Chapter 300: I Can’t Protect You

Chapter 300: I Can’t Protect You

In the bedroom, Andrew had completed the sandplay therapy assessment. Nate stared at the test results recorded in his notebook, his brow furrowed in complex contemplation.

The results revealed Andrew harbored intense aversion toward the Smith family, yet showed no signs of mental illness.

"When did you first notice the bloodlust symptoms?" Nate closed his notebook, employing the most fundamental approach to analyze the secrets buried in Andrew's psyche.

Andrew's fingertips methodically rolled each amber bead on his prayer bracelet. After a long moment of careful recollection, he provided a definitive answer: "Three days after Sophia was born."

He remembered—it was the week before the butler brought Sophia back to the Smith family estate. Counting the days, that would be exactly three days after her birth.

"You experienced no abnormalities before that?"

"None."

The cause remained unknown—far too suspicious. Nate suspected Andrew was concealing crucial details.

Yet the truth was, since Andrew had promised Sophia he'd cooperate with Nate's assessment, he would answer with absolute honesty.

Never mind Nate's skepticism—back when Andrew first discovered his unnatural craving for blood, he'd been terrified himself, unable to comprehend why he'd suddenly fallen ill.

He'd initially assumed the Smith family's oppressive environment had twisted his psychology, but judging by Nate's current expression of profound difficulty, the matter wasn't so simple.

The door cracked open, revealing a pair of deep, watchful eyes.

Both Andrew and Nate glanced over. Seeing those beautiful eyes, Andrew's typically cold demeanor softened instantly.

Sophia secretly observing them was adorable...

Realizing she'd been spotted, Sophia simply pushed the door fully open. "Taking this long? Still not finished?"

"We're done." Nate stood, yielding the chair beside the bed. Sophia entered carrying a tray and settled into the vacated seat.

"Have some chicken soup first." She lifted the still-steaming bowl. The scorching heat quickly reddened her fingertips, though her expression betrayed no discomfort.

Andrew noticed. He reached out and took the bowl directly. "I'm not an invalid. You don't need to coddle me like this."

Sophia lowered her gaze, pressing her lips together like a child caught misbehaving. "Then... should I leave?"

Andrew's hand holding the spoon trembled abruptly. He looked up to find Sophia watching him with mischievous amusement.

"Nate, come have some coffee." Michael stood in the doorway. Seeing the siblings' rapport, Nate followed Michael out.

Perfect timing—he needed to analyze Andrew's sandplay assessment anyway. Perhaps he'd overlooked something.

One had to admit: children raised in the Smith family possessed impeccable deportment.

Andrew consumed the scalding soup without making a sound, his elegance suggesting this wasn't ordinary chicken broth but borscht from a five-star restaurant.

He ate in small, measured sips, his expression maintaining its customary detachment as though his mind were elsewhere. Sophia sat beside him, chin propped on her palm, watching him eat.

When the bowl was finally empty, Andrew set it on the nightstand. Sophia promptly offered him a napkin.

"John hasn't been causing you trouble lately, has he?" His voice was low and flat, yet couldn't quite conceal his concern for Sophia.

At the mention of John, Sophia's mood plummeted instantly, the light in her eyes abruptly extinguished. "He..."

Andrew's eyes narrowed. "What happened? Did he have another episode and hurt you?"

"No." Sophia shook her head, sighing with exhaustion as she disclosed the truth: "He thought you were in danger in Eldoria and tried to find you. Walked straight into Jane's trap instead and was severely injured. Yesterday the toxicity from Jane's new drug formula flared up—he coughed blood and lost consciousness. He's recuperating at Applewood Estate now, still hasn't regained consciousness."

Andrew clenched his jaw, cursing under his breath: "Idiot."

Walking into such an obvious trap—the medication must have rotted his brain along with his judgment.

"Worry clouds reason," Sophia murmured, head bowed.

Surprise flickered in Andrew's eyes. "You're defending him?"

"I am not." Sophia's denial came swiftly. She picked up the calming herbal tea and offered it to him. "Drink this and get some sleep. At daybreak, you're coming back to Emerald City with me."

Andrew accepted the tea but immediately set it back on the nightstand, studying her intently. "Why was John at Applewood Estate?"

"The dog at the Cooper family gala—I suspected John didn't release it, so I went to find him. Discovered him covered in injuries, hiding in Smith Pharmaceuticals' basement. I brought him to Applewood Estate to recover." Sophia paused, then added defensively: "It's not concern. I just don't want him dragging me to hell when he finally kicks the bucket. If I don't keep him contained, who knows what atrocities he'll commit."

Andrew's lips curved in an almost imperceptible smile. His Sophia truly had changed.

More confident and powerful than before. No longer needing others' protection, she'd become capable of sheltering others beneath her own wings.

He finally lifted the cup and drained it in one swallow.

After a moment's silence, he asked quietly, "So... do you still hate me?"

Sophia's hand, reaching for the empty cup, froze momentarily before resuming its motion. She averted her gaze. "I don't know. There's something I've never understood."

"Tell me."

"Why didn't you let me stay at Solstice Haven to study medicine? Why drag me back into the business world's whirlpool?"

Though she had to admit that compared to being a detached, unworldly physician at Solstice Haven, the cutthroat world of commerce suited her better.

Still, she couldn't comprehend—if Andrew truly cared for her back then, why use such forceful methods to bring her back?

"Being born into the Smith family means forfeiting the right to pursue dreams." Andrew's voice carried heavy authority, his deep amber eyes radiating unwavering conviction. "Especially for you as a woman. Without power and profit in your hands, you'd never escape being traded away in a marriage alliance."

His gaze suddenly loosened, lashes lowering. "I couldn't protect you."

Candlelight flickered across his chiseled features, casting shadows beneath his lashes that concealed the emotions he couldn't quite hide.

The space fell into eerie silence.

Melted white wax dripped down the silver candlestick, solidifying at the edge before reaching the table—like icicles suspended from eaves.

A sharp intake of breath shattered the quiet. Sophia exhaled deeply, as if years of buried resentment were being expelled from her body with that breath.

She smiled faintly. "You really are as infuriating as ever."

But I think... I don't hate you anymore.

The door was suddenly knocked. Michael entered, holding Sophia's vibrating phone.

"Sophia, it's Joshua."

Sophia answered the call. The moment she pressed it to her ear, an anxious voice burst through: "Sophia, did you find him?"

She instinctively glanced at Andrew. He shook his head slightly, indicating he didn't wish to speak with Joshua.

Sophia respected his decision. She told the caller, "Yes, he's safe in Eldoria. Focus on managing the corporation. We'll discuss everything else later."