Chapter 429 Sophia couldnt help b but be momentarily by consumed by a wave of nostalgia .
She remembered how Edie used to walk through Crownridge like a queen everyone either respected or feared her .
Nobody dared cross her , and even her mere presence made people bow their heads in deference .
The thought of Edies past power sparked something within Sophia .
A wicked smile spread across her face .
Yes , she thought , its all Odalys fault .
I just need to find her and make her take the blame .
Shes the one behind everything Sophia was already mentally preparing to confront Odalys , to comer her and force her to take the fall for all of it .
The thought of it filled her with a dark kind of exhilaration With determination , she hurried out of her room , ready to find Odalys and force her to fix this mess .
But when she opened the door , she froze .
Two police officers were standing in the hallway .
Her heart stopped for a second , and the color drained from her face .
She hadnt expected this at all .
Just a few hours ago , after her injury , theyd escorted her to the hospital and left .
Wasnt it over ! Ms.
Bennett one of the officers said calmly , pulling out his badge .
Were here to arrest you for defamation and intentional harm What !! Sophia snapped , her mind reeling , What do you mean , arrest me ? She was caught completely off guard .
How could they still be here ? She had assumed everything had been handled .
The police had left her alone after bringing her to the hospital .
Now , they were back , and they were arresting her ! Is Odalys behind this ? Sophia hissed , her voice growing frantic .
Youre the police ! You should be upholding the law , not bending to her because she married well ! That day .
Odalys set me up ! She could have explained everything , but she didnt She left me to believe it was her fault ! Sophia was shaking with rage , her eyes burning with accusation The officers exchanged a look , and one of them replied coldly , You dont get to accuse others just because things arent going your way .
Youve made a mistake , and now youll pay for it Sophias eyes narrowed , her teeth gritting in frustration .
She suddenly lunged toward the door , but before she could take another step , the two officers grabbed her one on each side and forced her out of the room Let go of me ! Let go ? Sophia screamed , her body thrashing in their grip .
A few feet away , Lee stood watching , his eyes narrowed in cold amusement as he observed her struggle .
Ms.
Bennett , he called out , his voice icy .
Would you like me to get you you a megaphone ? Sophia froze , utterly confused .
A megaphone ? She turned to look at Lee , completely bewildered .
What was he talking about ? What do you mean , a megaphone ? she asked instinctively .
Lee walked up to her , his presence imposing .
He stood before her , towering as he looked down at her with a condescending smirk .
Since you seem to think were framing you , it seems you have sonse issues with the police , dont you ? So , if you still believe weve wronged you , well make sure you understand exactly whos in control here.
Lees voice grew colder .
Ill have someone bring a megaphone , and then we can announce everything youve done that day to the entire crowd .
Itll be like an advertisement for your actions .
If anyone believes you , and supports your cause , well let you go .
How does that sound ** Sophia stood frozen , the weight of his words sinking in A megaphone Was this some kind of sick joke ? She didnt know how to react .
She remembered that the police werent supposed to act like this this felt personal .
They were clearly siding with Odalys , mocking her as if she were the villain .
Her heart dropped to her stomach .
Theyre all against me ; she thought bitterly .
Even the police are in on it .
Desperation filled her eyes as she locked her gaze on Lee .
Whats your relationship with Odalys she demanded .
Lees eyes gleamed coldly as he took a step toward her , his tone never faltering .
Go get the megaphone , he ordered .
Since M shouted enough yet , lets make sure she gets her voice out loud and clear ? Ms.
Bennett hasnt 1/2 Chapter 429 Sophias world seemed to tilt .
She couldnt believe it .
The police were actually turning against her , humiliating her in front of everyone .
Her hands trembled , and she almost collapsed on the spot Is this necessary ? she mumbled weakly , her voice barely audible .
How long will I be locked up for ? She was already picturing the headlines , imagining her reputation sinking even further .
This cant be happening , she thought , her stomach twisting in dread .
The officer glanced at her , his face hard as stone .
e .
Youll b be detained for three days and fined 1,500 dollars as a warning Three days .
The words rang in her head .
Even three hours would be enough to destroy me .
If she went to jail , it would be over her reputation , her career , everything .
was no one who could help her .
She was trapped , with no way out .
The once- -golden star of the Bennett family now reduced to a pariah .
And there was i Everyone had turned away from her , all because of Odalys , Sophias mind raced .
How has it come to this ? There , among the onlookers , was Odalys .
Her arms were crossed calmly over her chest , and she was looking at Sophia with an expression that was both cold and satisfied .
The two locked eyes , and for a moment , time seemed to freeze .
Then , without warning , Sophias pent up rage exploded .
As she was roughly escorted downstairs to the police car , the stares and whispers of the crowd around her only made things worse .
People pointed , some even took photos , and as she turned to look , her heart sank Odalys , you bitch ! Get over here ! Sophia screamed , her voice full of fury .
She had tried to keep her composure , but seeing Odalys standing there , so calm and confident , pushed her over the edge .
Her hatred for the woman who had ruined her life surged to the surface .
Why are you doing this to me ? So Sophia shouted , her voice breaking The crowd followed her gaze , and sure enough , they saw Odalys standing there , dressed casually , smiling faintly .
She didnt seem bothered at all As Odalys stepped forward , the crowd parted to make way for her .
She stopped in front of Sophia , eyeing her with a mix of amusement and disdain .
Harm you ? Odalys raised an eyebrow .
Maybe you should think about what youre saying .
Or perhaps youve forgotten ? whole thing on the hospitals big screen for you .
Would you like that ? Sophias breath caught in her throat .
Odalys words left her speechless .
She wanted to retort , to scream , but she couldnt .
If you want , I can play the Anyone here who hasnt seen what happened , raise y your hand , Odalys continued , her voice ringing out clearly .
You all saw how Sophia , using her position as the Bennett familys adopted daughter , tried to frame me .
She even tried to burn me alive , but I caught her in the act .
Now she wants to lie about me and accuse me of destroying her, but the truth is , shes the one who needs to pay Sophias world collapsed around her .
The crowd murmured , some nodding in agreement .
It was over .
As Odalys spoke , the crowd seemed to grow larger , the truth becoming undeniable .
Sophia felt her knees buckle , and she almost fell .
It was too late to stop it now ..
Looks like youve been caught , Ms.
Bennen , Odalys said , her voice sweet as honey , though it dripped with venom .
And by the way , stop trying to play the fainting card .
Youve used that one too many times Sophia felt a hot tear slip down her cheek , but she refused to let it show .
She had nowhere left to run