Chapter 101 Confrontation
Sophia suddenly had a bad feeling.
After a moment's hesitation, she decided to answer the call.
"Hello?"
"Sophia, where have you been? You've been off the grid forever without a word."
A familiar voice came through the receiver, causing Sophia's heart to skip a beat.
She quickly hung up, her heart pounding as she patted her chest in relief.
It was Matthew.
It seemed Matthew had found out what had happened since she left the mountain.
Sophia couldn't help but frown, surprised that Matthew had tracked down her contact information so quickly.
Just as she was trying to figure out what to do next, her phone rang again.
Seeing the familiar number, her heart sank.
After a moment of anxious hesitation, she answered.
"Matthew..."
Sophia's voice was sweet and soft, with a hint of a plea.
Matthew sighed deeply when he heard her voice.
"You gonna explain yourself, or should I do it for you?"
Matthew stood at the floor-to-ceiling window in the top-floor office of the Lumina Group, holding a phone in one hand and a wine glass in the other.
His voice was deep and lazy, with an indescribable magnetism.
But to Sophia, it sounded like a curse.
"Matthew, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have snuck off the mountain..."
"And?"
"I shouldn't have gone so long without contacting you."
Sophia's voice was filled with a hint of a sob.
"And?" Matthew's tone was indifferent, but Sophia knew he was genuinely angry.
She pouted, thinking quickly. "I don't think there's anything else?"
"Sophia, you've really outdone yourself. The Brown Family has been bullying you for so long, and you didn't come to me. You let them use you as a business pawn and marry you off to Benjamin... Do you even care about me?"
"Benjamin and I are legally married! We're protected by law!" Sophia clenched her fists and retorted softly.
"Don't change the subject. Is that what I'm talking about?" Matthew's deep voice held a trace of anger.
Sophia's shoulders slumped, and she said quietly, "Matthew, I tried calling you before, but you didn't answer."
When the Brown Family first came to her, Sophia had called Matthew.
She wanted him to investigate the Brown Family and verify the paternity test.
But she had called several times, and no one had answered.
Later, she went with the Brown Family and left her phone on the mountain.
Matthew explained quietly, "I was in an important meeting, so my phone was off. I called you back as soon as the meeting ended, but no one answered."
"Sophia, it's fine if you leave the mountain, but why didn't you take your phone? Do you know how worried I've been?"
As soon as he realized Sophia was missing, Matthew had sent people to search for her, nearly turning the country upside down.
He never expected to see her at the Stewart Family engagement party today.
And Sophia was there as Benjamin's wife.
Sophia blinked guiltily, her lips pressed together in silence.
"Matthew, I didn't mean to."
"I know you didn't, but I was really worried about you."
Matthew's voice was filled with helplessness.
Sophia bit her lip, unsure of what to say.
Matthew continued, "Should I come to you, or will you come to me?"
"What for?" Sophia suddenly had a bad feeling.
"To hold you accountable!" Matthew sneered.
Sophia pleaded, "Matthew, I know I made you worry, but do we really need to meet?"
"No way! I'll send someone to pick you up this weekend!"
Sophia's heart skipped a beat, and she quickly said, "No need! I'll come myself! Let's meet at the café near your office."
After hanging up, Sophia sat on the couch and let out a long breath.
Just then, the bathroom door opened.
Benjamin walked out, wearing a dark blue robe.
He was tall and lean, his hair still damp, with water droplets running down into the open robe.
Even the act of drying his hair seemed incredibly sexy.
Sophia's eyes lit up.
"Honey!"
"What is it?"
Benjamin's deep, sexy voice had an irresistible magnetism.
Sophia felt her heart flutter, her face flushing slightly.
"Nothing, I'm just happy!"
Benjamin sighed helplessly, "Why do you like to act so spoiled?"
"Do you like it?"
Do you like me like this?
Sophia's heart was full of joy, her eyes sparkling.
"I do." Benjamin replied softly.
He loved this side of her.
Benjamin reached out, wrapping his arm around Sophia's slender waist, pulling her close.
They were pressed tightly together, with no space between them.
Sophia could feel Benjamin's strong, steady heartbeat, like a rhythmic drum.
"Did you feel better tonight?"
Benjamin lifted Sophia slightly, carrying her to the bed like a child.
Sophia found the position a bit embarrassing, her face turning red.
Her heart raced, as if it might leap out of her chest.
"I feel better." Sophia lowered her lashes, hiding her shyness, and spoke softly.
"Good. Only I get to bully my woman."
No one else even thinks about it.
Benjamin gently patted Sophia's soft hair.
Sophia felt the warmth of Benjamin's hand and couldn't help but nuzzle into it.
Benjamin watched her reaction with interest, she was like a kitten seeking affection from its owner.
He leaned down, placing a gentle kiss on Sophia's smooth forehead.
"You never owed the Brown Family anything, so they had no right to treat you like that. Your patience with them won't make them feel guilty; it will only make them think you're weak and easy to bully."
Human nature is to bully the weak and fear the strong.
Only by becoming strong can you reduce the number of bad people around you.
Sophia nodded emphatically, agreeing.
The Brown Family indeed bullied the weak.
The Brown villa.
Late at night, the Brown villa was brightly lit, but the atmosphere was far from cheerful.
The entire mansion felt oppressively tense.
All the servants moved cautiously, afraid of angering Isabella.