Chapter 2 Not a Vegetative State?

Claire's wild laughter was like nails on a chalkboard. Sophia's face went ghostly white, her hands clenched into fists at her sides, anger and hatred blazing in her eyes.

She'd been drunk that night, and it was Miguel who took her back to her room, so she had assumed that was him. To her surprise, they had betrayed her, reaching new heights of malice and filth.

If looks could kill, these two jerks would be toast by now!

But then Sophia remembered the firm muscles she felt during sex that night. No way it was some greasy fat guy. Claire had to be messing with her!

Sophia took a deep breath, barely holding back her rage, and glared at Miguel. "Give me the kids."

Miguel sneered, "You really care about those two brats?"

Sophia's eyes flashed cold and sharp. "Cut the crap. If I don't see the kids, there's no way I'm going through with the marriage."

Adele came downstairs just in time to hear this. She rushed over. "The kids are fine with me, but you need to get the Martinez family's approval first. Then I'll give you the kids."

She'd finally gotten Sophia to agree to the marriage. No way she could let anything go wrong now.

Sophia's face was icy, her sharp gaze sweeping over the three of them. "You better keep your promise. If I find out you lied to me, you'll regret it."

With that, she turned and left without looking back.

The Martinez Mansion, a classic estate in the northern part of the city, stood as a testament to the family's dominance over the city's economy—controlling two-thirds of it. Nicholas, the first grandson and current president, had an accident that cast a shadow over the whole family.

The butler, Mark Wright, burst in. "Mr. Martinez, Mrs. Martinez, the bride-to-be, Ms. Anderson, is here."

As soon as Sophia walked in, all eyes were on her. Dressed in prison garb, she entered the room, prompting Nicholas's uncle, Lorenzo Martinez, lounging on the sofa, to sneer.

'So beautiful, yet a murderer? She's perfect for a vegetable,' he thought, his eyes filled with contempt

Nicholas's grandparents, Warren Martinez and Diana Garcia, sat in the main seats, their eyes widening slightly as they looked at Sophia with a hint of surprise. When they saw her delicate face, a touch of amazement flashed in their eyes.

Warren asked tentatively, "Are you Sophia?"

Sophia stood tall, calmly facing everyone's curious and disgusted stares. "Yes, I am." She scanned the room without showing any emotion.

The people on the sofa were all close relatives of the Martinez family. Even though Sophia didn't know them, she could see through their fake sorrow. Nicholas becoming a vegetable was a chance for many to rise to power. They were too happy to be truly sad. The only ones genuinely upset by Nicholas's condition were probably the two elderly people in front of her.

Diana sighed deeply and said weakly, "Nicholas is now a vegetable. Only marriage can help him break the curse and wake up."

Sophia's eyes were deep as she nodded. "Okay, can I see him now?"

"Yeah, he's upstairs."

To make things easier for Nicholas's care, the Martinez family had set up a mini-hospital on the second floor. Nicholas lay on the bed in dark blue loungewear, his face pale. His features were sharp and delicate. Despite his sickly appearance, Sophia couldn't help but wonder what he'd look like with his eyes open.

A medical device was hooked up to his right hand, showing his vital signs.

Sophia stepped forward, her expression complicated, carefully checking the color of Nicholas's lips. She placed her fingers on his chest, feeling his heartbeat. The heartbeat was steady and strong, beating rhythmically.

Her eyes suddenly changed, and she turned to speak. "Mrs. Martinez, Mr. Nicholas Martinez isn't a vegetable. He's in a pseudo-coma, likely due to poisoning."

Her words were like a bomb going off in the room. Warren and Diana's eyes widened, their voices filled with excitement, "Is what you said true?"

Lorenzo gritted his teeth and hurried forward, "Mom, Dad, Nicholas's condition was diagnosed by multiple professional doctors. There can be no mistake! She's trying to deceive you!"

He finished speaking and glared fiercely at Sophia. "Get out of the Anderson family now. We won't marry a liar!"

Sophia frowned, staring intently at Lorenzo. He was in a black suit, quite handsome, but next to Nicholas, he was instantly overshadowed. From the way he was addressed, she deducted he should be the most likely person to take over the company.

If that was truly the case, Sophia had a rough understanding of the situation. She didn't explain much, turned, and lifted Nicholas's shirt, pressing directly on the inside of his forearm. Nicholas's heart rate instantly sped up, and the device started to alarm.

Lorenzo's eyes almost popped out, and he shouted, "What are you doing? Trying to kill Nicholas? Get out now."

Diana, seething with anger, yelled, "Stop it, stop it now!" She lunged forward to intervene with Sophia, but Warren quickly restrained her.

Warren's expression was complex, his voice deep, "Don't stop her, let her treat him."

From the car accident until now, Nicholas finally had a reaction. Even if it was just a faster heartbeat, it was a good sign.

Sophia stood up straight and calmly explained, "A vegetable can be explained as brain death. If Mr. Nicholas Martinez were truly in that state, he wouldn't have a heart rate acceleration response to massage."

Nicholas's assistant, Jace Harris, asked excitedly, "Do you mean Mr. Nicholas Martinez can wake up?"

Sophia nodded firmly, her eyes scanning the room, "Please help me find a needle."

"No problem." Jace quickly ran out and returned with a needle. He stared intently at Sophia, "As long as Mr. Nicholas Martinez can wake up, you can name your price."

Sophia ignored his words. Instead, she took the needle and meticulously pierced it three inches above the crease of his wrist. She was precise, ensuring the needle only went in one-third of the way.

Everyone held their breath, afraid to miss any miracle.

Time ticked by, and Nicholas on the bed still had no reaction. Lorenzo breathed a sigh of relief, saying smugly, "I told you, she's a liar. Get her out!"

Suddenly, Diana's expression changed as she exclaimed, "Nicholas!"