Sophie’s pov ;
I didn’t expect my day to turn out like this—confusing, embarrassing, but somehow...heartwarming.
When Sir found the bruise on my arm, I panicked. I wasn’t ready for him to ask questions about how it happened. After all, how could I tell him that Rey, the supposedly gentle and refined woman from the Carpenter family, had pinched me hard enough to leave a purple mark?
So I lied. “I knocked it accidentally,” I said, hoping he wouldn’t press the matter further.
But Sir isn’t someone easily convinced. His dark eyes narrowed slightly, scanning my face like he could read the truth in my expression. Before I knew it, we were walking toward a nearby pharmacy.
“Sir, are you hurt?” I asked nervously, clutching his sleeve. The thought of him being in pain made my chest tighten. He didn’t answer right away, instead buying a bottle of medicated oil. Only when we sat down on a bench
Sophie’s pov ;Dominic kept his word and took me to one of the most professional recording studios in London the next day.I didn’t know much about recording studios, but even I could tell this one was extraordinary. It had a sleek and modern design, and I could feel the weight of history here. Dominic had mentioned that many famous singers had recorded their songs here.As we stepped inside, the air was crisp and filled with the faint smell of coffee and polished wood.“I’ve hired a teacher for you,” Dominic said in his usual calm, authoritative tone. “You can practice singing in peace.”“Yes, Sir,” I replied, nodding obediently.Just as I was about to head into the recording room, Dominic’s phone buzzed. He glanced at the screen and frowned slightly.“I need to take this call,” he said, his voice softer now. “Stay here and focus. I’ll be back soon.”“Goodbye, Sir,” I murmured as he walked away, his long strides exuding confidence.I stepped into the studio and closed the glass door
Elowen’s pov ;I followed him outside of the studio.Dominic frowned, his chiseled features hardening even further. His expression was so cold and distant, it made the air between us feel heavy. When he finally spoke, his voice was deep and clipped, utterly unattainable.“What’s the matter?”I couldn’t help but stare.The photos I’d seen of him before didn’t even come close to doing him justice. Mr. Dominic wasn’t one of those delicate, pretty boys who relied on soft features to win attention. No, his looks were sharp and commanding, as if his face had been sculpted by a master. His jawline could probably cut glass.And those eyes.Dark, cold, and utterly ruthless—they sent a shiver down my spine. He didn’t just look like a man; he looked like the kind of man who ruled everyone and everything around him. The sheer masculinity radiating off him was overwhelming. I felt my heart race, and my palms grew clammy.This wasn’t just any man.This was a king.I forced myself to smile, soft and
Dominic’s pov ;Coming out of the recording studio, I glanced at Sophie. Her little face was flushed, her excitement palpable as she walked beside me.“Sir, I learned a lot today,” she said, her voice light and cheerful. “The teacher even praised me for my good voice.”I reached out, rubbing her head gently. “Yeah, not bad.”Not bad at all. The little girl’s voice was ethereal, clean, and pleasant—a sound that lingered in the air, pure and untainted. It suited her.“Sir,” she continued, her eyes bright, “I’m more confident now about the campus beauty contest next week. I must strive to get the 20,000 pounds prize.”Twenty thousand pounds? She was so excited about such a meager sum. Just renting a recording studio for her today had cost more than that. Still, her enthusiasm was genuine, and if it made her happy, I wouldn’t say anything to dampen her spirits.“When is the competition?” I asked.“Next Tuesday! Sir, will you come over then?”I shook my head, rejecting her request without
