Chapter 116
James's POV:
I had just arrived at the Smith Group when I got a message from Sophia.
[If you think I'm disobedient, you can replace me with another wife right now.]
I frowned, completely confused.
I typed and deleted, not knowing what to send.
I found Liliana's number and sent her a message.
[Did you tell Sophia what we talked about?]
[Of course I did. Don't think she'll come running back to you just because you show her some cheap concern.]
[Liliana, if you can't speak properly, don't say anything at all.]
[I'll say whatever I want.]
When I tried to reply to Liliana, it showed she had blocked my number.
I snorted coldly and closed my phone.
Who knows how Liliana twisted my words?
But judging by her tone, I could tell she'd misunderstood badly. I'd have to try asking Sophia about it tonight.
Sophia's POV:
After resting at home for a few days, my body had finally recovered.
Liliana and Yasmin came to see me almost every day. James had also come by a few times, but I'd turned him away at the door.
He didn't force his way in, but he had someone deliver things every day. My place was getting so full that I could barely fit anything else.
"James is pretty persistent," Yasmin said, looking at the large bouquet of red roses in the living room.
"Too much money." I tossed the flowers into the trash without expression.
"What a waste!" Liliana said regretfully. "These flowers are so beautiful. If you don't want them, give them to me."
"Take them if you like," I said.
Liliana actually picked the flowers out: "Then I'm really taking them. They'll class up my living room."
We all laughed.
Liliana spoke up, "Sophia, go change into something nice. I'm taking you out tonight to see the world."
"See what world?" I asked.
"You'll know when we get there," Liliana said mysteriously. "I guarantee it'll open your eyes."
Yasmin got interested too: "Where are we going? Take me along."
"Sure, let's all go!" Liliana decided.
That evening, Liliana drove to pick up Yasmin and me.
The car stopped in front of a very upscale-looking bar.
"This is what you meant by seeing the world?" I looked at the bar's sign, not knowing whether to laugh or cry.
"This isn't an ordinary bar," Liliana winked. "You'll know once we go in."
We walked in, and a server immediately came up: "Welcome, do you ladies have a reservation?"
"Yes, under Ms. Smith," Liliana said.
"Please follow me."
The server led us through the main hall to a relatively quiet booth.
Along the way, I noticed that almost all the customers in this bar were women, and... the performers on stage were all young men with great bodies.
"This is..." I had a vague idea of what this was.
"A male strip club," Liliana whispered proudly. "How about that? Never seen one before, right?"
I really hadn't.
In those past years, I'd only focused on James.
Liliana excitedly grabbed me: "Sophia, look, look!"
Several young men wearing only tank tops and shorts were dancing in front of us. Their pink lips curved up slightly as they lifted their shirts, revealing sexy abs.
Their movements were sensual and seductive. The female customers below let out screams and whistles.
"This is so..." Yasmin was also a bit shocked.
"Exciting, right?" Liliana said with a laugh. "Since we're here, let's enjoy ourselves."
She called over a server, ordered drinks, then pointed at the men dancing on stage: "Go get those guys to come chat with us."
The server understood: "Right away."
After a while, three young, handsome men walked over and sat down beside us.
"Good evening, beautiful ladies," said one man with dimples when he smiled. "I'm Sean. Happy to serve you."
The other two men also introduced themselves—one was Atlas, the other Ezra.
They were all great conversationalists, sweet-talking us until we couldn't stop laughing.
"Miss, you have such great skin. What skincare do you use?" Sean asked me.
"Just regular stuff," I said.
"Then you must be naturally beautiful," Sean said, raising his glass. "Let me toast you."
I clinked glasses with him and took a sip.
The drink was sweet, not very strong—perfect for women.
"Miss, you have such beautiful hands." Atlas suddenly took my hand. "Can I touch them?"
I froze, not yet reacting, when Liliana spoke up: "Touch away! We're here to have fun today!"
With permission, Atlas gently stroked the back of my hand: "Your hands are so soft and smooth, like silk."
I felt a bit uncomfortable and tried to pull my hand back, but Liliana held it down.
"Sophia, relax," Liliana whispered in my ear. "When you go out to play, you need to let loose. Look at Yasmin."
I looked at Yasmin and found she was already laughing so hard she'd bent over, with Ezra making her laugh.
Ezra was even thoughtfully feeding her fruit.
"See? How happy," Liliana said. "Forget all those unhappy things and enjoy the moment."
Looking at the brightly smiling handsome guys in front of me, then at Liliana and Yasmin's happy faces, I tried to relax.
I was a married woman—could I really be more uptight than unmarried girls?
"You look so good when you smile," Atlas said. "You should smile more."
"Okay," I said with a smile.
We drank and chatted, and time passed bit by bit.
Atlas even pulled me up to dance to the music.
I was shy at first, but under the influence of alcohol, I gradually let go and danced with him.
"Sophia, you dance so well!" Liliana clapped from the side.
I smiled—it had been so long since I'd felt this relaxed.
"Feel my abs." Sean suddenly took my hand and placed it on his abdomen.
I touched them—very firm.
"How about it? Not bad, right?" Sean said proudly.
"Not bad," I said with a smile.
"Want to touch somewhere else?" Sean leaned close to me, his tone suggestive.
Before I could answer, a cold voice sounded behind us: "With that body, you have the nerve to embarrass yourself like this."
We all froze.
I turned around to see James standing by the booth, his face extremely dark.
His gaze fell on my hand still resting on Sean's abs, his eyes cold as ice.
"James, what are you doing here?" I was startled and instinctively tried to pull my hand back.
But he'd already grabbed my wrist first and pulled me up from my seat.
"What are you doing?" I struggled.
"Going home," he said through gritted teeth.
"I'm not going!" I got angry too. "What right do you have to control me?"
"Because I'm your husband," he said, as if it were obvious.
He looked at Liliana and said coldly, "Liliana, you've got some nerve, bringing her to a place like this."
Liliana felt a bit guilty but still tried to act tough: "Weren't you the one who told me to take her out to have fun?"
James laughed coldly: "I didn't tell you to bring her to this kind of place, did I?"
"I'll settle accounts with you when I have time," James repeated, ignoring her and pulling me toward the exit.
"Let go of me!" I struggled hard, but he was too strong—I couldn't break free at all.
"James, if you don't let go, I'll call for help!"
"Go ahead and call," he said without looking back. "Let's see who dares to interfere."