Chapter 47
Anthony Rivers, director of Rivers Health Medical Center, issued a strong statement: “Our hospital unequivocally condemns these deceitful acts. Doctors who issued false certificates have been dismissed and their medical licenses revoked.” He attached two medical certificates to his statement—one for the purported morning hospitalization and the other for the wrist-cutting operation. He emphasized that the second certificate indicated a first-time injury, not a re-injury.
This revelation further fueled public outrage, intensifying criticism against Bella. Strakovski Jewelry retweeted Anthony's Facebook post and announced its intention to sue Bella for plagiarism and cyberbullying Sophia, stating its aim to restore peace online.
This battle erupted upon my return to the design department, taking me completely by surprise. I never imagined Lukas could successfully sway Hugo to our side, leading to Bella's wrongdoing being exposed with concrete evidence. Every piece of evidence pinned Bella to the wall.
My colleagues greeted me with a mixture of complex expressions. In a single hour, online sentiment had almost completely reversed. As the online backlash intensified, Victoria’s furious calls began pouring in. I remained calm, answering the phone while holding it tightly.
Victoria’s angry voice erupted, “Sophia, you’ve gone too far! Now that you have Lukas's support, you no longer care about your family?”
My expression remained unchanged. “Is it I who doesn't care about the family, or is it the family that doesn't care about me? I can be targeted and schemed against even in my own home. Mother, I fail to see what right you have to repeatedly reprimand me!”
Victoria’s voice wavered. “All right. Let's say last night was the family's mistake. But you shouldn't have completely ruined your sister, leading to this online condemnation!”
Unspoken Farewell at 30,000 Feet
Last night, she was shocked to learn I had gained Lukas’s support. Normally, she would have been overjoyed, boasting to everyone she met. After all, her daughter marrying Lukas meant power and wealth. However, the timing was disastrous, coinciding with her schemes against me. This incident will likely be etched in Lukas’s memory forever. The previous night, Lukas had left with me in his arms. Victoria and Bella spent hours discussing strategies for faking a suicide attempt. Unexpectedly, their lies were exposed within a short period!
Victoria was on edge and dared not tell anyone about my marriage to Lukas, fearing those seeking to please Lukas might target Bella.
I retorted sarcastically, “Perhaps you only saw the part where others scolded Bella! When people were scolding me, I never received a call from you offering comfort!”
“I… I was busy. But since you’ve married Lukas, can’t you spare Bella?”
I was incredulous. “Spare her? Is that not ridiculous? If it weren’t for Strakovski Jewelry’s counterattack, I would probably be facing death right now!”
“Mom, when I was fourteen and attending university, Bella insisted you send her to the same university. It’s clear that money buys access to education, but not intelligence. No amount of money can improve her intellect. Consider this a stupidity tax!”
I calmly hung up.
As a jewelry prodigy, I recalled Bella's insistence on competing with me and my mother’s spending to get her into university. It would have been better if they had let Bella pursue a conventional education.
Back in the design department, I heard hushed whispers among my colleagues:
“I never expected the company to value Sophia so much. They really helped her stage a quick comeback!”
“With her beauty and the company backing her, we better watch our steps from now on!”
“Have you seen how stunning Sophia looks? And now, with the company on her side, is she possibly involved with Mr. Strakovski?”
Olivia’s voice cut through the gossip, “Aren't you all supposed to be working? The company supports Sophia because she's associated with Strakovski, and the company's reputation is linked to hers. That's all! Focus on your design drafts!”