Chapter 235

In the glass conservatory of Symphony Heights Penthouse, the waitress Zhang clenched her tray.

She watched the giggling group of girls, hesitating to speak several times.

That was Sophia Lowell. The youngest daughter of the Lowell family.

She quietly retreated to a corner and sent a text message.

"Oh my God! These succulents are absolutely adorable!" A short-haired girl suddenly rushed to the windowsill, lightly touching the plump leaves. "Sophia, can I take one home?"

Sophia Lowell glanced at her wristwatch and waved dismissively. "Take whatever you like."

She strode toward the elevator, her heels clicking urgently against the carpet. "We need to go. My parents will be here soon."

Lydia Montgomery couldn’t resist snapping off another rose. The girls’ arms were already full of their loot.

As the elevator doors closed, Zhang finally exhaled in relief.

Down in the lobby, the manager’s phone buzzed. His expression darkened as he read the message.

"Stop them!"

Eight security guards formed a human barricade. Lydia nearly dropped the succulent in her arms. "What’s the meaning of this? Do you know who we are?"

The manager’s gaze swept over the flowers in their arms. His voice turned icy. "The rare roses from the penthouse retail at $3,800 per stem. Those succulents are lithops airlifted from South Africa by Mr. Lowell—each pot is insured for $250,000."

"Two hundred fifty thousand?" One girl’s hands trembled, sending a pot shattering to the floor.

Sophia’s nails dug into her palms. She suddenly remembered the auction receipt her eldest brother had posted in the family group chat last week.

Lydia shrieked, "This is extortion! Sophia is—"

"I’ll pay." Sophia cut her off, her voice shaking. "I’ll cover all the damages."

The manager offered a professional smile. "Miss Sophia, Mr. Lowell has informed us that you’ve already exceeded this month’s allowance." He turned to the guards. "Call the police."

As sirens wailed in the distance, Sophia finally remembered the blocked number—the message from her brother last week had indeed mentioned an upcoming succulent exhibition.