Their Queen's Back - Chapter 29: Chapter 29

At the police station, the police chief personally handled the case.
With stacks of damning evidence laid out before them, Lily, Lulu, and Eric were utterly devastated and fidgeting nervously. Their faces turned deathly pale, completely robbed of any chance to defend themselves.
Matthew thought he'd get off scot-free, but the surveillance footage showed him dragging Sophia into the car and ordering his bodyguards to seize her—now he was being charged!
To make matters worse, the police accused him of being Lily's accomplice, conspiring to harm others.
Matthew couldn't believe what he was hearing. He grabbed the officer's sleeve and shouted, "What did you just say? Lily is perfectly healthy? No illness at all? That's bullshit! She clearly—"
The officer shook off his hand and snapped, "Drop the act. You're one of the main perpetrators."
Only then did Matthew realize that Lily had truly deceived him.
"She was perfectly fine all along, yet she played me for a fool. Ha."
"Sophia's image flashed through my mind. I know I've wronged her, and guilt weighs heavily on me. For the rest of my life, I'll do everything I can to make it up to her."
Unable to secure their release, the Quinns stormed to the Hughes residence in a fury.
To their shock, the bodyguards barred them from entering. Wilma completely lost it, cursing like a shrew for two solid hours—until the police hauled her away for disturbing the peace.
Linda watched these events unfold, burning with anxiety. She pulled at Richard's sleeve and urged, "Richard, you have to do something! If this keeps going, we'll completely cross the Quinns, and the Hughes will be doomed! That's the Quinns we're talking about! Skye just came back—what does she know? As her father, you should be the one taking charge!"
Richard, growing increasingly irritated, snapped, "Then what do you want me to do?"
Why didn't he realize before how irritating Linda was? She just keeps chattering away.
Linda urged, "Obviously, Sophia should go to the police station to get Matthew released, then go to the Quinns and offer a formal apology. That's the most sensible solution right now."
Richard turned his head, about to say it was a good idea, when he suddenly locked eyes with Skye standing upstairs, her sardonic smile and icy gaze making his face go pale. A chill ran down his spine and his heart skipped a beat.
"Damn girl, when did she get up there? She scared the hell out of me," he thought.
Richard, still visibly rattled, clutched his chest and stammered, "I... I can't make that call."
Linda's face turned livid as she spat through gritted teeth, enunciating every word, "How can you not be in charge? They're your daughters! If they disobey, just discipline them properly. Are you actually afraid of that Skye? She's your own daughter—what can she possibly do to you? You should assert your paternal authority and show them who's really in charge of this household."
Richard: "..." (What could she do to me? She kicked me last time, and it still hurts, he thought bitterly.)
Linda has no idea who Skye really is.
As Skye slowly descended the stairs, Richard immediately shut his mouth.
Linda kept frantically shaking him, demanding he "show some authority" and "put that Skye in her place." She hissed under her breath, "If this keeps up, what standing will I even have left in the Hughes?"
Skye looked down at Linda with a frosty smile. "I wasn't aware there was any question about who runs this household. Perhaps you could enlighten me, Ms. Lin?"
The chill in Skye's voice sent a shiver down Linda's spine. She stiffened, every hair on her body standing on end as she slowly turned her head.
Linda forced a smile. "Skye, what brings you here?"
(Wasn't that bitch supposed to be asleep? she thought venomously.)
Skye let out an icy laugh, her eyes devoid of warmth. She exuded an intimidating presence, dressed in pearl-embellished slippers, her silky hair cascading like a waterfall, and a white beaded cape draped over her shoulders—the epitome of aristocratic elegance, reminiscent of European nobility.
Towering at 5'7", Skye crossed her arms over her chest and looked down at Linda with undisguised contempt.
"Guards!" Skye commanded coldly. "Ms. Collins has been maliciously sowing discord between my father and me, poisoning our family harmony. Confine her to the solitary cell. Not a single crumb of food or drop of water shall reach her without my explicit order."
At her command, the two bodyguards sprang into action.
Linda gasped in shock as the bodyguards actually dared to grab her.
She shrieked, "Skye, have you lost your mind? I'm your stepmother—your stepmother! Look at me, I'm your elder! How dare you treat me like this? This is outrageous—absolutely outrageous!"
Skye remained as composed as ever, her expression unreadable. "She's too noisy," she said.
Wendy immediately understood. She walked over and slapped Linda hard across the face. "Shut your mouth! You're disturbing Miss Skye."
Linda glared daggers at Wendy and hissed, "How dare a mere servant lay hands on me!"
That punishment room—always where I locked up girls like Sophia. Never dreamed I'd end up stuck here myself!
