Their Queen's Back - Chapter 24: Chapter 24

Sophia glanced at her watch. "Boss, it's quitting time, so I'll be heading out first."
William didn't dare leave her alone here. "Come on, get in, get in!" he urged. "Let me drive you home—you're my savior today!"
"I wonder if it's just my imagination," Sophia thought, "but ever since I came out after signing the contract, Boss William seems to treat me with unusual respect—and is that a hint of fear in his attitude?"
"No need, Boss," Sophia said. "I'll just grab a cab."
Still, I turned him down. "My boss is acting kind of weird today... Is he just in an unusually good mood or something?"
"That must be it!" she thought to herself.
Lauren glanced out the window, then returned to Ms. Sky's side to report, "Ms. Sky, Miss Sophia has left by cab. Also, someone from the Quinns wants to meet with you to discuss cooperation. Additionally, Olivia has been looking for me—she's probably hoping to use me as an intermediary to connect with you and intercept the Quinns' deal."
That Olivia Quinn really has no sense of decency. After all, she's just from one branch of the Quinns.
The Quinns may be one of the top five enterprises in the country, but they still go out of their way now and then to support her side of the family—the so-called "Little Quinns”.
The Quinn Group primarily handles the cooperation with Synergy International Group. They even share a portion of the profits with the smaller branch of the family—a generous gesture that shows loyalty and consideration for longstanding relationships.
But to think Olivia wasn't satisfied with that meager profit—she actually tried to use Lauren to snatch the entire Synergy deal right out from under them!
Olivia doesn't even realize how incompetent she is—does she really think she's qualified? Even if the entire Synergy deal were handed to her on a silver platter, her company still wouldn't be able to handle it.
So, ambition should always match capability.
People like Olivia—ambitious but incompetent, ready to betray anyone for profit—will ultimately end up with nothing to show for it.
She could've just enjoyed the steady benefits from working with the Quinn Group, content with her fair share. But no—she wasn't satisfied; she wanted to hog the entire pot for herself.
"She wants to see you? Then give her the chance," Skye said icily, her gaze fixed on the birds flitting outside the window, searching for a place to land.
Lauren responded promptly, "Understood, Ms. Sky. I'll arrange it immediately. As for the Quinn Group, how should I proceed?"
Skye glanced at her and stood up. "When the waters get muddy, they'll show their true colors."
Understood, Ms. Sky.
Sis, I got promoted! I'm a director now. Heading back to my rental to pack a few things, then I'll be home waiting for you. Mwah! I brought you your favorite blueberry cake.
A faint smile curved Skye's lips, the usual frostiness in her eyes giving way to a rare warmth.
Got it. I might be home a bit late—have Wendy prepare a feast.
Okay, sis!
Sophia carried the custom-made blueberry cake back to her rental apartment, thinking, "Skye will be so happy to see this."
Sophia was just about to climb the stairs when a man loomed in the stairwell.
The moment Sophia recognized that face, her expression instantly turned livid. Her good mood evaporated, replaced by burning resentment and disgust.
Sophia walked over, expressionless. "What are you doing here?" she snapped coldly.
Matthew saw Sophia in a white blazer paired with a pink skirt, her hair pulled up in a neat bun. She exuded elegant poise, her delicate face radiating innocence—though her almond-shaped eyes betrayed a flicker of impatience.
"Wow, Sophia's changed a lot... She's even more attractive now," Matthew thought to himself, surprised by how much more captivating she had become.
Back then, her face was the only thing remotely appealing about her—always so lifeless, dressed in those cheap, tacky clothes.
"Just thinking about her actually blocking me—damn, that really pisses me off!"
Blocked me!
Matthew's face twisted with rage as he shouted, "Sophia! How dare you block me? Damn it, do you know how many calls I've made? You're spurning my goodwill! Just waiting for me to come crawling back, huh? Playing hard to get—fine, I'm apologizing. Happy now? Your little scheme worked!"
It wasn't until he tried calling and texting that he realized he'd been blocked. "Damn, Wu Shuang's got some nerve!" he fumed.
He'd been way too lenient with her.
For Lily's sake, he grudgingly offered an apology, giving her a way to save face.
Sophia let out a cold, scornful laugh. "Matthew, playing hard to get? Don't flatter yourself! I said we're done—it's over. Now get the hell out of my sight."
"You—!" Matthew was stunned. He had thought his words would have an effect, but things clearly weren't going as he expected.
Matthew was certain Sophia would be so moved she'd burst into tears and grovel before him, desperate to win back his favor.
To his shock, she remained just as unyielding as before.
"Sophia, how much longer are you going to keep acting like this? I don't have time for this. Lily needs your blood right now—come with me to the hospital immediately."
Sophia stared at him, eyes wide with disgust. "Matthew, are you insane? I said we're through—the breakup and the engagement are both over! And you still expect me to go to the hospital and donate blood to Lily? Dream on! You're nothing but scum, trash."
Matthew froze for a moment in shock. "Sophia, you dare curse at me? What, did your sister put you up to this? I knew that woman was nothing but trouble ever since she came back—"
Matthew's words were cut short as he heard a sharp slap—Sophia had struck him across the face.
Sophia's face darkened, her entire body shaking with uncontrollable fury. Her bloodshot eyes burned with a terrifying and unfamiliar intensity.
Even Matthew was startled by that look—he had never seen Sophia look at him like that before.
"One more word against my sister, and I'll rip your mouth open!" Sophia threatened, her eyes blazing with fury.
Matthew clamped his mouth shut, not daring to mention it again. A slow realization dawned on him—he was finally starting to get it.
Skye was Sophia's untouchable—her one absolute red line.
Her glare was so fierce, it looked like she was ready to throw down and fight him right then and there.
Matthew said coldly, "Sophia, I can drop it, but you're coming with me to the hospital—Lily needs a blood transfusion. If you resist, don't expect me to play nice."
Sophia shot Matthew a look of utter disgust and turned to leave, but Matthew grabbed both her wrists. "You're coming with me—now!" he demanded.
Sophia struggled. "Let go of me, Matthew! Have you lost your damn mind? I'm not going!"
"You have no right to tell me what to do! Do you really think I won't call the police?" she snapped.
There was, after all, a clear disparity in strength between men and women. Matthew hauled Wu Shuang into the car, ignoring her struggles. As she tried to hold on to her blueberry cake, he kicked it aside, sending it flying to the ground with a splatter. Wu Shuang's heart clenched as she watched the cake she'd brought get smashed, but she was powerless to stop him.
Once inside the car, Sophia immediately pulled out her phone to call the police—only for Matthew to snatch it from her hands and hurl it out the window before locking all the doors.
Sophia clenched her fists tightly. "Matthew, you're crazy! Don't you know what you're doing is illegal? I'm calling the cops! You'll pay for this!"
Matthew shrugged dismissively. "Sophia, do as you please. So what if the police show up? We're a couple—just a lovers' spat, nothing unusual. Look, I've already swallowed my pride and apologized, so don't push your luck."
Sophia trembled all over with rage, her jaw clenched as she glared at him with undisguised disgust.
Sophia glared at Matthew and snapped, "Matthew, we're already over. Whatever happens between you and Lily is none of my business—whether she lives or dies, it has absolutely nothing to do with me."
Matthew ran a hand through his hair. Hearing her words, he was sure—this was just another one of Sophia's little jealous games.
Matthew snapped, exasperated, "Sophia, I've told you—Lily saved my life. Even if we get married, I could never just abandon her. So quit acting up. Whatever you want, I'll give you. Your place as the Quinns' daughter-in-law remains yours."