Chapter 5 Sophie spent the day recovering in her room, the whip marks on her back still burning with pain. But she'd long grown accustomed to this suffering. Just then, the door creaked open softly as Olivia entered, holding an exquisite evening gown. "Sophie, it's Alexander's birthday today. I've arranged a party for him. Come with me." Sophie shook her head. "I won't go. You two should enjoy yourselves." Olivia's smile stiffened, her tone laced with threat. "Sophie, you better behave." At those words, Sophie's body jerked violently, her eyes instantly vacant. As if controlled by invisible strings, she mechanically nodded, accepted the gown, and turned to change. Watching her retreating figure, Olivia's lips curled into a smirk of satisfaction. She'd discovered long ago that uttering "you better behave" made Sophie obey like a spellbound puppet. Could this be conditioning from the Reformatory? But that school preached virtue-how could it employ such methods? Before Olivia could ponder further, Sophie emerged in the gown. Olivia appraised her head to toe before nodding approval. "Let's go. The party's starting." The ballroom blazed with crystal lights, humming with well-dressed guests. Sophie trailed behind Olivia, head bowed like a lifeless puppet. Her appearance immediately sparked whispers among the crowd. "Is that the treasured girl Alexander keeps? She looks skeletal and utterly lifeless!" "Strange-my son had a crush on her. Said she glowed, that every boy adored her. Now she's like a wooden doll." "She pales next to Alexander's fiancée." "Olivia and Alexander are the perfect match-a union written in the stars." Sophie remained deaf to the murmurs, silently shadowing Olivia. 0.0% 12:37 Chapter 5 288 Vouchers Olivia glided to Alexander's side, linking arms with him as she cooed sweetly, "Alexander, everyone says we're des- tiny's match." Alexander smiled gently. "They speak truth." During gift presentations, Olivia produced an elegant box, feigning shyness. "You lack nothing, so I prepared a preg- nancy planning schedule. We'll marry soon-I want a son and daughter. What do you think?" Alexander froze, his gaze flicking involuntarily toward Sophie before returning. "Your wish is my command," he replied indulgently. Olivia nestled against his chest, then turned to Sophie. "Sophie, what's your gift?" Eyes downcast, Sophie retrieved a box from her purse and handed it to Alexander. He opened it to reveal a crystalline family heirloom bracelet. Olivia glanced dismissively. "A bracelet? Alexander would never wear such a thing. How thoughtless." Sophie remained silent, lifting her eyes to meet Alexander's. Just as expected, she saw shock blazing in his gaze. Only the two of them knew this family heirloom bracelet was meant for the future lady of the Reed family. Years ago, Sophie had coaxed it out of Alexander with playful antics, and he gifted it to her thinking she simply adored its beauty. Now, she was returning it willingly. "I wish you happiness, Uncle Alexander," Sophie murmured softly. Alexander's heart clenched violently as he opened his mouth to speak- A piercing scream cut through the air. He looked up to see the grand chandelier in the banquet hall swaying precariously. It was plummeting directly toward where Sophie stood! "Sophie, watch out!" Alexander cried out. 51.8 % 12:37