Chapter 65
James fell silent for a moment, didn't argue back, just said softly, "Don't take what he said to heart. I never realized before that you actually have quite a talent in this field."
"Because you were blind." After snapping at him, I didn't look at James's face and turned to walk out of the office.
After leaving Celestial University, sitting in James's car, we drove in silence the whole way.
When the car pulled up downstairs at the apartment building, I unbuckled my seatbelt and was about to push the door open when James suddenly called out, "Sophia."
I turned to look at him. There was some guilt in his eyes, and his tone was gentler than usual. "I didn't think things through with Leonard. I'm sorry you had to go through that. I promise I'll find you a teacher with good character."
Looking at his serious expression, I felt nothing inside. "Don't bother. Also, I'm planning to move back to the apartment."
James's hands tightened on the steering wheel. "Are you still mad? I already told you, the situation was special. Isabella is just a kid."
"It has nothing to do with that." I interrupted him. "I just think we shouldn't keep this messy relationship going. It's not good for either of us."
"Besides, I have my own life and work. I don't want to spend the rest of my life being unhappy because of you."
"What about Grandma..." James wanted to say more, but I had already pushed the car door open. "I'll talk to Grandma. That's settled then. I'm going."
Without giving him another chance to speak, I walked straight into the Smith Mansion.
We lay in bed that night, backs to each other, neither of us saying a word all night.
In the morning, I told Indigo about moving back to the apartment, saying I wanted to focus on the studio and it would be more convenient living there.
Indigo's tone was clearly unhappy. "Sophia, it's so comfortable living at home. Why move out? Did James bully you? Tell me, and I'll teach him a lesson!"
I quickly tried to calm her down. "Grandma, no, James didn't bully me. I just want to focus on work for a while."
Indigo still wasn't happy and went on and on for quite a while. Seeing I was determined, she reluctantly agreed.
But she still called James over.
Indigo sat on the living room sofa, her face not looking too good.
James spoke up, his voice low. "Grandma, she has her own things to do. We should respect her wishes."
"Do you not give Sophia money to spend? Otherwise, why would she need to go out and work?"
"Grandma, I..." James thought for a moment, his eyes growing more guilty.
In all the years James and I had been married, James had never given me money on his own initiative. I always had to ask him for it.
As a wealthy family's wife, I might look glamorous to outsiders, but only I know the bitterness behind it all.
He thought that I, as his wife, with servants taking care of me and no worries about food or clothing, I didn't need money for anything. And that was actually true.
I didn't have high material desires.
But I also didn't know why James would think I married him for money.
Indigo had a knowing expression and scolded him without mercy, "How can you, a grown man, let your own wife go out to work? If you can't take care of a wife, why did you marry one?"
"If you can't take good care of Sophia, divorce her right now, and I'll find Sophia a better man."
James's face darkened. "Grandma, don't you want us to get along?"
"I was blind, thinking you could make her happy. Now..." Indigo glanced at him with disdain. "I don't think you're good enough for Sophia."
I didn't know if Indigo was joking, but I took it seriously. "Grandma, do you really want us to divorce?"
Indigo laughed awkwardly. "Of course not. I'm just trying to scare this boy."
I sighed.
I guess I was overthinking it after all.
"Sophia, do you really have to move out? You can work just the same here. Have James drive you to and from work every day."
"Grandma, that would be too much trouble."
Indigo waved her hand. "Couples help each other out - that's how feelings grow deeper."
I hugged Indigo's arm and acted cute. "Grandma, I'm not just working, I'm also going to school. Please let me do this."
Indigo liked girls who were motivated. Hearing I wanted to study, she immediately gave in, though she seemed a bit sad. "Fine, you all go then. Just leave me here alone."
Indigo stood up, her already slightly hunched figure seeming even smaller.
James looked at me and said softly, "When are you moving? I'll have someone help you pack."
"No need. I don't have much stuff. I can pack myself." I refused without hesitation, not wanting any more ties with him.
That afternoon, I simply packed my luggage.
James insisted on driving me back to the apartment, and Indigo came along too, saying she wanted to see what my living environment was like.
After moving my things, Indigo said she wanted to see the school where I'd be studying.
I hadn't actually planned to go to school - I only said that to calm Indigo down. Who knew she'd get so serious about it?
Where was I supposed to find a school on such short notice?
"Grandma, let me take you to see it in advance." James spoke up to help me out.
I raised an eyebrow and asked quietly, "You already arranged everything?"
James made a sound of agreement.
Since he had it arranged, I didn't need to worry anymore.
James drove Indigo and me to the school we'd visited yesterday - Celestial University.
Before we even went in, someone called out, "Hey, are you Sophia?"
I turned around. "Can I help you?"
"You're the one who made Dr. Warren angry?"
I blinked. "That's me."
"You don't know anything about computer science, and Dr. Warren was willing to see you - that's an honor. And you made him angry? Do you want to get blacklisted or something?"
The student got more and more worked up as he spoke. He pulled a bottle from his pocket and threw it at me.
I raised my hand to block it, but what I expected to happen didn't. James blocked everything the person threw.
My eyes widened slightly. "James, why did you block it for me?"
James turned around, no extra expression on his face, just casually wiping his face with his hand. "I couldn't just watch you get hit."
Quite a bit of liquid had splashed on his face and head.
His gaze swept toward where the student had run off, a flash of coldness in his eyes. "I'm going after him."
"Don't bother, he's long gone." I reached out and grabbed his arm. My fingers touched the wet, cold fabric and I instinctively pulled back. "Let's find somewhere to dry your clothes first, or you'll catch a cold."
Indigo was both angry and anxious on the side, pointing in the direction the student ran and scolding, "Is this the character of Celestial University students? Acting like they're above the law just because they're top students. I must talk to his teacher about this!"