Chapter 7

Sophia was completely stunned by this sudden burst of anger, all sleepiness gone.

She clutched the corner of the blanket. "I... I don't know what you're talking about."

Gerald let out a scornful laugh, full of contempt.

He strode over with his long legs, reaching the bedside in a few steps, his overwhelming presence instantly engulfing Sophia completely.

"Claire went out of her way to comfort you!" His voice suddenly rose, especially frightening in the quiet night: "And you, relying on being a senior employee, put on a cold face, shirked responsibility, and even bullied her! Sophia, who gave you the nerve?"

Hearing these words, Sophia immediately understood that someone had complained about her.

The chill in her heart grew even worse than before.

She lifted her head, and even in the darkness, she could feel the fury in Gerald's eyes that was almost tangible.

She was clearly his legal wife, but in his eyes, she was always the most vicious one.

How ironic.

"I didn't bully her." Sophia spoke, her voice unexpectedly calm: "I was just stating facts. That document really wasn't part of my job. I've already finished what I was supposed to do. I have no obligation to pay for someone else's mistakes or ulterior motives."

Gerald acted as if he'd heard the biggest joke ever. He suddenly leaned down and grabbed the front of Sophia's pajamas, with such force he almost lifted her off the bed!

"Sophia, drop that self-righteous act!" He moved close to her, his hot breath hitting her face: "Claire just went through that kind of thing. She's kind-hearted, doesn't hold it against you, and even spoke up for you! And you? Not only are you ungrateful, but you dare to give her that attitude? Do you know how long she was upset because of your behavior this afternoon?"

Sophia was grabbed by the collar, forced to tilt her head back, and struggling to breathe.

But looking at his handsome face full of disgust, her heart felt completely desolate.

"Her being upset has nothing to do with me." Sophia said word by word, speaking extremely slowly: "Gerald, in your eyes, whatever I do is wrong, whatever I say is making excuses. Whatever Claire does is right, whatever she says is kind. If that's the case, why bother asking me? Haven't you already convicted me in your heart?"

Her words were calm, yet strangely infuriated Gerald.

He hated this attitude of hers, hated how she always tried to resist him with this seemingly weak but actually stubborn manner!

Gerald laughed in extreme anger, that smile cold and cutting: "Fine, very good. You won't do work that's not yours, right? Think the work I assign you is unfair, right?"

He straightened up, looking down at her from above. "Then right now, in my capacity as president of the Churchill Group, I'm officially assigning you a task."

His voice was deliberate: "Michael's pet snakes haven't had their room properly maintained lately, it's quite filthy. Go clean the snake room thoroughly right now. Inside and out, every corner, not a single stain allowed."

The snake room?

Sophia's pupils suddenly contracted, all the blood in her body freezing instantly!

Michael loved keeping snakes.

A separate temperature-controlled snake room had been built behind the villa, housing dozens of colorful snakes.

That was the place Sophia feared most in this villa.

Even just passing by from a distance, hearing the sounds from inside, would make her hair stand on end and give her nightmares.

Gerald knew this! He clearly knew how terrified she was of snakes!

"No..." She instinctively shrank back, her lips trembling uncontrollably: "I won't go... Gerald, you know I'm afraid of snakes... I won't go!"

"You don't have a choice." Gerald was completely indifferent to her fear: "Didn't you say it was unfair? Cleaning the snake room is your duty as a member of the Churchill family, very fair. Since you're so principled, you should follow orders."

"No! You're deliberately torturing me!" Sophia shouted out of control, tears streaming down: "You clearly know I'm afraid! Why must you do this to me?"

But her tears didn't earn even a trace of sympathy.

The last bit of warmth disappeared from Gerald's face.

He took out his phone and made a call: "Send two people up, take Sophia to the snake room. Watch her, don't let her out until the snake room is completely clean."

"Gerald! You can't do this! I'm pregnant! You can't!" Sophia completely panicked. She protected her belly, shaking her head desperately, wanting to get off the bed and escape, but her legs were too weak to move.

Soon, two cold-faced bodyguards appeared at the door.

"Take her," Gerald ordered emotionlessly.

"No! Let me go! I won't go! Gerald! The baby... think about the baby..." Sophia was grabbed by the arms on both sides by the bodyguards and dragged away from the bed.

She struggled, unprecedented fear almost drowning her.

Those slippery, cold creatures, the enclosed space... just imagining it was enough to make her nearly collapse.

Gerald just coldly watched her being dragged away, watched the tears streaming down her pale face, his eyes showing no emotion whatsoever.

"Do your work well." As she was dragged out the door, his cold voice came through, "Remember this lesson. In the future, learn how to talk to Claire."

The door closed in front of him, and the hallway returned to silence.

Gerald stood in place, the fury in his chest seemingly still unable to subside at all.

He tugged at his collar and turned toward the master bedroom.

The snakes Michael kept at home were all non-venomous, at most just dirty and smelly. Sophia wouldn't come to any real harm in the snake room.

He had to make her understand that those with evil intentions must be punished.

In the morning, the weather cleared up.

A white sports car stopped in front of the Churchill Villa.

Claire got out carrying the latest designer handbag, her makeup exquisite, her smile gentle.

"Claire! You're here!" Michael was slouching on the living room sofa, playing video games. Seeing her, his eyes lit up, and he immediately dropped the controller and came over: "This is your first time at our house. Gerald's in the upstairs study on a video conference, he'll be down soon. Sit anywhere, don't be shy, make yourself at home!"

"Michael, sorry to intrude." Claire replied softly, her gaze seemingly casually sweeping across the spacious living room: "Gerald's busy, so I'll wait for him. By the way, is it just you guys at home?"

She asked tactfully.

"You mean other people?" Michael curled his lip, showing disdain on his face: "My parents don't live here often, and Grandpa went back to the Churchill Mansion, too. As for Claire's annoying wife..."

He drew out the tone, his face full of disgust.

Claire's heart stirred slightly, and she showed appropriate curiosity on her face: "Mrs. Churchill? She's not home? I still haven't had a chance to meet her."