He stopped dead in his tracks, turning around with an apathetic look on his face. "What's the matter now?" His voice was as cold as ice.

"It's Grandmother's funeral today," I said quickly, trying to keep my voice steady despite my nervousness.

He stood there silently for what felt like an eternity before responding dismissively, "It's more than enough if you just show up by yourself."

"But she's your grandmother, Richard." I pressed on, knowing his uncle's feelings. "Your eldest and second uncles are already upset about your attitude toward her. What will they think if you don't even show up at her funeral today?"

"I've already taken care of all the burial arrangements myself. If you need anything else, just go talk to Daniel about it." His voice remained emotionless, like a boss giving instructions to an employee.

Seeing him preparing to leave once again, I gathered my courage and raised my voice,"I've agreed to the divorce you want so badly. My only condition is that you accompany me to Grandmother's funeral this afternoon, and right after that, I'll sign the divorce papers without any hesitation."

Something in my words must have struck a nerve because his reaction was immediate and intense. He grabbed my jaw roughly, snapping with barely contained anger, "You don't get to make conditions about whether to divorce or not. You've never had the final say in this matter, and you never will."

I didn't struggle against his grip or show any sign of fear. Instead, I just looked up at him with unwavering determination in my eyes.

After what seemed like forever, he finally released his grip on my jaw and gritted his teeth in frustration. "Fine, I'll make you this one promise. I'll go to the funeral myself, but you absolutely cannot follow! And remember what I said - terminate that contract with Sherry immediately." He spat out these words coldly before turning on his heel and storming out without so much as a backward glance.

I couldn't help but let out a bitter, silent laugh. How incredibly ironic this whole situation was. Richard was about to announce to everyone that I would be unceremoniously kicked out of the house like yesterday's trash.

"Oh, Sophia Collins," Helen's mocking voice came from beside me. "You're just so pathetically humble. Haven't I told you before? Whatever I want, Richard will give it to me without hesitation. That's just how things work around here."

I turned around slowly to face her. Helen had completely dropped her nice girl act by now. That carefully crafted mask of innocence and cuteness had vanished entirely, replaced by an unmistakably triumphant smirk that made my stomach turn.

"I must say, Miss Helen, you're truly a natural-born actress," I commented dryly. "The speed at which you can switch personalities is genuinely impressive." Not wanting to look at her fake face any longer, I turned away and started walking toward the door.

Helen immediately jumped to her feet and blocked my path. With Richard out of earshot, she clearly felt no need to maintain her sweet facade anymore. She fixed me with an icy stare and declared, "Here's the deal - if you just quietly sign those divorce papers like a good girl, I'll graciously give up the female lead role. But if you don't..." Her lips curved into a cruel smile. "Well, just be prepared for a nasty lawsuit!"

Her threat caught me off guard, but I managed to maintain my composure, responding with a small, knowing smile. "So this is your play? Using your position as his mistress to force me into a divorce?"

"YOU'RE the mistress!" she exploded, clearly triggered by the label. Her face turned red with fury as she continued ranting, "If it wasn't for you getting in the way, Richard and I would have been married ages ago! He doesn't feel an ounce of love for you - never has, never will. I'm the only one who holds a place in his heart, and everyone knows it!"

"Regardless of what you think," I replied with ice in my voice, "I am still the legitimate Mrs. Blackwood!"

I had long since decided that Richard would be the only person with the power to hurt me.

My response left Helen momentarily speechless, but she quickly recovered, grabbing my arm roughly.

"God, Sophia, you're just so incredibly shameless!" she spat out. "Richard clearly despises every single thing about you. Why do you keep hanging around him like some annoying fly that won't go away?"

I stopped walking and turned around slowly, meeting her gaze with perfect calmness. "Shameless? Let's think about this logically. The Blackwood family is wealthy beyond measure, and Richard himself has both striking good looks and masculine charm. What exactly do you think I'm trying to get from such a man?"

"You're just absolutely shameless, that's what you are!" Having run out of actual arguments, Helen raised her hand, clearly intending to slap me across the face.

But I wasn't about to let her have that satisfaction.

I caught her raised hand mid-air. "If I were in your position, I'd stick to playing the pure, innocent act like the fake bitch you are instead of letting everyone see your true colors like this."

With that sharp comment, I forcefully pushed her hand away, perhaps with more strength than I had intended.

What happened next seemed to unfold in slow motion. Helen, caught off balance by my push, stumbled backward awkwardly. As she flailed around trying to regain her footing, her hand desperately reached out to grab onto something - anything - for support. In doing so, she accidentally knocked against a massive antique vase perched on the nearby table. The priceless piece began to topple, heading straight for Helen's head.

Acting purely on instinct, I lunged forward with both hands outstretched. Through some miracle of quick reflexes, I managed to catch the valuable vase just inches before it would have made contact with her skull. Letting out a shaky breath of relief, I carefully lifted the vase and set it back in its rightful place on the table.

That's when Helen, still sprawled on the floor, started putting on another one of her performances. Her body began trembling dramatically as she whimpered, "Sophia, please... I'll give up the lead role, just don't... don't hit me with the vase..." Her voice was perfectly pitched to sound terrified and vulnerable.

Before I could even process what was happening or defend myself against this blatant manipulation, I felt a violent shove from behind. The force was so strong it sent me flying forward. The vase, which I had just saved moments ago, went crashing to the floor, shattering into countless pieces. I lost my balance completely and fell hard, my right hand instinctively reaching out to break my fall - right into the razor-sharp shards of broken porcelain.

"Sophia Collins!" Richard's voice boomed through the room like thunder. "How DARE you!" he snarled, every word dripping with venom.