Reporters gathered quickly at the scene, but no one stopped Sophie. This left Amber standing alone, crying sadly in front of the camera.
"I first thought that since we are both models, I wouldn't make a big deal out of this. But Sophie has really crossed the line. Not only did she refuse to apologize, but she also insulted me," Amber said, trying to get more sympathy from everyone watching.
That's how the conflict between the two began. The two models, unable to keep their emotions in check in front of the public, created a dramatic scene that caught the attention of passersby, who stopped to watch and gather around.
In response, Global Pictures quickly issued a statement, apologizing to the public and expressing their serious intention to address Sophie's behavior, suggesting they might even let her go.
Meanwhile, Sophie's bold statement, "I definitely won't apologize to you," became a popular phrase spreading across the internet.
Just when everyone was criticizing Sophie, a well-known online personality released a photo album titled "It's Not That Sophie Won't Apologize, It's That She Shouldn't Apologize."
The album contained striking images of Amber and Nathan holding each other closely, both taken in a hospital setting. In the photos, Nathan was leaning over Amber, who was still wearing her hospital gown.
The shocking images caught the attention of netizens, who couldn't believe what they were seeing. Adding fuel to the fire, a popular website posted an article demanding to "Reveal the Truth Behind the Sophie Substitution Incident."
This article detailed the incident with all the shocking facts, using the revelation of Amber and Nathan's affair to set the dramatic tone of the story.
The article offered a thorough analysis of how Sophie was pressured into silence, eventually leading her to react with anger. For the sake of love, she was made to bear all the blame. Meanwhile, her fiancé's mistress was taunting and humiliating her, which ultimately exposed the scandal.
Nathan and Amber's intimate photos spread like wildfire across the internet. Netizens soon realized that aside from the controversy surrounding the substitution incident, there was hardly any negative news about Sophie. Even after searching back three years, all they could find were stunning pictures of her gracing the runway, looking as beautiful as ever.
This woman, who had sacrificed her career for love, had never tried to defend herself or explain her side of the story. After the recent incident, she stepped forward and accepted full responsibility for everything.
"Dear God, everyone has misunderstood Sophie," some commenters remarked.
"Amber really knows how to put on a show; who would have thought Global Pictures would protect such a woman?" others chimed in.
The internet began to overflow with support and sympathy for Sophie. The narrative had completely flipped!
Countless users started to feel guilty for judging Sophie so harshly before, and their feelings towards her transformed from negativity to admiration.
While all of this was unfolding, Amber found herself in the midst of an interview.
"I can't even begin to measure her audacity anymore," the reporter thought, utterly absorbed in the moment. Her colleague interrupted by pulling out a phone to show her something surprising.
After glancing at the photos, the reporter held up the phone and asked Amber, "Miss Amber, are these photos genuine?"
"What is this?!" Amber's face turned ashen with shock.
"These are intimate pictures of you with Nathan, the CEO of Global Pictures Entertainment. Do you want me to go into more detail about what's happening in these photos?" The question caught Amber off guard, and she froze.
Just moments earlier, she had been crying pitifully in front of the camera, but now she was being portrayed as a woman who had seduced someone else's boyfriend.
To the onlookers, she seemed no different from the new models who were rumored to be using questionable means to climb the industry ladder.
Most troubling of all, Amber couldn't find the words to defend herself.
The reporters felt awkward for her, and one said, "So, these photos are indeed real, aren't they? On one hand, you're shedding tears, and on the other, you're involved with someone else's boyfriend." The female reporter's questions grew more relentless.
"No—No..." Amber stammered, trying to defend herself.
"The photos are so clear. Are you seriously denying this?"
"No—No, it's all fake! This is all part of Sophie's scheme," Amber said, feeling utterly helpless as the cameras continued to roll, "Stop filming and leave! I don't want to be interviewed anymore. Just go!" Amber shouted, her frustration boiling over.
The female reporter sneered, "Huh!" She looked at Amber with disdain. "Miss Amber, even though we're all used to the ups and downs of the entertainment industry, I have to tell you, those with bad intentions will eventually face consequences. Justice exists in this world. Just look at Sophie, who stepped forward and took the blame. From now on, I won't write anything negative about her."
Amber was shaking with fear. As soon as the reporters left, she quickly dialed Nathan's number.
*Ringing* *Ringing*
Nathan answered on the second ring. "Hello, Nathan, did you see the photos? What should we do?" Amber's voice was filled with anxiety.
"They're just photos. Why are you panicking? The company is working on a solution," Nathan replied with a calm tone, though inside, he was far from feeling at ease.
Exposing everything would not only jeopardize Amber's future and the reputation of Global Pictures, but it could also mean losing Sophie forever. Nathan had suppressed and betrayed her, and it was clear she must be behind this chaos. "If you hadn't pushed her, do you think any of this would have happened?" he said before angrily hanging up the phone.
Determined to confront Sophie, Nathan found her number and dialed it. The phone rang, and he shouted in frustration, "Sophie, pick up the phone!"
But Sophie, holding her phone, could imagine the panic Nathan was experiencing. She decided not to answer, savoring the thought of his anxiety.
After leaving Amber's room, Sophie quietly found a hiding spot down the hallway, waiting for Noah to send someone to pick her up. To her surprise, Noah himself arrived in his Rolls Royce. "Sophie, get in," he commanded.
