Chapter 263 Spend Freely
Francis's gaze curiously shifted back and forth between Xander and Sophia, unable to figure out what was going on for a moment.
He had looked into Sophia's family background before. She clearly said she was an orphan—when did she get an uncle?
And her uncle turned out to be the head of the Smith family in Harmony City.
What he didn't expect even more was that Xander actually went along with it, "Good girl, it's our first meeting and I didn't prepare anything. Here, take this card—there's no limit, spend it however you like."
Francis and Lowell stared in shock.
Because the card Xander pulled from his wallet was a limited-edition black card. This card wasn't just a symbol of wealth, but also a display of status and position.
Xander casually gave away a black card, yet still felt this gift wasn't good enough?
Sophia didn't stand on ceremony with him either. She took it right away, smiling especially sweetly, "Thank you, Uncle!"
Sophia looked up, her eyes brimming with sparkling light.
It made people instinctively feel fond of her.
Even made them want to reach out and ruffle her hair.
Xander really wanted to do that, but afraid of scaring Sophia, he held back.
He looked at Francis, "You just said Sophia is your star student?"
"I wouldn't put it that way. Her abilities and professional level are very high—even I feel inferior to her!" Francis waved his hand with a smile, his face full of pride.
Xander finally showed a hint of a smile, "Still, she needed a teacher like you to guide her growth and progress. On behalf of the Smith family, I thank you for taking care of Sophia."
Francis was flattered and quickly waved his hands. Eventually, the conversation turned to Maddox's condition.
Maddox's health had never been great. He needed rest and recuperation, and couldn't have major emotional fluctuations.
Yesterday when Maddox suddenly saw Olivia, he couldn't control his emotions, and had been unconscious ever since.
After understanding the situation, Sophia and Lowell followed Francis to the operating room.
Benjamin grabbed her hand, complaining, "Got an uncle and forgot about your husband?"
"I didn't forget." Sophia blinked, hugging Benjamin's firm waist, a knowing smile on her face, "Why are you jealous of everyone!"
Benjamin took the opportunity to wrap his arm around Sophia's slender waist, pressing her against the hospital corridor wall, slowly lowering his head.
"Mrs. White, I can ignore other things, but stay away from that Lowell. He has bad intentions toward you."
As he spoke, his warm breath fell entirely on Sophia's cheek, his crisp scent filling her nostrils, forceful and domineering.
Sophia looked at him helplessly, "To me, he's just a senior."
"But he might not think that way." When it came to dealing with rivals, Benjamin could choose not to cause trouble for them, but he had to make sure Sophia's attitude was clear.
"Mr. White, you've never been in an operating room, so you probably don't understand—during surgery, doctors and nurses all have to work together. Everyone concentrates on the patient and has no time to think about other things."
Sophia knew Benjamin felt insecure, so she patiently explained to him.
Benjamin buried his face in her neck, gently nuzzling, "Still, stay away from him."
He used to think he was invincible, strong enough, but after meeting Sophia he realized that was far from enough.
He was just too afraid.
Because he had experienced something beautiful, he wanted to hold on tight, afraid that one day she would just disappear.
She had no idea how wonderful she was, how attractive. If one day she discovered someone better than him, someone who loved her more, would she leave him?
He didn't dare think deeply about it, only felt afraid.
Sophia gently patted the top of his head, stood on her tiptoes, hooked her arms around his neck, and planted a kiss on his lips.
"Mr. White, I'm yours."
"And I'll only ever be yours."
These words seemed to have magic power, suddenly smoothing away all the anxiety and restlessness in Benjamin's heart.
He cupped the back of Sophia's head, wanting to take control.
Just then, a light cough came from behind.
"I didn't mean to eavesdrop, but... it's time to go to the operating room." Lowell stood there awkwardly, his face flushed red.
His eyes darted around, not knowing where to look.
Sophia hadn't expected to be caught in this moment. Her fair cheeks gradually turned pink, and she quickly pushed Benjamin away.
She straightened her somewhat messy clothes and hair, and left without looking back.
Benjamin leaned against the wall where Sophia had just been, watching their disappearing figures, slowly lowering his eyes.
The veins on the back of his hand at his side twitched almost imperceptibly.
...
Sophia followed Francis into the operating room and finally saw Maddox.
Maddox had gray hair, and though he was the same age as Preston, his face was covered with wrinkles, making him look a full ten years older.
He lay with his eyes closed, breathing steadily, his features relaxed. Sophia could imagine the loving look he'd have when he opened his eyes and looked at her.
She didn't know if it was because of their blood relation, but Sophia's nose suddenly felt sour.
"Alright, let's begin. Normally I wouldn't come for such a minor surgery, but Xander said Maddox's body is too weak, and he doesn't trust anyone else."
With Francis's status, the only ones who could get him to come now were basically just these major families in Harmony City.
Francis performed this surgery, with Sophia and Lowell assisting on either side.
Francis, after all, had decades of clinical experience. His technique was precise and efficient, and the routine surgery was completed quickly.
Afterward, he very carefully explained the condition to them.
Although Sophia had strong theoretical knowledge and pharmaceutical abilities, she lacked clinical surgical experience.
From this surgery, she gained a lot.
Outside the operating room, Xander had pushed aside all his work and waited outside, his eyes fixed unblinkingly on the closed operating room door.
Maddox had fainted a few times before, but never as seriously as this time.
All these years he'd been holding on to one breath, and that breath still hadn't dissipated. All of this was thanks to Olivia.
After the surgery started, Benjamin also walked over, waiting not far from him.
Xander glanced at Benjamin, feeling he seemed somewhat different from the rumors.
"Mr. White, I've heard about you and Sophia. I know the White family is an elite family, but the Smith family is no slouch either."
Benjamin's cold, indifferent eyes slowly lifted, "What do you mean?"
"Exactly what I said." Xander met his gaze, his tone serious and earnest, "The Smith family doesn't need marriage alliances, and we don't need to gain benefits by selling off our niece."
Benjamin and Xander each stood on one side of the corridor, their eyes identically cold.
All of Benjamin's muscles visibly tensed, his thin lips pressed tight, his hand at his side clenched into a fist.
"Mr. Smith, regardless of what the original purpose of this marriage was, Sophia is now my wife, and our marriage is protected by law."