Their Queen's Back - Chapter 4: Chapter 4

Sophia stared at the open car door, her mouth agape as if she could fit an egg in it.
Holy...
Sophia gaped at the car, then at Skye, swallowed hard, and pointed at it. "Sis, is this really yours?" she asked, her voice full of disbelief.
Skye said casually, "Mhm, if you like it, it's yours. Oh, and can you drive?"
Sophia shook her head, still in a daze. Did Sis really say she'd give it to me?
I hadn't even wrapped my head around the fact that this car belonged to my sister, and now she's saying she'll give it to me!
Before Sophia could react, her body instinctively settled into the passenger seat.
After driving for a while, Sophia finally snapped out of her daze and blurted out excitedly, "Sis, is this really your car? You... how did you get so much money? Oh, wait, that's not what I meant. Sis, you're amazing—making money is nothing for you!"
Sophia thought to herself, "She's insanely rich!"
"This car must be worth at least fifteen or twenty million dollars!" Sophia thought to herself in awe.
Skye's lips curved into a smile, her usually cool and exquisite features softening with a gentle glow.
Skye smiled and teased, "Wow, do I really seem that amazing to you?"
"Of course!" Sophia declared proudly. "My sister is the most amazing girl in the whole world—she's my idol forever!"
Skye had always been a prodigy—since childhood, she topped every class and aced every subject.
She nearly aced the SAT, and top universities were practically fighting over her.
When it comes to looks, Skye is the undisputed top beauty of Capital City.
Beauty runs in the Hughes—their mother and grandmother are especially renowned for their exceptional talent and intellect.
Skye said softly, "You're amazing too."
Skye's words caught Sophia completely off guard, leaving her momentarily speechless as her heart skipped a beat.
"Me? Amazing too?" Sophia thought in disbelief.
"But... I still let Sis down!" Sophia thought bitterly.
"I'm so useless," Sophia thought bitterly.
"Just drop me off up ahead, Sis. My office is right there—I'll walk the rest myself."
"Alright," Skye responded.
With that, Skye pulled over. Her phone buzzed—Lauren had arrived.
"What time are you off? I'll pick you up," Skye said, handing her a card. "Here's my number—save it."
Skye handed her a sleek black card. Sophia nodded eagerly and quickly saved the number in her phone, labeling the contact as "Sis."
Sophia headed to work with a spring in her step, her heart still fluttering with joy.
At the company entrance, Matthew stood ramrod straight in his crisp blue suit, dead center. He checked his watch repeatedly, his face betraying growing impatience.
Sophia knew he was waiting for her, but she walked right past him without a second glance.
"Stop right there, Sophia!" Matthew barked.
Matthew saw Sophia spot him and walk right past, expressionless. His anger flared. "This woman is really pushing it—how dare she ignore me?" he fumed.
Sophia walked straight past him into the office building without breaking stride.
Furious, Matthew seized her arm and yanked her forcefully toward him.
Matthew snarled, grabbing her arm. "Sophia, have I been too easy on you? How dare you ignore me like that? Do you really think that just because someone helped you last night, you can stand up to me now?"
Sophia shook off Matthew's hand and snapped, "Matthew, we're done. From now on, nothing connects us. Stay away from me."
Matthew was at a loss for words. "You—"
"Sophia, I'm giving you one last chance. Apologize to me and come to the hospital now to donate blood—and I might still consider being your boyfriend."
Sophia let out a mocking laugh. "And this is the man I once loved?" she thought bitterly.
When Sophia first met Matthew, she liked him.
There was a time when Matthew cared for me so tenderly. Back then, I saw him as a ray of light in my darkest days. When I was at my lowest, I have to admit—he really did give me the will to live.
Sophia thought bitterly, "But in the end, he kept hurting me over and over until I was covered in wounds. Whenever his precious Lily so much as whimpered, he'd blame me without even hearing my side."
"Matthew, keep dreaming! From now on, I won't give Lily a single drop of blood. Give it up already! Hasn't you Quinns always wanted to call off the engagement? Go ahead, I don't care. I never liked being called your fiancée anyway."