Hearing his deep voice, all her uneasiness melted away. The phone kept ringing, but she tossed it into the backseat as she climbed into the car and settled beside Noah.
"You're not answering?" Noah asked, showing a knowing smirk.
"You already know the answer," Sophie replied with a sly grin. Her plan was to make Nathan search for her all night, letting him taste the bitterness of distress and uncertainty and to let him suffer.
Noah fell silent, directing his attention to the road stretching out before them. Meanwhile, Sophie couldn't help but fixate on the small, dark mole sitting on Noah's ear. It was as if he was born with a permanent earring, giving him an air of mystery that was both slightly wicked and intriguingly dangerous.
"The way you're staring at me," Noah teased with a playful glint in his eyes, "are you trying to invite me to kiss you, hold you... or maybe something more?"
Sophie felt a flutter of nerves. She reached out, slipping her hand under Noah's arm, trying to escape the intensity of his gaze.
"Before we head to our new place, could you take me somewhere first?" she asked, hoping to change the subject.
But Noah wasn't about to let it go. "Once we get there, can we pick up where we left off last night?" he continued, his tone light and teasing.
Though Noah's question seemed casual, Sophie couldn't shake her nervousness. Deep down, she worried she might not be able to summon the same boldness she had felt just the night before.
Noah didn't push her or continue speaking. Instead, he allowed her to hold onto his arm, a sly smile playing on his lips.
As Sophie had requested, they didn't go straight home. Instead, they found themselves in a well-known cherry blossom forest, a place Sophie had often visited with Nathan for their dates. But today, Sophie had made up her mind to erase Nathan from her heart completely.
With determination, she took out her phone and sent a message: "I'm at the cherry blossom forest where we always met for our dates. If you still want to see me, come here. See you soon."
Nathan replied almost instantly, "Okay, I'll come right away."
Despite his affair with Amber, Nathan had never planned on letting go of Sophie. Where else would he find another woman so easy to deceive? Not to mention, Sophie had always been faithful, came from a good family, and had a gentle temperament.
Nathan was ready to win Sophie back, eager to remind her of the happy moments and the love they once shared.
After ending the call, Sophie glanced at Noah, who was sitting across from her. With a sincere yet slightly emotional voice, she promised, "This will be the last time I talk to him about our personal feelings. From now on, never again."
Noah raised his eyebrows slightly and, without saying a word, patted the seat next to him. He was inviting her to join him, offering her a comforting presence.
Sophie stood up and moved to sit beside him, feeling a sense of reassurance. Together, they looked out the restaurant window, watching the scene outside.
Soon, they spotted an anxious figure beneath the cherry blossom tree—Nathan had arrived. Sophie remembered all the times she had stood in that exact spot, waiting naively for Nathan. More often than not, he had let her down, failing to show up.
Thinking back on it now, she realized how her genuine feelings had been so easily disregarded. She wanted Nathan to feel what it was like to be stood up, manipulated, and betrayed, just as she had experienced.
"Is this really going to make you feel better?" Noah asked, draping one arm gently over Sophie's shoulder as they both gazed at the flickering lights below.
"Not really," Sophie replied, "but I needed him to go through everything I did, whether it was big or small."
She was still hurting, and the pain was fresh. How could she just let Nathan get away so easily?
Noah reached out, his long fingers gently lifting Sophie's chin. As he looked into her eyes, he saw a fragile woman, yet one who could handle emotional pain with remarkable clarity.
She had ended things swiftly, just like she promised she would, without any hint of deceit.
He noticed a pure instinct in her eyes, which left Noah feeling puzzled.
"When I was ordering, I got some foie gras. The waiter mentioned it was straight from France, so I figured it would be really good," Sophie said.
Noah released her from his gentle hold and broke into a surprised smile. "How did you know I like it?"
"It's not difficult to figure out my husband's tastes," Sophie replied as she signaled for the waiter to start serving their dishes. "Let's eat while we chat."
Noah couldn't help but notice her soft, pink lips that resembled delicate rose petals, and his gaze held a hint of danger.
"But I don't want to chat," he admitted, "I just want to kiss you."
Whoever called him the poison of the entertainment industry clearly hadn't met the woman in front of him. She, too, carried a poison that was strangely addictive.
Meanwhile, downstairs, Nathan was still standing in the same spot. Upstairs, in the restaurant, Sophie and Noah were thoroughly enjoying their meal.
Sophie preferred not to discuss her work with Noah, and he respected that. After helping her out a couple of times, he watched her manage things smoothly on her own this time. She was a strong woman, no doubt about it.
Even so, she was still Noah's wife, and as long as that was true, he would ensure that she was the one doing the bullying, not the other way around.
In what seemed like the blink of an eye, an hour had slipped by.
Downstairs, Nathan was still waiting, though his patience was wearing thin. Throughout this time, he kept trying to call Sophie, unaware that she had silenced all notifications and set her phone to do not disturb to savor this special moment with Noah.
Unbeknownst to Nathan, in the eyes of both Sophie and Noah, he seemed like a gatekeeper standing vigil under the tree.
Finally, the two finished their meal.
Noah glanced downstairs and asked, "Do you want to keep watching or come home with me now?"
Sophie cast a thoughtful look at Nathan, then turned her gaze to Noah, pondering her decision.
What choice did she make? Find out in the next chapter!