Chapter 136
Amelia was frightened by his words. Her face turned pale, and she didn't dare make another sound. She just bit her lip hard, held Isabella tighter in her arms, while a flash of resentment flickered deep in her eyes.
She knew James meant what he said. If he really sent her abroad, she would completely lose any chance of getting close to him.
James looked at me again, his eyes full of apology: "I'm sorry for putting you through this again. I'll keep a better eye on them from now on and won't let this kind of thing happen again."
"I hope you can keep your word," I said coolly.
James nodded, then turned to Amelia: "Take Isabella and come with me."
Amelia didn't dare disobey. She pulled up the still-crying Isabella and followed James out of the hospital room.
Just then, my phone rang. It was an unknown number.
I hesitated for a moment, but still answered it.
"Is this Sophia?" A cheerful young male voice came through the phone.
"Yes, who's this?"
"Sophia, it's Ethan!" Ethan Green's voice carried a hint of excitement. "Do you remember me? We worked on the same research project together."
I thought for a moment, and the image of a sunny, handsome young man appeared in my mind. I smiled and said, "I remember. Ethan, long time no see."
"Sophia! Guess where I am?" he shouted excitedly on the other end.
"Don't tell me you're here?" I replied casually.
"You guessed it! I'm here on vacation! Just arrived, and Andrew said you're here too. Let's get together—we haven't seen each other in years!"
I thought about it: "I haven't been feeling well lately, so it's not convenient to go out."
"Sophia, what's wrong?"
"Nothing serious, I just need to rest for a while."
He wasn't discouraged: "That's too bad. I don't mind though—I'm planning to go skiing in a few days. Want to come along?"
"Skiing?" I hesitated. "I'm pregnant right now, so I'm afraid I can't ski."
"You're pregnant? That's great news! If you can't ski, no problem. I heard there's a hot spring there; you can soak in the hot spring instead."
"Hot springs are really good for pregnant women. Andrew's going too. You should come—it'll be fun with everyone together."
I thought about it. Soaking in a hot spring really would be a good way to relax, and I hadn't gotten together with friends in a long time.
Ethan had come all this way, and I'd already turned him down once. Refusing again would be kind of rude.
"Okay, can I bring another friend along?" I said.
"That would be perfect! Bring your friend too—the more the merrier," Ethan said happily. "Let's plan for this weekend. Andrew and I will pick you guys up."
After hanging up, I messaged Liliana to ask if she wanted to come skiing and to the hot springs.
Liliana replied quickly, agreeing right away. She said it was finals week and she'd been studying so much her head was about to explode—she really needed to get out and relax.
"Okay, come to my place when it's time, and I'll have them pick us both up together."
Liliana said okay.
The weekend came quickly.
Ethan and Andrew arrived on time to pick up Liliana and me.
Ethan was still as sunny and handsome as before. When he saw me, he greeted me warmly: "Sophia, long time no see! You're still so beautiful!"
"You've gotten even better at sweet-talking over the years," I said with a laugh.
Andrew also came over and handed me a thermos: "There's warm honey water inside."
"Thank you." I took the thermos.
Liliana teased from the side: "Mr. Anderson, you're so thoughtful toward Sophia. I'm jealous."
Andrew smiled: "Sophia is a priority protection target now; of course, I need to take extra care."
Along the way, we chatted and laughed. The atmosphere was really pleasant.
Ethan told us lots of interesting stories from abroad that made us laugh.
Liliana also shared some funny things that had happened to her recently. The car was filled with laughter.
About two hours later, we arrived at our destination.
The ski resort was huge and crowded, with laughter and cheerful voices everywhere.
"Sophia, Andrew, Liliana, let's go check in first," Ethan said while helping us with our things.
We followed Ethan to the hotel and completed the check-in process.
Liliana and I shared a room, while Ethan and Andrew stayed next door.
After putting our things away, Ethan and Andrew suggested going skiing, and Liliana was eager to try it too.
Since I was pregnant and couldn't ski, I planned to go to the hot spring instead.
"Sophia, will you be okay going to the hot spring alone? Should I come with you?" Liliana was a bit worried.
"No need, you go ahead. I'll be fine on my own," I said with a smile. "There should be plenty of people at the hot spring area. Nothing will happen."
"Okay then, be careful. Call us if anything comes up," Liliana reminded me.
"Okay."
After parting with them, I went back to my room to change into hot spring clothes, wrapped myself in a bathrobe, and walked down the hallway looking for a less crowded pool.
Just as I was passing a corner, a figure suddenly appeared from the side, blocking my way.
It was a middle-aged man in a bathrobe, not very tall, a bit overweight, with an unpleasant smile on his face, reeking of alcohol.
"Hey, beautiful, all alone?" He looked me up and down with squinted eyes. "Want to soak together? I know a pool with a really nice atmosphere."
I frowned and tried to step around him: "No thanks."
But he stepped sideways to block me again, even reaching out to grab at my bathrobe tie: "Don't be so cold. Let's be friends."
"I can see you've got a nice body. Such a great body—it'd be a waste if no one appreciated it."
A wave of disgust washed over me. I stepped back and said sternly: "Please move aside, or I'll call for help!"
"Call for help? The service desk is far from here," the man sneered and moved even closer. "Why act so high and mighty? Women like you who look this good—aren't you all just trying to use your looks to hook up with rich men and get money?"
"I've got plenty of money. As long as you keep me happy, I won't shortchange you."
His words were cut short, replaced by pig-like squealing.
A large hand reached out from the side and firmly grabbed the wrist he was trying to touch me with.
"Get lost."
A cold, low voice rang out.
I turned my head to see that James had appeared beside me at some point. His face was extremely dark, his eyes sharp as knives, staring at the man.
The man cried out in pain, sobering up considerably, struggling: "Who are you? Mind your own business! Let go!"
Not only did James not let go, but he also increased the pressure. The man howled in pain.
"Who am I?" James gave a cold laugh and suddenly flung his hand away with such force that the man staggered and nearly fell. "I'm someone you can't afford to mess with."
The man, humiliated and angry, pointed at James: "Fine! You've got guts! You just wait!"
He ran off cursing and swearing.
I breathed a sigh of relief, but then felt a bit of a headache. How was it that I kept running into James everywhere?