Three Years Wasted I Married Mr. Right novel Chapter 143

Chapter 143

Emily’s voice floated over, a little too sweet to be innocent. She said, “Sophia, step outside for a bit. I’ve got a ‘surprise‘ waiting for you.”

Sophia knew exactly what that meant—Emily was stirring up trouble again. Looked like tonight’s drama was far from over.

“Emily, what kind of drama are you trying to pull this time?” Sophia shot back, suspicion thick in her tone.

Emily said, “I know a secret about where you really came from. It’s your call if you want to hear it.”

Sophia knew Emily was up to something shady, but she was dying to see what trick Emily was trying to play.

now.

“Sure, where are you? I’ll come over,” Sophia replied.

Emily gave her a location, and Sophia headed out. Just as she reached the door, she spotted Richard and Annabelle strolling in, fashionably late.

Sophia raised an eyebrow in surprise and asked, “Mr. Sterling, what brings you here?”

Most of Jelasburg’s elite wouldn’t be caught dead at the Westwood family’s recognition party, but Richard actually showed up.

Richard shrugged and said, “Got off work early, thought I’d drop by and join the fun.”

Annabelle grinned and said, “We’re just here to catch the gossip. Sophie, where are you off to?”

“Emily wants to see me,” Sophia replied.

Annabelle thought to herself, ‘That scheming witch Emily—asking Sophia to go alone? No way she’s got good intentions.‘

“I’ll come with you,” Annabelle said.

Sophia nodded and said, “Okay.”

In the dimly lit emergency stairwell, Sophia pushed open the door. The place was eerily quiet until the motion–activated lights flicked on, catching Emily standing stiffly by the railing.

Sophia strode over, planting herself right in front of Emily. She said, “I’m here. Whatever you have to say, just say it.”

Emily sized Sophia up, noticing her luminous, flawless skin and the way that blue dress fit her–like she was made out of light itself, impossibly alluring and just a little out of reach.

She remembered the photos from when Sophia had first come back to the city, all clashing colors and a gaudy red flower stuck in her hair–she’d looked so painfully rustic, like she didn’t belong in polite company

at all.

But now, just three years later, Sophia’s skin was porcelain–smooth, her beauty turned breathtaking, and she radiated a whole new kind of energy–confident, strong, nothing like the small–town girl she’d once been.

Emily thought, ‘What a difference a little styling makes, Emily scoffed inwardly, her jealousy flaring as she realized just how much Sophia had changed.

“Do you even know why Mom, Dad, and David never liked you?” Emily taunted from a few steps above, balanced so precariously that one step back would have sent her tumbling down the stairs.

Her eyes glinted with wicked excitement, practically savoring the disaster she was sure was about to strike Sophia.

Sophia didn’t move an inch. She asked, “Why?”

“Because you were never really their child,” Emily spat, her voice dripping with vicious delight.

Sophia wasn’t even Charles and Margaret’s real daughter–they’d never lost a daughter at all. The only thing they ever “lost” was a niece.

And Charles himself had tracked down her parents, then hauled Sophia off to the countryside, far away everything.

His whole twisted scheme? To make sure Sophia suffered every step of the way.

from

If Sophia managed to survive until her twenty–second birthday, they’d drag her back and force her to sign the transfer papers—so Charles could finally seize full control of the Evans Group for himself.

Sophia was kept totally in the dark about all of this.

Sophia’s pupils shrank–her mind raced. She’d doubted so many times whether Charles and Margaret were really her parents, or if she was just a stand–in plucked by mistake. But now, faced with Emily’s words, the ugly truth hit her right between the eyes.

Sophia glared at Emily and snapped, “And why, exactly, should I take anything you say seriously?”

“I get it, you’re skeptical,” Emily drawled, her lips curling smugly. She said, “Still, haven’t you ever heard that Dad had an older brother who passed away ages ago?”

Sophia shook her head and said, “Never heard that–ever.”

Emily said, “Obviously not. The minute you came back, they swapped out the entire staff–only the old housemaid was kept on. No one was gonna gossip or drop hints around you.”

“What are you really trying to say?” Sophia cut in, her tone cool and tired of playing along.

Emily said, “Come on, you’re smart. You already know what I’m hinting at.”

Sophia stepped forward and demanded, “Quit stalling–just spell it out.”

Suddenly, Emily grabbed Sophia’s hand, shouting at the top of her lungs, “Sophia, what are you doing? Stop- don’t push me”

She barely got the words out before she was tumbling down the stairs.