Chapter 177: Aide or Enemy?
Gracia flinched, moving behind Evelyn instinctively. Her lips parted to protest, but the fear that Sophia’s mere presence evoked was overwhelming. Memories flooded back—electric shocks that sent pain coursing through her body, the cruel men who had dragged her into darkness, and the treatment of the asylum. Everything made her whimper like a scared puppy despite her desire to stand tall.
"He!" Evelyn’s voice interrupted, steady as a mountain. Despite her calm demeanor, her heart pounded like a drum in her chest. When Sophia’s gaze landed on her, Evelyn continued smoothly, "He is a new client."
Sophia’s sharp eyes narrowed in suspicion. Her calculating gaze swept over the person Evelyn was shielding, but Lucius and Rita moved subtly, standing closer to Evelyn and forming a protective wall. Gracia was hidden entirely from view.
The bouncers stepped forward at Evelyn’s silent signal, their imposing presence forcing Sophia to flinch and step back instinctively.
"And he is also Ronan’s cousin, Rodrick Igor," Evelyn added, her voice confident. It was the story they had made up, finding it suitable since Sophia feared the Igors most right now.
And the name indeed felt like a sword strike for Sophia. Her face paled instantly, the mere mention of Ronan unraveling her composed mask. Having murdered his Half-Sister, Sophia wanted to stay as far away from him, having had a narrow escape. And Evelyn knew her well, Ronan’s name was her Achilles’ heel, and it worked like a charm.
Still, Sophia wasn’t one to retreat without testing the waters. "He seems young," she commented, forcing a skeptical smile. "What business does he have with you?"
Evelyn raised an eyebrow, crossing her arms over her chest. Her lips curled into a smirk that made Sophia uneasy. "He wants to open a gaming store and asked us to design it. Do you have a problem with that?"
Sophia faltered, her silence speaking volumes. Evelyn pressed further, her voice sharp with an edge of authority. "Or are you trying to disrespect him? Just know that Ronan likes him very much, and he wouldn’t be pleased to hear about this."
Sophia blinked rapidly, her false bravado crumbling. "I—I was just curious, haha," she stammered, her laugh awkward and strained.
Tucking a strand of hair behind her ear, she plastered on a timid smile.