Sophie thought everything was finished, but Nathan had another surprise up his sleeve.
He decided to prove that she was just seeking attention, letting the artist director confront Sophie and deal with the media.
"This isn't the first time she's tried something like this. But, the company and I are willing to give her one more chance. Sophie, we hope you learn from this and don't cross the line again," said the artist director.
Not the first time? Those words clearly aimed to weaken Lisa's argument. It looked like every time she took Amber's place in the past, it was just to draw attention to herself.
Nathan, you're heartless.
Sophie stayed quiet, offering a regretful bow to the media. Then, she was led out of the main hall by the company's staff for her safety.
Suddenly, the internet was ablaze with anger towards her. Since Sophie had owned up to everything, people only saw the surface level and got mad.
Even the staff at Collider Scope made fun of the situation.
After a meeting, Noah heard some staff talking about what happened at today's press conference. He quickly asked his assistant for the details.
"Sir, do you want to help Miss Sophie?" the assistant inquired.
"Not yet. I want to see how she handles this on her own first," Noah said softly.
He had mentioned he was curious to see how Sophie would react. Since he had helped her the last two times, he wanted her to tackle this challenge on her own.
As Noah's wife, was she going to let this bring her down?
No matter what, Sophie coming forward and owning up to her mistakes really helped clear up Global Pictures' name for everyone.
Talking things out with Beautiful Soul worked out well since they accepted Nathan's apology. Amber got to be the brand ambassador like they first planned, especially since she was hurt by all this too.
Everyone thought Amber would become way more famous after all this.
Global Pictures and Amber got through the mess without a scratch, but Sophie's world fell apart.
Suddenly, Sophie became the talk of the town for all the wrong reasons. Words like "queen of hype" and "scandalous model" were everywhere online, and people weren't being nice about it.
Sophie tried to stay calm as she watched the news in her room, telling herself that the tough times she was facing now would eventually hit Nathan and Amber way harder.
Right now, Sophie's reputation was in ruins. Even the janitor felt bold enough to sass her.
"Miss Sophie, could you move? I need to clean here. It's not like you have anywhere important to be, yet here you are every day, making my job harder," the janitor snapped.
Sophie's face went cold. Just because she was at a tough spot in her career didn't mean she was going to let people walk all over her.
She grabbed her phone and dialed Nathan, making sure the call was loud enough for the janitor to hear. "Nathan, am I so unimportant here that even the janitor can talk down to me?"
"Find out who she is and have HR fire her," Nathan said right away.
Sophie hung up the phone and looked up to the janitor with a cold gaze, "Just because I'm easy going does not mean you can talk to me casually, just because I'm not a model, doesn't mean that I'm no longer a member of the Monroe family, If I wanted to I could make a simple janitor like you unemployed forever without lifting a finger." Sophie said with cold gaze.
The janitor's face turned pale, as he broke out in a cold sweat, "I'm sorry, my lady. I won't make the same mistake again...please let me go, this time." The janitor said with almost a crying voice.
"You can go!" Sophie said without even looking.
After a chat with the janitor, Sophie rose from her seat and noticed a message from Nathan. He wanted her to come to his office.
"Sophie, things aren't looking good for you right now," Nathan said, pretending to care. "I've arranged some activities to help you win back the public's favor. Amber's injured, isn't she? Why don't you visit her and show some concern? It might earn you some sympathy."
Sophie studied Nathan's face, realizing for the first time how despicable he truly was. Amber was clearly using this opportunity to disgrace her, yet Nathan had the audacity to suggest she care for her rival.
"Just a quick act of kindness will do," he added with a dismissive wave. "It'll be broadcast live."
Nathan knew Sophie would likely refuse, aware that Amber had manipulated him by using her child to make such an outrageous demand.
But to Nathan's astonishment, Sophie nodded with determination. "Okay, I'll do it!"
"You're really going along with this?" he asked, unable to hide his surprise.
"Since Amber got injured, I haven't had a chance to see her. This is the perfect opportunity," Sophie replied, her voice steady and composed.
"I-I-In that case, I'll arrange for some people to escort you out. There are tons of reporters outside," Nathan stammered, still reeling from her unexpected agreement.
Sophie remained calm and focused, fully aware of Amber's intent to humiliate her. But she also knew that the higher Amber soared now, the harder her eventual fall would be.
The outcome of this power play was still anyone's guess, but Sophie was determined.
Soon, Sophie climbed into Nathan's assistant's car, and they made their way to City Hospital.
During the drive, she sent a message to Noah: "Honey, don't worry about any news you hear about me. I have a plan. Also, I want to come home tonight. Can you send someone to pick me up from City Hospital? I don't know where our new home is."
In the middle of a crucial meeting, Noah received Sophie's message. For the first time ever, he paused the proceedings, causing the company's executives to exchange bewildered glances.
What kind of person could wield such power over others?
Noah stood amidst the chaos, oblivious to the world's whispers and stares. All he could hear was the soft, pleading tone of Sophie's voice echoing in his mind.
He quickly tapped out a reply, "Good girl, I'll come get you soon."
When Sophie read Noah's message, she couldn't help but daydream about his face as he affectionately called her "good girl." Her heart danced, and a smile as bright as the moonlight lit up her face, her eyes twinkling like crescent moons.
Meanwhile, Nathan's assistant caught sight of Sophie's blissful expression in the rearview mirror and thought, "She may be smiling now, but just wait until she learns what's in store for her."
Despite feeling the world's heavy judgment upon her shoulders, Sophie resolved to shrug it off and not let it weigh her down. She knew she had to stay strong, no matter what others thought.
After reaching out to Noah, Sophie quickly texted her manager, Lisa.
