Chapter 3: To Save Her Brother, Sacrifice Her Marriage?

After returning home, Sophia was surprised to find her stepmother Fiona sitting on the sofa in the living room, waiting for her.

"Where have you been wandering off to now?"

Sophia glanced at her and, without a word, proceeded upstairs.

"You're always absent. I arranged blind dates for you, to marry into a wealthy family, to win favor with your future in-laws to help the Chen family. Yet, you always find a way to scare them off so they dare not visit again. I asked you to help your father, to save the company, and you refused. Tell me, what use does the Chen family have for a daughter like you, who contributes nothing to the family? If you know what's good for you, you'll agree to marry the CEO of Huan Yu Corporation!"

Sophia snorted coldly, "Dream on. I will never agree to save the Chen family in such a way!" She then continued upstairs.

"Stop right there! If you won't listen, get out of this house immediately. The Chen family has no daughter like you!" Fiona yelled, infuriated.

Sophia mocked, "You're not my real mother. What right do you have to order me around or throw me out?"

Fiona stood her ground, "I may not be your birth mother, but I am the lady of the Chen household. As the illegitimate daughter who has brought shame to the Chen family from a young age, I have the right to discipline you!"

Sophia glanced at her, "There's no one in this world who can discipline me."

Fiona, burning with rage, "I can't believe this insolence. I refuse to believe I can't handle you. Da Zhong, Da Liang, lock her in the dark room for two days without food!"

Two muscular men approached immediately.

"Oh? Brought in two with stronger skills! My reputation precedes me, Sophia, to have you so persistently find hitters to give me a good practice," Sophia laughed.

Fiona, smugly, "Keep talking back, but let's see if you remain so defiant. Da Zhong, Da Liang, hit her!"

The two men moved to act but hesitated to use their full strength against a woman. But as they got closer to Sophia, they immediately regretted it. She performed an elegant backflip, dodging their attacks, and before they could react, she had leaped onto the spiral staircase railing and spun 360 degrees, landing a fierce kick.

"Bang, bang," the two men were sprawled on the stairs in an undignified heap.

Sophia landed gracefully, "I should not make it difficult for you since you're just doing your job. Get lost, and make sure not to show your face around me ever again."

The two men whimpered as they got up, clutching their heads and limping away.

"You… You…" Fiona, pointing at Sophia, was at a loss for words.

"What's wrong with me? I was just a bit rough today because I'm not in a good mood. Damn, moving like that aggravated that wound, hurts like hell."

Behind her, Fiona's voice choked up, "What if the man I want you to marry could provide better treatment for your brother?"

Sophia trembled, "What… what did you say?"

Fiona didn't say more but looked at her pleadingly.

Sophia quickly retreated to her room, shut the door, and collapsed onto the floor, feeling as if she was falling.

Her marriage could save her brother!

What should she do?

Her brother... her stepmother's son with her previous husband, who had shown her more love than a real brother…

He let her have the best food, play with the nicest toys. When the stepmother punished her, he protected her. He taught her how to fight, how to handle different firearms. He told her his dream was to become an international policeman and eliminate all bullies.

He achieved his dream step by step, reaching the pinnacle of being an international policeman. Before she could give him the "Sophia Special Hero Medal" she had made for him, he was brought down.

Her heroic brother, undercover in a major operation against organized crime, was found severely injured after seven days and nights, later becoming comatose.

Her world had collapsed; the only warmth in her life was gone.

She wallowed in despair for a while but one day came to realize that she needed to live fully, for both her and her brother. She decided to continue his mission and become an international police officer.

That night, she willingly became Lincoln's undercover agent to secure that case of gold bricks. After the mission, Lincoln would gain a fortune from the bricks, while she planned to locate the gang-related clues hidden within them.

Unfortunately, her plan was thwarted by the man Oscar referred to as "Boss".

"Brother, because of you, I can't find any man worthy in this world. Tell me, should I marry the CEO of Huan Yu International Group to save you?" Sophia caressed her brother's photo, asking sadly.

Inside the Huan Yu Corporation's lobby, all the subordinates respectfully welcomed their CEO's return: "Welcome back, CEO!"

"Hmm," Leo answered lightly, stepping into his private elevator.