Chapter 785

Sophia Blackwood never imagined that Shai, the so-called influencer who'd taken her money, would have the audacity to betray her.

Did this mean all the carefully crafted images she'd built in Nathan's eyes were now destroyed?

Her fingers trembled as she scrolled through the viral posts online.

With shaking hands, she immediately tried calling Shai.

Two rings. Then silence.

The line went dead.

Furious, she switched to direct messaging. [Name your price. Delete everything now!]

The reply came faster than expected. [I don't want your blood money.

My conscience won't allow it.]

Sophia nearly shattered her phone against the wall. "Conscience? Since when do mercenaries have morals?"

Clearly someone had paid him more.

A knock at her bedroom door made her jump.

She forced composure into her voice. "Come in."

The butler entered with troubled eyes. "Miss Sophia, Mr. Blackwood called. You're not to leave the estate. He's on his way."

Her knees buckled.

Cold sweat broke across her forehead as she gripped the dresser for support.

This was it. Nathan would skin her alive.

Cursing, she bolted to the study where Reginald Blackwood sat brooding. "Grandfather!"

Though the smear campaign had been her idea, the old patriarch had approved every step.

She'd personally hired the influencers, paid the troll farms, planted the rumors.

Reginald had used his media connections to push it to trending status.

Now a guillotine hovered above her neck.

Tears streamed down her face as she spun a sob story about her retail job hardships - the snubs, the backbreaking work, the humiliation.

For a moment, Reginald's expression softened.

But reality crashed back when he remembered Nathan's ultimatum - two daily deliveries demanding his resignation from the board.

How could he plead for Sophia when his own position hung by a thread?

An idea struck him.

He reached for the phone. "Let's see if the Sterlings will intervene."

If Evelyn Sinclair spoke for Sophia, perhaps Nathan would show mercy.

The line rang four times before William Sterling answered. "Reginald?"

"William! The internet nonsense has gotten out of hand. Surely there's been some misunderstanding. Join us for dinner tonight so we can-"

A humorless laugh cut him off. "My daughter's recovering from a car accident. She can't walk. The answer's no."

"Nonsense! I'll send a car with special suspension-"

William's voice turned arctic. "Say what you want now. Evelyn isn't coming. After your family's smear campaign, we're avoiding public appearances."

Reginald chuckled nervously. "Come now, children will be children. We adults should mediate-"

"Your 'child' is twenty-five. Unless she's a giant toddler?" William's sarcasm dripped like poison.