Chapter 77

"So Emily Lowell is a struggling actress with no money, and you, a top idol, can't spare any either?" Victoria Lowell's voice carried a hint of bitterness.

Christopher Lowell's ears burned with embarrassment. He quickly changed the subject.

"Mom, first tell me clearly. Who exactly do you owe money to? Were you scammed?"

"No one scammed me." Victoria's expression turned icy. "I embezzled Sophia Laurent's money. Now I need to return it."

"What?!"

Christopher's face darkened at the mention of Sophia.

"Her again! Why won't she leave us alone? Must she stir up trouble in this family? What right does she have to demand money from you?"

Victoria felt a chill watching her son's instant rage.

Sophia was his biological sister.

Yet he spoke of her like she was an enemy.

"Christopher, Sophia is your blood sister. What kind of attitude is this?"

She suddenly realized all her sons had developed this same hostile expression when mentioning Sophia.

"Hah!" Christopher sneered. "I wish I never had such a sister."

Victoria trembled with anger, her blood pressure spiking.

"You ungrateful brat!"

She shouted sharply. "Never let me hear those words again!"

"If it weren't for Sophia, would our family be in this state? Why can't I say it?"

Victoria couldn't bear to listen further and hung up.

She collapsed onto the sofa, chest heaving violently.

Before she could recover, her second son Daniel called.

His words mirrored Christopher's, though delivered more gently.

But the underlying message still blamed her for asking Emily for money.

As if she'd committed some unforgivable sin.

Darkness clouded Victoria's vision from rage.

When she finally composed herself enough to eat dinner, her eldest son William brought it up again.

"Mom, didn't I tell you? No matter how Sophia acts up, she'd never actually let you go to jail. Why must you trouble Emily?"

Victoria lost her appetite instantly.

William continued relentlessly.

"How much could a young girl like Emily possibly have saved? She's always walked on eggshells in our family. How could you do this for Sophia—"

Smack!

Victoria slammed her chopsticks down.

"William Lowell, search your conscience!"

"Since childhood, hasn't every luxury gone to Emily first?"

"The clothes and jewelry I bought her must be worth millions at least."

"Since when has she ever 'walked on eggshells' in this house?"

Victoria had genuinely doted on Emily.

She'd even gifted her own bridal jewelry to the girl.

Money had never been spared for Emily's wants.

William fell silent, unable to refute.

Nathan, who'd remained quiet until now, finally spoke. "Mom, what's really going on?"

Victoria couldn't bother with pretense anymore.

"I needed money and hoped you could help. Instead, all I got were accusations..."