Chapter 29
At that moment, Sophia, curled up on the couch, let out a soft moan and shifted lazily to find a more comfortable spot.
James watched her quietly, then slowly bent down and gently scooped her up in his arms, careful not to wake her. He walked towards his bedroom with light, deliberate steps, feeling Sophia's steady breathing against his chest.
For some reason, James's heart began to race, and his face and neck flushed red.
Moonlight streamed through the window as James lay beside Sophia, unable to sleep. He kept turning to look at her, his heart stirred by the subtle expressions on her sleeping face.
As the sky began to lighten, James finally got up and took a cold shower in the bathroom.
In the business world, James was always in control. From a young age, he had managed the Smith Group with ease, never encountering a situation he couldn't handle.
Yet, Sophia, without doing anything, could effortlessly unsettle him.
As the morning light filtered into the room, Sophia slowly opened her eyes, realizing she had slept in an unfamiliar place all night.
Panicking, she sat up abruptly and checked her clothes. She was wearing pajamas that weren't hers. She distinctly remembered wearing a tracksuit when she arrived yesterday. Who had changed her clothes?
Startled, Sophia rushed to the bathroom and anxiously checked herself in the mirror for any signs that James might have taken advantage of her.
Though there were no marks on her skin, she couldn't be sure what had happened last night.
'How could I have slept so deeply? I didn't feel a thing,' Sophia thought, trying to recall the events.
Oh no, did James take advantage of me again?
Maybe it was because the issue with Mia had been resolved, and she finally felt relieved, leading to a deeper sleep.
Sophia didn't notice James leaning against the bathroom door, a playful smile on his lips, watching her with a mischievous glint in his eyes.
"What's wrong? Regretting missing out on some intimate moments with me?" he teased.
Sophia's face turned red with anger and embarrassment. She clenched her fists and punched James's chest.
Sophia shouted, "You despicable man, taking advantage of me!"
James's expression darkened slightly. He swiftly pinned Sophia against the wall, their bodies pressed tightly together.
Sophia felt James's weight, rendering her immobile.
James, like a wolf, nuzzled her neck, his cool lips brushing her skin, sending shivers through her body.
Her cheeks flushed, and she felt weak and powerless. Sensing her reaction, James lifted her effortlessly and placed her on the bathroom counter.
James frowned slightly. Sophia was so thin, holding her felt like holding a rabbit, requiring no effort at all.
"Can't you eat more? You're too skinny."Sophia glared at him. "Whether I'm skinny or not is none of your business."
She wasn't here for James's pleasure.
Their proximity allowed Sophia to hear James's strong, steady heartbeat. His determined gaze made her want to tear him apart.
She tried to push James away, but he didn't budge.
James raised an eyebrow and asked, "What are you doing? Reminding me to take the next step?"
Sophia was furious. How could he make it sound like she was so cheap? "Move aside, I need to go home."
She hadn't returned all night, and Evelyn must be worried sick.
Sophia said, "Mr. Smith, it's already this late. Don't you have to go to work?"
James had planned to tease Sophia a bit more, but her words reminded him of his morning meeting with a client.
He glanced at the time and spoke calmly, "Finn has prepared breakfast for you downstairs. Eat it while it's hot."
With that, James turned and left.
Sophia, sitting on the counter, breathed a sigh of relief. She quickly got dressed and went downstairs, but Finn was nowhere to be seen, so she slipped out quietly.
Back at her friend's house, Evelyn greeted her with a stern look, "Sophia, where were you last night? I looked for you all night. Do you even remember to come back? Why was your phone off?"
Sophia was momentarily stunned, realizing her phone had died. She smiled apologetically. "Evelyn, I'm so sorry. My phone died. I didn't mean to worry you."
Sophia walked over and affectionately linked arms with Evelyn, her face full of remorse. "Sorry, sorry. How about I treat you to breakfast? I'll take you to the biggest diner in the neighborhood."
Evelyn looked at her ingratiating smile and pushed her away. "Save it. I was just worried about you. Keep your money for your mom's medical bills. I've already made breakfast."
Evelyn brought out a bowl of steaming porridge from the kitchen. Seeing it, Sophia's eyes welled up with tears.
Evelyn, noticing her reaction, grew concerned. "What happened? Did something really happen last night?"
Sophia shook her head. "No, but I found my mom, and she won't be taken away by the Brown family anymore."
Mentioning the Brown family made Sophia angry. Once she had enough money and Mia's surgery was done, she would stay far away from them.
Sophia sighed, feeling frustrated. All she wanted was to reclaim her shares. Why was it so difficult?
Evelyn, sensing her low spirits, held her hand and said, "Sophia, don't worry. Your mom is lucky. See, things got resolved quickly. Even if she needs surgery, it will be successful."
Evelyn added, "Sophia, believe me, things will only get better for you."
Evelyn's words deeply moved Sophia. Growing up with Mia, she had always been bullied by the Brown family, making her cherish her friendship with Evelyn even more.