Chapter 23

"No thanks, I'll ride with my brother."

Sophia shook her head.

Eric's smile instantly froze on his face.

At that moment, his hand holding the keys was still suspended in mid-air, and the Lamborghini not far away was still gleaming, but everything suddenly felt incredibly awkward.

The people around also looked at Sophia in surprise.

Although everyone who could attend this school came from families with some background, Eric was undoubtedly one of the best among them.

No normal person would refuse him.

Sophia nodded at Eric and walked straight toward Jack's car.

"Sophia..."

Watching Sophia's retreating figure, Eric felt somewhat annoyed. In their circle, he had always been the center of attention, with girls flocking to him. He had never been rejected like this before.

Instantly.

Eric's gaze toward Jack turned cold.

The car door opened.

Sophia and Jack got in.

Just as Jack was about to have Joseph start the car.

A voice suddenly came from outside the window.

Jack frowned slightly and turned to look.

What came into view was a woman with wild, flamboyant pink hair.

Unlike the other students who were fawning over Eric, she now had her delicate face almost pressed against the car window, hands clasped together, making a pleading gesture to Sophia inside. Her mouth was opening and closing, but because the window was closed, no sound could be heard.

As soon as Jack rolled down the window, Abby's voice rang out, "Sophia, can you guys give me a ride?"

Although Abby was speaking to Sophia, her eyes were looking straight at Jack.

In those eyes with their elaborate makeup shone a shrewdness and calculation that didn't match her age.

Jack looked at her expressionlessly, his fingers lightly tapping the armrest, showing no intention of opening the door.

Abby didn't seem bothered by Jack's coldness. Instead, she turned her gaze to Sophia, pointing at the other students behind her. As students of a prestigious school, most of them had their own cars, and at this moment, these people were already getting into their vehicles in twos and threes.

Abby's face showed a pitiful expression, "I didn't drive here today. You wouldn't make me walk, would you?"

Seeing Abby like this, Sophia felt sympathy and turned to look at Jack, her voice carrying a hint of pleading, "Jack... how about we let Abby ride with us?"

Before Jack could answer, Abby nodded eagerly, "I can even help you guys navigate."

"OK."

Jack nodded, leaned back, and closed his eyes, as if what was happening outside had nothing to do with him.

Seeing this, Sophia's face lit up with joy, and she quickly said to Abby, "Abby, get in."

"Thank you, Sophia."

A bright smile appeared on Abby's face, and as the car door opened, she stepped right in.

In the distance.

Eric, already sitting in the driver's seat, saw this scene and his expression turned extremely ugly.

He had noticed early on that Abby hadn't driven here today.

Abby was the best-looking girl in their school after Sophia.

He had thought that since Sophia wouldn't ride in his car, Abby would naturally take the passenger seat and become tonight's leading lady in the Lamborghini.

That way, he wouldn't lose face.

But now, not only had Sophia not gotten in his car, but Abby had also gone to Jack's unremarkable sedan.

For Eric, this was nothing short of humiliation!

Eric slammed his fist hard on the steering wheel, producing a dull thud.

His expression became extremely gloomy.

He stared hard at Jack's black sedan, his eyes full of jealous flames.

The car door opened, and Abby slipped in like an agile cat.

Immediately, a rose-like fragrance flooded the car, diluting Sophia's subtle, elegant scent.

Abby hugged Sophia, saying with a smile, "Sophia, you're so nice, thank you."

Then.

She looked at Jack, "And you too, Jack."

"Joseph, drive."

Jack didn't respond to her, didn't even open his eyes, just said flatly to Joseph in front.

"Yes."

Joseph nodded respectfully.

And started the car.

Abby gave directions while looking at Jack, who was leaning back with his eyes closed, a trace of curiosity flashing in her pretty eyes.

This man had barely said a few words from start to finish, hadn't even glanced at her once. This kind of disregard made Abby feel strangely annoyed, but more than that, curious.

"Sophia, what does your brother do? He looks so serious," Abby asked, blinking her big eyes as if casually.

Jack still had his eyes closed, his fingers tapping the armrest intermittently, the rhythm steady and lazy, as if he hadn't heard Abby's question at all.

The air in the car seemed to freeze for a moment.

Sophia awkwardly tugged at Abby's sleeve and said quietly, "Abby, my brother, he's in the military."

"In the military?"

Hearing this, a hint of something unreadable flashed in Abby's eyes.

The corners of her mouth lifted slightly, showing a knowing smile, as if she understood something.

No one spoke for the rest of the ride.

Nightshade Bar.

When Jack and the others arrived, everyone else was already there.

Eric and the others were waiting at the bar entrance.

Watching Jack's black sedan pull into the parking lot, quite a few people in the crowd showed disdainful expressions.

These people all came from well-off families.

Although not everyone could drive a car as nice as Eric's, their cars were still pretty good.

But Jack's car, all black, had a decent shape but wasn't from any famous brand. It was obviously some generic brand, probably very cheap.

"Sophia, let's go in."

As soon as Sophia got out of the car, Eric came over enthusiastically.

He deliberately ignored Jack, who had just opened the car door, as if Jack didn't exist at all.

Eric had one hand in his pocket and the other on his chest, bowing slightly, looking very gentlemanly.

Sophia frowned slightly, somewhat displeased, but out of consideration for their classmate relationship, she didn't make a scene.

As for Jack, his expression remained calm as water. He didn't care at all about Eric's childish behavior.

After all, he was someone who had walked through mountains of corpses and crossed seas of blood, while Eric was just a rich kid.

The gap between them was like the sky compared to the earth.

To Jack, he was just a speck of dust on the ground.

If it weren't for Sophia, how could someone like him possibly come into contact with her?

"Jack, let's go in." Sophia ignored Eric and turned to Jack.

"Joseph, watch the car," Jack said flatly.

"Mr. Carter, I didn't expect you to have a driver." Just then, Eric suddenly said sarcastically.

The surrounding rich kids all burst into laughter. In their view, with such a poor car, having a driver was obviously putting on airs.

Inside the car.

Joseph's gaze swept over the surrounding laughing rich kids like an eagle's.

Instantly, the noisy atmosphere quieted for a second.

Those who had been laughing, after being swept by Joseph's gaze, all felt a chill down their backs and instinctively shut their mouths.

Jack ignored their mockery and just led Sophia into the bar at a steady pace.

To the side, Abby walked alongside Sophia, but her gaze remained on Jack.

Jack's steps were steady and powerful, as if each step had been calculated, carrying a unique rhythm.

Although he was dressed plainly, the battle-hardened aura he carried made him stand out among this group of rich kids who only knew how to eat, drink, and play.

Watching Jack's gait, the corners of Abby's mouth lifted slightly, showing a knowing smile.

Jack had long sensed her scrutiny, but given that she was Sophia's friend, he didn't say anything.