The Coma Prince’s Fiancée novel Chapter 51

“Mr. White, everything that happened today was my fault.” Paulina watched Shirley escape trouble by admitting her mistake and decided to follow her lead.

“Sophia was losing sleep, worrying nonstop about Ambrosia Vitae. I just wanted to help, so I suggested we ask Harriet and Shirley for assistance. I had no idea they’d ask for twenty million from us… It got out of hand.

Right is right, wrong is wrong—I’m not going to sugarcoat it. Please, Mr. White, don’t blame Sophia for any of this. If someone needs to answer for it, it should be me.”

Paulina knew exactly what she was doing. She neatly explained away Sophia’s outburst and made her own scheming look like selfless concern.

Just as Paulina hoped, Sophia’s anger faded and she looked almost touched. “Paulina, this isn’t on you. If anyone’s to blame, it’s Harriet and Shirley. They took the money and then did nothing. Now I’m out twenty million!”

Paulina managed a small, slightly bitter smile and continued speaking to Norris.

“There never was a fake check. Sophia was just so worried about spending twenty million all at once, she tried to object. I was only trying to calm her down, so I lied—I said I’d find a way to get the check back.

I figured once we had Ambrosia Vitae to help Jennifer, Sophia would realize spending the money was worth it. I planned to explain everything after. I just never thought things would spiral like this…”

Sophia believed every word. She was moved, and as the gratitude welled up, she turned and glared at Rebecca.

“Rebecca, you knew Harriet and Shirley were bad news, but you didn’t warn us! Instead you sided with them and embarrassed us in front of everyone. When I get home, I’m telling Fabian exactly what happened. Let’s see how you handle that!”

Norris really didn’t appreciate Harriet and Shirley using his reputation to scam people, but he was just as irritated with Paulina and Sophia’s tactics for getting Ambrosia Vitae.

He spoke with cool disinterest. “Sophia, since Ms. Russell already admitted she was wrong, this doesn’t involve Rebecca anymore. Actually, if Rebecca hadn’t claimed the check was fake right when she did, the real check would be long gone.”

Norris’s words made Sophia’s head spin. All she caught was that last bit. She paused, then her eyes lit up. “Wait, Norris, are you saying… that check wasn’t actually fake? It was real?”

Norris nodded, expression unreadable.

“Sophia, it’s thanks to Rebecca that we still have the check. She’s the one who pointed out it might be fake. Don’t we owe her a thank you?”

Rebecca could only laugh to herself.

First the apologies, now the thank-yous?

Sophia of course knew if it weren’t for Rebecca, the money would be long gone, but she muttered unwillingly, “Wasn’t she just protecting herself? If we’d lost it, she’d be tangled up in it too.”

“Sophia, that’s too much.” Paulina’s tone sharpened as she gave her a look. “Rebecca didn’t have to help out after everything that happened. If she hadn’t stepped in, we’d all be in trouble now.”

Sophia realized Paulina was serious and finally mumbled a grudging, almost inaudible, “Thank you.”

Her voice was so quiet you could barely hear it. Rebecca wouldn’t drop it so easily. “What’s going on? Did your brain short-circuit, or did you just forget how to talk?”