Chapter 103: The Resentment is Real
Sophia wasn't stupid. There was a time when she'd suspected Andrew and John deliberately made her childhood miserable—constant groundings, broken bones, the works.
But once she matured and started networking in business circles, she realized Andrew had intentionally brought her to public events so she could build connections. As for John, the guy was a maniac who dragged her street racing at every opportunity—though she had to admit, it built up her nerves of steel. Now she could stay calm no matter how dire the situation.
She hated Andrew and John. Always had, always would. Over the years, they'd caused her plenty of pain and humiliation.
But Sophia didn't waste emotional energy on people who didn't matter.
Love, hate, affection, disgust—none of it was worth the effort on the wrong people.
So despite what the outside world believed, her relationship with Andrew and John wasn't actually that toxic. There was still a thread of loyalty between them, however thin.
As Amelia once put it: a love-hate relationship.
Getting anything remotely positive about Andrew and John out of Sophia's mouth was mind-boggling enough for Joshua. He figured his day of bizarre revelations should be over by now.
[Joshua]: Whether you're helping me or not, right now you're the only one I trust. Andrew wants me to buy Unit 934 at Riverbank Tower. What do you think?
[Sophia]: If I remember right, Andrew's on the 32nd floor, John's on 33. You buying 34 makes sense. Easy for you guys to communicate without being watched.
[Joshua]: I'll buy it tomorrow. Renovations will take over a month, though. Almost graduation—won't get much use out of it.
[Sophia]: You could study abroad, sure, but you'll come back on breaks. Might as well stay in Emerald City. You know who's watching you here, and Andrew can help. Safer than being alone overseas or back in Silverlight City with your aunt breathing down your neck.
If someone was plotting against the Smith family, Joshua—the actual Smith heir—was currently safe only because he was being used as a pawn. Once he became expendable, he'd be first on the chopping block.
His mysterious aunt was all the way in Silverlight City. Her reach couldn't extend to Emerald City. Staying here for college made sense: Andrew had connections and could keep tabs on his safety, and distance would keep his aunt from noticing any betrayal.
Joshua smiled at his phone screen, staring at Sophia's messages. He could almost picture her analyzing everything with that ice-queen expression of hers.
He liked her.
Smart, sharp, unflappable—she had real charisma.
If Michael hadn't appeared in her life sixteen years ago and become her one and only, Joshua might've tried his luck.
[Joshua]: Sophia, can we be friends?
[Sophia]: I like people who bring value.
[Joshua]: If Michael went bankrupt, would you dump him without a second thought?
[Sophia]: Emotional value makes someone close. Business value makes them a contact. He's the former.
After hitting send, Sophia texted Michael and made their relationship Instagram official.
Social media at night was always buzzing. Within a minute, she had over thirty likes.
The first comment came from Joshua.
[Joshua]: Maybe someday I can provide value too.
Whether he meant the former or the latter was anyone's guess.
Sophia didn't particularly care.
After his shower and a practice exam, James glanced at the clock: past midnight. With school tomorrow, he turned off his lamp and climbed into bed.
The classic young person's curse—he had to scroll through his phone before actually sleeping.
That's when he saw Alice's message from around eight o'clock.
[Alice]: James, I really loved the outfit Sophia was wearing today. Could you ask her what brand it is? I'd love to buy the same one.
Just like Sophia predicted. That outfit clearly cost a fortune—Alice was fishing for information about their family's financial situation.
James replied: Sorry, no idea.
Midnight was late for a high school student, but college kids were just getting started. She responded almost immediately.
[Alice]: Oh, okay! Do you mind if I ask about your clothes then? That trench coat you had on today was gorgeous. Where'd you get it?
Now James was certain. Alice was probing. Got it at some store in the mall. Don't remember the price.
[Alice]: Oh, no worries! Hey, could you come shopping with me next weekend? I want to buy some clothes for my little brother, and you have such great taste. Help me pick stuff out?
[James]: Sorry, I'm busy. It's late—I'm going to bed.
He powered off his phone and closed his eyes.
His last thought before drifting off: What flavor pastry should he get Sophia tomorrow?
The next morning, Lucas was more reliable than any alarm clock. Right at six a.m., he was pounding on doors.
"Evelyn, time for work! Sophia, time for school!"
Sophia sat up, mind blank for a moment. After two weeks of seven-to-nine corporate training, she'd hoped to sleep in. Instead, she was up even earlier.
She tugged at her pajamas and called back, "I'm up!"
She turned to see Evelyn equally bleary-eyed beside her.
The two sisters smiled at each other before taking turns getting out of bed.
"In high school, adults always said college would be easier," Evelyn grumbled, reaching for her hairbrush. "I believed them. Then I got to college and realized it was all lies. I thought graduating would help. Turns out 'post-grad life' just means learning what 'work like a dog' really means."
Sophia laughed. "Evelyn, first time I've heard you complain. The resentment is real."
The sisters changed and left their room together.
With only one small bathroom, the Johnson household operated like a well-oiled machine: the girls squeezed in together to brush their teeth, the boys sat on the couch with their toothbrushes, and the parents split up—Mary rinsing in the kitchen, Ray standing by the window watching people pass below.
All six members of the Johnson family, starting another day.
Ray drove to work, dropping off his wife, Mary, working daughter, Evelyn, and elementary schooler, Lucas along the way.
James and Sophia took the bus as usual.
At the stop, they ran into Ethan.
Ethan normally had a private car, but spotting James, he hopped out early.
"Hey! James!" The guy bounded over in a few strides, slinging an arm around James's shoulders. His eyes landed on the pretty girl beside him. "This must be Sophia, right?"
Sophia smiled warmly and extended her hand. "Hi, I'm Sophia. And you are?"
"Ethan."
"Nice to meet you, Ethan." With James's friends, Sophia was polite and sweet—nothing like yesterday's sharp edges.
"Sophia, you're so polite!" Ethan beamed, then added pointedly, "Not like Emily. Way too stuck-up."
That reminded him. "Wait—didn't Emily transfer to your class? She hasn't been giving you trouble, has she?"
Sophia had nearly forgotten about her. "Oh, she caused some drama last week. The Smith family shipped her overseas. Won't be seeing her around campus anymore."