Chapter 46
The bar was dimly lit, and the music was deafening.
Sophia sat at the bar counter, downing one shot of hard liquor after another.
She stared at the amber liquid in her glass, but what appeared in her eyes was James's complicated expression from earlier.
How could that bitch Emily compare to her? Why would James fall for her?
Sophia couldn't figure it out.
Just then, a hand suddenly reached over and grabbed her freshly filled glass.
Sophia turned around angrily, only to meet a pair of familiar flirtatious eyes.
She recognized that face—it was a male model she'd had a one-night fling with at a fashion party three months ago.
"Drinking alone is no fun." The man swirled the glass in his hand and raised an eyebrow at her. "Want to have a drink together?"
Sophia frowned and reached to take back her glass, but he easily dodged her.
The male model tilted his head back and downed the drink in one gulp, his Adam's apple bobbing.
"That was my drink." Sophia's voice was cold, her tone impatient, and her eyes even colder.
"I know." The man placed the empty glass on the bar and leaned forward slightly. When his flirtatious eyes blinked at her, they carried a tender, lingering warmth.
"So I finished it, and now I owe you one. But..." He paused, his gaze settling on Sophia's face.
"I think what you need right now isn't a drink, but someone who'll listen to you."
Sophia let out a cold laugh that didn't reach her eyes. "You think you know me so well?"
"But at least I know you're in a bad mood right now." The man leaned against the bar, his posture lazy.
"I don't know what happened, but you clearly look upset." His eyes were clear, his tone calm and steady.
"I just want to make you feel better. Why are you resisting me? Or are you afraid I'll do something to you?"
Faced with his question, Sophia just looked at him coldly, then turned her head away and waved at the bartender. "Another one."
But the man pressed down on her hand. His palm was warm, his fingers slender, and the touch made Sophia shiver.
"Instead of drinking yourself into a stupor here, why not try other ways to relax?"
Sophia turned to look at him, a dark gleam flashing through her eyes.
But when she met the man's flirtatious eyes, her mood strangely calmed down a bit.
She became more patient and observed him carefully.
"What exactly do you want?" Sophia asked, though her voice had lost some of its resistance toward him.
The man's lips curved into a smile as he raised his hand to caress Sophia's cheek.
The gesture was bold and suggestive. Sophia should have pulled away, but she didn't.
"I just want to help you forget those troubles. As long as you trust me, I can definitely help you." The man leaned in, closing the distance between them.
Sophia only had to lift her head slightly for their lips to touch briefly.
"I have ways to make you feel better, much more effective than alcohol. Want to give it a try?"
Watching him deliberately seduce her, Sophia fell silent and finally shook her head.
But the man wouldn't give up. He moved close to Sophia again.
"I don't know why you're drinking alone, but maybe you could give me a chance to try?" The last word of his sentence lifted slightly, making it sound even more seductive.
Sophia silently downed the fresh drink the bartender had just served, and when she looked up at him, her expression had softened slightly.
"What are you after?" Her words were blunt and harsh.
The man's smile faltered slightly, and his tone took on a hint of helplessness.
"Why won't you believe me? I just can't stand seeing you drowning your sorrows in alcohol." As he spoke, he moved closer to Sophia, as if whispering softly.
When the man reached out his hand to her again, Sophia inexplicably placed her hand in his.
The moment he grasped her hand, the man squeezed it tightly.
"Then come with me." His lips curved upward, and his eyes held a determined gleam as he looked at Sophia.
"Trust me, I don't have any ulterior motives. I just hope you can relax a bit more. After all, constantly suppressing yourself will have a big impact on your mental state too."
Sophia could tell he was seducing her, could tell he was putting on an act, but in that moment she felt an itch in her heart.
Her gaze unconsciously drifted toward the man, and when their eyes met, she instantly blushed.
The man didn't hesitate either. Right there in front of everyone, he swept Sophia up in his arms.
And until she was carried into a private room, Sophia showed no sign of resistance.
Sunlight streamed in.
Sophia opened her eyes. The headache from her hangover made her instinctively furrow her brow.
As her vision gradually focused, she saw those familiar flirtatious eyes staring at her without blinking.
"You're awake." The man lay on his side, propping his head up with one hand, his smile lazy.
"Did you sleep well last night?"
Sophia didn't answer. She just sat up, and the blanket slipped from her shoulders, revealing smooth skin and several suggestive marks.
Her expression was calm, as if last night's indulgence was nothing more than an insignificant dream.
"What time is it?" Her voice was hoarse.
"It's only 8 in the morning. You can rest a bit more. You were tired last night, so you should get some good rest." The man's tone was gentle, and without her permission, he moved closer and reached out to massage her temples.
His technique was professional, and Sophia instantly felt her headache ease considerably.
"That's enough."
After a moment, Sophia stopped the man. She got up on her own, picked up the scattered clothes from the floor, and put them on one by one with her back to the man.
After getting dressed, Sophia took out her wallet from her bag, pulled out a thick stack of cash, and placed it on the nightstand.
"This is what you deserve." Her tone was flat. As soon as the words left her mouth, she turned and walked away.
Watching her leave without hesitation, the man felt unwilling but helpless.
There was no way he could stop Sophia.
Sophia hailed a taxi, gave the address of the Johnson Villa, and closed her eyes to rest.
Thinking about last night and this morning's indulgence, she felt slightly annoyed. No matter how good Liam Moore was, she should have resisted the temptation.
"Miss, we're here."
The taxi stopped outside the Villa, and the driver woke Sophia.
Sophia opened her eyes to the familiar scene, paid the fare, turned, and got out of the car—all in one smooth motion.
But the moment she pushed open the door of the Johnson Villa and walked in, she saw someone unexpected.
At that moment, James was sitting on the living room sofa, his face dark, with seven or eight cigarette butts already piled up in the ashtray in front of him.
Hearing the sound of the door opening at the entrance, he suddenly looked up, his eyes sharp as knives, shooting straight toward the doorway.