"Lisa, Nathan's arranged for me to visit Amber at the hospital. I'm almost there. Are you ready?"
Lisa replied, "Anyone sharp enough can see that mistress is trying to use this as a chance to embarrass you. Does she really think she can pull that off? I've been ready for this moment for ages. The public's in for a show—I've got pictures and video."
Sophie smirked and texted back, "Go ahead and release the pictures, but hold onto the video for later. I want to give Nathan and Amber some time to have their little spat first."
"I understand completely!" Lisa replied with unusual excitement. "We'll wait for the perfect moment. When they're at their lowest, I'll drop the video and lock it in."
"I want Amber to crash from her highest peak," Lisa continued, her voice filled with determination. "Even though many are against you, Sophie, I've seen a few standing up for you. It seems there's a silver lining in all this."
"Lisa, please be careful," Sophie replied, her voice tinged with concern.
After her exchange with Lisa, Sophie swiftly deleted their conversation, a sly smile playing at the corners of her lips.
Sophie reached the hospital,
Amber sat weakly in bed in one of the private hospital rooms, her mind swirling with anticipation. The mere thought of soon humiliating Sophie made her eyes sparkle with excitement. She couldn't believe Sophie was foolish enough to shoulder all the blame.
Sophie's actions had not only boosted Amber's reputation but also landed her the prestigious role as the brand ambassador for Beautiful Soul.
"Amber, Sophie is almost here," said one of her assistant. "As soon as she arrives, the cameras will start rolling, and you'll be live for three minutes. I'll call the doctor in to change your bandages, and at that moment, Sophie will wash your feet."
Amber's heart raced with exhilaration. "The day has finally come," she declared. She had been living in Sophie's shadow for far too long, but now she vowed to rise higher and higher. She planned to trample over Sophie, win Nathan's heart, and become the leading star of Global Pictures.
"From now on, everything will only get better for you," her assistant assured her, a gleam of excitement in her eyes. "Plus, the annual Top 10 Model Awards are just around the corner. I'm certain you'll be chosen. That'll bring you one step closer to becoming a top model."
Amber couldn't help but let a faint smile break through her facade. This was more than she had ever dared to dream. With everything falling perfectly into place, her confidence swelled, and her arrogance began to soar.
The hospital had its typical unpleasant smell as Sophie walked in, accompanied by Nathan's assistant. She was quite alone since she didn't have anyone by her side to support her.
Once she found Amber's room, Sophie noticed Garry standing guard at the door. This was the same man who had put all the blame on her during the show, claiming that she made all the decisions by herself.
"You're here!" Garry remarked, eyeing her from head to toe with a smug expression, clearly trying to make things difficult for her. "Just wait here; Amber is still resting!"
Sophie calmly lifted her handbag with both hands and looked Garry directly in the eyes. With a soft and gentle tone, she asked, "Do you know my last name?"
"Bothersome! Of course, everyone knows your last name is Monroe," Garry replied, irritated.
"As you know, my last name is Monroe, so you should understand my family's influence. How dare an assistant like you act so boldly in my presence," Sophie remarked with a haughty tone.
"I-I didn't mean to..." he stammered, clearly intimidated.
"Is that Sophie? Please, come inside," Amber called from within, having overheard Sophie's assertive voice. She felt a pang of disappointment in her assistant's behavior. Challenging Sophie in that manner was unwise, especially since the Monroe family, despite their waning attention to Sophie since her glory days faded, still held considerable power.
With her head held high, Sophie strode into the room, dismissing the assistant's indignation with ease.
Sophie couldn't help but smile as she saw Amber sitting on the bed, looking forlorn with her injured leg stretched out.
"Amber, are you alright?!" Sophie asked, though she was fully aware that Amber had deliberately hurt herself to stop Nathan's wedding plans. Such ruthlessness, she thought to herself.
"I heard from Mr. Nathan that we are supposed to do a three-minute live broadcast, is that correct? Sophie, we're like sisters, and I'm more than happy to help you out with this. It'll give you a chance to clear your name in the eyes of the public," Amber offered, feigning sincerity.
Sophie paused, taken aback by Amber's audacity. Her shamelessness nearly rivaled Nathan's. They all knew the truth about the substitution incident, yet Amber pretended as if nothing had happened.
Feeling a surge of irritation, Sophie responded in a frustrated tone, "I only came to check on you!"
"Oh, there's no need to be so formal!" Amber continued with her facade, her performance as convincing as ever.
"Exactly, we've set up a scene for you both," Garry explained. "In a moment, the doctor will come to change Amber's bandages. To show your sincerity, we've arranged for you to wash Amber's feet. This will make the public see how genuinely sorry you are."
"That's enough!" Sophie snapped, cutting them off angrily. "Amber, both of us know the truth about the substitution incident. Don't you think it's time to stop this charade?"
"Sophie, what are you talking about? I don't understand," Amber replied, feigning ignorance.
"Do you really have to twist the truth?" Sophie's voice was filled with a sense of injustice. "If it weren't for Nathan, I wouldn't have put up with you so many times. Haven't I done enough to help you?"
"Sophie, it's one thing not to apologize, but do you really need to speak ill of others? You've already admitted to creating everything for publicity," Amber said, her acting skills impeccable as she maintained her facade of innocence.
"I certainly won't apologize to you," Sophie declared with unexpected seriousness.
At that moment, Garry discreetly recorded her words and quickly uploaded the video online. The headline read: "Attention-Seeking Green Tea B*tch Being Insincere, Secretly Declares 'I certainly Won't Apologize to You.'"
In no time, the video stirred up a storm, ready to crash down on Sophie with relentless force.