Chapter 196

"Ah!"

Sophia Lowell's pupils contracted violently. Her blood seemed to freeze in her veins.

Evelyn Laurent's coldly beautiful face was inches away, making Sophia feel like she'd been plunged into an icy abyss.

How did she get here?

Sophia's nails dug deep into her palms, but she felt no pain.

The empty alley contained only the two of them. Even their breathing sounded unnaturally loud.

"Following me for three blocks? Looking to die?"

Evelyn's voice dripped with venom as her fingers clamped around Sophia's chin.

Sophia's knees began trembling. Her back was already drenched in sweat.

The memory of being drowned in a sink by Evelyn last time made her throat constrict.

"I—I was just passing by..."

"Liar."

Evelyn tightened her grip, making tears stream down Sophia's face.

Footsteps approached in the distance. A glimmer of hope flashed in Sophia's eyes.

"Just wait until Sebastian Royston gets here!" she cursed viciously in her mind.

Suddenly, Evelyn released her.

She looked down at Sophia with icy disdain. "You think name-dropping Ethan Sullivan scares me?"

Sophia collapsed onto the dirty ground, her dress stained with dust.

She forced herself to look up. "The Sullivan family already arranged his engagement—to the most favored seventh daughter of the Laurent family."

"And..." She deliberately drew out her words. "His heart belongs to someone else. What makes you special?"

Evelyn suddenly smiled.

That smile made Sophia's blood run cold.

"Finished?"

Evelyn stepped on the hem of Sophia's dress and leaned closer. "Now it's my turn."