From start to finish, Lucian didn't lower the car window to look at her, not even once.
She ran after the car, her voice tearing through the night. "Lucian… do you hate me this much?"
Lucas glanced in the rearview mirror and saw Elena, battered and bruised, limping along desperately, trying to catch up. A strange mix of pity and worry surged in his chest.
Miss Sung… don't blame me. I've slowed the car as much as possible. I won't let you get seriously hurt.
In the blink of an eye, the Bentley Mulsanne disappeared into the night.
Elena stood by the roadside, utterly lost, staring in the direction the car had gone, unable to gather her thoughts. Only when another vehicle screeched to a stop beside her did she snap back.
Derek got out, yanking her by the collar. "What happened to your sister's face? How did she get hurt?"
The summer night was still stifling, yet Elena felt nothing but a bone-chilling cold. "What, did Sophia go back and tell you?"
Sophia hurried over from the backseat, Felix beside her. She bit her lip. "Dad, I already said—it wasn't Sister."
Derek's anger flared. "Not her? Then who else could it be? Look at yourself—bruised and battered—and you're defending her?"
See? This was her father. The moment Sophia was hurt, he would automatically blame her, without noticing that she herself was also injured. Not a single word of concern for her well-being.
Ever since Sophia came into this family, Derek's heart had belonged entirely to Sophia, withholding even a hint of care for Elena.
Elena drew a deep breath, a wry smile tugging at her lips. "Yes. Sophia's face? I did that. Dad, does that answer your question?"
Derek's face darkened to iron. "You little monster! How dare you hurt your sister over and over!"
Elena's expression hardened instantly. "Dad, do you even know what Sophia did? Do you know what she did to Sean?"
Thinking of Sean, covered in blood and being rushed into the emergency room, Elena couldn't help but roar, "Sean is lying in the ER, fighting for his life, all because Sophia came here to spread lies!"
"She did it on purpose! Stealing Sean's bone marrow wasn't enough—now she wants to literally kill him from anger! Dad, do you know Sean was rushed to the ER vomiting blood? Do you know?"
Tears glimmered in Sophia's beautiful eyes. "Dad… I didn't. I just came to see Sean. He's so lonely in the hospital, I only wanted to keep him company…"
"I don't even know why he suddenly started bleeding and had to be rushed in. The doctors said it was just a sudden episode. Don't blame my dad or Sister…"
Elena snapped, rage burning through her. "Bullshit!"
"Enough!"
Derek barked at her, cold as steel. "Watch your mouth! Do you have any idea how disrespectful that sounds?"
"Elena, I told you yesterday—the Sung Family has done everything possible for Sean. His life or death isn't the family's concern anymore, nor is it your sister's!"
"Sean wasn't supposed to live past a month. A sudden episode is normal. Do you think I don't know? You just hate your sister, jealous that she stole your fiancé, and are using Sean's illness as an excuse to pick on her!"
"Elena, Felix and your sister are in love. This isn't her fault. You'd better stop obsessing over her, or I won't spare you, you little monster!"
So that's how Derek sees it… Of course. Why waste more words? He'd rather Sean die than believe her. How could he doubt his precious daughter for the sake of a sick boy he barely cares about?
Hatred spread through her like poisonous vines in her blood. "Fine. Believe whatever you want, Dad. But if anything happens to Sean today, I will never forgive Sophia!"
Sophia carefully reached out, trying to hold her and comfort her. "Sister, Dad's angry right now. Don't take it too seriously. But Sean… it really isn't what you think…"
Elena yanked Sophia away. "Get out! Don't touch me!"
Over the years, she had seen Sophia and Mom put on their performances. She had enough.
In the Sung Family, everyone lived as if on a stage. If Sean hadn't gotten sick, she could have played along forever—she had patience for that.
But now… with Sean's leukemia, she couldn't pretend anymore. Sophia knew Sean was her weakness, and she would always use him to drive her mad.
"Sophia!"
Felix caught Sophia just in time. Hearing her crying, he glared at Elena, furious. "What has gotten into you? You've become irrational, cruel, capable of anything. I'm… I'm really disappointed in you."
Elena sneered. "Whether you're disappointed or not, what does it have to do with me?"
Felix was stunned. He hadn't expected Elena to respond so coldly, with no regret, no tears. For the first time, he panicked.
Suddenly, he realized he didn't want to lose her. Maybe he just wanted to hear her beg him not to leave. "Elena, I…"
"Sister, I feel so terrible…"
Felix turned and saw Sophia biting back her tears, forcing them away.
Seeing that, he came to his senses, pulling her into his arms. Remembering his promise yesterday, he hardened his resolve. "You agreed to this yourself. Don't regret it."
Elena rolled her eyes. "Don't worry, Felix. I'll never regret it in my life."
"Since you agreed, give the ring to your sister…"
Derek said it.
Ultimately, he came not just to scold her but to reclaim the engagement token between her and Felix: an old, prestigious ring.
The ring was given to Felix personally by Elder Cheng, meant as a symbol of family approval within the Cheng Family.
Now, her father wanted to take the ring from his eldest daughter and give it to his cherished second daughter.