Chapter 205

Chapter 205

Sophie found it hard to imagine that an elegant and dignified lady like Evelyn would say such things.

"There was never any love between you and Matthew to begin with. I know your relationship now isn't held together by feelings. If you want him to divorce you, it's simple."

"Are you asking me to betray Matthew?" Sophie couldn't believe it.

Evelyn smiled. "When you agreed to marry Matthew, I said I'd give you money. Now, if you divorce Matthew, I'll still give you money. Sophie, as long as a woman has money, she can have anything."

Sophie agreed with that.

"You married Matthew in the first place for the generous payment, didn't you?"

Evelyn's smile remained, but a hint of mockery appeared in her beautiful eyes.

Sophie had always thought Evelyn was gentle, simple, and kind.

Only now did she truly see her clearly.

"It couldn't really be because of love, could it?" Evelyn's tone was dripping with sarcasm.

"You're right."

Sophie knew that forced love leads nowhere, and besides, there really were no feelings between her and Matthew.

Without emotional support, their marriage was fragile to begin with.

Evelyn took out a check from her limited-edition handbag. "As soon as you're divorced, this thirty million is yours. You can cash it within ten days."

Sophie looked at the check. She never thought she'd see what a check looked like one day.

Being paid off to break up with a man—it didn't feel so bad after all.

Ten days.

Evelyn was clearly quite eager.

"Okay." Sophie took the check and agreed with a smile.

Evelyn wasn't surprised at all that she accepted it. In fact, she felt relieved that she did.

"I actually quite like you. But as I said, even fate follows a first-come-first-served basis." Evelyn stood up, then turned back to look at her. "Sophie, you're a good girl. I'll remember your kindness."

Sophie wanted to say there was no need.

In the end, she just smiled.

Evelyn turned and left.

Sophie stared at the check. Evelyn was indeed generous, which showed how much she valued Victoria.

What she didn't understand was why Evelyn would push Victoria and Matthew together when Victoria's health was in such poor condition.

Could it really be to fulfill Matthew and Victoria's love?

She suddenly felt that this marriage with Matthew was truly meaningless.

She was really getting tired.

Even without love, she couldn't handle being jerked around like this.

In the afternoon, she called Emily early to arrange a spa visit together.

She was afraid she'd bottle up all these frustrations, so she needed to relax.

Emily arrived early at her office building. When Sophie got in the car, Emily asked, "Which place?"

"The herbal bath spa—it's good for your health too." Emily had already found a place.

"Sounds good."

Emily chatted with her about family matters. Her mom still called her, but hadn't mentioned divorce from Joshua lately.

"There's no reason to divorce anyway," Sophie said. "Where would you find another husband as good as Joshua? To be honest, he has no parents, no siblings. Marrying him means it's truly just the two of you."

"My mom hasn't given up. She's just short on money lately." Emily laughed bitterly. "You can never imagine how... disappointing parents' thoughts can be."

Emily didn't want to speak of her parents this way, but that was the reality.

"Why exactly do they look down on Joshua?" Sophie still didn't know the reason.

Emily bit her lip and said nothing.

Sophie thought about it but couldn't figure it out.

She had one idea, but thought it impossible.

"It can't be that it's not about Joshua, right?" Sophie asked tentatively.

Emily glanced at her.

Sophie sat up straight. "Don't tell me it's because of me?"

"Sophie..."

Sophie said, "Is it because Joshua works as Matthew's driver, so they look down on him? No, to be precise, because your husband is my husband's driver, they think you're beneath me?"

That must be it.

Emily bit her lip.

Sophie had guessed right.

"If that's the case, I get it now. The older generation—they're kind and simple, but they also secretly compete with neighbors and friends. Whose son is successful, whose daughter married well... these are all things they compare."

Seeing Emily's uncomfortable expression, Sophie smiled and said, "This problem is easy to solve. As long as I'm not Matthew's wife, it's fine."

"Don't take it to heart." Emily was afraid Sophie would be upset.

"Why would I?" Sophie waved her hand. "This isn't a big deal to me at all."

Emily sighed. "Let me treat you to the spa."

"Deal." Sophie agreed immediately.

They arrived at the herbal bath spa.

Sophie and Emily changed clothes and were led to the medicinal pool.

As soon as they entered, there was a smell of Chinese medicine. Fortunately, it wasn't too strong or unpleasant.

They stepped into the pool, and instantly their bodies felt warm. The comfortable sensation of blood flowing smoothly through her whole body made Sophie close her eyes and enjoy the moment.

After soaking, they went to the steam room. When they came out, they both felt refreshed, their skin rosy and glowing.

The two went to change clothes. Inadvertently, Sophie noticed a wheelchair placed by the door next to them.

The wheelchair looked familiar. She wondered if it could be such a coincidence.

"Is anyone there? Could someone help me, please?"

The door next to them opened a crack, and the familiar voice told Sophie it really was that much of a coincidence.

Sophie walked over and knocked gently. "What's wrong?"

"Sophie!" Victoria saw Sophie through the crack and was very surprised.

"What a coincidence." Sophie asked with a smile, "What's the matter?"

Victoria looked a bit embarrassed. "I forgot my medicine in my bag in the locker. Could you get it for me?"

"Sure."

Sophie went to the locker to get her bag and handed it to her. "Do you need help?"

"No, I'm fine." Victoria opened the door wider and took the bag. "Thank you, Sophie."

"No problem."

When she reached for the bag, the door opened wider.

Sophie clearly saw many scars on Victoria's arms and back, like she'd been whipped with a whip or cane or something.

How would a girl have these kinds of scars?

Seeing her staring, Victoria quickly retreated inside.

"I'm sorry..." Sophie knew she'd been rude and quickly apologized.

Victoria held the door. "Sophie, I need to change."

Sophie nodded and helped her close the door before returning to her own changing room.

Thinking about those scars on Victoria's body, Sophie couldn't help but shudder.