Chapter 465

"Have you lost your mind? When did I ever say I took the research findings?" Sophia let out a light laugh, her tone laced with sarcasm.

William Lowell gritted his teeth. "Who else would hate the Lowell family this much besides you?"

"Sophia, just you wait," he hissed, his voice dripping with venom. "If anything happens to the Lowells, I'll drag you down with me."

Her eyes turned icy.

"Then let me ask you this, William," she drawled. "When you find the real culprit, will you make sure they rot in prison too?"

"Of course!" William snapped. "Who else could it be? The surveillance footage is being restored as we speak. Let's see how you talk your way out of this!"

Sophia suddenly smiled. "Then I wish you the best of luck."

The sound of William's labored breathing came through the phone.

"Stop spouting nonsense!"

Victoria Lowell took the phone, her voice trembling. "Sophia, I'm begging you..."

"That research is incredibly important. Could you please—"

Click.

Sophia hung up without hesitation.

She stared at her phone for a few seconds before deciding to visit the research institute herself.

At the institute, Victoria clutched the disconnected phone, her face pale.

"Mom, don't upset yourself." William seethed. "Sophia is nothing but an ungrateful wretch. She's nothing like Emily."

Victoria opened her mouth but couldn't bring herself to argue.

A memory flashed through her mind—Sophia as a child, gazing up at her with bright, hopeful eyes.

"Mr. Lowell, the surveillance footage has been restored!" a technician suddenly announced.

William smirked. "Let's see her deny this!"

Everyone gathered around the screen.

The footage showed two figures, bundled up and moving furtively through the company.

"It's her!" William pointed at the screen.

Dr. Quincy shook his head. "That's not Ms. Laurent."

"What do you mean it's not?" William snapped.

"This woman is five centimeters shorter than Ms. Laurent and has a fuller build," Dr. Quincy pointed out. "And the hair color is wrong."

Upon closer inspection, the discrepancies became obvious.

Sophia stood at 168 centimeters, while the figure in the footage couldn't be taller than 165.