Chapter 30 Kneel Down and Apologize

Chapter 30: Chapter 30: Kneel Down and Apologize

Stella Sutton was surprised that Finn Lockwood would go so far to help her. Especially in this kind of setting, his words were cementing her status. A faint blush couldn’t help but creep onto her cheeks. She looked up at Julian Sterling, who was sitting right next to her. "Julian, don’t listen to Finn’s ridiculous jokes. There are so many people here."

The atmosphere instantly ignited.

"Cross arms and drink!"

"Cross arms and drink!"

"Give us a wine kiss!"

The cheers echoed one after another.

Julian rested his elbows on his knees, his long fingers leisurely swirling his wine glass. "The main character today is Finn."

Finn clinked glasses with him. "So what if it’s my birthday? A friend’s happiness is the most important thing."

The people in their circle who attended today were all close friends in private. Although everyone knew the rumors about Julian’s early marriage years ago, no one thought there was anything wrong with the current situation. Wealthy marriages were merely about maintaining a superficial harmony. In private, who didn’t play around? Who didn’t have a female confidante?

Finn shot a meaningful glance at the corner. Stella had saved his grandfather, so he owed her a massive favor. If he could make Sophie Winslow sensibly realize how insignificant she was and step down, that would naturally be for the best.

The atmosphere reached its peak. Sophie Winslow was forced to watch this absurd farce unfold right before her eyes. With the crowd bustling, she could barely see what was happening on Julian’s side anymore. She truly hadn’t expected things to reach such ridiculous heights.

She turned her back on the still-boiling atmosphere behind her. She was the only one who didn’t belong here. Downing the wine in her glass, she set it down and headed for the exit.

"Sophie, wait," Stella called out, chasing after her.

Sophie turned around to see that Stella had separated from the crowd and stood before her. She didn’t know whether Julian and Stella had actually linked arms or shared a wine kiss. But... the lip gloss on Stella’s lips was slightly smudged. It was a glaringly obvious signal. They had kissed.

Stella maintained her usual elegance, smiling as she looked at her. "I remember you used to study photography. Why don’t you help us take a picture?

"Take a large group photo, and then take a couple’s shot of me and Julian. I don’t trust anyone else to do it."

"Sure," Sophie replied, her expression barely changing. "A hundred thousand per photo. How will you be paying?"

The smile at the corners of Stella’s mouth faded slightly. "If you’re that desperate for money, I can ask Julian to lend you some." Saying that, she shook her wrist, revealing a bangle of excellent quality. "Julian won this jadeite bangle for me at an auction last night. He’s generous. If you ask, he won’t refuse you."

Sophie stared at the bangle. No wonder Julian had given her the Warm Jade Peace Lock. It was because he had given Stella another valuable compensation. He truly didn’t let Stella suffer the slightest loss. Using the Warm Jade to ensure Stella wouldn’t be troubled by the Sterling Family, and then gifting her something else to soothe her. What a grand extramarital affair.

Even though Sophie wasn’t surprised, she couldn’t say her mood remained completely unaffected. She laughed. "Thank you for telling me the detailed account of my husband spending money on you. I will reclaim our joint marital property as soon as possible. Oh, right, you still have a few shows to appear on, right? You should return the money soon. Otherwise, it won’t look good if I go to the set and demand it from you."

The prenuptial agreement she had signed with Julian back then had been arranged by Chairman Sterling. Only the three of them knew about it. Even though she had no way to control who Julian spent his money on, she could still use it to scare Stella.

The smile in Stella’s eyes completely dissipated. "Sophie, you can’t force matters of the heart. The one who isn’t loved is the real homewrecker, and holding on is just compounding your mistakes. Stepping aside and letting others be happy will even earn you some good karma."

"Then go pass a law about it," Sophie dropped the line calmly.

Stella frowned. She hadn’t expected Sophie to be so stubbornly impervious.

Seeing Sophie about to leave, Stella took a few steps forward. Her heels were extremely high, and stepping on the carpet, she lost her footing for a moment. The wine glass in her hand splashed its contents onto her chest before she crashed onto the floor. The commotion attracted the attention of those nearby.

