Chapter 26
"Mr. Anderson." James spoke, his voice not loud, but carrying the natural authority of someone in power. "Does your Shadow Circuit Studio actually have what it takes to handle our company's order? My time is valuable. You can't afford to waste it."
His words questioned not only Andrew's abilities but showed contempt for the entire Shadow Circuit Studio, as if we were just an insignificant backup option among his many choices.
The warmth on Andrew's face faded, replaced by the pride of someone who masters technology.
He wasn't intimidated by James's presence. Instead, he stepped forward, took out his checkbook from his suit pocket, and wrote swiftly.
Then he pushed the check, along with the stack of cash James had thrown on my desk earlier, back across the table to James.
"Mr. Smith." Andrew's voice was steady and calm. "This is the deposit you paid earlier, returned double. Also, I think you may have misunderstood—Shadow Circuit Studio doesn't take on just any client."
As his words fell, the air froze in that moment.
Double the deposit returned!
Direct refusal to cooperate!
This wasn't just dismissing James's wealth—it was an open challenge to his authority.
I saw James's pupils suddenly contract, his knuckles turning pale as he gripped the edge of the check.
The anger he'd barely suppressed moments ago rose again like a volcano about to erupt.
James's handsome face turned extremely dark, the hostility in his expression sending chills down one's spine.
He narrowed his eyes, staring hard at Andrew, as if he wanted to tear apart this man who had challenged him again and again.
However, unexpectedly, he didn't lose his temper at Andrew.
Instead, he stood up and walked straight past Andrew, who stood like a shield in front of me, stepping right up to me.
I felt the oppressive force rushing toward me, making it hard to breathe.
His gaze pressed heavily on me, something more than usual lurking in the depths of his eyes, his powerful presence spreading out.
But the words he spoke were like a thunderclap in my ears.
"Grandma's awake."
My whole body shook. I looked up at him in disbelief.
Indigo was awake?
Something this important, and I didn't even know?
It was all my fault for being too busy lately, not visiting Indigo at the hospital every day.
He seemed to see through my brief panic and guilt, his thin lips spitting out each word with sharp sarcasm. "You keep saying you care about Grandma, but what's the result? You don't even know she's awake? Is your concern just lip service?"
My heart felt like it was being squeezed hard, both painful and guilty.
"I'm going to the hospital right now!" I said immediately, grabbing my purse from the desk, ready to leave.
James followed me unhurriedly, his arm in a forceful gesture hovering at my waist, vaguely asserting something.
"I'll go with you." Andrew spoke almost simultaneously, his footsteps following, his eyes full of concern.
"That won't be necessary." James's gaze shot toward Andrew like a sharp arrow, his casual tone hiding thick mockery. "This is our family matter. You have no place interfering."
Andrew's brows furrowed tightly, about to say something. "Sophia..."
But James cut him off directly, the corner of his mouth curling into a cold, possessive arc as he said something that made my heart skip a beat. "We're not divorced yet."
His eyes locked tightly on me, but the words were directed at Andrew, each one dripping with danger and sarcasm. "You have no right to manage my wife."
Those words felt electric, instantly coursing through my entire body.
In two years of marriage, he had never used such a term of belonging and possession to address me.
Even as newlyweds, he had only stiffly called me by my name, Sophia.
At this moment, James's sudden intimate way of addressing me carried a domineering, unquestionable declaration.
Beyond my shock, something stirred uncontrollably in my heart—a tiny but real ripple.
But that ripple only flashed by for a moment.
This was just a tool he was using to strike at Andrew and protect his ridiculous pride.
Andrew's face darkened. He looked at me, his eyes complex, but finally took a deep breath and said to me. "Sophia, call me anytime if you need anything."
"Okay." I gave him an apologetic look.
James snorted coldly, ignoring him, practically forcing me along as he quickly left Shadow Circuit Studio.
We didn't speak the whole way.
I'd gotten used to this over the years, and thought it was fine.
A few times, James seemed to want to talk to me, but I closed my eyes, pretending he was air.
Maybe seeing I didn't want to deal with him, he just started looking at his phone.
When we got to the VIP ward, I practically ran inside.
On the bed, Indigo was indeed awake.
She was leaning against the pillow, her face still pale and haggard, her spirits somewhat low, but those eyes that were always full of loving kindness were open.
Seeing me come in, her eyes immediately moistened, and she reached out her trembling hand toward me. "Sophia..."
Tears immediately flooded my eyes. I rushed forward, tightly gripping Indigo's thin, cold hand, choking out. "Grandma."
A thousand words were stuck in my throat, leaving only heartache and guilt.
Indigo gripped my hand hard, tears sliding down the wrinkles at the corners of her eyes.
She looked at me, then at James, who had followed me in with an unpleasant expression, her lips trembling as if it took great effort to ask haltingly. "Sophia, James. I heard you two are getting divorced?"
My heart sank heavily.
Who had told Indigo about the divorce so quickly?
Amelia?
Or...
Indigo's hand clutched mine, refusing to let go, her eyes full of pleading and desperation, her tone so humble it broke my heart. "Sophia, don't... don't divorce, okay? I'm begging you. James needs you. You're husband and wife."
Looking at Indigo's hopeful and pained eyes, my heart felt like it was being cut with a knife.
How could I tell her that my marriage with James had long been full of holes, and staying together would only mean torturing each other?
I took a deep breath, trying to calm my emotions, avoiding Indigo's gaze as I said quietly. "Grandma, it's not that I don't want to. I just want to help him."
Help him and Amelia, and help myself too.
"Nonsense!" Indigo suddenly became agitated, her breathing a bit rapid as she shook her head forcefully. "James is confused! I can see clearly—you're the best thing for him. Sophia, trust me, give James one more chance, and give me a reason to live, okay?"
Indigo's words hit my heart like a heavy hammer.
I looked at James standing silently to the side, his face tense, and felt only irony.
What he needed was never someone like me.
Otherwise, how could he hurt me again and again?
The atmosphere in the ward fell into a stalemate.