Paid To Care, Destined To Conquer Novel

Chapter 306 Everyone held their breath . Lucas's little legs were the first to jump down from the car . 57 % 1 55 vouchera Everyone stared in surprise at the chubby - cheeked , doll - like Lucas as he turned and reached his tiny hand back into the c With a sharp smack , a long , strong hand coolly slapped his little hand away . Lucas squatted down and acted like crying . Everyone stood there , left speechless . Carlos's face turned sour the instant he spotted Lucas . " Who brought him here ? " In Carlos's eyes , Lucas wasn't just a five- year - old kid . He was a bad luck magnet .

Whenever he showed up , trouble was sure to follow . Annette's elegant voice cut through the air , " Who's making all that noise ? Sounds like a stray dog barking . " As she stepped gracefully out of the car , Sophia , who'd been lingering in the back , instantly moved up to stand beside Carlos , holding herself tall and proud . To make sure she'd turn heads , Sophia had carefully chosen a bright , embroidered , tailored dress . And on top of that , she piled on emerald earrings , diamond rings , and a sparkling necklace , so flashy that it was impossible to ignore .

The areas on her face hidden under layers of camouflage makeup were itching so intensely , though . Lillian recommended the makeup artist to Sophia , and she was completely won over by the makeup artist's expert touch . But nobody cared . Everyone was drawn to Annette's graceful , ageless charm , the kind that comes from living life with confidence . Even when she spoke her mind , they just couldn't dislike her . Besides , everyone in Haliville knew all about her . Seriously , nobody else in their seventies or eighties was still caught up in divorce drama .

Put Sophia and Annette side by side , and nobody in their right mind would choose the peacocked - up Christmas tree over true elegance . Carlos was just about to speak when Sophia gave a light laugh and hooked her arm through his . " Honestly , I thought you wouldn't bother coming today , Annette , " she said , then paused and added , " After all , Sebastian isn't the CEO of Gray Group anymore ." ' Richard is now holding all the power . In the end , I am the one who came out on top , ' she thought .

Carlos could feel all those weird looks coming his way , and honestly , he just felt totally embarrassed . But with Bernard right there , he had no choice but to plaster on a fake smile . He had no clue what kind of tricks Sophia used to make her face look fine from afar , but Carlos could practically smell the stink of decay coming off her . Carlos yanked his hand away , about to hiss at Sophia to keep her mouth shut , when she suddenly froze , her whole body twitching like a startled cat .

He followed her gaze , and there was Stella , who'd somehow slipped out of the car without anyone noticing , now leaning lazily beside Annette , her eyes cold and unreadable as she stared their way . 1/3 11:07 Mon , Feb 9 D D Chapter 306 Even Carlos felt his heart skip a beat at that look . ས 57 % 55 vouchers Stella just smirked , no emotion on her face . When her eyes locked with Sophia's , she slowly raised a slender finger to her lips , making a silent " shh " gesture , her dark amber eyes full of warning . " You shouldn't have come ," Stella said , her voice low and dangerous .

The silence around them made her words feel even more chilling . Maybe it was the sheer terror of Stella's " witch " reputation , but Sophia could feel the itch under her makeup getting wors the second , and she couldn't stop herself from reaching up to scratch it . The very next moment , a scream burst out from the crowd . Someone pointed straight at Sophia , looking absolutely terrified . But before that , Stella , cool as ever , just reached out and shielded Lucas's eyes . Carlos stiffly turned his head . Just seconds ago , Sophia's face was caked in makeup , but still looked whole .

Now , in the blink of an eye , a patch of " skin " had peeled right off from the spot where the wound was , along with the crusted scab . It was like a swarm of ants was gnawing at her flesh all at once , and Sophia started frantically scratching at her face , totally losing it . " My face ! My face ! " Sophia shrieked , her voice cracking with pure terror . It was like she was desperate to claw her way down to her own bones , and her face was a mangled mess of blood and flesh . Carlos's eyes went wide in horror . " What are you doing ? Stop it !

" He tried to stop her , but the stench of rot was so overpowering that he nearly retched . Celia glared at Stella , her eyes full of venom . " Was it you ? " Stella just gave a faint , knowing smile , saying nothing . Her cool , indifferent gaze landed on Lillian , who'd kept silent from start to finish . The ones who made the most noise are never the ones you need to worry about . It was the quiet ones you should watch out for . " Stella , what's gotten into her ? " Annette frowned , watching Sophin . Allan stepped out of the car behind them . " Stella , don't tell me you ...

" ' Did she hypnotize her ? ' Allan wondered , his mind racing . " It was Lillian . " Sebastian's voice , low and cold , cut Allan off mid - hought . After wrapping things up with John , Sebastian finally stepped out of the car . His six - foot - four frame exuded such an intense , commanding aura that it felt like the air itself got heavier . Allan blinked , totally thrown off . " Huh ? " ' Wait , he meant that it was the two - faced old woman's grandson wife , Ryan's mom , who did it ? ' Allan thought , his mind spinning . Stella's voice was flat , almost dismissive .

" Lauren's gone ' crazy , Linda's still being investigated , and with Sophia out of commission , the only woman left to stand up for the Gray famil today is Lillian ." Allan wondered , his thoughts in a whirl . ' So , what does Sebastian and Stella mean that Sophia went nuts , clawing at her own face , and it was all Lillian's doing ? ' Just so Lillian could be the one standing out front ? What kind of messed - up family is this ? ' Conrad gave Lillian a dark , suspicious glance .

He remembered earlier today , when he'd seen her hand something off to a 2/3 མེ 11:07 Mon , Feb 9 D D Chapter 306 woman dressed like a makeup artist . " Carlos , you deal with this . Don't let it screw up what's important ." ས 57 % - 55 vouchers Carlos gritted his teeth , seething . If Sophia ended up ruining the press conference , he'd tear her apart the moment they got home . " Guards ! " Lillian finally spoke , her voice cool and authoritative . Instantly, people stepped forward . " Ms. Chapman isn't in her right mind . Take her away and let her rest ." That " Ms.

Chapman " brought Sophia back to herself for a split second . She looked up in pain toward the voice and saw everyone staring at her . In that moment , she felt just like a sewer rat , dirty , shameful , and not fit to be seen . Sophia cried out desperately , her voice raw , " I - I'm ... I'm Mrs. Gray ! I'm Mrs. Gray ! " Tears welled up in her eyes , but before they could fall , the Gray family's bodyguards grabbed her by the arms and forcibly dragged her away . Even as she was dragged off , she was nothing more than " Ms. Chapman " in everyone's eyes .

Carlos couldn't pretend he wasn't a little shaken . He glanced over at Lillian , who kept her cool and said , " Today's a huge day for the Gray family . We can't let anything mess it up . And besides- " Lillian looked up and locked eyes with Carlos . " You haven't even changed your name yet . " So basically , up till now , Sophia was still " Ms. Chapman " , and thats all she ever was . Just like that , Carlos's guilt evaporated , gone in a flash . Allan , who'd witnessed the whole mess unfold , let out a sigh . " Wow , I really didn't see that coming . " Stella's gaze was icy and detached .

" Sophia sacrificed her own daughter , Lauren , just to clear the way for the Gray family . Now she's the one getting trampled ." 3/3 Editorial Board Editorial Board Our editorial team works behind the scenes to refine each chapter, maintain consistency, and deliver the best reading experience.