Chapter 682
Chapter 682 Another Threat
The other party didn''t respond.
Sofie suddenly became anxious, raising her voice sharply. “The reason I came to Hallsbay this time
was all because of you. In order to help you achieve your goal, I offended Artemis. Now that I''m in a
perilous situation, do you intend to just stand idly by? If that''s the case, then I''ll disregard any old
affections. Even in death, I''ll drag you down with me.”
She had gotten herself into such a precarious situation, all because of the man on the other side of the
call.
However, she never expected that he would watch her suffer without lifting a single finger to help her.
If that were the case, she could only bare her fangs and drag him down with her.
“Don''t be so hasty. Look, I haven''t even taken a stance yet, and you''re already so impatient?”
Sofie gritted her teeth, saying, “Then give me a definite answer. Where are you now? Have you arrived
in Hallsbay? When will you be able to arrive? It''s far too dangerous here. If I don''t leave soon, there''s a
high chance they''ll capture me. Whether it''s the Fletcher family''s legitimate child, the Shurmer family''s
heir, or even Artemis, none of them are forces I can provoke. Right now, they''re joining forces to search
for me. Even with some power in Hallsbay, I can''t withstand their joint attack. I can only hold on for two
or three days at most. If you still don''te by then, I''ll surely be dead.”
A deep, middle-aged male voice came through the receiver. It was very familiar, undoubtedly Philip''s.
“I''ve already contacted the son of the Shurmer family and made an excuse toe to Hallsbay by
saying I needed to apologize and exin the reason for my niece''s miscarriage. I''ll be able to arrive in
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Hallsbay tomorrow without drawing their attention.”
After hearing his promise, Sofie finally breathed a sigh of relief. “At least you still have some
conscience, considering our past. I haven''t wasted my youth following you all these years. By the way,
there''s one more thing I have to tell you. In addition to me, there''s another person you need to help get
out of Hallsbay.”
“Are you trying to save you and rence''s daughter? She''s nothing but a discarded pawn. Why waste
the effort?” Philip questioned.
“No, no.” Sofie smiled slyly. “She''s not a discarded pawn, not yet anyway. I n to use her to strike
back. Never underestimate a woman''s hatred. That girl despises Bailey, and she will definitely make
Artemis and Bailey''s lives a living hell. Only when they''re embroiled in internal chaos can we continue
to vie for control of Tarragon.”
Philip seemed to approve of this idea. His voice was soft and measured as he spoke. “I shall devise a
n. Merging with Tarragon has been the ambition of the Hoffman family for generations. My older
brothercks the courage to pursue this goal, but I possess it. The failure of this mission lies with
Artemis and Bailey. Only by eliminating those two will Tarragon be left leaderless. Very well. Let''s keep
the girl and use her against Bailey and Artemis.”
Sofie''s eyes gleamed with delight before her voice became tender and inviting. “I''ll be waiting for you.
It''s been some time, and I find myself missing you terribly.”
“Ha, are you missing me on top of you?”
“Oh, stop it.”
In the afternoon, at Shurmer Group''s press room, reporters from various major news media in Hallsbay
gathered, waiting for the head of the Shurmer family to announce the purpose of today''s press
conference.
Meanwhile, in the neighboring lounge, Waverly adjusted her husband''s shirt, asking, “When you
publicly announce Zoey''s crimes, what will you say if they ask you how you n to deal with her? You
can''t tell them you''re letting her off the hook because you''ve been threatened, can you?”
Steven shuddered, his eyes narrowing slightly. Clearly, he was unprepared for this question.
“Well...”
Before he could say anything, the phone on the side rang.
He reached out and picked it up. Upon seeing a string of unfamiliar numbers, he instinctively thought of
Sofie.
What wicked scheme is that old woman plotting now?
As the call connected, Sofie''s voice emerged from the receiver as expected.
“Mr. Shurmer, I heard you''re about to hold a press conference. Let me guess. You must be nning to
announce my daughter''s crimes, expel her from the Shurmer family, and confirm Bailey''s legitimate
daughter status, right?”
Steven''s face darkened, and he gritted his teeth. “Just say what you want to say. There''s no need to
beat around the bush.”
“Fine. You''re indeed a straightforward person, so I''ll be blunt. If you ruin my daughter''s life and
reputation, I will have no choice but to retaliate by exposing your daughter to her enemies.”
Steven clenched his phone tightly, a sh of anger in his eyes. “You dare threaten me again with the
same bargaining chip? Once was enough; do you think you can do it a second time? I agreed not to
send your daughter to the police, but I never agreed not to expose her crimes or expel her from the
Shurmer family. Do not overreach.”
Sofie chuckled softly. “But I do have the power to threaten you, don''t I? If you don''t want your daughter
to be harmed, you have no choice but to let me manipte you. Mr. Shurmer, if you expose my
daughter''s crimes and ruin her life, how is that different from sending her to jail? If I were to protect her,
I must protect herpletely, including her reputation.”
Sofie chuckled softly. “But I do have the power to threaten you, don''t I? If you don''t want your daughter
to be harmed, you have no choice but to let me manipte you. Mr. Shurmer, if you expose my
daughter''s crimes and ruin her life, how is that different from sending her to jail? If I were to protect her,
I must protect herpletely, including her reputation.”
Steven closed his eyes tightly and enunciated every word, “What if I say no?”
“Then we''ll all suffer, and our daughters will both be sacrificed.”
“You...”
Steven wanted to issue a fierce threat but thought better of it, knowing that mere words would not sway
a cunning and vicious woman like Sofie.
“Fine, I agree. I won''t mention her crimes or expulsion during the press conference. However, don''t try
any tricks, or neither you nor your daughter will leave Hallsbay alive.”
With that, he ended the call.
Waverly looked worried and cautiously said, “You agreed just like that? You really don''t intend to expel
Zoey from the Shurmer family or reveal her crimes? If Bay finds out, the poor girl will be heartbroken.
She''s only just begun to show signs of forgiveness, and if we do this, aren''t we simply going to
disappoint her further?”
Steven sighed helplessly. “We have no other choice right now. Once I obtain the evidence Sofie holds,
we''ll see what to do. Let''s go and deal with the press conference outside.”
“Very well.”
At the press room, the reporters hurriedly thrust forward their microphones when they noticed Steven
and Waverly''s appearance.
Before they could ask any questions, Steven waved them off.
Standing at the podium, he spoke in a resolute and powerful voice. “I thank all our media friends for
taking the time out of their busy schedules to attend the Shurmer family''s press conference. Today, I
have an announcement of utmost importance for our family. It has been confirmed that Bailey Jefferson
is indeed our long-lost daughter. As for how she was lost, I''m sorry, but we cannot disclose that
information. From now on, Bailey will be the legitimate eldest daughter of the Shurmer family.”
As these words were spoken, the entire press room erupted into a frenzy.
“Mr. Shurmer, we''ve already heard from your son that Bailey Jefferson is a daughter of the Shurmer
family. We''re curious about how you n to deal with your adopted daughter, Zoey Shurmer?”