Chapter 152: Something's Changed with Lucas
After brunch, Sophia said goodbye to her family and headed back to the office, stopping by Oakwood High to drop off Lucas's takeout order.
Lucas Johnson was all smiles, his voice dripping with flattery. "Thanks, Sophia! You're literally the best sister in the world!"
Sophia gave him an amused, exasperated look. "Come home early tonight. Mom said she's making your favorite honey-glazed wings."
Lucas hesitated, looking uncomfortable. "Actually... I have a lesson with Mr. White. And honestly, I'm not really into honey-glazed wings anymore. That was kid stuff. Too sweet now."
Sophia paused, but her expression remained neutral. She waved him off. "Fine. Get to class. Just come straight home after school—Mom and Dad want to plan the Thanksgiving trip. I'll let Mr. White know you need the evening off."
"You don't have to do that. I'll just text him myself." Lucas rolled his eyes, complaint creeping into his tone. "Sophia, I'm a junior now, not a little kid. You don't need to manage everything for me."
Something about the way he said it made Sophia uneasy. The sweet, thoughtful little brother she remembered seemed... different somehow. She couldn't quite put her finger on it, but there was a subtle shift—a hint of arrogance that hadn't been there before.
She lowered her gaze and nodded slightly. "Got it. I need to get to work. Be safe getting home."
"Sure." Lucas, still cheerful and oblivious to the shift in her mood, waved dramatically before jogging toward the school building.
Sophia got in her car, buckled her seatbelt, and sat in the quiet for a moment, replaying the conversation in her mind.
Lucas had changed. It wasn't just that he had more opinions now—he'd become arrogant.
Having Benjamin White as his mentor had given him a prestigious edge. Benjamin doted on him, and over the past few years, Lucas had racked up awards in competition after competition, his natural talent on full display.
But he'd never faced real setbacks. Never seen how cruel the world could be. And he'd tasted power and recognition far too early.
It had made him confident—overconfident—while leaving him emotionally immature.
He prioritized training over family. He'd rather go to Benjamin's than come home.
Having Benjamin as a mentor was a privilege, not something to lord over others.
Sophia thought for a moment, then pulled out her phone and called Benjamin. He picked up almost immediately.
"Sophia! Do you know how long it's been since you visited? You need to bring me more of those cookies! The ones you got last time were incredible!"
"I'll bring cookies next time. And brownies. Anything else you're craving?"
"Wait, what?" Benjamin sounded genuinely shocked. "Are you sick? This is way too nice for you. Are you plotting something?"
"What could you possibly have that I'd want?" Sophia shot back dryly. She opened her tablet and scanned her schedule for the coming days. "Actually, I wanted to ask you something. Don't let Lucas come over for lessons for a while. He needs to spend more time with the family."
"Oh, that? I already told him!" Benjamin sounded relieved. "You guys have been so busy the past few years—you barely see each other except at Christmas. I know things are... complicated right now, but you finally have some time together as a family. I told him to stay home and spend time with you guys. He doesn't need to come over."
Sophia went silent. So Benjamin had already given Lucas time off. Which meant Lucas had been lying about needing lessons so he wouldn't have to come home.
"I'm swamped the next few days," Sophia said after a moment, closing her tablet after confirming she had no free time. "Are you coming to my birthday party?"
She knew Benjamin hated corporate events—all that shallow networking and fake compliments—but she'd sent him an invitation out of courtesy.
"Not a chance! Those things are boring as hell!" Benjamin didn't hesitate.
"Suit yourself." Sophia didn't push. "After the party, I'll have more free time. Michael and I will come visit."
Meanwhile, back at the Johnson house, Ray, Mary, Evelyn, and James settled into the living room to watch a movie and munch on snacks.
"James, you've worked with so many actresses. Haven't you met anyone you're interested in?" Mary asked, watching a romantic scene between James and his co-star play out on screen.
"Work is work, Mom. Off-set, we're just friends," James said with a small smile. He'd never been the type to fall for a co-star.
Movies and TV shows had scripts. Actors played characters written for them. His relationships with other actors offscreen were professional acquaintances at most—nothing deeper.
Falling for someone just because of on-screen chemistry felt irresponsible to him. Shallow, even.
Mary sighed. James was twenty-four and hadn't shown interest in anyone. It was starting to worry her.
Then again, Evelyn was twenty-eight and had never dated either. Technically, she should be even more concerned about herself.
"Sophia knows a lot of people! Why not ask her to set you up with someone?" Ray suggested suddenly. Any woman Sophia was friends with had to be kind and trustworthy.
James's smile faded slightly. A hint of frustration crossed his face at his father's casual suggestion. "Dad, we've relied on Sophia enough already. Don't drag her into my love life, too."
Every member of the Johnson family owed their current success to Sophia's financial support and connections. Since she'd come back into their lives, they hadn't been able to do much of anything for her in return.
They should be focused on building their own careers so they could finally give back to her, not continue to take from her like it was expected.