The Real Culprit

They went inside the mansion and sat down beside their friends. Natalie sat beside Elliot while Sophie sat beside Ruby.

"What's the matter, guys?"

"Sophie, we were waiting for you. It's great that you have reached within time."

"So, why have you guys called me?"

"Don't you think it is coincidental that you have appeared in the Hacker Competition and your identity has been revealed.", Ben said while playing with his earrings.

"Your identity has been release after you went away from the venue. That means, that person was nearby and that person went to his/her home or their hideout to upload such information, or waited for you to go home to do so."

"Hm, anything else?"

"I think you were not alone at the competition and this person did not leak the identity of your competitor, which can also mean, that the main culprit is your competitor."

"Good observation. Now let me tell you something else. The main culprit is Ms. Lily Johnson. But I don't understand her motive in doing such thing."

"WHAT?????!!!!!!! It's that damn woman! I'm going to kill her. Right now!!", Giselle screamed as she got up from her seat.

"Calm down Geez", Ben said while pulling her back to seat.

"Sophie, do you have any idea who Lily is?", Natalie asked very cautiously.

"What is there to know about that witch?", Giselle swore.

"Soph, do you know about her?"

"5 ft, 5 inches tall. Generally wears scarlet colour, usually wears red in all pubic appearances. Loves to wear Louis Vuitton's heels. Generally carries around red Prada handbags. Generally wears various peculiar shades of DIOR lipsticks. Has a very arrogant attitude. Gets into scuffle regularly when she attends various events."

"You missed the main point, Soph.", Benedict said.

"What is that point?"

"Lily is the fiancee of Robert Atkins."; Benedict said glancing warily at her.

She did not say anything else. She was struck dumb. Nobody knew what she was thinking. Everyone became silent.

"Soph,...."

"Huh?"

"What happened dear? Are you okay, my dear?"

"Yes, yes.... I'm okay. I have something to do, so, I'm going to my own room. Don't disturb me unless necessary."

They nodded in tacit understanding, so, they did not say anything else and let her stay in her room, and they went on to do their own work.

Sophie closed the door and sat down on the floor and broke down.

"Why? Why Robert?"

"You promised me that you...", what she said next was incoherent.

"You went away from my life, but I didn't say anything, I even tried to protect you. I took up the training only for you and you brought a fiancee to this country? What do you take me for?"

"If you had fiancee, why didn't you say anything when I pulled you to the cafe? Why you didn't protest against us staying in the same room?"

"Why? Why???? Why?????", she screamed in full might. Her screams could be heard from downstairs. William got up from his seat intending to look for her, when Ruby pulled him and said, "Let her cry.. She needs to vent it out."

Sophie got up from the floor and went to the washroom and turned on the shower and stood underneath it. The cold water flowed down her body ad it left a numb sensation in her mind. She felt numb. She couldn't believe that the person she chose to believe from childhood would betray her. After a long time, she came out from the washroom and went to bed.

It was 8 o' clock at night when Sophie came out of her room and went to the kitchen counter and sat down. Natalie and Elliot were huddled together and were discussing matters relating to their businesses. Giselle was cooking some pancakes, while Ben was helping her prepare the batter.

"Don't burn it like you did the previous time.", Sophie laughed.

"Oh, did you forget about yours, my dear?"

"Hey, don't say anymore!", she blushed in embarrassment.

Benedict and Giselle burst into laughter while Sophie ran away from the kitchen.

"At least she isn't sad anymore."

"Who said she isn't sad? Did you look into her eyes?"

"No, I was focused on making fun."

"Her eyes were red, probably from crying. The way she cracked a smile was like, she has forgotten how to laugh at all."

"I know. But I don't know how she will cope up with the situation. A lot of things are happening recently. We all need to gather again and discuss."

"Right now, I think this is a bad idea."

After a while, they heard Sophie calling someone, "Hello Grandpa, I'll not be coming to the headquarters today. Please convey this message to others too."

"What happened, little girl? Is everything okay? You sound so depressed!"

"Grandpa, it's nothing. I'm fine.", she tried to smile but became more tears rolled down her cheeks.

"Okay Grandpa, I'm hanging up first."

"Go on child, and if there is any problem which you cannot handle alone, come to me, okay?"

"Sure.", she could not control her sobs anymore, so she hung up hurriedly.

At the headquarters:

Grandpa Tan was sitting in the garden drinking tea. He was clearly worrying about something, which was visible from the crease of his forehead. 'Something is bothering my little girl. She was okay when she left. What happened that made her depressed?', he thought.

Robert came silently and sat beside him.