"Why do you guys have to stay here when you both have your own homes?" Sophia cooed.
Lacey continued reading her book on the bed without responding.
"Hey, I'm talking to you! Did you hear what I said?" Sophia flung her doll at Lacey.
The latter frowned as she set her book down and gazed over. "You should ask your father why I am staying here. As for Lillianna, ask her yourself!"
"Ha—" suddenly, Sophia giggled. "You're not jealous, are you?" she snarled.
Lacey raised an eyebrow at the brat, indicating that she continued.
"Could it be that you've had a crush on Sam ever since he mistook you for Lillianna and slept with you? You want to steal him away from Lillianna, don't you?" As if discovering a big secret, Sophia spoke proudly, "I bet you're super jealous that Lillianna is spending the night here tonight!"
Lacey picked up her book and continued reading, not wanting to respond.
"Look! You're already feeling guilty. You've slept with Sam, but you're with Theo. How could you be so shameless? I'll be sure to tell Theo about this!" Sophia raised her eyebrows proudly.
If Theo knew this, he would definitely stop liking Lacey!
"Whatever," Lacey replied flatly.
Sophia was taken aback by her reaction. "You don't mind?"
Lacey remained aloof.
"Lacey, you don't like Theo, do you?" Sophia became further enraged. "You don't give a d*mn about him, do you? Otherwise, how could you possibly be unconcerned?"
Lacey raised her head to look at the flustered young lady. She smiled and said, "Sophia, it doesn't matter if I care about him or not. What matters is that you don't go beyond morality. Do you get what I'm saying?"
Sophia was at a loss for words.
Lacey put the book down and walked over to Sophia.
Then she took her hand and opened the window.
There was an artificial lake below. The wind was colder than ever.
Sophia subconsciously tried to close the window, but Lacey grabbed the edge of it and said, "You're aware that it's chilly outside and that you want to close the window. However, did you realize that breaking the taboo will make you ten thousand times colder than you are now?"
Sophia remained silent as she glanced at Lacey.
"You hate me so much, don't you? You despise that he likes me while I don't care for him. You hate the injustice of the world. You hate everything that stands in the way of your inner thoughts, right?" Lacey went on to say.
Despite Sophia's silence, her eyes were brimming with vicious rage.
"Even if it weren't me, he wouldn't have chosen you. There's no way it could have worked out between you!" Lacey's eyes were as cold as ice.
"It's none of your business!" Sophia roared, reaching out to close the window.
Lacey frowned. She quickly grabbed Sophia's hands and pressed them against the window.
"Jump down from here if you think you're that tough!" she exclaimed.
"What?" Sophia couldn't move under pressure. What Lacey had said had startled her even more.
Lacey gradually let go of her. "You're not even brave enough to die. How can you face the gossip out there?"
"What the heck are you talking about?" Sophia muttered indignantly as the corner of her mouth twitched.
"Ha!" Lacey suddenly let out a chuckle. "You know very well my reputation. If you were the one being criticized, would you be able to stand up to it? Unlike in ancient times, it is taboo to fall in love with a close relative. Perhaps people wouldn't pay too much attention to you if you were just an ordinary girl. Sadly, you are not. If you persist in your stubbornness, you will be chastised as well, perhaps much more than I!"
Sophia lost her balance, and she took a step back. "You're talking nonsense! You—"
Lacey couldn't help but smirk at Sophia's panicked look. "You can't hold a candle to me, Sophia. I have nothing left to lose. Hence, none of the bets I place are worth fearing!"
"What do you mean? What are you betting on?" Sophia was flustered.
Lacey smiled. "Would it break your heart if someone you liked hated you because of an irrelevant person?"
"What do you mean?" Sophia asked.
"You only like Theo because he's gentle, cheerful, and outgoing, correct? Would you still like him if he suddenly became ruthless, cranky, and angsty?"
"Nonsense! Theo would never be mean to me. Don't sow discord. He's not that kind of person!" Sophia immediately shouted.
"Not that kind of person?" Lacey laughed.
Following that, she stepped on the stool and moved to the window.
"What, what are you doing?" Sophia was stunned.
"Why don't we make a bet and see if you're lying to yourself?" Lacey beamed.
And with that, she jumped out of the window as if carefree.
" Ah—" Sophia shrieked hysterically.
Two hours later.
Lacey's jump alerted the entire Garrison family.
Fortunately, she could swim and was rescued in time. Apart from a cold, she had no other problems.
Sophia, on the other hand, was not so fortunate.
Alvaro, Theo, and even Tilly all taught her a lesson.
Such chaos lasted for over an hour.
Sophia remained silent throughout the whole incident.
By the time she returned to her room, Lacey had woken up.
Sophia didn't say anything. She sat on the sofa and looked dejected.
"Do you see it now?" Lacey asked as she sat up.
Sophia lowered her head and said in a muffled voice, "It's the first time I've ever seen him go insane. It's terrifying. He looks like he's about to devour me—"
Even now, she still didn't seem to believe that the terrifying man was Theo!
Lacey lifted the blanket and stepped barefoot onto the ground. Her voice was cold as she said, "Is this too much for you to bear already? Do you know that if the world criticizes your affection for Theo, putting him under undue strain, his hatred for you will grow even more horrifying?"
Sophia looked up at Lacey and asked, "Do you love Theo?"
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