Chapter 196

"There's no rush. Take your time to think it over."

Sophia hesitated before finally relenting. "Alright, I'll consider it..."

Before she could finish, someone slammed into her from behind. Her phone flew from her hand, arcing through the air before landing with a splash in the fountain pool.

The screen flickered twice, then went dark.

She turned to face Tiffany Roscente's malicious gaze. The woman wore a strapless white gown and feigned surprise, covering her mouth with a hand. "Oh, how clumsy of me." But her eyes gleamed with triumph.

"On purpose?" Sophia cut straight to the point.

Tiffany played dumb. "I have no idea what you're talking about." She turned to leave.

Sophia blocked her path. "Pick it up."

Tiffany crossed her arms and sneered. "It's just a cheap phone. I'll pay for it. Why so serious? Trying to scam me?"

"With all this space, you just had to bump into me?"

"I said it was an accident." Tiffany lifted her chin defiantly.

Sophia smiled coldly. "Fine. Let's pretend it was."

Tiffany spun away, seething inwardly that she hadn't pushed harder. If only she'd shoved the bitch into the water and snapped some humiliating photos for the internet—that would've been satisfying.

"Stop." Sophia stepped on the trailing hem of Tiffany's gown.

Tiffany stumbled, nearly falling. She yanked at her skirt, furious. "Sophia! Have you lost your mind?"

"I said," Sophia replied calmly, arms folded, "pick it up."

"You're insane!" Tiffany shrieked.