Chapter 97
There were messages and calls from James, Andrew, and Liliana.
I skipped James's and first sent Andrew a message to let him know I was okay, then opened Liliana's.
[Sophia, are you alright? James called me yesterday asking where you were.]
[He couldn't reach you, so he asked me to call, but I couldn't get through either.]
[Where are you? Can you please reply? I'm really worried about you.]
[I heard about what happened at the banquet. Amelia, that bitch! James is a total asshole too!]
[Don't be upset. It's not worth making yourself sick over this. If you want revenge, I'll help you beat them up!]
Reading Liliana's messages full of concern, I felt a bit warmer inside.
She was the second person in the Smith family, after Indigo, who treated me this well.
I replied: [I'm fine. I'm at a hotel near campus. Don't worry about me. I'll get ready and go to class soon. I'll find you when I get back.]
Liliana replied almost instantly: [Are you really okay? Do you want me to come over and keep you company?]
[No need, I want some time alone.]
[Okay then. Sophia, if anything comes up, you must tell me. You know I'm always loyal to you.]
I smiled and sent back a laughing emoji, without typing a reply.
After getting ready, I went to school.
There was an important class this morning. Missing it would cost me points, and I couldn't let other people affect me.
On the campus walkway, bright sunshine fell on the ground as I walked slowly, enjoying the scenery.
When I got to the classroom, Liliana, who had arrived before me, waved at me enthusiastically as soon as she saw me, pointing to the seat next to her, gesturing for me to sit beside her.
I walked over quickly.
"Sophia, you look pretty worn out. Didn't sleep well last night, did you?"
"I should have gone with you last night. Then, when people bullied you, I could have helped you out."
Liliana deeply regretted not being with me.
I smiled. "You can't get into Alfonso's banquet without an invitation."
"My brother has one." As soon as Liliana said this, she realized something, quickly covered her mouth, and looked at me nervously.
I looked at her with a smile. "I already knew."
"You knew? I hid it so well. How did you find out?"
I raised an eyebrow. "You really think you hid it well?"
Liliana sighed. "Why didn't you say something earlier? If you had, I wouldn't have kept pretending, and I could have gone with you last night."
My tone was flat. "What happened last night is over. I don't want to bring it up again."
Liliana sensed my cold tone and changed the subject.
She sat up straight, looking serious. "Then let's get to know each other again properly."
"My name is Liliana Smith. I'm James's cousin. I lived in the Smith Mansion when I was little, then went abroad with my parents for their business."
"When my parents got older, they still felt home was better, so they brought the company back, and I came back with them."
She introduced herself to me very carefully.
I listened patiently.
When Liliana finished, afraid I might take it out on her, she hurried to distance herself from James. "Let me make this clear—James is James, and I'm me. I'm not like him. Please don't lump me together with him."
I nodded. "Don't worry, I'm not the type to take things out on people for no reason."
After Liliana came clean with me, she talked even more, chatting until class started, with the teacher frequently looking our way.
I quickly tugged at her clothes. "Stop talking, the professor's watching us."
She looked up, met the professor's angry gaze, and instantly fell silent.
After class, Liliana started talking again.
I was organizing my things when a girl from the front row suddenly turned around and placed a light blue envelope on my desk.
"Sophia, someone asked me to give this to you." The girl winked at me with a somewhat suggestive expression.
I was stunned. I picked up the envelope—it was plain and elegant, with no name, just a small star pattern.
I opened it. Inside was a lightly scented note with handwritten words, clean and upright:
[Sophia, I'm sorry. I know writing to you like this might seem presumptuous, but there are some things I've kept in my heart for a long time. If I don't tell you, I'm afraid I'll regret it. After thinking it over, I still want to tell you.
Actually, from the first day you came to this school, I noticed you. You're a wonderful girl in every way.
From the first moment I saw you, I couldn't take my eyes off you.
By now, you should know what I'm going to say next.
Yes, I like you, Sophia. May I ask if you could give me a chance to come before you and stand by your side? If you agree, let's meet at the library this afternoon.]
No signature.
I held the note, feeling somewhat dazed for a moment.
A love letter?
Really? I'm several years older than them, and I'm married—and I can still receive a handwritten love letter?
Who could it be?
I looked around the classroom. Everyone was busy with their own things; nothing seemed unusual.
"Who gave it to you?" I asked the girl in front.
She shook her head. "A guy. I don't know him, not from our class. Pretty handsome, really tall."
She smiled mischievously. "Sophia, you haven't been here long, and someone's already sending you love letters."
"Don't talk nonsense." I folded the note, put it back in the envelope, feeling somewhat annoyed.
The person who kept provoking me online still hadn't been found, and now someone was sending love letters.
I suddenly felt overwhelmed.
Though college really is a good place for romance.
Pure and without conflicts of interest.
I casually stuffed the envelope into the deepest part of my bag, deciding to ignore it.
I turned my head and met Liliana's teasing gaze.
"Something going on here?"
I shook my head. "Just a piece of waste paper."
"No way, I saw it. There were words on it, and the handwriting was pretty nice."
"Things between your brother and me are already a tangled mess I can't sort out. I don't have the energy to start something new."
She smiled with her eyes curved, cupping her face, deliberately making clicking sounds. "If that person heard you say that, he'd be so heartbroken."
I put my hand to my forehead. "You're teasing me, too."
Liliana hugged me. "I'll stop teasing you. Would you like to keep the appointment this afternoon?"
I glanced at her reproachfully. "Of course not."
I didn't have class in the afternoon and had planned to go to the library to look up some information.
But now with this happening, if I still went, wouldn't that be like accepting him?
Forget it. I could just look it up on the computer at home.
After saying goodbye to Liliana, I left the classroom with my things.
I had just walked out of the academic building when my phone vibrated.
It was Liliana.
"Oh no, Sophia, I think James found out."
"?"
An ominous feeling rose in my heart.
How would James know?
Did he plant someone to watch me?
Before I could figure it out, a harsh braking sound rang out in front of me.
I looked up. A black Rolls-Royce Phantom had stopped dominantly in the open space in front of the academic building, drawing the attention of students all around.