Chapter 3

“The online reaction to Snow is getting worse. We have to move first and turn the public opinion around.”

Zeke explained, “As long as we pin full responsibility on your father, Snow will be completely safe.

“By tomorrow morning, everyone online will be sympathizing with Snow and condemning your father.

“Once that happens, no one will bother to look into the truth behind the accident.”

Snow added smugly, “Zeke really thought of everything. Sophia, don’t take it personally.

“Your father is already gone. His reputation doesn’t really matter anymore, does it?

“You can’t ruin the future of someone who’s still alive just for a dead man, right?”

I looked at the shameless pair in front of me and forced the metallic taste back down my throat.

Of course, I did not mind. I even felt like helping them along.

I took out my phone and pulled up a contact.

“Hello, Mr. Zach? This is Sophia.

“I have a major story about the pianist, Snow Lowell. It’s guaranteed to go viral. Are you interested?”

Zeke and Snow both froze.

Zeke came back to his senses first. He grabbed the phone from my hand and yelled into it, “Wrong number!”

Then he hung up hard.

“Sophia, what exactly are you trying to do?

“Do you really think calling some small-time reporter gives you leverage over me?”

I looked at his furious face and smiled instead.

“Why are you so nervous? I’m just trying to help. Didn’t you say you wanted to create a buzz?

“The media contacts I have are far better than that amateur PR team of yours.

“I’m sure the major outlets would be very happy to cover a touching story about a genius pianist.”

Zeke’s expression shifted again and again. He stared at me, as if trying to see through me.

Snow, however, believed it immediately. She grabbed Zeke’s arm excitedly.

“Zeke, Sophia’s right.

“If we can get into the major outlets, the effect will be much better. Then everyone will know about me.”

Zeke frowned. He was clearly still suspicious of my intentions.

I did not bother wasting words on them anymore.

I said plainly, “I can help you, but I have conditions.”

“What conditions?” Zeke asked cautiously.

“Give me back the share transfer agreement and get out of my father’s company.”

Zeke’s face darkened.

“Sophia, don’t push your luck!

“Your father’s company will be mine sooner or later. Do you think you can bargain with me now? Don’t you find that ridiculous?”

“Do you?” I took out my phone and played the recording from earlier.

Zeke’s words came through loud and clear. “As long as we pin full responsibility on your father, Snow will be completely safe.”

His eyes went wide in shock.

Snow went deathly pale. She pointed at me and said, “Y-you actually recorded us?”

“If I didn’t, how could I prove your so-called innocence?” I said calmly and stopped the recording.

“If this audio went to the police, or got posted online, what do you think would happen?”

Cold sweat beaded on Zeke’s forehead.

He knew that once the recording came out, Snow would be finished, and he would be dragged down with her for interfering with justice.

He clenched his fists until his nails almost dug into his palms.

After a long silence, he said through clenched teeth, “Fine, you win.”

He turned and went into the study, then came back with a document. It was the share transfer agreement my father had signed years ago.

He slammed it into my face. The sharp edge scraped my cheek, and it sent a burning pain through my skin.

“Take it. Are you happy now?”