Chapter 96

Sophia Laurent curled her lips in a mocking smile as she listened to Richard Lowell's hypocritical words.

"Mr. Lowell, your audacity truly knows no bounds."

His intentions were transparent - to cozy up to the Valdemar family while slandering her before Patriarch Valdemar.

Having failed, he'd resorted to physical intimidation in his fury.

Had Patriarch Valdemar not seen through his schemes, she would have been trapped in an impossible situation.

Any father with genuine concern for his daughter would never have acted so spitefully.

Richard's face darkened like storm clouds.

"Sophia! Look at yourself. Where's the poise befitting a lady of your standing?"

He couldn't comprehend how his once-devoted daughter had transformed into this stranger.

When Lowell Entertainment had teetered on bankruptcy, Sophia had single-handedly saved it.

"You rescued this company with your own hands. How can you watch it crumble now?"

Sophia met his gaze calmly.

"The business world is a battlefield. Wins and losses are inevitable. Even without Pearl Group, competitors would emerge."

These were open bidding projects. Where was the deliberate targeting?

"Don't forget you still hold shares in Lowell Entertainment."

A cold glint flashed in Sophia's eyes. "So what?"

Her dedication to the company had evaporated with their betrayals.

Richard flinched under her icy stare.

For the first time, he truly grasped Sophia's complete disillusionment with the Lowell family.

Deathly silence filled the hospital room.

Patriarch Valdemar finally broke the tension.

"That's enough. Show our guest out."

His authoritative gaze pinned Richard. "Don't bother visiting again without good reason."

Richard scrambled to salvage the situation. "Uncle Valdemar, my apologies for today's impropriety. I'll make amends another time."

He slunk from the room, shooting Sophia a venomous glare as he left.

She didn't even grant him a backward glance.

Outside the sanatorium, William Lowell rushed to meet his father. "How did it go?"

Richard collapsed into their car, ashen-faced.

"Everything's ruined..."

William's expression twisted. "What did Sophia do this time? How could Patriarch Valdemar believe her?"

"The old man favors her. We miscalculated."

"What about the partnership?"

"Pearl Group snatched it."

Richard ground his teeth. "We need an emergency meeting."

"What?!"

William slammed the steering wheel. "How could this happen?"