Chapter 13
Chase glanced at Veda, then at Sophia, whose eyes were cold and indifferent. Suddenly, he seemed to find some confidence.
"Veda's right! Sophia, don't think you can threaten me with a few photos and videos! Go ahead and post them if you dare. Let's see who's got the guts to spread them!"
He paused, scanning Sophia up and down, then let out a mocking laugh. "And even if I have to get married, marrying Veda is the same. Why should I listen to you?"
With that, he lunged at her again, determined to snatch the phone.
Chase's shamelessness was beyond Sophia's expectations.
She was forced to retreat step by step, clutching her phone tightly.
"Give it to me!" Chase reached out, his tone menacing.
As if she would!
In a few seconds, Sophia had backed up to the door.
"I'm not giving it to you!" Her expression was infuriating.
With that, she turned and bolted out the door.
"Sophia, stop! Give me the phone!" Chase, disheveled, chased after her.
Sophia ran frantically, Chase's shouts getting closer and closer. Her heart pounded so hard it felt like it would burst from her chest.
In her panic, she turned a corner, just as Chase was about to catch up, and crashed into a solid, warm chest.
A familiar, cold scent enveloped her.
She looked up in terror, meeting James's deep, unreadable eyes.
What was he doing here?
No time to think, Sophia grabbed James's arm. "Help me!"
James looked down at the disheveled Sophia in his arms, then up at the furious Chase approaching. His eyes turned dark and menacing.
Without a word, he held Sophia close, kicked open the door to a nearby suite, and quickly pulled her inside.
Chase was left outside, shut out.
The room was dark, the curtains tightly drawn, with only a few slivers of light seeping through.
"Sophia, get out of here!" Chase's furious pounding and shouting came from outside.
Inside, Sophia was still shaken, her back pressed against the door, breathing heavily, her fingers clutching James's shirt.
His tall frame completely overshadowed her, his hot breath falling on her forehead.
"Causing trouble again?" James's voice was low and husky, with a hint of danger.
In the cramped, dim space, an ambiguous tension began to spread.
"What are you doing?" Sophia's voice lacked confidence.
James's large hand gripped her waist, the other cradling the back of her head.
His breathing was heavy, filled with desire.
Oh no! Alarm bells rang in Sophia's mind.
She tried to turn and escape, but her body was held tight. In her struggle, James's aggressive kiss fell on her.
Relentless, like raindrops.
Sophia couldn't resist at all.
A night of madness.
In the morning, Sophia woke up in a warm embrace.
Her head throbbed, her body felt like it had been taken apart and put back together, sore and weak.
She opened her eyes abruptly, seeing James's well-defined chest.
Memories flooded back.
James's hot breath, his gentle coaxing, and the latter, half-willing, half-reluctant entanglement.
Regret and shame washed over her.
How had she ended up sleeping with him again?
She hadn't wanted to.
After a few seconds of self-reproach, Sophia carefully moved, trying to slip out of James's embrace.
Every movement made her heart pound like a drum, afraid of waking James.
Finally, she managed to move James's arm from around her waist.
She quietly got out of bed, hurriedly picking up her scattered clothes and putting them on.
The whole time, she didn't dare look back at the sleeping James.
Dressed, Sophia tiptoed to the door, holding her breath.
Just as her hand was about to grasp the doorknob, James's deep, raspy voice came from behind.
"Running off after sex? Sophia, are you that desperate to avoid me?"
Sophia froze, then slowly turned around.
James was half-leaning against the headboard, his eyes fixed on her, filled with anger and a complex emotion she couldn't name.
"Or..." He sneered, a mocking smile on his lips. "Are you in a hurry to marry Chase?"
He emphasized "marry" as if venting his frustration.
Sophia suddenly felt exhausted. The chaotic night had left her emotions in turmoil, giving her new thoughts.
Ava's will only said she had to marry someone from the Smith family to get the inheritance. It didn't specify that it had to be that jerk Chase!
What if she married James instead?
He was also a Smith, and far more powerful than Chase.
Plus, he was more handsome, stronger, and had given her incredible pleasure.
This idea grew wildly in Sophia's mind, making her want to act on it.
She took a deep breath and met James's gaze.
"If you want to continue with me, maybe we could get married? After a year, I'll leave on my own."
Sophia's words were direct, but there was a hint of probing and hope.
But after she spoke, the room fell into a dead silence.
James hadn't expected Sophia to make such a proposal. The anger and desire in his heart were gradually replaced by a dark, unreadable emotion.
He looked at her quietly, saying nothing.
This silence, like a knife, slowly cut away at the courage Sophia had just mustered.
Of course, he only saw her as a plaything. He wanted to enjoy her, but didn't want any responsibility.
In that case, she would use this opportunity to sever their chaotic relationship.
Understanding this, Sophia let out a bitter laugh. "Forget it. I realized I still love Chase. Don't bother me anymore. It wouldn't be good for either of our reputations."
With that, she turned to leave.
"Sophia!" James quickly got out of bed, grabbing her wrist to stop her.
They hadn't finished talking. How could she just leave?
"Let go!" Sophia struggled.
James stared at her slightly reddened eyes, the faint redness burning his reason like a flame.
He suddenly lowered his head, capturing her lips fiercely.
It wasn't a kiss; it was a punishment filled with anger.
"Let go!" Sophia struggled desperately, feeling a sharp pain in her lips, the taste of blood spreading in her mouth.
James finally let her go, his thumb roughly wiping her lips.
His eyes were cold and terrifying. "Fine, if you love Chase so much, remember what you said today. I hope your spine stays straight, and you never come crawling to me!"