Chapter 101 The Miracle of Not Ruining the Smith Family
Sophia was totally thrown off by everyone's stares. "What's wrong?"
Is there a problem? I just got a boyfriend.
Mary didn't know how to bring it up and glanced at her husband. Ray's face darkened. After thinking for a moment, he said, "Sophia, you're still young, and you need to prepare for exams. You should focus on your studies first."
James kept his head down, eating, and quietly added, "She ranks first in the city on every monthly exam. Unless something unexpected happens, she'll be Emerald City's top student this year."
Ray: "But what if she gets too into the relationship, loses focus on studying, and her grades drop?"
Sophia blinked. "He's already graduated and has been pretty busy with work lately. He won't take up my study time."
Ray pressed his lips together. "Dad's worried you might not see people clearly. You're so pretty—what if he's just after your looks and doesn't treat you right?"
Sophia was so beautiful, and Silver Fir Academy was full of rich kids who were experts at using money to tempt innocent girls. Who knows if he might trick his daughter, then dump her when he gets bored?
"I've known him for sixteen years," Sophia said, then thought for a moment. "He's the guy who gave Lucas that watch last time."
Lucas lit up. "Michael? Sophia, you're together with Michael? Oh my god!"
Ray shot him a look. "Don't make trouble."
Lucas pouted. "No, Dad, Michael's great—tall, handsome, and really amazing. He's even been on TV!"
"On TV?" Ray frowned in confusion. Does that mean he could search for him online?
As if guessing his thoughts, Sophia said casually, "His name is Michael, the new chairman of Cloud Group."
"Cloud Group? The Green Group?"
Seeing Sophia nod, Ray was stunned. He thought his daughter just had some connections—who would've thought she was dating a kid from the Green family!
James was also shocked. You never told me he had that kind of background!
Sophia took a sip of grape juice, completely puzzled. "What are you all so surprised about? I just got a boyfriend."
Among her friends, arranged engagements were everywhere—like Amelia and Wayne, Tom, Sean.
In Sophia's understanding, dating was the most basic intimate relationship between men and women. In her family's eyes, it should be a small matter that wouldn't cause any waves.
Why was Ray reacting so strongly?
Seeing Sophia's calm expression, Ray sighed. Perhaps their different upbringings had put her thinking on a level they couldn't reach.
Any guy she'd choose probably wouldn't be bad in character.
He couldn't control her affairs or interfere. "That's good. As long as he treats you well. If you ever get hurt, remember to tell Mom and Dad. Even if he were the president, we'd still go teach him a lesson for you."
Sophia smiled warmly. "Thanks, Dad. Don't worry, he won't bully me."
……
After having people investigate all the crazy things Andrew and John had done over the years and figure out their true personalities, Joshua suddenly didn't dare acknowledge his two brothers.
Andrew had ten incidents of hurting people. Though he hadn't given anyone a death certificate, he'd at least earned them a disability certificate. Every time, he either broke someone's limbs or beat them half to death and sent them to the ICU for an extended stay.
Just last year, when someone made a crude remark about Sophia at a party, Andrew smashed a glass and pressed the guy's mouth into the shards, then broke his arm.
John had even more incidents of causing scenes—playing sex videos of grooms with other women at weddings, sending coffins to birthday parties, flipping tables at business receptions, and hitting on female hosts in front of live cameras at press conferences.
The list of outrageous acts was endless.
It was a miracle these brothers hadn't destroyed the Smith family over all these years.
No wonder Sophia said there were no good people in the Smith family.
Unloving parents, violent Andrew, unruly John—they formed a cold family.
What surprised Joshua was that before he'd decided whether to contact Andrew, Andrew reached out to him first.
Looking at the new friend request that popped up on Facebook with a note saying it was Andrew, he hesitated for a moment, then accepted.
A message came through quickly: [Can we meet?]
[Joshua]: I'm being watched.
[Andrew]: How many?
[Joshua]: One. He stays near my place, and whenever I go out, he follows me.
[Andrew]: John will handle the tail. The Golden Spoon.
Joshua was confused. Weren't Andrew and John at each other's throats? Why could Andrew get John to help solve his problem?
Before he could think more about it, he hurriedly changed clothes, fixed up his appearance, grabbed his car keys, and headed out.
Sure enough, after his car hit the road, a black sedan appeared behind him, keeping a distance of about 100 feet and following closely.
His aunt had said she was worried it would be dangerous for him to come study in Emerald City alone, so she sent a bodyguard to follow and secretly protect him.
He'd trusted his aunt, who raised him, too much. After learning the truth from Sophia, he realized this wasn't protection—it was surveillance.
His aunt was constantly monitoring his movements to prevent her chess piece from going out of control and off track.
Suddenly, high beams flashed a few times from behind. Through his rearview mirror, he saw a red convertible sports car. He couldn't see the driver clearly, but with such a flashy car, it was probably John.
The red sports car weaved left and right through traffic. When it reached the black sedan, John pulled down the sunglasses on his nose, revealing those sexy, alluring eyes.
He raised his thin lips provocatively, flipped off the person in the sedan, then hit the gas and sped away.
The bodyguard frowned. Where did this crazy person come from?
But when he came to his senses, he realized the car he was supposed to follow was gone!
……
Joshua sat properly at the table with an obedient smile, letting John lean over and examine him from left to right.
"Doesn't look like Jane or George, but there's something familiar." After finishing his inspection, John straightened up and leaned against the table, unable to figure out who he resembled.
Andrew took a sip of coffee, set down his cup, and said flatly, "He looks like Uncle."
"Right!" John clapped his hands, remembering. "Definitely a real brother."
Joshua's lips twitched almost imperceptibly, feeling nervous for no reason.
Could someone tell him what was going on?
Why was he suddenly meeting with Andrew and John, and they already knew he was their real brother?
Given these two's personalities, were they planning to silence him?