mind raced. How has it come to this? Among the onlookers was Odalys, arms calmly crossed, regarding Sophia with a cold, satisfied expression.

Their eyes locked. Then, Sophia's pent-up rage exploded. As she was escorted downstairs to the police car, the stares and whispers of the crowd intensified. People pointed; some took photos. Her heart sank.

"Odalys, you bitch! Get over here!" Sophia screamed, her voice filled with fury. She'd tried to maintain composure, but seeing Odalys so calm pushed her over the edge. Her hatred for the woman who had ruined her life surged.

"Why are you doing this to me?" Sophia shouted, her voice breaking.

The crowd followed her gaze to Odalys, who stood casually, smiling faintly. Odalys stepped forward, the crowd parting. She stopped before Sophia, eyeing her with amusement and disdain.

"Harm you?" Odalys raised an eyebrow. "Maybe you should think about what you're saying. Or perhaps you've forgotten? If you want, I can play the whole thing on the hospital's big screen for you. Would you like that?"

Sophia's breath caught. Odalys' words left her speechless.

"Anyone here who hasn't seen what happened, raise your hand," Odalys continued, her voice clear. "You all saw how Sophia, using her position as the Bennett family's adopted daughter, tried to frame me. She even tried to burn me alive, but I caught her in the act. Now she wants to lie about me and accuse me of destroying her, but the truth is, she's the one who needs to pay."

Sophia's world collapsed. The crowd murmured, some nodding in agreement. It was over. As Odalys spoke, the crowd grew, the truth undeniable. Sophia felt her knees buckle. It was too late.

"Looks like you've been caught, Ms. Bennett," Odalys said, her voice sweet but venomous. "And by the way, stop trying to play the fainting card. You've used that one too many times."

A hot tear slipped down Sophia's cheek, but she refused to let it show. She had nowhere left to run.