Chapter 9 - SOPHIE'S DEFENSE
Sophie did not apologize immediately.
That made her more believable.
She defended herself.
“You created a secret test.”
“Yes.”
“You manipulated us.”
“Yes.”
“You decided who deserved power based on fifteen minutes of behavior under false circumstances.”
Eleanor said nothing.
Sophie continued:
“So I protected myself.”
“By deceiving me.”
“You deceived me first.”
Daniel looked at the floor.
Vanessa, invited by Eleanor later, heard the argument and laughed.
“Beautiful.”
Sophie snapped:
“Stay out of this.”
Vanessa answered:
“No. You wanted the crown.”
Sophie turned on her.
“And you treated Mom like dirt because you thought she was poor.”
Vanessa flinched.
True.
Sophie looked back at Eleanor.
“I knew the test. Fine. But ask yourself why I passed it so easily.”
Eleanor narrowed her eyes.
“Because I am kind to people who work for me.”
Daniel nodded.
That was partly true.
Sophie’s actual housekeeper later confirmed:
fair pay,
paid leave,
respectful treatment.
So Sophie’s kindness was not invented from nothing.
It was curated.
Enhanced.
Performed.
May you like
But based on something real.
That made the betrayal harder.
