Chapter 5

Sophia said, "If Lily's parents hadn't saved Edward, he never would've married her.

"Edward belongs to me. No one else gets a chance.

"First, her grandma died at the wedding, then her sister. I'd like to see if she still has the guts to marry Edward."

Sophia's voice, dripping with arrogance and malice, was like venom-tipped needles, jabbing straight into my ears.

As expected, it was all her doing.

Unable to hold back any longer, I slammed my foot into the ornate gate of the Summers residence, sending it flying open with a bang.

The music in the living room came to a screeching halt, and everyone turned to stare at me.

I glared at Sophia, my voice trembling with fury as I shouted, "Sophia, was it you? Did you kill my sister?"

I marched right up to her and landed a slap that echoed through the room.

Sophia covered her face, staring at me in utter shock.

She yelled, "You dare hit me?

"Not even my mom and dad ever laid a hand on me."

She screamed for the bodyguards, and two big guys rushed over, pinning my arms and forcing me down onto the floor.

Sophia spat, "So what if some old lady and a little brat died? Who cares?"

She stood over me, looking down with a sneer, her eyes filled with contempt.

She said, "You made everyone point fingers at me out there, so I just wanted your sister to taste what it's like to have people gossiping and judging her."

She crouched down, digging her nails deep into my cheek, pinching the flesh hard.

She spat, "It's your fault they're dead. Who told you to try to steal Edward from me?"

Before I could even react, she yanked my hair and slapped me back and forth across the face, switching sides with every hit.

The crack of her palm echoed through the living room, and she only stopped when her hand was burning hot and red.

Sophia said, "Listen up, Lily. I killed your grandma, I drove your sister to her grave, and I can just as easily finish you off."

She pressed the tip of her shoe into the back of my hand, her words cold and sharp as ice.

She spat, "People like you, filthy, low-class trash, aren't even worth more than my family's dog."

The music blasted back on, and Sophia and her clique started beating me up, kicking and punching without mercy.

Sophia still wasn't satisfied. She turned around, grabbed a box of embroidery needles, and jabbed them one after another into my arms and thighs.

Blood oozed out, soaking into the luxurious cashmere carpet, but that only made Sophia even more thrilled.

I spat, "Sophia, sooner or later, you'll pay the price for everything you've said and done."

I gritted my teeth, wishing I could rip her to shreds.

Sophia sneered, "The price?"

She ordered her people to tie me up and shove me into the closet.

She said, "Lily, keep your eyes open and watch closely. Let's see who pays the price first."

My mouth was sealed shut with tape, so I couldn't even shout a word in protest.

Just as I was struggling desperately to break free from the ropes, the front door of the villa suddenly burst open.

Edward walked in, his eyes immediately landing on Sophia's face. He frowned and asked, "What happened to your face?"

Sophia didn't say a word. She just shot a glance toward the closet, and the smile on her lips grew even brighter.

Edward didn't notice anything off. He just reached out and tapped her forehead, his tone full of affection as he said, "You always manage to stir up trouble.

"Go ahead and send everyone home. Keep it down. If Lily comes back and hears all this, she'll throw another tantrum."

"Please, what's there to be afraid of?" Sophia snorted, waving her hand for everyone to leave.

Everyone cleared out of the living room in a flash, leaving just the two of them behind.

Sophia plopped herself onto Edward's lap, hooked her arms around his neck, and whined playfully, "You don't actually like her, do you?"

She pressed herself against him, not leaving even a sliver of space between them.

"Are you jealous?" Edward teased.

"Edward, you're mine," Sophia murmured, her voice soft and possessive.