Chapter 179

Chapter 179

Francis even found the childish and boring undertones in Benjamin and Daniel's subtle jabs and hints. What he cared about was Sophia's future career.

He knew that no matter how much Benjamin and Daniel fought, it wouldn't affect Sophia's emotions at all. All she had in mind was her career.

He hoped even more that Sophia could use Benjamin and Daniel to pave the way for herself.

Looking at this brief text message, Sophia felt a warmth in her heart. Her fingertips moved slightly as she typed a few lines and sent them over.

"Thanks, I'll remember everything you said. So, should I still go to the company at the usual time today?"

Francis replied quickly.

"Of course, you need to come. Don't you want to participate in other concert hall performances?"

Sophia couldn't help but smile. She could almost hear Francis's exasperated voice.

As for the messages from Benjamin and Daniel that followed, she just glanced at them casually without replying much. She got up, washed up at her usual time, and went downstairs.

Downstairs at the apartment building, Matthew had already driven over. His expression was gentle, showing no signs of fatigue from not sleeping all night.

"Sophia, get in. I'll drive you to work."

He didn't get out of the car, just rolled down the window from the driver's seat, and looked at the surprised Sophia.

Matthew didn't mention Benjamin's phone call from yesterday, as if Benjamin's questioning and warning last night were just an illusion.

He remained as composed as ever, his face full of gentleness.

"Why are you here? Don't you have to go to work too? Will you make it in time?"

Sophia, carrying her violin, quickly got in the car.

If it were Daniel or Benjamin showing up downstairs, she would only feel irritated and impatient. But Matthew was different—he made her feel a long-lost sense of peace.

"It's on my way. Get in."

Neither of them spoke during the ride, but the atmosphere wasn't awkward—just quiet and comfortable.

Sophia turned her face to look out the window. When the car arrived downstairs at the company, she finally spoke, breaking the long silence.

"Next time, when I'm free, I'll definitely treat you and Anais to dinner. I'll head off now."

Matthew nodded gently.

"Okay, we'll talk when you're free. Anais and I will be waiting anytime."

The media had already published news about yesterday's concert. At the same time, another short video went viral online.

It was a video of Sophia playing the violin on stage. It was clearly shot on a phone—the quality was a bit blurry, but it didn't prevent people from seeing Sophia's cool expression clearly.

She had her eyes closed, already immersed in the music. The melodious and ethereal sound of the violin seemed to be infused with new emotion because of her dedication.

Sophia, in a long dress with an elegant posture, had a cool yet dazzling presence. Combined with the melodious violin music, in just a few hours, this video went viral online.

It even got over a million likes on TikTok.

Sophia didn't yet know about what was happening online. She arrived at the company building at her normal time. Just as she walked to the reception desk, she heard the receptionist's excited voice, lowered to a whisper.

"Ms. Brown, do you know you've gone viral online?"

The receptionist wasn't very old—just the age to love surfing the internet. She was probably the first person in the company to see this video.

She waved her phone, her face flushed with excitement.

Sophia had gotten along fairly well with every colleague during her time at the company. She wouldn't engage in overly deep conversations with people, but she wasn't completely distant or overly polite either.

Every day when she came to the company, she would even smile at the receptionist and nod slightly, her attitude warm and polite.

Hearing the receptionist's words, Sophia froze, her round eyes flashing with confusion.

"What went viral? I went viral?"

The receptionist nodded excitedly. She couldn't wait to step out from her workstation, still holding her phone, which was paused on the video of Sophia that had gone viral.

"Ms. Brown, if you don't believe me, you can take a look."

Looking at the video with a million likes, Sophia walked back to the practice room in a daze. Francis had already arrived and was arranging the upcoming schedule, not forgetting to sync the arrangements with Daniel on his phone.

Perhaps Sophia's words from yesterday had really worked. Daniel was no longer deliberately arranging time alone between him and Sophia. He was willing to give Sophia some time, even though Sophia had no interest in him whatsoever.

Francis heard Sophia's footsteps and looked up to see her looking dazed. He immediately understood that she had seen the viral video online.

"The big internet celebrity is here."

Francis joked with a smile, handing over the tablet computer in his hand.

"Alright, don't get too caught up in it. Your video going viral has brought great benefits to your career. Now, quite a few concerts have sent you invitations. Take a look."

His tone became more serious as his fingertips swiped quickly, displaying the schedule he had just hastily put together in front of Sophia.

Francis had deliberately put a few high-value ones at the top.

"These few are very valuable. Take a look—you definitely need to accept them. I've also arranged the repertoire for you. You just need to practice according to my arrangements."

Sophia looked down at the schedule on the tablet. She only glanced at a few unfamiliar concerts before moving on, but her gaze paused when it fell on the performance arrangement placed in the last row.

"Why is this one arranged last?"

Francis spared a glance and replied dismissively.

"This is a niche concert hall abroad. I don't think it has much value, and it's not well-known either. If it were when you were just starting, we could consider accepting it, but given your current situation, there's no need to go on—it's a waste of time. You'd be better off focusing on well-known concerts in the country first."

When they received the invitation for this concert, Daniel didn't think twice before putting it last. Francis didn't even bother to lift an eyelid, paying it no mind at all.

Sophia pressed her lips together, glanced at Francis's expression, and then said hesitantly.

"What if we go to this niche classical concert first? I have some impression of the organizers. They're very dedicated to classical performances. I want to give it a try."

Francis frowned and shook his head in refusal without thinking.

"How can that work? Classical performance is already your weak point. You've barely practiced it. Besides, this concert doesn't have much value. Going would just be a waste of time. Just follow our arrangements."

His tone became more forceful, intending to shut down Sophia's idea.

But he forgot what he had said when advising Daniel earlier: "Sophia's thought isn't something just anyone can easily break."

"Mr. Vasquez, I've decided—I want to go to this concert first. Can you arrange for someone to contact their organizers?"

Francis's expression instantly darkened. He tossed the pen in his hand aside, his movements impatient.