Chapter 420

Daniel and Nathan Lowell had been keeping to themselves, yet they couldn't escape the news about the box office gap between "River Banquet" and "Empress."

They stood in the hospital room in silence.

Images of Sophia Laurent filled their minds.

If only they had treated her better—even half as well as they treated Emily...

Nathan's music career wouldn't have plummeted.

Daniel wouldn't have lost his position at Versini Couture.

But what had they done?

They had hurt Sophia over and over, always siding with Emily.

Now karma had come for them.

Day and night, regret gnawed at their hearts.

Every time they closed their eyes, Sophia's face haunted them.

They reached out, only for her to vanish like mist.

The torment was driving them mad.

Even their patience with Emily had worn thin.

Victoria Lowell returned from seeing the doctor and sighed at her sons' despondent expressions.

She pulled out her phone to make a call.

"Mom, who are you calling?" Nathan frowned.

"Your father is hospitalized. Sophia and Emily should know."

Her tone was weary.

She hoped Sophia might soften at the news of her father's condition.

As for Emily...

"Your father adores her. Seeing her might lift his spirits."

Nathan and Daniel exchanged glances, a flicker of hope in their silence.

Would Sophia relent?

The first call went to Emily.

It rang endlessly before she picked up.

"Mom? What is it?"

"Your father is in the hospital. I'll send you the address."

Victoria hinted for her to come immediately.

"Mom, I'm with Ryan Cunningham right now. I might not be able to make it until tomorrow..."

Emily sounded hesitant.

The disastrous performance of "River Banquet" had shaken her most of all.

She knew Richard Lowell's favor was conditional.

Without value, she'd become the next Sophia.

Ryan was her last lifeline.

At the private club, Emily had dressed meticulously.

A pink slip dress clung to her curves, sheer white chiffon adding a tantalizing hint of skin.

Her dark hair cascaded down, a mix of innocence and seduction.

She walked straight to Ryan without glancing elsewhere.

"Ryan..."

Her voice dripped honey.

He looked up at the woman feigning purity before him and felt nothing but boredom.

He'd seen too many of these white lilies.

Emily was the most artificial of them all.