Everything happened so fast. I was dazed for a few seconds before realizing I’d been ambushed.
No one had ever dared treat me like this.
Valebrook really was full of surprises.
Nina strutted over proudly and pulled the watermelon out of the car. She slammed it to the ground, smashing it into pieces.
Still not satisfied, she stepped on it again and again in her heels, grinding it into a mess of bright red pulp.
Then she looked up at me, smug and taunting. “I told you—this watermelon was mine to destroy.”
“Let me go!” I shouted, my voice sharp with commanding authority.
The lackeys froze, startled by my tone. They turned to look at Michael.
He gave a small nod, then looked at me and said with calculated calm. “Alright, say it. What do you want?”
“I’ll let you compensate for the watermelon Nina smashed,” I said calmly, catching my breath as I stared straight at Nina, who still wore that arrogant, high-and-mighty look.
I smiled slightly and said, “130 thousand dollars. Or this doesn’t end here.”
The words had barely left my mouth when the entire crowd fell into stunned silence.
“She’s crazy! That busted watermelon’s worth six dollars at most and she’s asking for 130 thousand dollars?”
“Mr. Graham even offered compensation. What an honor! And she dares try to blackmail him? She’s dead.”
“Quit making a fool of yourself. Take a few grand and get out. That’s already more than enough for you to gloat about for months.”
I ignored the mocking voices around me. With arms crossed, I spoke coolly, “Sure, a regular watermelon is worth a few dollars. But this wasn’t a regular watermelon. I spent time picking it out carefully. It was specifically requested by my superior, meant to be brought back for the lab team to celebrate a major breakthrough. In terms of both significance and value, it’s worth every cent of that 130 thousand dollars.”
Of course, in reality, I had grabbed that watermelon in under ten seconds and no superior had told me to buy anything at all.
But asking for 130 thousand dollars was just me being petty because I couldn’t stand this disgusting couple. And it was time they got a little payback.
“I already said this watermelon is mine. Even if it’s been smashed to pieces, I’ll make sure someone pays for it.”
Nina finally saw through me. She realized I wasn’t in it for the money, I was here to make her life miserable.
She spoke up first, furious. “I don’t agree with this! A ruined watermelon and you’re demanding 130 thousand dollars? Who the hell do you think you are? Mitchael was being kind to you and now you’re climbing all over his head! Take a look in the mirror, do you really think you're something special?”
“Born with a dad but raised without a mom and still trying to marry into the Graham Family? Your ancestors must be rolling in their graves with all that smoke!”
Her venomous words made my brows furrow tightly.
It had been barely an hour since I arrived in Valebrook and I’d already suffered more humiliation than in my entire life up to this point.
Right then, I changed my mind.
It wasn’t enough to just avenge the watermelon.
Now, I wanted Nina to kneel and apologize.
I looked her in the eye and nodded slowly.
“Alright. Forget the money. But I want you to kneel down, knock your head to the ground and lick up every last bit of that smashed watermelon off the pavement.”
“You dare?” Nina screamed, livid. “Who do you think you are, daring to humiliate me like this?”
Michael quickly pulled her behind him, shielding her. His face was tense as he tried to remember the relationship between our families.
Then he said coldly, "Fine, 130 thousand dollars it is. Give me your account number."
But I stood still, unmoving, a cold smile playing on my lips.
"Sorry," I said slowly, deliberately, "I just changed my mind. Now you name a price. How much would it take for Nina to kneel, kowtow and lick up the watermelon?"
My blatant provocation sent a collective gasp through the crowd. People looked at me like I’d lost my mind.
Michael clenched his jaw, rage flashing in his eyes. "Sophia! Don’t push your luck!"
I shot back coldly, “You broke my watermelon first. I was kind enough to drop the compensation and even offered money for a simple apology. What more do you want from me? The ones pushing their luck are you two!”
Michael's face turned livid at my words. He tried to forcibly take Nina away.
I got in the car and hit the gas, pulling straight in front of them to block their path.
Rolling down the window, I looked at the frustrated pair and spoke coldly, “Name your price.”
Michael shielded Nina and cursed angrily, “You crazy woman! What the hell are you doing! I’d rather die than marry you!”
His words had no bite at all. Honestly, they made me want to laugh.
Nina, on the other hand, was so furious that her face twisted. She blurted out, “13 million! In cash! I want it here in five minutes!”
Her eyes glinted with malice. “Sophia, if you're even one cent short, or one second late, you'll strip naked and streak down the street!”
Everyone was stunned.
Just the transaction process alone would take more than five minutes.
Nina smiled smugly at me.
“Scared? If you’re scared, then get out of the way!”
Amid gasps all around, I smiled faintly.
“Deal.”