"Now that Skye is back, I don't have to fear anyone anymore," Sophia thought, her confidence restored.
Matthew sneered, "Sophia, there's a limit to your games. Do you really think you can fool me with such a cheap trick? I'm attending the gala tonight—you'd better show up on your own."
With that, Matthew left, brimming with confidence. "There's no way Sophia would break up with me," he thought arrogantly. "She loves me so much—how could she ever even think about calling off the engagement?"
"She's just playing hard to get," Matthew thought.
"All women are the same," Matthew thought disdainfully.
Sophia brushed off the part of her clothes that Matthew had touched, her eyes full of pure disgust.
Matthew, how stupid was I to ever let you think I couldn't live without you.
In the a ment
Angrily, Skye slammed the glass against the table, shattering it into pieces.
In a fit of fury, Skye smashed a glass. Documents were scattered across the table, and standing before her was a striking blonde woman with piercing blue eyes, impeccably dressed in a black suit.
"Ra-"
Lauren had barely uttered a syllable before Skye cut in sharply, "Call me Ms. Sky from now on. And I don't want my identity exposed. I trust you understand that."
"Yes, Ms. Sky. Understood," Lauren responded promptly.
Skye's eyes burned with fury as she clenched her fists so tightly her knuckles cracked. "Richard Hughes, how dare you treat my sister like this? You're asking for it!"
"Just wait, tonight, I'll make you wish you were never born," Skye vowed to herself, her eyes cold with fury.
"Ms. Sky, should we proceed with acquiring Hughes Corporation? The company is in complete disarray and its performance is declining rapidly. The takeover would take no more than two weeks."
Skye waved her hand dismissively, her cool, detached gaze sharp as glacial ice.
Not yet. Purchase this entire block immediately, and have this building registered under my sister Sophia's name.
Lauren responded, "Yes, Ms. Sky."
Lauren was about to leave when Skye called, "Wait."
Yes, Ms. Sky.
Skye carefully wrapped the glass shards in a handkerchief. "Dispose of this properly downstairs, then get an exact replacement."
Lauren was puzzled but complied. That handkerchief alone was worth several times more than the ordinary glass.
"But Ms. Sky must have her reasons," Lauren thought to herself.
After getting a message from her sister, Sophia refused to work overtime—something she'd never dared to do before. This really ticked off her manager, since Sophia, who had always been the most obedient employee, was actually the first to leave.
"Feeling tired? I brought you your favorite jasmine milk shake."
Sophia took the blue cup adorned with jasmine patterns. As she held it, her heart swelled with a bittersweet happiness—a mix of lingering sadness and present warmth.
Ever since her sister left, she hadn't tasted her favorite jasmine milk shake—not even once.
"Now that Sis is back, I can finally enjoy my favorite jasmine milk shake again," Sophia thought.
"Thanks, Sis," Sophia said warmly.
Sophia beamed, her innocent face radiant with pure joy.
Skye gently reached out and brushed aside Sophia's bangs. Beauty ran in their family—Sophia had delicate, lovely features: an oval face, gentle brows, and innocent almond-shaped eyes that radiated pure innocence.
But she knew her little sister was too considerate for her own good—swallowing every grievance in silence.
Let's get you a hair treatment, Sis—your hair's looking a bit frizzy. Then we'll hit the mall for some nice outfits.
Sophia almost blurted out, "I can't go. I'm broke," but she bit her tongue, not wanting to ruin her sister's good mood.
She couldn't pinpoint when the once-proud second daughter of the Hughes, Sophia, had fallen so low.
Sophia thought bitterly, "Maybe it all began when I was kicked out of the Hughes, penniless!"
Skye sensed her sister's worries as if she could read her mind.
"Sophia, I know I've been gone for ten years, and you've suffered so much in my absence. But I promise, from now on, I'll never let you be wronged again. So please, don't push me away, okay? Or... if you feel I'm no longer worthy to be your sister, you don't have to acknowledge me."