"How did Miss Sutton fall?"

"Who is the woman standing in front of Miss Sutton?"

"She didn’t push her, did she?"

Stella heard the murmurs. She didn’t explain, only pursing her lips and casting a seemingly innocent glance at Sophie. She had indeed lost her balance just now, but since everyone thought otherwise, why should she go out of her way to explain on Sophie’s behalf?

Sophie looked coldly at Stella. She was obviously misdirecting them on purpose. Did this woman really think she was the brainless female lead of an idol drama? Tripping over flat ground in every episode?

"Sophie! Don’t go too far." Hearing those words, Finn furrowed his brow, rushed over, and shoved Sophie’s shoulder.

Caught off guard, Sophie stumbled backward, her lower back crashing hard against the corner of a table. The pain made her face turn pale. The impact to her spine drained the strength from her waist, leaving her barely able to stand.

A sturdy, powerful arm caught her by the waist. She looked up and crashed into Julian’s cold, solemn eyes.

"Julian?" Stella called out, pursing her lips as she watched the scene.

Julian’s expression was utterly indifferent as he released Sophie, his intention to avoid suspicion obvious. He glanced at Sophie, his gaze devoid of warmth. "How did she fall?"

Sophie had originally thought he was kindly supporting her. It turned out he was here to interrogate her. That was close—she was almost touched.

She forced down the pain in her lower back, keeping her spine straight and fearless. "Can’t you check the security footage? Are you the domineering CEO here, or am I?"

Perhaps because Sophie’s attitude was too sharp, the people around her began to hurl accusations.

"How can she do something wrong and not show any remorse? That’s Mr. Sterling, not your boyfriend. He won’t tolerate your princess syndrome!"

"Is it that hard to admit you were wrong and apologize? What’s wrong with Mr. Sterling demanding an explanation for his girlfriend?"

"Is she starved for affection? She can’t stand seeing others in a good relationship?"

The cruel words flooded out of the crowd, piercing into Sophie’s flesh like needles. Had she possessed a weaker personality, Sophie felt she would have died a thousand times over by now. This was especially true because her husband was protecting someone else, not her.

"I won’t make things difficult for you, don’t worry." Stella had already stood up. Seeing Sophie looking so wretched while she herself was surrounded by admirers, an almost imperceptible smirk curved her lips. She looked around soothingly at the people worrying about her, then said magnanimously to Sophie, "Everyone makes mistakes. You can leave, Sophie. I won’t hold this against you."

Those words practically confirmed that Sophie had intentionally hurt her. Sophie understood the implication and knew she was the target of public criticism. Even though her husband was present, he wasn’t her backer.

She slowly pulled her lips into a faint sneer. "That won’t do. You’re far too precious. If we don’t investigate this properly, who knows how many people will feel the need to fight for your justice? We must check the security footage. If it clearly shows that I pushed you, I will kneel and apologize to you. But if it doesn’t, you will kneel in public and apologize to me."

Stella’s eyes turned cold. Sophie was truly rejecting a chance to save face! Even at this point, she was still trying to target her.

"Aren’t you going too far? She already said she wouldn’t hold it against you. It’s really pathetic how aggressive and petty you’re being," Finn frowned. "Furthermore, she’s a public figure. Have some sense of proportion."

His grandfather had repeatedly exhorted him to show absolute sincerity to his savior. Naturally, he wouldn’t let Stella get bullied.

"Since you all think I pushed her, checking the footage will convince everyone. I’d be the one kneeling anyway, so what are you panicking for?" A light laugh escaped Sophie’s lips, but her eyes held only mockery. Trying to prove her own innocence made her petty? Was there such logic in the world?

The look in Finn’s eyes as he stared at Sophie grew even more disgusted. Her abilities and character were inferior to Stella’s, and now she was being so malicious. Did she want Stella to make a fool of herself in public?

Sophie didn’t care what they were thinking. Since the other party was slandering her like this, she’d be doing herself a disservice if she didn’t completely ruin this party! She looked coldly at the hotel manager standing nearby. "Manager, please retrieve the security footage and play it for everyone here."