Chapter 7

I leaned back, sipped my milk tea, and said calmly, "You get it now, Leonard? Just because you're loaded doesn't mean you can push me around. I don't play by your rules."

I lifted my chin toward the door. "The door's right there. Scram. Don't mess with my money-making, or I won't mind dropping even bigger bombs for the business press."

Leonard clenched his jaw, staring at me with so much hatred it was practically spilling out of him, but he didn't dare say a single word.

If he so much as tried to throw another threat my way, I'd probably cook up something even crazier. His company's stock would nosedive, and he'd be out of that CEO chair before he knew it.

In the end, he just gave me one last furious glare, then turned and practically fled, yanking the door open and rushing out like he couldn't get away fast enough.

The door slammed shut, and I cracked up, shooting a middle finger at the door for good measure.

Seriously? This is the so-called CEO? Please. Even my old boss had more guts dealing with clients than this guy ever will,' I sneered to myself.

I turned back to my computer, ready to jump back into hashing out the ad details, when my phone suddenly rang again.

The caller ID lit up. It is my second brother, Michael Lane.

I raised an eyebrow, hit answer, and turned on the speaker.

As soon as the call connected, Michael's angry voice blasted through the speaker, making my ears ring.

"Sophie! Are you done with your drama yet? Rose's stomach is bleeding because of you, and she's in the hospital! Get yourself to Central Medical Center right now, kneel, and apologize to her!"

I was chewing pearls when Michael's shout nearly made me choke.

Once I finally caught my breath, I rolled my eyes so hard they could've popped out. "Stomach bleeding? Please, she's just playing drama at this point."

Michael was practically exploding on the other end. "Sophie! Do you even have a conscience? Rose is in the hospital because of you, and you're still making snide remarks?"

"How is her being in the hospital my problem?" I set my milk tea down and crossed my legs. "Did I force her to frame me? Or to act like some pure little angel? She's the one with all the drama, and now her stomach's messed up. How is that my fault?"

"I don't care! Get yourself to the VIP ward at Central Medical Center right now! Kneel and apologize to Rose! Or else I'll make you pay!" Michael barked, then hung up.

I stared at the darkened screen and snorted in disbelief.

Apologize? Like hell I will.

Perfect. I was just itching to see what kind of new tricks this top-tier drama queen was going to pull.

I grabbed my phone and keys, double-checked everything before heading out, storage maxed, battery full, recording and video apps ready to roll. I was all set to catch Rose doing something shady.

I grabbed a cab to Central Medical Center, and as soon as I got to the VIP ward, I could hear Rose's tearful cries inside, along with her brothers from the Lane Family trying to comfort her.

I pushed the door open, and the room went dead silent.

Everyone in the room turned to look at me, their eyes full of anger and blame.

Richard was sitting on the couch, and he slammed his hand on the table. "Sophie! You actually had the nerve to show up!"

James stood up and jabbed a finger at me. "Look what you've done to Rose! If anything happens to her, I swear I'll make you pay!"

Michael stormed over, trying to grab my arm. "Hurry up! Kneel and apologize to Rose!"

I pulled my arm away."Don't touch me, that's gross. Seriously, did you all go crazy at once? Her being in the hospital has nothing to do with me."

I glanced at Rose lying in the hospital bed.

Damn, she was really putting on a show.

Her face was ghostly pale, lips drained of color, eyes puffy and red with tears still clinging to her lashes. An IV was hooked up to her hand, saline dripping beside her, and she looked like the picture of misery, weak, pitiful, as if the whole world had just dumped its problems on her.

As soon as she caught me looking, she dropped her head, shoulders shaking, tears falling even harder. She tugged at Michael's sleeve, her voice barely audible and full of sobs. "Michael, it's fine. Don't scold Sophie. It's really not her fault. I'm just weak, that's why I ended up in the hospital..."

Seriously, listen to that. Her drama skills were off the charts.

She pretended to stand up for me, but every single word was just making it sound like I was the one who sent her to the hospital.

I couldn't help but laugh, folding my arms as I strolled over to her bedside and shot her a raised eyebrow. "Rose, if you honestly don't blame me, then quit the crying already. You're acting like I just bullied you in front of the whole world. With skills like yours, being an extra in Studio City is beneath you. Oscar owes you a golden statue."

"Sophie..." Rose looked up at me, tears streaming down her face, looking like she'd just suffered the greatest injustice. "I'm not... I really don't blame you..."

She started struggling to sit up in bed as she spoke. "Sophie, please don't be mad. Let me pour you some water, just calm down, it's all my fault..."

Here we go. The classic drama is about to kick off.

I knew her trick. She'd fake a fall into me and blame me for pushing her.

I was way ahead of her. As soon as she started to get up, I took a big step back, whipped out my phone, hit record, and kept the camera locked on her.

Sure enough, the next second, Rose pretended to slip, tumbling right toward where I'd been standing, screaming "Ah!" like she was in a soap opera.

But I'd already stepped back, so she ended up grabbing at thin air, nearly crashing to the floor, only managing to catch herself on the edge of the bed at the last second, barely avoiding a faceplant.

Everyone in the room freaked out.