Chapter 62

"Emily, you have to believe me!" Sophia Green clutched Emily Johnson's sleeve desperately, her eyes red-rimmed. "I had no idea Peter Wilson was coming to steal from you."

Emily took a subtle half-step back, her gaze icy.

Fake sisterhood? How amusing.

The memory of Peter's sneaking figure that night flashed through her mind. If he had succeeded... A shiver ran down her spine, cold sweat dampening her back.

"Sophia," she said softly, each word sharp as a blade, "Peter confessed it was you who sent him."

"That's a lie!" Sophia jerked her head up, panic flickering in her eyes. "He—he's trying to drive us apart!"

Emily let out a light laugh, leisurely smoothing her sleeve. "It's true Peter has a grudge against Michael Stone, but why would he involve you to pass the message?"

Sophia paled.

"I remember that day," Emily suddenly stepped closer, "first, a child came to call me outside, but I refused. Not long after, you showed up at my door."

Sophia stumbled back, hitting the doorframe.

"What a coincidence," Emily's smile didn't reach her eyes. "Don't you think?"

Sophia clenched her fists. When had this fool become so sharp? Before, a few sweet words would have been enough to manipulate her.

"Emily, let me explain—"

"Explain what?" Emily cut her off. "How you conspired with Peter to ruin me?"

Footsteps sounded outside the courtyard. Sophia's face twisted, her voice dropping to a whisper. "Keep your voice down!"

But Emily deliberately raised her volume. "Sophia, I treated you like a sister, and this is how you repay me?"

"You're insane!" Sophia lunged to cover Emily's mouth.

Emily dodged nimbly, catching a glimpse of a figure outside the gate.

The show had begun.

"I'm insane?" She scoffed. "You're the one who'd stoop so low for a chance to return to the city!"

Sophia trembled, a flash of venom in her eyes. "Emily Johnson, don't push me!"

"Push you?" Emily suddenly pulled a letter from her sleeve. "Then what do you call this—your letter to Peter?"

Sophia froze, staring at the letter as if struck by lightning.

The gate creaked open.

Emily leaned in, whispering in Sophia's ear, "What do you think will happen when John Stone Sr. finds out?"

Sophia's legs gave way, and she collapsed to her knees.