Chapter 399

Sophia Laurent's poised figure at the judges' panel lingered in Daniel Lowell's mind.

He sat conspicuously in the front row, yet failed to earn even a glance from her.

When the final results were announced, his design was unsurprisingly eliminated.

Without Gavin Winslow's covert assistance this time, his work paled in comparison to the thirty winning pieces.

The realization struck Daniel with brutal clarity—his position at Versini Couture had always depended on Sophia's protection.

Sitting in the driver's seat, he felt like a blunt knife was sawing through his heart. His fingers trembled uncontrollably.

She was his blood sister, yet he'd been the one to push her away.

Online discussions about Emily Lowell's leaked video continued spreading like wildfire.

Though the trending tag disappeared, the scandal remained common knowledge across social platforms.

Victoria Lowell nearly fainted watching footage of Sophia surrounded by gangsters. "How could this happen... My Sophia..."

Emily gently patted her back. "Don't blame yourself, Mother. This wasn't sister's fault—"

"Promise me you'll never drink in public!" Victoria clutched Emily's hand desperately.

"I never touch alcohol," Emily replied sweetly.

Richard Lowell's face darkened. "Of course it's her fault! Only a drunken fool would attract such disgrace!"

The Lowell family's already tattered reputation had been obliterated.

"She brought this upon herself."

Emily's lips curled briefly before she adopted a concerned expression. "Father, sister just made a momentary mistake—"

Richard's fury escalated. "I never should have acknowledged that disgrace as my daughter!"

Daniel entered to this exact scene—his father raging, his mother weeping, Emily offering hollow consolation.

"Daniel's home!" Emily rushed to greet him with false delight.

He acknowledged her with a tired nod.

"Did you know sister is Versini's chief designer? Now you'll have someone looking out for you at work," Emily simpered.

Daniel's expression hardened.

His icy glare silenced Emily mid-sentence as he moved toward the staircase.

"Stop right there!" Richard barked. "What's with this attitude?"

Daniel paused, his smile dripping with sarcasm. "My sister? Isn't Sophia my real sister?"

Had their lives not been swapped all those years ago, they wouldn't have been separated for decades.

They wouldn't have ended up like this.