Sophie’s pov :Coming out of the Galaxy hotel, I decided to take a little break in the garden. The fresh air felt nice against my skin as I dialed Grandma number.“Sophie, how have you been lately?” Grandma’s warm voice immediately put me at ease.“I’m doing well, Grandma. Thank you for asking,” I replied, twirling a blade of grass between my fingers."Can you eat anything these days?" she asked.Her question puzzled me. Why was she suddenly concerned about my appetite? Still, I answered obediently, “Yes, my appetite has been good.”“That’s wonderful,” she said, a trace of relief in her tone. “You’re lucky. Dominic’s aunt struggled so much in her early days—she couldn’t keep anything down and lost a lot of weight. I was so worried about her.”I frowned, trying to piece together her words. Early days? Early days of what?Before I could ask, she switched topics. “Dom hasn’t been bullying you, has he?”“Not at all,” I said quickly, my voice firm. “Sir has been very good to me.”Her laugh
Jason’s pov ;When I heard the news, my brow furrowed deeply. "Why are you bringing up Bella again? Haven't I told both Rey and Brandon not to mention her in front of you?"Brandon wouldn’t go against my wishes. He knows better than to stir up old wounds, especially when it comes to his mother. That left only one person—Rey.My jaw tightened. What is that girl up to now? She knows my wife’s health is fragile, yet she deliberately dredged up the most painful memories. Was it carelessness? Or something more calculated?"Don’t misunderstand Rey," my wife interjected, her tone defensive. "She misses Bella just as much as we do. A few days ago, she had a dream—a fairy told her she was a butterfly fairy. Then she woke up with a birthmark, the same one Bella had."I stared at her, my expression darkening."Do you hear yourself?" I snapped, harsher than I intended.But she didn’t seem to notice. Her f
Sophie’s pov ;The contest day~~I couldn’t help but smile at the advice Jenna and Carolyn gave me. "Treat everyone as cabbages," they said.Sure, that was supposed to help me not get nervous. But I wasn’t really all that nervous to begin with. I mean, what was there to be nervous about? It was just a competition.Jenna was right, though. She was more nervous for me than I was for myself. “After all, this is your first time participating in such a big competition, so of course I am nervous for you,” she said with a soft smile.I appreciated it, but I didn’t feel the same way. The prize money was all that mattered to me; winning wasn’t some big milestone.Carolyn leaned in and whispered, “I heard that Senior Amanda is here too.”I instantly stiffened at the name. “Which Senior Amanda?” I asked, though I already knew who she meant.“It’s Amanda, Senior
Rey’s pov ;I couldn’t believe my luck. Of all the things I had planned, of all the precautions I had taken, this was what I ended up walking into.Amanda had assured me everything was in place, that Sophie would be eliminated in the first round, and I couldn’t afford any slip-ups. With connections from both the Gu family and the Carpenter family among the judges, Sophie’s defeat was practically guaranteed.It was supposed to be foolproof. Sophie was nothing. A nobody. But if she managed to sneak through—if that bitch somehow advanced—everything I had worked for would crumble. The Carpenter family’s precious daughter, the one they had been obsessing over for years, would be found. And then, Sophie would be everywhere. In the media, on the news, in public—and I couldn’t let that happen.I left Amanda to take care of things, heading toward the audience. I had to get out of the back, away from all the cha
Sophie’s pov ;The backstage was buzzing with nervous energy, and I could feel my heart racing. Everyone was busy running around, preparing for their moment in the spotlight. But for some reason, I couldn’t shake the tightness in my chest. Maybe it was because everything felt so out of my control.The makeup artist rushed over to me, her face filled with panic. "Every contestant is wearing heavy makeup, and all the cosmetics are used up. What should we do?" she said, her hands trembling as she looked at the empty makeup trays.I swallowed hard, not wanting to let the pressure get to me. "No need to worry. I can go on stage without makeup," I said, trying to sound more confident than I felt. I wasn’t nervous—I refused to be. But the situation was definitely not ideal.The makeup artist looked at me like I had just suggested I would walk on stage without clothes. "That’s not a good idea! The lighting on stage is harsh, and with
