Bab 48: Chapter 48: Shadows and Schemes
The shift in Sophia's demeanor came subtly at first. Joi noticed it during breakfast, when Isabella reached out to her as she always did, asking for help with her braids.
Joi smiled warmly. "Of course, sweetie. Let's get them just right."
But before Joi could start, Sophia's voice cut in, firm yet coated with a sugary tone. "Isabella, darling, come to Mommy. I'll do your hair today."
Isabella hesitated, her wide eyes flickering between Joi and her mother. "But Joi always does it the way I like."
Sophia's smile didn't falter, but her eyes sharpened as she bent down to Isabella's level. "Mommy knows what's best for you, sweetheart. Come here."
Joi took a step back, not wanting to escalate the moment in front of Isabella. She felt the sting of rejection more acutely than she expected as Sophia ushered the little girl away, brushing her fingers gently over Isabella's hair as though it was a performance meant for someone else's eyes.
It didn't take long for Sophia's true intentions to seep into everyday life. When Adrian wasn't around, she became curt and dismissive toward Joi, subtly asserting her place as the woman of the house.
At first, Joi tried to brush it off, reminding herself that Sophia had every reason to feel territorial. But it wasn't until Sophia began making pointed comments that the tension reached a boiling point.
It didn't take long for Sophia's true intentions to seep into everyday life. When Adrian wasn't around, she became curt and dismissive toward Joi, subtly asserting her place as the woman of the house.
At first, Joi tried to brush it off, reminding herself that Sophia had every reason to feel territorial. But Sophia's presence was like a storm cloud that wouldn't lift, darkening every corner of the penthouse with its unspoken tension.
One evening, after dinner, Joi stayed behind in the kitchen to clean up. Mrs. Catlin had retired for the night, and the silence of the room offered Joi a brief reprieve—until Sophia's voice cut through the quiet.
"Adrian seems more at ease lately, don't you think?" Sophia said casually, stepping into the kitchen with a wine glass in hand.
Joi glanced over her shoulder, her voice neutral. "I wouldn't know."
Sophia leaned against the counter, swirling the crimson liquid in her glass. "Oh, don't be modest. You've been such a great help—like a placeholder."
Joi's hand froze mid-wipe, her knuckles whitening around the dishcloth. "I'm not sure what you mean by that."
Sophia smiled, but it didn't reach her eyes. "I mean, you've done well to keep things afloat here. But now that I'm back, it's time for me to step into my rightful place. Adrian and I have a history. A deep bond. It's only natural."
Joi turned fully to face her, meeting her gaze head-on. "If Adrian has such a deep bond with you, then why hasn't he ended this arrangement?"
Sophia's smile tightened. "Don't delude yourself. You're nothing more than a convenient stand-in. A piece of paper binding you to him. Do you really think you matter to Adrian?"
Joi's chest burned with anger, but her voice remained calm, steel laced in every word. "I know exactly what I am to Adrian. But you seem awfully desperate to convince me otherwise. Makes me wonder if you're as confident in your place as you claim."
Sophia's façade cracked for a fleeting moment, her knuckles tightening around her wine glass. "I'm here because Adrian wants me here. For Isabella. For us. And you…" She stepped closer, her tone dropping to a sharp whisper. "…you don't belong. It's time you understood that."
Joi crossed her arms, a defiant smirk tugging at her lips. "Is that why you're in my kitchen, Sophia? To try and intimidate me? Because it's not working."
Sophia's sweet tone evaporated, replaced by a venomous hiss. "You think you're so clever. But your time here is coming to an end. I'll make sure of it."
Joi raised an eyebrow, unmoved by the threat. "If you're trying to scare me, you'll have to try harder than that."
Sophia's eyes blazed, but she quickly masked her frustration with a saccharine smile. "Oh, Joi," she said, stepping back toward the doorway, her voice sickly sweet. "Life here won't be easy for you. I promise you that."
Joi watched her leave, her pulse thrumming in her ears. She refused to let Sophia see her shaken, but her mind raced. This wasn't just a battle of wills—it was a warning of the storm that was about to come.
The next morning, Adrian joined them at breakfast, his usual stoic presence filling the room. Sophia was radiant as she poured him coffee, offering a warm smile.
"Good morning, Adrian. Did you sleep well?" she asked, her tone almost melodic.
Adrian nodded, glancing at Joi briefly before returning his attention to the food. Sophia's eyes sparkled, catching the glance.
"I was thinking," Sophia began, her voice soft but full of purpose, "Isabella needs a stable environment. A real family. I want to make sure she has everything she deserves, including both her parents by her side."
Joi stiffened, her appetite evaporating.
Adrian raised a brow but didn't respond immediately. Sophia pressed on, her hand lightly touching his arm. "I just want what's best for her—and for us."
Joi clenched her fork tightly, swallowing back the words that threatened to spill out. She glanced at Isabella, who sat happily oblivious, munching on her cereal.
Adrian's gaze flicked to Joi then, lingering for a moment. "Isabella has everything she needs right now."
Sophia's face softened, though Joi didn't miss the flicker of annoyance in her eyes. "Of course. I just thought…in time, we could rebuild what we had. For Isabella's sake."
Adrian didn't answer, turning his attention back to his meal.
Later that day, Sophia played her next card. Isabella had been upset over a lost toy, and Joi had offered to help her look for it. They were rummaging through the living room when Sophia entered, her face tight with irritation.
"What's going on here?" Sophia asked, her voice sharp.
"We're looking for Isabella's toy," Joi explained, keeping her tone neutral.
Sophia crossed her arms, her gaze hard. "I've asked you not to stress her out with unnecessary fuss. If you'd just let me handle it, this wouldn't have been a problem."
Joi blinked, taken aback by the accusation. "She asked for my help. I was just—"
"I'm her mother," Sophia interrupted, her tone now dripping with condescension. "I know what's best for her."
Isabella looked between them, her eyes filling with confusion. Joi straightened, forcing herself to keep calm. "Of course. I'll leave it to you."
Sophia smiled sweetly as Joi stepped aside, but her triumph was short-lived. Isabella clung to Joi's leg, her voice small. "I want Joi to help."
Sophia's smile tightened, but she bent down, coaxing Isabella away. "It's okay, darling. Mommy's here."
As Joi retreated, she felt a pang of guilt and frustration. Sophia was using Isabella as a pawn, and there was little she could do about it without making herself look like the problem.
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone