Chapter 3
I looked at the guys standing up for Sophie, and there wasn't a trace of warmth left in my eyes.
I snapped, "Seriously, you're still defending her in front of outsiders? Do you really think that's actually helping her?
"So now she thinks it's cute to play dumb, and that acting clueless means she can just avoid any consequences?
"Honestly, you guys have spoiled her rotten."
Ryan pointed his finger at me, his face red with anger. "You."
I slapped his hand away, rolling my eyes. "Seriously? What are you even trying to say?
"She's done countless dumb things. Should I start listing them one by one for everyone here?
"She insisted on hand-washing clothes that should've gone to the dry cleaner, and ended up ruining several of Mom's designer gowns.
"She was supposed to deliver important documents to Alexander, but gave him her cookbook instead. The entire office burst out laughing at Alexander, and even our partners started doubting our professionalism, so we lost deals because of it.
"She couldn't tell the brake from the gas pedal, but still tried to play chauffeur. What happened? She got you into a crash, and you broke your leg."
Everything I said was true.
Ryan and Alexander were totally lost for words.
The other servants couldn't help but start complaining.
"Oh my god, I really can't take her anymore. Is she here to work, or just to play Ms. Sterling in the house?" one whispered.
"She only gets away with everything because her mom's been the housekeeper here for years. She can't do a single thing right, but she's always trying to get close to the Sterling brothers," another chimed in.
"Exactly. Last time I was supposed to bring tea to Mr. Alexander Sterling, she insisted on doing it herself. And honestly, it was hilarious. She ended up tumbling, tea and all, straight into Mr. Alexander Sterling's arms," a third voice added.
"She must've done it on purpose. She can't even sweep the floor, but now she suddenly knows how to serve tea? Was she delivering tea, or just delivering herself?" Someone else gossiped.
They tried to stifle their laughter as they spoke.
Sophie's face went beet red, then drained of color as I recounted each of her silly blunders one by one.
Of course, she knew these were dumb things to do.
She just thought playing dumb was cute.
She'd been playing dumb in my house day after day, soaking up all the sympathy and attention.
That just made her even more convinced that playing dumb was the way to go.
Not everyone was dumb enough to think her endless slip-ups were adorable.
The other women in the room instantly caught on to her little game.
Contemptuous glances kept coming Sophie's way.
I shot Sophie a look, then turned back to everyone.
"Has anyone else noticed? Every time she messes up, it's always with someone else's things. She ruins Mom's dresses, delivers the wrong documents to Alexander, and gets points knocked off my license.
"But when it's her own stuff, she never seems to screw up, does she?"
When I totally exposed her, Sophie just couldn't handle it anymore. She covered her face and rushed out of the room.
Seeing this, Ryan stormed over and gripped my wrist tightly.
"Vivian, that's enough. You have a closet full of clothes. What's it to you if she wears one?" he snapped.
I yanked my hand away. "Even if I tossed my clothes in the trash, I'd never let a thief wear them."
As soon as the word "thief" left my mouth, people all around started whispering.
Hearing the mocking laughter behind her, Sophie started sobbing even harder and ran even faster toward the door.
But she stumbled and fell right there, letting out a delicate squeal.
The guys immediately crowded around her, concern written all over their faces.