Sophie’s pov :ONE YEAR LATER ;The air was filled with laughter, music, and the sweet scent of flowers as Brandon and Ava’s wedding reception unfolded in full swing.The grand ballroom was beautifully decorated with cascading floral arrangements, twinkling lights, and elegant table settings. Everyone was dressed to the nines, and the atmosphere was nothing short of magical. I stood near the edge of the room, holding a glass of sparkling water, my heart swelling with happiness for my brother and his new bride.Dominic stood beside me, his hand resting gently on the small of my back. He looked as handsome as ever in his tailored black tuxedo, his presence commanding yet comforting. I couldn’t help but steal glances at him, still in awe of how lucky I was to have him by my side.As the evening progressed, Brandon and Ava took to the stage to thank everyone for coming. Brandon’s voice was warm and filled with gratitude, while Ava’s eyes sparkled with joy. They were the picture of happine
Brandon’s pov :As we stepped outside the hospital, my eyes immediately caught sight of an expensive car parked nearby. It was sleek, modern, and screamed luxury. Sophie’s face lit up the moment she saw it.“That’s my husband’s car!” she said, her voice filled with excitement.I raised an eyebrow, curiosity piqued. “Won’t you introduce me to him?” I asked, trying to sound casual.Sophie blushed but nodded, her cheeks turning a soft shade of pink. Before I could say anything else, the car door opened, and a man stepped out.Sophie didn’t hesitate. She ran to him, her steps light and joyful, and threw her arms around him in a tight hug. “Sir!” she exclaimed, her voice filled with affection.I froze. Sir? My eyes widened as I took in the man standing before me. Tall, impeccably dressed, with an aura of power and authority that was impossible to ignore. And then it hit me—this wasn’t just any man. This was Dominic Williams.My throat tightened, and I choked on my own breath. This was the
Brandon's pov :I stood in the study, my arms crossed, as Rey walked in nervously. She looked around, her eyes darting between me and my father, Jason. The tension in the room was palpable, and I could tell she knew something was wrong."Brother, what do you want from me?" Rey asked, her voice trembling slightly.I didn’t waste any time. "Rey, why is there an error in Bella’s DNA test result?"Her eyes widened, and she stammered, "This... I don’t know either. Maybe the organization made a mistake."I couldn’t help but sneer. "Mistaken? Do you know that if such an institution makes a mistake in the appraisal results, it will face a claim of millions?"In other words, these strictly regulated institutions never make mistakes. Rey’s excuse was flimsy at best."I asked John to do this. Could it be that she..." Rey tried to shift the blame to the servant, but I wasn’t having it."I just asked John and she said that when she went to the café to get a cup, there were two cups on the table,"
Ava’s povI watched as Rey tried to play her little games, but she seemed to have forgotten one crucial detail—Christopher is my biological brother. How could an outsider like her possibly sow discord between siblings who share the same blood? It was almost laughable.Christopher glanced at her indifferently, his expression cold and unreadable. "Oh," he said simply, dismissing her attempt to gain his sympathy.Rey was left speechless, her carefully prepared words stuck in her throat. I hid my smile behind my teacup, taking a sip to conceal my amusement. My brother’s ability to see through people’s intentions was sharper than mine. Even he could see through Rey’s White Lotus act."Mr. Carpenter, I have something to tell you. Can we go out and talk?" I asked, turning to Brandon."Sure," he replied, standing up and following me out to the courtyard.As we walked, I noticed Rey’s anxious expression. She clearly wanted to follow us, but she couldn’t just leave Christopher alone in the room
Sophie’s pov :I was sitting on the lawn, still feeling a bit sore from last night’s… activities with the Sir, when I heard a familiar voice call out to me."Bella, I didn’t expect you to be so good at fighting green tea."I turned around, surprised and delighted to see Ava walking toward me. "Ava! Why are you here?"She grinned and sat down next to me. "Luckily, I came, otherwise I would have missed your green tea show."I blushed, realizing she must have seen me earlier, wearing all that jewelry to make a point. Embarrassed, I started taking off the necklaces and rings, putting them back into my bag.Ava raised an eyebrow. "Bella, you look so good wearing it. Why are you taking it off?"I groaned, feeling my cheeks heat up even more. "Don’t make fun of me. I was just trying to piss them off."Who would wear so many jewels out of nowhere? It was way too heavy, and my neck and fingers were already tired. I couldn’t wait to take it all off.Ava chuckled, clearly understanding my person
