I Ctrl+Alt+Deleted My Ex and Ctrl+C'd His Uncle novel Chapter 96

**Through Silent Meadows We Trace Stories Left Behind Yesterday**

Sophie made a beeline for her room, her mind racing with thoughts of the day. As she approached the crossroads, her gaze fell upon Celine and a cluster of affluent young ladies, their laughter ringing out like chimes in the air.

She had no intention of engaging with them, so she sidestepped, hoping to slip past unnoticed.

But just as she thought she was in the clear, a pair of hands, adorned with over-the-top nail art that sparkled in the light, shot out in front of her, accompanied by a voice sharp enough to cut through the tension.

“Oh, look who it is—Miss Chandler! What’s the matter? No Liam to orbit around today?”

The other young ladies erupted into a chorus of giggles, their eyes glinting with malice as they fixated on Sophie.

“I don’t believe we share any common ground, do we?” Sophie replied coolly, her voice steady despite the rising tide of emotions within her.

She cast a quick glance around; aside from her unresolved issues with Celine, the others were practically strangers to her.

“Celine, did you summon these girls here?”

Her question hung in the air, and Sophie could almost see the color drain from Celine’s face as she wished for nothing more than to disappear into the ground.

Celine had lost their wager at the Starlight Cup, and while she had initially felt relieved that Sophie seemed to have forgotten about it, the unexpected encounter today sent a chill down her spine.

What if Sophie decided to hold her accountable for that bet?

Celine’s silence was palpable, and one of her friends, sensing the tension, chimed in.

“Didn’t you mention that Sophie bullies you? With all of us here, why should we fear just her?”

“Celine, don’t be such a coward. It’s ridiculous to be scared of Sophie!” another added, her voice dripping with disdain.

“Sophie is just a love-struck girl chasing after boys. What’s there to fear? Since she crossed you at the Starlight Cup, we won’t show her any mercy.”

The words of her friends felt like daggers to Celine, her spine nearly snapping under the pressure.

Why did they have to bring up the one thing she wished to keep buried?

Sophie’s lips curled into a sly grin. “The Starlight Cup?”

“Celine, if memory serves, we have some unfinished business from that event, don’t we?”

“Why don’t we take this chance to settle it right here in front of your friends?”

Celine’s eyes widened in alarm. “Sophie, you wouldn’t dare!”

“A bet is a bet. What’s stopping me?”

Before Sophie could finish her retort, Celine lunged forward and seized her arm, her grip tight with urgency.

“Stop! We need to talk!”

Celine pulled Sophie away, her heart racing, desperate to shield herself from whatever her friends might say next.

Once they were concealed within the shelter of a bamboo grove, Celine took a deep breath. “I didn’t ask them to say those things.”

“Oh really?” Sophie raised an eyebrow, her skepticism evident. “Your friends seem quite well-informed about our little feud.”

Celine felt a pang of guilt wash over her. “Before the Starlight Cup, I may have exaggerated a bit, but I never brought you up again after that. I was surprised they decided to defend me today.”

“You didn’t drag me here just to share that, did you?” Sophie pressed, her expression serious.

Celine hesitated, her eyes searching Sophie’s. “I can’t fulfill that bet. Please, let’s think of something else.”

“Now that’s refreshing honesty. If you couldn’t do it, why did you even challenge me?”

Sophie crossed her arms, her demeanor casual yet radiating authority.

Feeling defeated, Celine slumped onto a nearby bamboo chair, her resolve crumbling. “I just can’t do it, okay? Do whatever you want.”

Sophie found a flicker of amusement in Celine’s irritation, yet a thought struck her—this might not be the worst outcome after all.

Sophie met his dark, penetrating gaze, her heart racing. “Let me go.”

“I’m afraid I can’t release you until I get the answer I seek.”

His tone was casual, but it carried an undeniable authority that made Sophie’s heart race with both fear and irritation.

In a moment of defiance, Sophie lifted her foot to kick Marcus in the groin.

But he was quick, his thigh tensing as he caught her leg mid-air, the thin fabric of his suit barely shielding the heat of his skin from hers.

The tension in the air became almost unbearable, and Sophie felt her cheeks flush crimson.

In this precarious position, she dared not move an inch!

Suddenly, a loud series of knocks echoed from behind her.

“Sophie, are you back?”

It was Jam’s voice, and panic surged through her as she pushed against Marcus.

“Let me go, quickly!”

“Sophie.” Marcus leaned in closer, his high-bridged nose nearly brushing against hers. “We haven’t had an affair, so why are you so afraid?”

“You!” Sophie’s face burned with embarrassment, her words caught in her throat.

They hadn’t crossed that line, but in this moment, if Liam were to walk in and witness them, what would it matter?

“Strange, I clearly saw Sophie go in…”

Liz’s voice trailed off as he pulled out his phone, the sound of a notification interrupting the charged silence.

Sophie’s heart raced as she heard the “beep beep” from outside, followed by her phone vibrating in her pocket.