Chapter 506 Escape
Celeste had her doubts about Sophia, but seeing her cry so genuinely and speak so earnestly gave her a headache.
She felt torn, unsure of what to believe.
Just then, Jennifer walked in, having overheard everything.
Jennifer said, "Sophia won't be teaching Patricia anymore. I'll find someone else for the competition."
Patricia gripped her blanket. She didn't just want Sophia to stop teaching her; she wanted Celeste to doubt Sophia and ruin her image in the Blackwood family.
She never expected Sophia to outcry her.
'Is this how Sophia won Gabriel's heart?' Patricia fumed inside but couldn't say she wanted Sophia to keep teaching her.
She had to say, "But last night, Sophia..."
"No one can prove what happened last night, so let's drop it," Jennifer said, glancing at Patricia's foot. "Your foot isn't that bad; a few days' rest will do."
Patricia wanted to argue, but Jennifer handed her a bank card. "I noticed your clothes are outdated. Go shopping with your friends."
Patricia eyed the card. Jennifer was generous; it had to be at least a million dollars.
She pretended to accept it reluctantly.
Jennifer added, "Mom, I've arranged for Patricia to be discharged. I'll take you both home."
Seeing the issue resolved and Patricia no longer crying, Celeste nodded.
"Sophia, head to the company."
"Okay."
Over half an hour later, Jennifer took Celeste and Patricia home and had the maid bring them water.
Celeste held Patricia's hand, comforting her, "You'll heal soon. Don't worry about the competition; Jennifer will handle it."
Patricia, head down, still looked downcast.
Celeste asked, "Sophia said you two have been at odds since childhood. Is that true?"
Patricia's heart skipped a beat. If she hadn't been looking down, Celeste would have seen her panic.
She gripped her clothes, trying to calm down.
Quickly, Patricia nodded. "Yes."
"Then why did you pretend not to know each other before?" Celeste asked, puzzled.
Patricia replied, "We don't get along. We used to argue a lot. Over time, we couldn't stand each other and didn't want people to know we knew each other, so..."
Celeste nodded, waiting for more.
Patricia added, "We've been in the same school since kindergarten. She excelled in everything, and my parents always compared me to her. I grew resentful. The Lancaster family was supposed to marry into the Brown family. Gabriel's father had agreed with mine, but Sophia schemed to make Gabriel's grandmother like her. With Ruth's support, she plotted to be with Gabriel and married him. Grandma, I truly love Gabriel, but she used tricks to take him from me."
Celeste was shocked. She never knew about this grudge. "Why didn't you tell us this from the start?"
Patricia continued, "I saw how much you all liked her and didn't want to make things difficult, so I kept it to myself. If she hadn't gone too far this time, I would have kept it a secret forever and even thought about letting go of our grudge."
Hearing this, Celeste felt deeply pained. "Silly child."
She hugged Patricia, feeling conflicted. Patricia's words made her recall old suspicions, and she started to doubt Sophia more.
From that day on, Sophia was finally free from the burden of Patricia. She knew this might make Celeste more wary of her, but she didn't care.
The classical fashion show competition was in half a month, and everyone stopped their studies to focus on their designs. Sophia, who had previously won a small award abroad for her classical designs, wasn't nervous. Her drafts were done; she just needed to make the clothes.
Patricia, with little experience, was struggling. She spent three days at home without coming up with any good designs. When she finally showed a draft to Jennifer, it was immediately rejected.
As the competition approached, Patricia arranged to have dinner with Kathy.
"You have to help me with this competition," Patricia demanded.
Kathy asked, "How do you want me to help?"
"Help me design an outfit," Patricia replied.
Kathy frowned. Her own designs were hard enough, and now she had to help Patricia? Plus, if discovered, it would ruin her reputation.
Kathy wanted to refuse, but Patricia saw through her and said coldly, "Don't forget we're in this together. I'm the future heiress of Fusion Dynamics Corporation. Helping me helps you."
Kathy explained, "It's easy to spot if the same designer creates two similar outfits."
"I don't care. Just make sure it won't be discovered."
Kathy lowered her head, a hint of sarcasm in her eyes. Thinking of the potential benefits, she agreed.
The weather in City B was getting colder, and everyone had to bundle up. After returning home to recuperate, Caroline finally had some peace.
Declan and his wife wanted to bring her food but Caroline refused. The Wolfs also stopped bothering her.
When she was mostly recovered, Caroline returned to work. Due to Melissa's publicity, the whole school knew she had donated bone marrow. She was warmly greeted by other teachers, and some students left flowers on her desk.
Caroline felt warm inside as she read the cards from the students.
At noon, when Caroline went to the cafeteria with Wesley, Clayton ran over.
Caroline remained silent, having forgotten there was still a Wolf at the school.
"Ms. Clark," Clayton said, surprising her.
He fidgeted, looking embarrassed, and couldn't speak for a long time.
Caroline, holding her tray, said calmly, "If you have nothing to say, I'm going to eat."
Clayton hurriedly said, "Thank you, Ms. Clark."
"Your parents have already thanked me. You don't need to thank me again," Caroline said.
Clayton added, "Still, thank you."
"If you really want to thank Caroline, don't cause her any more trouble," Paul said, grabbing Clayton by the collar and pulling him aside.
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