Chapter 8

Michael rushed over to catch Rose, then turned and yelled at me, "Sophie! What the hell are you doing? Rose was just trying to get you some water, and you pushed her? How could you be so heartless?"

"I pushed her?" I laughed, holding up my phone. "Take a good look. I didn't even touch her. And guess what? I've got something juicy for you."

I pulled up the video I'd just recorded, cranked the volume all the way up, and shoved my phone right in Michael's face.

The video showed everything clearly: Rose glanced at me, then deliberately stumbled toward me.

Every frame was sharp and clear, no room for doubt.

Michael's anger froze on his face as he watched the video, his eyes going wide with disbelief as he looked at Rose in his arms.

The room went dead silent.

Everyone from the Lane Family crowded around to watch the video, their expressions shifting instantly. They all stared at Rose like she was a stranger, eyes full of shock and disbelief.

Richard coughed twice, looking so awkward he seemed ready to dig a hole and hide in it. "Rose, what... what is going on here?"

Rose's face went ghostly pale, her whole body shaking as she stammered, "N-no... Dad, Michael, it's not what you think... I really just lost my balance..."

"Lost your balance?" I raised an eyebrow and hit slow-mo on the video. "If you just lost your balance, why did you pinch your thigh ahead of time? And why did you sneak a look at where I was standing before you fell? Rose, your performance bombed. Stop trying to make excuses. You're only making it more embarrassing."

Michael let go of Rose's hand in a flash and stepped back. For the first time, disappointment and suspicion flashed in his eyes as he looked at her.

He opened his mouth, his voice shaky. "Rose, have you been lying to us all along?"

Rose panicked, her tears falling even faster. She tried to grab his hand, but he dodged her.

I watched, satisfied.

Go on, keep acting, Rose. Let's see how you spin your way out of this mess,' I thought.

I had zero interest in their family drama, so I shoved my phone back in my pocket and headed for the door.

At the doorway, I glanced back at everyone in the room and smirked. "Oh, and just a heads-up. Don't get played and end up counting the money for the person who sold you out."

With that, I pulled the door open and walked out without looking back.

Inside the hospital room, Rose watched me leave, her hand clenched under the blanket, nails digging so deep into her palm it left angry marks. Her eyes were practically spitting hate.

As the Lane Family crowded around her, bombarding her with questions, Rose suddenly grabbed her stomach, curled up on the bed, and started whining about the pain. She cried, begging everyone to get out, saying she needed some time alone.

Once Rose finally got everyone out and was alone, she immediately snatched her phone from under the pillow, biting her lip as her fingers flew across the screen, firing off a message to someone saved as "Botmaster." Every word was laced with rage.

"I don't care what it takes. Destroy that TikTok account called SophieOnFire! I want her reputation trashed, totally canceled online! Money's not a problem, just make sure she goes down!" Rose seethed as she typed.

After sending the message, Rose slammed her phone onto the blanket, her nails leaving red marks all over her palm. Her eyes were so dark, it looked like she could poison someone just by staring at them.

Sophie, you dared to embarrass me in front of everyone? I'll make sure you're completely destroyed. Your reputation will be trashed for life, and you'll never crawl back up again!' Rose thought, her mind seething with venom.

Just as I stepped out of the hospital, debating whether to grab hot pot or spicy crawfish for dinner, my phone started ringing off the hook. It was Summer, the brand rep I'd been working with.

With my mouth full of ice cream, I mumbled, "Summer, what's up? Do we need to tweak the script again?"