All because of that bitch Skye.
Richard was about to say something as he watched the scene unfold, but Skye's gaze shifted to the butler. Instantly understanding, the butler produced an exquisitely crafted case and set it on the table.
"Father," Skye said coolly, "your wrist looks bare. This is J Brand's latest collection—1.4 million dollars. For good fortune, it's yours now."
Richard's initial dissatisfaction and anger instantly evaporated the moment he laid eyes on the exquisitely crafted watch.
"I love it, absolutely love it! That's so thoughtful of you," Richard gushed.
Ever since the Hughes' decline, Richard had lost the means to splurge. When was the last time he'd worn anything this luxurious?
As Skye turned to go upstairs, the butler leaned in and muttered under her breath, "Miss Skye, your father's been a real piece of work these years. Why waste such an expensive gift on him? Might as well have given it to a dog."
Skye curled her lips in a faint, indifferent smile. "For peace and quiet."
Richard was no longer the father he once was. Skye held no expectations for him now; she merely wanted to see how they would fare in the coming "good days."
Skye added coldly, "Make sure Ms. Collins doesn't get too comfortable."
The butler immediately understood. "Rest assured, Miss Skye. She won't have a moment's peace."
"Who doesn't know how to make someone suffer?" the butler mused.
So that's why Miss Skye hasn't kicked her out yet—she wants to handle it personally.
Richard slipped the watch onto his wrist, a storm of emotions churning inside him. He stood by the window, gazing at the night sky.
"Had I truly been wrong all these years?" he wondered.
"I failed as a father—if only I had raised my kids better, Sophia wouldn't have been bullied," Richard thought bitterly.
"What happened today was entirely the Quinns' fault. They really crossed the line—kidnapping Sophia and forcing her to give blood every month to a perfectly healthy woman."
Richard suddenly thought of something and called Matthew's father. The moment the call connected, a shrill barrage of curses erupted from the other end.
"You goddamn Richard! Tell your damn daughter to get her ass to the police station right this instant and bring my son back!" Matthew's father shouted.
Richard yelled into the phone, "Go to hell! It was your son who kidnapped my daughter, and now you shamelessly insult her? If you think I'll help get your son out, keep dreaming! All the Quinns are heartless bastards—go to hell, all of you. You don't deserve to live. Get lost!"
Years of pent-up grievances and humiliation all erupted in that moment. After letting it all out, Richard felt relieved and refreshed. She decisively blocked the number. Simply put—damn satisfying.
Skye entered the room, tucked Sophia in, and gave her a gentle pat. When her phone lit up, she picked it up and walked into the study.
"It's me," Skye said.
"Ms. Sky, Mr. Hughes just had a complete falling-out with the Quinns over the phone. Also, Olivia has already approached me for business. What should I do next?" Lauren asked.
Skye replied coldly, "Isn't she begging for cooperation? Then give her the 'opportunity' she's asking for."
"Yes, Ms. Sky. I understand. The Quinns are trying to get Matthew out, and Olivia has even pressured Hughes Corporation's partners to terminate their cooperation. They're clearly targeting the company."
Skye tapped the table absent-mindedly. "No rush. Have Rowan come tomorrow. I'll go to Hughes Corporation myself."
Rowan Miller was also one of Skye's assistants, reporting to Lauren. Since revealing Lauren's identity at Hughes Corporation might arouse suspicion, Rowan was the safer choice.
Lauren: "Yes, Ms. Sky. I'll notify Rowan right away."
"Olivia is speeding things up. Quinn Holdings will be the first target for Hughes Corporation."
Lauren, barely containing her excitement, replied, "Right away, Ms. Sky!"
"Another company's going down—Ms. Sky is invincible!" Lauren thought, excitement bubbling inside her.
"That bastard Matthew dared to bully Miss Sophia. I've hated his guts for ages!" she scoffed inwardly.
"With just one word from Ms. Sky, your precious Quinns are finished. Let's see how long that arrogant swagger lasts!" Lauren smirked.
After hanging up, Skye opened the door and deliberately glanced at Richard's room. "Had they really fallen out?" she wondered.
Pity. Affection that comes too late is worth less than weeds.
They certainly didn't need any of that hypocritical comfort built on old wounds.
The door swung open to reveal Sophia standing dazedly in the doorway, hugging a pillow and rubbing her sleepy eyes.
Spotting Skye, she dropped the pillow and threw herself into her sister's arms, nuzzling her soft cheek against her. Her almond-shaped eyes, still hazy with sleep, were filled with unease and grievance.
"Sis, where did you go?" she murmured, her voice tinged with worry.