Chapter 47

Sophie's lips curled into a mocking smile. "But as your ex, let me give you some friendly advice—the world doesn't revolve around you."

"Oh, and another thing, Mr. Moore. Everything you just said? You should be saying it to Ms. Garcia instead. I'm sure she'd love to hear it. I wish you and Ms. Garcia all the best—may you marry soon and have children to fulfill your grandmother's wishes."

With that, Sophie turned to leave.

Matthew's anger flared. He lunged forward, gripping her arm. "Sophie! Stop being ridiculous! I'm offering you this out of consideration for what we once had. You should know that with your background, marrying me would be an honor."

Of course, his motives were twofold: partly their past relationship, and partly because he wanted Sophie to continue taking care of him.

Since their breakup, he hadn't had Sophie's homemade oatmeal in ages, nor the delicate afternoon treats she used to prepare for him.

He'd grown accustomed to having her oatmeal every morning.

In the afternoons, she would prepare refreshing tea snacks.

After a year together, he'd become completely dependent on it.

But Nicole couldn't make any of those things. Even when she tried, nothing tasted like Sophie's cooking.

It was awful.

He was used to eating what Sophie made.

Sophie knew exactly how to take care of him.

His grandmother was getting older, and none of her staff satisfied her.

He figured if Sophie could take care of him so well, she could certainly take care of his grandmother too.

Sophie stared at Matthew. She'd never realized before what an utter fool he was—a fool who couldn't understand plain English!

And an arrogant fool at that!

She yanked her arm free with cold finality.

Sophie had lost all patience with Matthew. Her voice turned icy. "I have zero interest in you or your family. And please, Mr. Moore, when you see me in the future, stay away. I really don't want to do something as degrading as getting into a brawl with you. But if you keep harassing me, don't blame me for what happens next! I have a veterinarian on speed dial, and I won't hesitate to have them haul you away like the animal you are!"

Sophie walked away quickly.

She didn't want to waste another word on Matthew—not one more second. Her words had been deliberately harsh.

Matthew watched Sophie refuse his reconciliation, fury building inside him.

Even if she was trying to make him jealous, this was going too far!

His temper exploded.

He quickly caught up to Sophie, backing her into a corner near the wall, trapping her with one arm. "Sophie! You're being impossible—"

Matthew grabbed Sophie by the throat, lowering his head to kiss her.

Sophie recoiled in disgust.

She frowned, slapping at Matthew, trying to push him away.

But she couldn't budge him.

As she struggled, Matthew carelessly tore the strap of her dress.

Sophie's eyes turned ice-cold.

She raised her leg to kick him—

At that moment, Henry, sitting in the car, witnessed the entire scene.

"Son of a bitch! How dare he assault Sophie!"

Henry threw down his gaming device, furious, and kicked open the car door, ready to charge over.

But another figure beat him to it, striding over in a few quick steps, grabbing Matthew's shoulder and landing a solid punch.

Then kicking Matthew away.

Turning around, the tall figure shielded Sophie completely.

Sophie looked up to meet a pair of familiar eyes, her pupils contracting slightly.

Raymond? What was he doing here?

"Are you alright?"

Raymond removed his suit jacket and draped it over Sophie's shoulders.

He looked down at her, his eyes barely concealing his concern.

Sophie shook her head. "I'm fine. Thank you, Mr. Garcia."

As they spoke, Raymond noticed the reddening marks on Sophie's throat where she'd been grabbed.

When he turned back to look at Matthew sprawled on the ground, his eyes filled with bone-chilling coldness.

"Mr. Moore, have you lost your mind?!"

Matthew got up from the ground, touching his swollen lip, then glaring at Raymond with fury. "Mr. Garcia, I was having a private moment with my girlfriend. That's none of your business!"

"Girlfriend? Private moment?"

Raymond turned to Sophie, his voice cool. "Ms. Rivera, is that true?"

Sophie glanced at Raymond, then looked back at Matthew, her eyes cold as ice. "Mr. Moore and I broke up. We're strangers now."

"Did you hear that, Mr. Moore? Strangers!"

Raymond's eyes remained cold. He pulled out his phone and called his assistant. "Find Ms. Rivera a lawyer. Someone—no, some bastard is harassing Ms. Rivera and has caused her actual physical harm. And get a doctor over here!"

Matthew knew Raymond's power. He didn't dare offend the head of the Garcia Group, so he turned to Sophie instead. "Sophie, Muffin's birthday is coming up. Won't you come see Muffin?"

Sophie's heart clenched. Muffin was the cat she'd raised from a kitten—she missed her terribly.

When she'd left, she'd wanted to take Muffin with her. The cat had followed her to the garage, then run back inside. Muffin didn't like going out, so Sophie had been forced to leave her with Matthew.

She'd once told Matthew that the day they adopted Muffin would be considered her birthday.

They'd even discussed throwing Muffin a proper birthday party.

But now that they'd broken up, she didn't want to return to that house.

She and Muffin would have to remain separated.

Sophie looked at Matthew, her voice unchanged. "Mr. Moore, for old times' sake, I won't press charges for attempted assault. But if you harass me again, I'll have my lawyer file charges for harassment and assault!"

With that, Sophie stepped forward and looped her arm through Raymond's.

Without responding to the question about Muffin's birthday, Sophie made her stance clear through her actions.

Raymond's body tensed slightly.

He looked sideways at Sophie pressed close against him, holding his arm, his expression complicated.

Matthew watched Sophie being so intimate with Raymond, fury burning in his chest.

Sophie was so angry with him that she didn't even care about Muffin anymore. How impressive!

But he knew Sophie well. Before long, she'd regret this and come crawling back, begging him to reconcile.

Just like before.

Right now, she was deliberately using Raymond as a shield to make him jealous.

With that thought, Matthew decided to leave. In a few days, he'd come find Sophie again.

Sophie still had feelings for him—she definitely wouldn't ignore him forever.

Before leaving, Matthew made sure to add: "Muffin's been losing weight lately. She really misses her mommy."