Chapter 16
My knuckles were white, my nails digging into my palms until they bled. Despite the pain, I resolutely returned to the adjoining suite. God, how I wanted to tear that despicable pair apart! But a shred of conscience held me back. I couldn't act impulsively; I needed a plan. Fueled by rage over both love and career, I couldn't let this go. I craved revenge, to reclaim what was mine and make them pay tenfold. I also had to protect my father's legacy—the considerable fortune he'd painstakingly saved. I couldn't risk losing it.
The next morning, I woke with raccoon eyes, the remnants of last night's tears smudging my makeup. At the Civil Affairs Bureau, I quickly spotted Bella on Hugo's arm. His face, however, lacked the joy of a soon-to-be-married man; it was hesitant. Bella, however, coaxed him inside. I smiled coldly and photographed them entering hand-in-hand. Immediately, I called Hugo, recording the conversation.
"Hugo, where are you?" I asked.
He chuckled nervously, his voice tight. "Ah… I, uh… there's an urgent matter at the company, so I left early. Didn't have time to tell you!"
"Oh really? I thought you were apologizing, but you were sneaking around with Bella behind my back!" I said, a sarcastic smile playing on my lips.
Hugo's voice stiffened. He forced a smile. "How could that be? Sophia, you've always been my favorite."
Bella tugged his arm, prompting him. He hesitated, then said, "By the way, can Bella have that latest jewelry design? She is, after all your sister."
"Didn't Bella just compete in the city-level jewelry competition? Why does she need another design?" My expression remained neutral.
"Well, Bella's competing in Strakovski Jewelry's Century Jewelry Competition the day after tomorrow. It's the gateway to the world competition, crucial for her. She's not satisfied with her designs, but she loves yours. Can you?" Hugo explained.
He was shameless! Married to another woman, he still dared to ask for my designs. There was no one quite like Hugo Roberts!
I took a deep breath. This isn't the time, I reminded myself. "Well, I love that design too. It's my hard work, and I'm entering it myself," I calmly countered.
"Sophia, how can you be so stingy? Bella needs our help. As for you, you have me. After we marry, you can be a full-time housewife. What do you need those titles for? Trifleming Jewelry is yours!" Hugo said.
I hung up immediately and sent the photo to contacts in the media. The photo clearly showed Hugo's profile. Everyone knew Sophia Lopez was Hugo Roberts's girlfriend—a two-year relationship. Though the woman in the photo only showed her back, her features didn't match Bella's. I wanted to see how Hugo would explain this.
I would help Bella become famous in Mediopolis. Unbeknownst to Hugo, my hatred burned. I still needed to stop my mother from marrying me off to that Swinton.
Lowering my head, I bumped into a man. Tall and well-built, he wore a perfectly tailored suit. I looked up. Thick eyebrows, a high nose bridge, thin lips, delicate but sharp features—he was strikingly handsome. He frowned, his gaze intense. Those cold eyes… Lukas Strakovski's eyes.
Was he here to get married? Lukas Strakovski, Mediopolis's dream husband, CEO of Strakovski Jewelry, held the key to international jewelry design competitions. I'd seen him once at a banquet.
He turned to his assistant, his tone icy. "Where is she?"
The assistant trembled. "Miss Scholl She arrived at the airport, booked a flight to France. Something urgent. She's already boarded!"
Lukas's aura chilled. "When will she be back?"
"The… the news says about a year!" the assistant stammered.
Lukas's demeanor froze. "This is the third time. No fourth chance. Stand me up, and I'll marry anyone!"
He headed toward the entrance. No one dared treat Lukas Strakovski this way. Even if he cared for her, he couldn't tolerate her audacity!
Was he being dumped, just like me? I thought of Bella's competition, organized by Strakovski Jewelry. Since I planned revenge against Hugo and Trifleming, why not create an escape route? I wasn't a fool to charge in alone. My mother's threat remained unresolved. But if I didn't marry the man in front of me, she'd force me to marry someone else.
My eyes flickered. I bit my lip, found courage, and approached him. "Mr. Strakovski, since we share the same fate, how about we get married together?"