Sophia couldn't help but laugh outright at the sight of Andrew and Olivia fuming in embarrassment.
Harper shot her a big thumbs-up. "Girl, you've got guts. I was worried Andrew might actually lose it and take a swing at you."
Sophia gave a soft scoff. "If he lays a hand on me, he only proves me right."
She smirked, adding, "And honestly, just forcing Olivia to apologize isn't enough to make this trip worthwhile. Even if they deny it, I'll say it out loud just to make them squirm."
"Exactly! That's the spirit!" Harper cheered, one hundred percent backing her best friend.
Sophia blew Harper a playful kiss, but just as she was about to say more, her gaze froze, her brows knitting together.
Across the room, a waiter discreetly slipped a pill into a glass of wine before carrying the tray away like nothing had happened.
Sophia's eyes gleamed with intrigue. Who was bold—or stupid—enough to try something like that at a Scott family event?
"What are you staring at?" Harper followed her gaze, puzzled.
Sophia lowered her voice. "Watching a little rat get brave."
"Huh?" Harper blinked in confusion, unsure if Sophia was just being cryptic again.
Sophia, however, spotted where the waiter was headed. A familiar figure sat just ahead. She quickly pressed a mini cake into Harper's hand and whispered, "Eat this. I'll be right back," before slipping away.
Harper looked down at the cake, still baffled, then huffed and took a bite. "Fine. At least it tastes good."
Meanwhile, Sophia moved with precision, closing in on the unsuspecting waiter. Mimicking Olivia's earlier trick, she let her foot "slip," letting out a soft gasp as she stumbled toward him.
Startled, the waiter hastily set down his tray to steady her. But Sophia straightened gracefully before he could touch her, flashing him a gentle smile. "Thank you."
The young man froze, struck dumb by her smile, his throat tightening so much he couldn't get out a single word.
Sophia chuckled softly, and while he was distracted, her hand darted out, swapping the tampered glass in one smooth, practiced motion. She gave him a polite nod before gliding away, leaving him rooted in place with his heart pounding, oblivious to what she had just done.
In a quieter lounge nearby, the waiter eventually delivered the drinks. On cue, Aiden Hilton lifted one of the glasses and handed it to Lucas.
"It's been a long time, nephew," Aiden said smoothly, his tone dripping with false warmth. "If I don't come to find you, would you even bother to come find me?"
Lucas lowered his gaze, but his sharp eyes flickered with a glacial light. Nephew? Please. Did Aiden really think he was that naïve? This was the man who orchestrated the accident that left him crippled, and now he had the audacity to play family?
Not far away, Sophia had stopped, pretending to sip her wine while listening in. Her brow arched ever so slightly. So he's Lucas's uncle… No wonder family cuts the deepest.
As if sensing her presence, Lucas's eyes lifted and locked onto her across the room. A flicker of recognition passed through him. What's she doing here?
Sophia caught his gaze and offered a subtle smile. Then, with a discreet motion of her fingers toward the two glasses, she mimed a switch before turning and walking away.
Believe her or don't—it was his choice. She had only stepped in because he had spoken up for her earlier. Consider it paying back a favor.
Lucas's lips curved into the faintest smirk. Between Aiden and this mysterious woman, he knew exactly who he'd trust.
He cut off Aiden's rambling with a cool drawl, draining his glass in one go. "All that talking must've made you thirsty, Uncle."
Encouraged, Aiden raised his own glass and downed it with a triumphant grin. Perfect. Tonight, Lucas Hilton's reputation ends here in City A.
The six little troublemakers slipped out of Silver Lake Villa unnoticed and, after dodging every camera on the way, managed to sneak right into the grand ballroom of the RH Hotel.
Billy clutched a mini laptop in his small hands, already locked into the hotel's entire surveillance system. With him in control, the kids moved like ghosts through the corridors until they found an empty room to set up base camp.
On the screen, Faye suddenly pointed excitedly at a familiar figure. "I see Mommy!"
The others immediately crowded around her. "It really is Mommy!"
Angela, the eldest, cleared her throat with authority, reminding her siblings of their mission. "Don't get distracted. We're here to make Morgan Family pay, not just to spy on Mommy."
She turned to her brother. "Billy, can you track where the Morgans are?"
Billy nodded and circled Andrew and Olivia's locations on the digital map. "Got them. Right here."
Angela snapped her fingers. "Perfect. Charles, Dustin—you're up. Eric, Faye—be ready."
"On it!"
Each of the kids wore discreet wireless earpieces, making it easy for Angela to coordinate their moves.
Following her directions, Charles crawled under a dessert table right next to Olivia. The long tablecloth hid him perfectly.
Just then, Olivia tugged on Ethan's sleeve with a pout. "Ethan, I want a strawberry mousse."
"Sure, I'll get it for you," Ethan said, heading off.
Charles's eyes gleamed. Ethan? That scumbag? Perfect.
He dug into her pocket and pulled out a small packet of sneeze powder, then blew it subtly in Olivia's direction.
A moment later, Olivia's nose twitched. "Weird… why does my nose—achoo! Achoo! Achoo!" She sneezed so loudly and so many times that the heads of half the ballroom swiveled in her direction.
Utterly mortified, she tried to cover her face with her hands.
Right then, Ethan returned with the mousse. But as he rushed to her side, Charles flicked a marble across the floor. Ethan's shoe landed right on it—sending him sprawling face-first into the very dessert he had been carrying. Strawberry mousse smeared across his entire face like clown makeup.
Charles bit back a laugh. That's what you get, you rotten pair.
Olivia hurried forward to help him up, but her heel slipped on the spilled mousse, and down she went—knocking Ethan right back into the floor with her.
She tried to rise again, only to double over with another loud sneeze, and then another, and another. By the time Ethan finally staggered to his feet and pulled her up, both of them were a wreck: Olivia sneezing nonstop, Ethan's face still plastered in cake. Guests all around them tried to stifle their laughter behind their hands.
Ethan ducked his head, his ears burning. He wanted to abandon her right there, but pride forced him to keep dragging her toward the lounge like a man hauling baggage.
Watching from across the hall, Sophia caught sight of the humiliating scene. Her lips curved in quiet satisfaction. Seems the heavens finally decided to punish them, too.
Andrew, meanwhile, was blissfully unaware of his daughter's latest disaster. He was busy pitching a major deal. "Mr. Taylor, Morgan Group has already signed with Luna. About that fashion project in your hands—"
"Mr. Taylor, what a pleasure to finally meet you!"
Andrew froze as Sophia herself appeared, her smile dazzling as she extended a hand.
Ben Taylor, charmed by the stunning woman in front of him, shook her hand warmly. "And you are?"
Sophia's reply was smooth and precise. "The name's Gray. I'm Luna's cousin."
The mention of Luna—the internationally renowned designer—instantly lit up Taylor's face. "Really? Miss Gray, what an honor!"
"Luna's recently returned to the country," Sophia said lightly. "If you'd like, I can arrange a meeting."
"Wonderful, wonderful!" Taylor exclaimed, excitement bubbling in his tone. "Shall we step aside to discuss further?"
Andrew's face went pale as Taylor walked off with Sophia. He scrambled, calling after him, "Mr. Taylor, don't be fooled! Whether she's really Luna's cousin or not, Morgan Group is the one who actually signed with Luna!"