CHAPTER 157: THE EVIDENCE

"You... you..."

"What’s wrong? Did I shock you all so badly you forgot how to speak?"

"That’s impossible! Sophia—how are you still alive?!"

Olivia’s words sounded exactly like a guilty idiot admitting the crime herself.

Sophia let out a cold laugh.

"What? Disappointed I’m not dead?"

Suddenly, her gaze shifted—landing on the man who had been staring at her the whole time.

Lucas.

His stubble was obvious, his whole appearance unkempt, exhausted... completely undone.

She walked toward him.

And the second she reached him—

Sophia felt a sudden pull at her waist.

Lucas’s long fingers gripped her tightly, one hand on her waist, the other cupping the back of her head—

And he kissed her.

Hard.

Cameras exploded around them in rapid flashes.

Sophia’s lips curved upward slightly.

She touched his face gently.

"I’m sorry... for making you worry."

Lucas’s eyes were faintly red.

He took a sharp breath, then looked away, refusing to let anyone else see him like this.

"It’s you—you’re Marcus!"

Andrew wasn’t just shocked—he was horrified as he stared at the unfamiliar man standing beside Sophia.

Marcus gave a faint, icy smile.

"Andrew. Long time no see."

It really was him.

Lucas glanced at the woman in his arms.

"And who is he?"

"My uncle—Marcus Gordon. He’s been taking care of me for the last six years."

Lucas instantly remembered.

Marcus was the publicly announced CEO of YL Group.

Right then, another figure rushed forward and wrapped Sophia in a desperate hug.

Harper’s eyes were still swollen from crying.

"Where did you go?! Do you have any idea how worried I was?!"

"I’m fine."

Sophia stiffened for a split second before relaxing again.

"Miss Morgan! Where were you during the days you were missing?"

"I went somewhere... no one knew about."

Her answer was vague—intentionally so.

"Miss Morgan, How did you come back to life? The car exploded. How did you escape?"

"If I had actually died and come back to life, you wouldn’t be interviewing me here—you’d be examining me in a lab."

She replied politely, yet left them dangling with unanswered questions.

Their questions were... embarrassingly low-level.

Suddenly—

"Miss Morgan, were you in an accident, or do you suspect someone tried to harm you?"

She turned toward the reporter, let out a self-mocking smile, and said:

"That’s exactly what I want to know."

Then she slowly turned—eyes locking directly onto Andrew.

"Tell me, my dear father...why did you and my stepmother try to kill me?"

Gasps rippled across the room.

Every eye shot toward Andrew.

"You—y-you’re talking nonsense! Sophia, I thought you were dead! That’s why I—"

"Why you what? Why you immediately started figuring out how to funnel my assets into your pocket? I’m here today, and I promise you’ll be disappointed."

Sophia intertwined her fingers with Lucas’s and held up their marriage certificate.

"Even if I had died today, you still would never inherit a single cent from me."

Andrew choked on his words, completely speechless.

"I’m sorry to ruin all the plans you worked so hard on."

"No... impossible... You fell—the car exploded—you should’ve... you should’ve died!"

Sophia’s smile widened.

"Mrs. Miller, tell me—are you shocked because I survived, or because you’re terrified I came back alive...and all the filth you’ve done is about to be exposed?"

"Sophia, what are you implying?! Don’t slander us! We’re happy you’re alive, but don’t accuse us without proof!"

"What slander? You old witch! I finally caught you! And guess what—I have evidence!"

Harper shouted furiously as she pulled out her phone and played the recording right there in front of everyone.

Andrew and Olivia’s voices from that night played loud and clear for all to hear.

Their faces instantly drained of color.

"Oh my god... is this real? Mr. Morgan, you actually tried to kill your own daughter?!"

"Incredible. Disgusting. Absolutely inhuman!"

One male reporter looked like he wanted to punch Andrew right then and there.

"It’s fake! All of it is fake! Impossible!"

Andrew denied it desperately—he absolutely could not admit the truth.

"Mr. Morgan," Harper snapped, "I recorded it myself. I saw everything with my own eyes. We have both eyewitness and audio evidence. What else do you have to say?"

Seeing their terrified expressions finally soothed the rage in Harper’s heart.

"Harper, don’t waste your breath," Sophia said coldly.

"I’ve already called the police. You’ll spend the rest of your life paying for attempted murder."

Sophia turned, looked up at the huge portrait set above her own memorial altar, and tore it down with one swift motion.

Her sudden reappearance—alive and standing in her own funeral—sent all of City A into chaos.

The news skyrocketed to the top of social media trending lists in less than thirty minutes.

And the comments were overwhelmingly on Sophia’s side.

Rich family trying to steal her inheritance!

Poor Sophia—she survived an explosion!

Justice for her!

Police arrived quickly and took them away.

Including Olivia.

"No! No, stop! You can’t arrest me! I didn’t do anything!"

If she went to prison—her life would be over.

She was still young.

No...

She couldn’t go in.

"Sophia! Let me go! I was wrong! I was wrong!"

Sophia raised a brow, stepped forward, and leaned down.

She gripped Olivia’s chin firmly, whispering into her ear:

"Our little game... ends now."

She had given them face.

She had given them chances.

And they chose to throw them away.

Everything happening now—they brought upon themselves.

The entire hall erupted in chaos.

Sophia raised her hand, calling for silence.

"Everyone, please listen. With the help of every reporter here—I officially announce: I, Sophia, am alive. And I’m back."

She slipped on her sunglasses and walked toward the exit as Lucas’s bodyguards immediately stepped up to block the reporters.

The moment she got into the car—

A strong hand yanked her into a tight embrace.

Lucas kissed her like a madman, desperate, breathless, trembling.

"Lucas..."

He nearly tore her clothes apart—but the moment his fingers brushed against the bandage on her waist, he froze.

There was blood on it.

His eyes widened with panic, the red haze fading instantly.

Without a word, he slammed the door, started the engine, and sped off—ignoring the crowd shouting and trying to chase them, completely unable to catch up.

At Blackstone Manor, Lucas carried Sophia upstairs with utmost care.

Mrs. Wilson burst into tears the moment she saw her.

"Thank heavens! Sophia—you’re alive!"

"Mrs. Wilson," Lucas said urgently, "bring the medical kit. Now."

"Yes—right away!"

Sophia sat on the edge of the bed.

Lucas gently removed her bandages.

There—beneath the gauze—was a stitched wound, almost two inches long, raw and frightening.

Lucas stared at it without blinking, his expression terrifyingly calm as he carefully changed her bandage.

Once he finished, he leaned down—and pressed a kiss to the wound on her abdomen.