Chapter 157 I Am Not a Guest, I Am Her Husband
Matthew felt utterly helpless and had to give in. "Once you're feeling better, I'll let you leave, okay? You pushed yourself so hard for so long. When I brought you back, you were barely breathing. If this happens again, my heart won't be able to take it."
Sophia knew Matthew had softened, and immediately promised, "I'll definitely take good care of myself, Matthew. You have to keep your word and not go back on it!"
"I won't go back on it." Matthew sighed.
Sophia really wasn't as adorable as when she was little.
Before leaving, he said in a low voice, "I've had someone prepare medicine for you. Remember to drink it later."
At these words, Sophia's little face immediately fell, rejection written all over it.
The medicine Matthew prepared was always the most bitter, and she hated drinking medicine the most.
In the past, every time she had to take medicine, she would find a place to hide where no one could find her.
Her three senior brothers would chase after her with bowls in hand, trying their best to persuade her to take the medicine.
Those scenes were practically Sophia's lifelong nightmare.
Just thinking about it made her hair stand on end.
Seeing her face full of resistance, Matthew chuckled, though his tone remained stern. "If you won't drink it, then forget about going back. I can afford to support you anyway. Just stay home and rest."
Sophia frowned, and under Matthew's authority, reluctantly gave in.
Matthew left feeling satisfied, but his good mood didn't last long. At the door, he ran into someone he didn't want to see.
"What are you doing here?"
Matthew's expression instantly darkened, his cold, sharp eyes staring straight at Benjamin in front of him.
Benjamin pressed his lips together. "I came to see Sophia. I know she's awake."
"So?" Matthew stood with one hand in his pocket, his custom-tailored suit making his figure look even more upright, his presence not the least bit inferior to Benjamin's.
Benjamin didn't back down. He narrowed his eyes and took two steps closer to Matthew, saying coldly, "I want to see Sophia."
"She's weak right now and can't see visitors."
"I'm not a visitor. I'm her husband."
"Husband? If I don't agree, this marriage won't happen."
Matthew's tone was arrogant, showing no mercy.
Benjamin was stunned for a moment, then laughed softly.
Although he hadn't slept for several days, Benjamin showed no signs of dishevelment. A sharp gleam flashed in his deep eyes.
He looked directly at Matthew and said word by word, "My marriage to Sophia is protected by law. What? Does Mr. Moore want to break us up?"
Matthew gritted his teeth secretly, cursing inwardly. He hadn't expected Benjamin to be even harder to deal with than he'd imagined.
"If you can get married, you can also get divorced. In the two months since marrying you, Sophia has suffered so much at the White Manor. What right do you have to be her husband?"
Matthew's words were like a sharp needle, stabbing hard into Benjamin's heart.
His hands at his sides clenched into tight fists, veins bulging on the backs of his hands.
He had no way to refute these words, because during those two months at the White Manor, Sophia had indeed suffered greatly.
He'd always said he would protect Sophia, but there were always times when he couldn't look after her.
Like at Ronin's party when Sophia was pushed into the water, and he wasn't there.
Although Amelia and Magnolia, the main culprits, had already been kicked out of the White Manor by him, some damage, once done, couldn't be undone.
He could only try his best to make amends.
So for the first time, the usually proud Benjamin lowered his head in front of an outsider.
"I was wrong about this. I promise there won't be a next time."
From now on, he would never give anyone another chance to hurt Sophia.
No one, no matter who they were.
"How do I know if what you're saying is true? What if you take Sophia home and she gets hurt again?" Matthew sneered, his eyes full of disdain.
"If I say it, I can do it." Benjamin's tone was firm.
Benjamin's sincere attitude made Matthew's attitude soften slightly. He snorted coldly and raised his wrist to check the time on his watch. "I got it. You can leave now."
Benjamin narrowed his eyes in confusion, a puzzled light flickering in them.
"I don't trust the White family's medical skills. When Sophia is completely recovered, if she wants to go back, I'll naturally send her back. But until then, I won't let her leave with you."
In other words, you can leave now.
Although Matthew greatly admired Benjamin's business acumen and intelligence, when it came to anything involving Sophia, he became unusually sensitive. So right now, the more he looked at Benjamin, the more displeased he felt.
Benjamin was helpless but had to compromise.
Although he missed Sophia very much, Sophia's health was the most important thing right now. As long as she could get better, everything else could be discussed.
Looking at Matthew's wary eyes, Benjamin said helplessly, "Wait a moment. People from Harvest & Hearth will be here soon."
"Harvest & Hearth?" Matthew raised an eyebrow.
As soon as he finished speaking, a business van slowly stopped in front of the two men.
Five or six people wearing Harvest & Hearth's distinctive employee uniforms got out of the car, each carrying a food container.
Benjamin waved at them, and they immediately walked forward and greeted the two men respectfully.
"Good morning, Mr. White. Good morning, Mr. Moore."
Matthew looked them up and down, finally resting his gaze on the food containers.
Harvest & Hearth's special food containers looked very stylish, full of classical charm, with Harvest & Hearth's unique logo on them.
These were things other restaurants couldn't imitate.
Harvest & Hearth was a dining brand under the White Group, or more precisely, created by Benjamin himself.
The chefs hired were all the most renowned, the dishes were exceptional, and it was a symbol of wealth and status in many people's minds.
In other words, even having money didn't guarantee you could eat at Harvest & Hearth two meals in a row.
But Benjamin had Harvest & Hearth specially deliver meals to Sophia.
"These dishes were all carefully selected by me, all Sophia's favorites. I don't have to go in, but I hope you won't stop me from being good to her."
He'd blocked all arguments, and Matthew had no reason to refuse, so he nodded in agreement.
When Sophia woke up, she discovered that the group from last night had come again.
They still carried food containers, but the dishes inside had been changed to new varieties.
Still Sophia's favorite dishes - clearly someone's arrangement.
After a night's rest, Sophia was in much better condition than last night.
She got out of bed, wearing a pair of pink bunny slippers, and came to sit on the sofa. "Just put the things down first."
Following Sophia's instructions, the group took the food out of the containers and arranged it on the table one by one, then stepped back two paces and stood in a row in front of Sophia.