Chapter 6

The word "fake" hit Sophia like a slap in the face. For a split second, panic flashed in her eyes, but she quickly put on a look of disbelief. "Ms. Warren, I picked out this necklace myself. How could it possibly be fake?"

Betty's expression soured as well.

Just then, someone in the crowd sneered, "What does a girl with no family as her know? She's probably talking nonsense."

As soon as those words were spoken, the people around started chiming in.

"Exactly, Ms. Summers would never give a counterfeit gift."

"Someone who doesn't know the first thing about jewelry dares to judge what's real or not? What a joke."

As the mocking laughter grew louder, Sophia quickly steadied herself. She gave Yvonne a look of obvious disdain.

Nathan happened to conclude his discussion and approach just as he heard these words. He nodded apologetically toward the crowd. "Excuse me, everyone. She isn't familiar with such matters."

Turning to Yvonne, his voice held a note of admonishment. "Don't speak out of turn at important events like this."

Yvonne didn't flinch. She met his gaze head-on. "I'm telling the truth."

Her mother had bought the original necklace ages ago. So this one? It was obviously a fake.

Sophia tugged at Nathan's sleeve, sounding hurt. "Is Ms. Warren badmouthing me because she doesn't like me? Is she trying to make Mrs. Finn think badly of me?"

Hearing this, Nathan's eyes darkened with anger. "Yvonne, Sophia has never had any issues with you. There's no reason for you to treat her like this. She only wanted to wish my mom a happy birthday."

At his immediate blame, Yvonne held his gaze. She suddenly remembered their startup days.

There had been that time when a partner deliberately tried to humiliate her, yet even though that deal was vital to Nathan, he had chosen to believe in and protect her without a second thought.

Now that the woman he truly loved had returned, his loyalty naturally shifted to Sophia.

In the end, Yvonne didn't say a word. She turned and walked out of the suffocating ballroom.

She made her way to the balcony upstairs, hoping to catch her breath, when a familiar voice called out from behind her.

The voice sneered, "Yvonne, you've seen it for yourself these past few days, haven't you? You stuck by Nathan for three years, but what did it get you? The one he really loves is still me."

Sophia dropped her fake act, her voice laced with sarcasm. It was nothing like the aggrieved look she'd worn earlier.

Yvonne gave Sophia a brief, indifferent look, clearly not interested in arguing. She replied casually, "Congrats, Ms. Summers."

Sophia was momentarily stunned. She hadn't expected Yvonne to take it so calmly.

In a flash, Sophia lunged forward and seized Yvonne's wrist, her voice trembling with agitation. "Since you know Nathan loves me, why are you still clinging to him? The second you saw me come back, you should've walked away."

"You're nothing but a broke orphan. Seriously, have you ever looked in the mirror? Do you really think you're good enough for Nathan?"

Sophia's sharp nails dug into Yvonne's wrist. Yvonne instinctively tried to wrench free, but Sophia held fast, refusing to release her.

As they struggled, Sophia's foot suddenly slipped. Panic flashed across her face as her whole body pitched backward.

Yvonne's eyes widened in shock. She immediately reached out, trying to catch Sophia. But it was too late. All she could do was watch, powerless, as Sophia went tumbling down the stairs.

The loud crash instantly drew everyone's attention in the ballroom below.

Nathan's face went pale as he saw Sophia lying on the floor, crying out in pain. He rushed over and scooped her up in his arms. "Sophia, don't be scared. I'll get a doctor right now."

His voice trembled with fear.

"Nathan," Sophia whispered, her hand trembling as she brushed his cheek. "Ms. Warren didn't do it on purpose."

Such a blatant cover-up immediately pinned the blame on Yvonne.

Nathan glared at Yvonne, his eyes cold as ice. "Yvonne, why did you push Sophia? Isn't accusing her earlier bad enough?"

Yvonne's nails pressed painfully into her palms. Even though she knew Nathan wouldn't believe her, she still tried to defend herself. "I didn't push her. She slipped on her own."