Sophie’s pov :The next day, I walked into school with an awkward posture, my legs feeling sore and unsteady. I was terrified that someone would notice, but of course, my friends did."Bella, what's wrong with you?" Carolyn asked, her voice filled with concern as she eyed me carefully.My face flushed red, and I quickly came up with an excuse. "It's nothing. I had a leg cramp when I slept yesterday. It hurts a little."Carolyn frowned, still looking worried. "Please sit down and have a rest. You have physical education class later. What are you going to do?"I sighed, already dreading the thought of running or doing any kind of physical activity. "Let me talk to the teacher and see if I can ask for leave."When the teacher arrived, I used my menstruation as an excuse, and to my surprise, she granted me leave. Normally, this teacher is very strict and rarely allows students to skip PE, no matter how unwell they claim to be. But for some reason, she was particularly lenient with me. May
Dominic’s pov :After coming out to pour a glass of water, I couldn’t shake the growing discomfort in my chest. The house felt too quiet, too empty, even though Sophie was just in the other room.I glanced at the clock—it was just past ten. In the past, the little girl would sit on the sofa and wait for me to get off work, no matter how late it was.Even if I told her countless times not to wait, she’d stubbornly stay up, her eyes drooping with sleep but her determination unwavering. She’d always greet me with that soft, sleepy smile, and it made coming home worth every second.But now? She was already asleep.I frowned, the wrinkles between my brows deep enough to pinch a fly to death. Was this what they meant when they said couples eventually lose their passion and become more like family? We’ve only been married for less than a year, and already she’s so… perfunctory with me. What would happen in the future? The thought made my chest tighten uncomfortably. I didn’t like it. Not one
Sophie’s pov :It all started with the rumors on the forum. Someone had posted that I, Sophie, had married a poor and ugly man. Honestly, I wasn’t angry. People say all sorts of things, and I’ve learned to brush them off.But Edwin, my cousin, couldn’t stand it. He was furious. How could anyone call Sir—Mr. Williams—poor and ugly? Edwin thought the people spreading these rumors were blind and stupid. He decided to take matters into his own hands.One day after school, Edwin secretly followed me. When I ran toward the Sir like a butterfly, Edwin snapped a few photos. He posted them on the forum, but to protect Sir’s identity, he only released blurry side profile photos. Still, the Sir’s tall, straight figure and his aloof aura were enough to win over a lot of female fans.The post was titled: Rumors Debunked: Sophie’s Boyfriend is a Handsome Guy! His Net Worth is a Mystery, He is Definitely Not a Poor and Incompetent Man!As soon as the photos were released, the forum exploded. Comment
Rey’s pov :I walked into Amanda’s room, my expression carefully arranged into one of concern. She was sitting by the window, her face pale and her eyes red-rimmed. It was clear she’d been crying. Good. The more upset she was, the easier it would be to manipulate her. I needed her to deal with Sophie for me, and for that, she had to be motivated.“Amanda, what’s wrong with you?” I asked, my voice soft and sympathetic. I sat down beside her, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder. She turned to me, tears silently streaming down her face. My mind raced. What had happened?“Why are you crying?” I pressed, my tone gentle but probing. “Who bullied you? Was it Sophie?”Amanda closed her eyes, as if the mere mention of Sophie’s name pained her. She didn’t answer immediately, and I felt a flicker of impatience. I needed her to talk, to give me something to work with.Finally, she spoke, her voice trembling. “Rey, tell me, should I not like Dominic? I saw the pictures… he brought that neckl