Chapter 328

Nathan Lowell stood stiffly, his brow furrowed.

"William, you need to wake up."

His gaze lingered on his elder brother, seeing a reflection of his past self.

He too had once blindly defended Emily.

Thankfully, he'd come to his senses in time.

He only wondered when William would see the truth.

"Emily isn't a Lowell. She's an adult—it's time she stood on her own."

William's head snapped up, fury burning in his eyes.

"What are you implying?"

Nathan's expression remained impassive. "Exactly what I said."

Ever since discovering Emily's years of bullying Sophia, he could no longer tolerate this impostor sister.

Let alone after learning Sophia had been deliberately taken by that butcher's family.

"Have you lost your mind?" William's voice rose sharply. "How is Emily supposed to survive outside this family?"

Nathan's icy stare cut through him. "Was Sophia not a girl too?"

The question plunged the room into dead silence.

When they'd brought Sophia home, they'd abandoned her at the old estate just because Emily threw a tantrum.

And how had Sophia repaid them?

Victoria Lowell's tears streamed freely. "Sophia, I was wrong. Please come home."

When Sophia remained unmoved, she added desperately, "Your father and brothers will treat you better—"

"Unnecessary." Sophia's lips curved slightly. "I only came today to watch the show."

She paused meaningfully. "You didn't disappoint."

She wondered if they'd remain so composed during the next act.

Her gaze lingered on Emily before she turned to leave.

"Stop right there!" Richard Lowell finally spoke.

His question came bluntly: "Sophia, how long do you think the Valdemars will keep you around?"

He ignored Henry Chamberlain's presence. "A pawn's glory never lasts."

"No concern of yours." Sophia's smile deepened. "My fortunes—good or ill—are no longer tied to this family."

Suddenly she countered, "Do you know why I refuse to help you?"

"Why?" Richard indeed couldn't comprehend it.

Sophia had sacrificed so much for the Lowells before.

By his calculations, her marriage into the Valdemars should have made her their perfect puppet.

With her capabilities, she could have elevated Lowell Entertainment to new heights.

Her abrupt betrayal had blindsided him.

"Tell me—what would I gain by obeying you?" Her mocking stare pinned him.

Richard faltered.

The question had never crossed his mind.

Had Sophia followed his script, she'd have remained nothing but a compliant marionette.

As Sophia's retreating figure disappeared, Victoria clutched her chest as if stabbed.

For the first time, genuine terror gripped her.

Somehow she knew—Sophia would never look back again.