“Yes!”
Fanny smirked, not buying it. “Really? So, how much money did it take to solve it?”
Sophia hesitated for a moment before saying, “I didn’t spend any money.”
The problem with the imported goods channel was solved by Leo. While Sophia wasn’t sure how Leo had managed it, he had assured her that it wouldn’t cost a dime.
Hearing Sophia’s claim of not spending any money, Fanny chuckled. “Wow, Sophia, you’re quite the miracle worker. You’re telling me you solved such a big issue without spending a single cent? By the way, did you use some other method, like trading your charm?”
Before Sophia could retort, Bruno chimed in, “Sophia, we all know who Philip is. It’s no secret. We’re just curious how you managed to solve this problem without spending any money.”
Even though Bruno hadn’t received any photos from Philip, he was certain that Philip had been with Sophia last night. Otherwise, the problem with the goods channel wouldn’t have been resolved so easily.
To act as if nothing happened after being intimate with someone like Philip, that level of acting talent was wasted by not being in Hollywood.
Poor Leo.
Teresa’s trust in Sophia had turned into suspicion, and she asked sternly, “Sophia Henley, what exactly happened between you and Philip last night?”
The fact that Teresa addressed her by her full name sent a shiver down Sophia’s spine. Clearly, Bruno and Fanny had tainted Teresa’s perception of her before she had arrived at this meeting.
Sophia replied with conviction, “Grandma, nothing happened between Philip and me. The problem with the imported cosmetics channel has also been resolved.”
Fanny chimed in quickly, “So, Philip is a known character. We all know that. You’re not telling us that all you did was have dinner with him to resolve this, are you?”
Bruno followed suit, “You didn’t even leave that inn in Clearwater Bay last night, right? The fact is, you can sleep with whomever you want, but tarnishing the Henley family’s reputation is not acceptable.”
At this point, Sophia finally understood.
Apparently, these guys were implying that she had slept with Philip to solve the issue with the channel.
It seemed Bruno, the mastermind behind all this, was still in the dark.
Given this situation, Sophia’s nervousness faded; today, she could expose Bruno’s true colors during the family meeting.
“Bruno, since you’re so certain that I didn’t come home last night, then show me the evidence,” Sophia challenged, looking straight at Bruno.
Bruno countered, “Sophia, there’s no need to keep up this façade. Is it even worth it? Truth be told, according to my investigation, the owner behind that inn is Philip. Going into his den and coming out unscathed? Impossible!”
“Is that so?” Sophia laughed dismissively. “But last night, the neighbors saw me return, and the surveillance cameras in the complex recorded me entering. It was around ten. Care to join me and see?”
Seeing Sophia so composed and confident, Bruno suddenly felt unnerved.
Could it be that Philip had really just had dinner with Sophia last night?
Impossible, absolutely impossible!
Philip had long lusted after Sophia’s beauty, and given his nature, he wouldn’t pass up such an opportunity.
Wait, there might be another possibility.
“Sophia, did you even go to Clearwater Bay at all?” Bruno stared into Sophia’s eyes, hoping to find the answer he wanted.
Sophia smiled, “Bruno, do you have a problem with your head? As I mentioned, the problem with the imported channel has been resolved. How could I have solved it without negotiating with Philip at Clearwater Bay?”
Sophia’s eyes told Bruno that she wasn’t lying, leaving him thoroughly puzzled.
As far as Bruno was concerned, there were only two outcomes:
First, Sophia had slept with Philip, and the issue was resolved.
Second, Sophia never went to Clearwater Bay, and the problem wasn’t resolved.
Now Sophia was saying she had done nothing with Philip, yet the issue was resolved. How could Bruno believe this?
Today was supposed to be a regular family meeting, but it had been disrupted. Teresa had lost interest in continuing and was now eager to get to the bottom of Sophia’s situation.
“Sophia, tell your grandmother the truth. How did you resolve the problem with your company’s imported cosmetics channel?” Teresa looked at Sophia with a mix of curiosity and skepticism.
Sophia hesitated; Leo had orchestrated the entire process, and she wasn’t privy to the details. Plus, sharing the truth would seem unbelievable. Leo’s image within the Henley family was all too clear to her.
Seeing Sophia’s dilemma, Teresa’s patience wore thin. “What’s the matter? Are you unwilling to share with Grandma? Or is it true that you spent the whole night at Clearwater Bay?”
Seeing that Teresa was about to lose her temper, Sophia grew anxious.
Though she had no doubt about herself against Bruno and Fanny’s attacks, if Teresa got the wrong impression, she’d be in big trouble.
With the situation as it was, Sophia had no choice but to recount the events of the previous night in detail.
As the listeners absorbed Sophia’s story, their disbelief was just as she had anticipated.
Bruno sneered, “Sophia, you’ve got a knack for storytelling. Too bad we’re not three-year-olds. A waste of talent. A waste. I mean, a nobody solving this problem? That’s like a dog learning to talk.”
Teresa’s expression mirrored her skepticism, too.
Sophia felt a twinge of regret. If only she had taken a photo or recorded something, she wouldn’t be in this awkward position now.
At that moment, there was a loud “bang” as the previously closed meeting room door was forcefully kicked open from the outside.
Everyone’s heart skipped a beat as they all turned their gaze to the entrance.
Two figures walked in- one had a menacing scar running down his face, and the other wore a hood, obscuring their features.
Seeing the fierce scar and the hooded figure, Teresa panicked, thinking it was a home invasion, and snapped, “Who are you? How dare you trespass on private property!?