Chapter 150
Grace watched her mother’s mysterious demeanor with growing irritation. She shot Catherine a massive eye roll before turning her attention toward Sophie That attention–seeking bitch needed to be taken down a notch.
Catherine grabbed her daughter’s arm, her fingers digging painfully into her skin. “Don’t you dare cause trouble!” she hissed. “If you disobey this time, it won’t be your brother punishing you–it’ll be your grandfather and father!”
Grace jerked her arm away, rubbing the spot where her mother’s fingers had left red marks. “I’m just going to knock her down a peg,” she snapped. “I won’t ruin your precious plan.”
Before Catherine could stop her, Grace strode purposefully toward Sophia. Catherine watched anxiously, knowing her daughter was boiling with resentment and wouldn’t rest until she’d caused Sophia some misery.
I stood near the entrance of the banquet hall, momentarily alone. Billy had gotten cake frosting all over his face, and William had taken him to clean up. My purple gown sparkled under the chandelier lights, catching the eye of several Harding relatives.
I could sense their surprise. Most of them only knew me as “Henry’s low–class wife” and had clearly expected someone plain and unrefined. The stylist’s work had transformed me, and I could see the shock in their eyes.
Grace approached, her face barely containing her jealousy. I could tell she was fighting the urge to physically attack me–her hands were clenched so tightly her knuckles had turned white. But she managed to restrain herself, plastering on a twisted smile instead.
“Don’t think putting on a crystal slipper makes you Cinderella,” she sneered, looking me up and down with contempt. “A trashy woman will always be trash. If I were you, I’d pack up and leave before you embarrass the Harding family any further.”
The relatives nearby perked up, sensing drama was about to unfold. They knew Grace well–her spoiled, aggressive personality was infamous within the family. They leaned in, eager to watch the confrontation unfold.
I could clearly see the hatred burning in Grace’s eyes. Once, I might have swallowed the insult and walked away. But that was before–after I’d signed those divorce papers, I no longer considered myself a member of the Harding family.
“It’s always the jealous ones,” I replied coolly, “who desperately try to steal things that never belonged to them in the first place.”
When I’d loved Henry, I’d been willing to endure anything–including the abuse from Grace and Catherine. But now that my love had died, I had no reason to tolerate their behavior any longer.
Grace’s face flushed with anger. “Who do you think you are?” she spat, “You have no family background, no looks, no character! My brother would never look at someone like you unless you tricked him somehow!”
Her outburst drew more attention. People began to whisper, casting curious glances my way.
I smiled, completely unfazed. “For someone supposedly worthless like me,” I said, keeping my voice light, “it’s strange that even after I signed the divorce papers, your brother refuses to let me go.” I leaned in slightly. “By the way, Grace, that guy you slept with last month–doesn’t he have a girlfriend? Did he break up with her for you yet?”
Grace’s eyes widened in shock. Her promiscuity was well–known, but she hadn’t expected me to bring it up so publicly.
The guests around us exchanged shocked glances, their whispers growing louder.
“What’s going on? Sophia wants a divorce?”
“She’s walking away from Henry Harding? Is she insane?”
‘Wait, so she already signed the papers, but Henry’s the one refusing? That’s unexpected…”
“And what about Grace? Is it true she sleeps with taken men?”
. “Wouldn’t surprise me. She’s always been wild–remember how she stole her cousin’s boyfriend?”
“She even went after my boyfriend last year! Nothing is off–limits to that girl!”
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Chapter 150
The tide of gossip quickly turned against Grace. Grace sensed her rapidly declining position. She rushed forward, pulling out her phone and thrusting my face.
“I recorded what you just said,” she threatened, her voice shaking with rage. “Once my brother sees this, he’ll throw you out of the Harding family o You’ll be crying by tomorrow!”
I gave her a level look. “You might want to record what I’m about to say next, too.”
Curious, Grace pressed the record button again, her finger hovering expectantly.
1 smiled directly into the camera. “Divorce? I couldn’t wish for anything more!”
The color drained from Grace’s face. Teeth clenched, she stormed off, phone clutched tightly in her hand. Within minutes, I was sure those clips would be all over social media, carefully edited by Grace to portray me as an arrogant woman, while she would play the victim and beg her brother to throw me out of the family.
I didn’t have to wait long. When I checked my phone, I saw that Grace had already uploaded two video snippets. The first showed me admitting I’d signed divorce papers; the second captured my “couldn’t wish for anything more” response.
The comments section was already exploding:
“So the rumors are true! Sophia Wilson wants to end her marriage!”
“Who turns their back on a HARDING? Is she insane?”
“Maybe she has another man? No one walks away from that kind of wealth…”
‘I bet Isabella will be thrilled to hear this!”
As I scrolled through the growing controversy, I started to worry about William. If he saw these videos or heard about the gossip, would his condition worsen? He was in no state to handle this kind of shock.
While I was debating whether to make a public statement, the private dining room door opened. William entered, holding Billy’s hand. My son’s face was freshly cleaned, his makeup reapplied. Richard followed behind them, carrying a pair of flat shoes.
*You must be tired,‘ Richard said kindly, pointing at my high heels. “Why don’t you change into these?”
I was touched by his thoughtfulness. Just as I was about to thank him, Richard’s expression changed to one of concern.
“Sophia,‘ he asked quietly, “did you really sign those divorce papers?”
The directness of his question caught me off guard. My eyes darted to William, whose face remained impassive, though his eyes held an intensity I couldn’t quite read.
The room fell silent as everyone awaited my answer.
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