Chapter 156: He Would Get What He Wanted
Sophia's hand paused mid-application, foundation brush hovering. She wasn't stupid—she'd noticed Evelyn's off mood at breakfast yesterday. She'd held back from asking only because she didn't want to put Evelyn on the spot in front of their parents.
Now, even in a private phone call, Evelyn still wouldn't open up. Clearly this wasn't about work.
If not her career, then it had to be her heart.
And the only person who could make Evelyn this miserable was Bruce.
Sophia glanced at the time. Resolving whatever was going on between Evelyn and Bruce would take more than an hour-long phone call.
Besides, she'd never had much interest in sorting out other people's romantic problems—not even her family's.
Or rather, she'd never believed Bruce and Evelyn would work out in the first place.
Their careers were worlds apart. Evelyn was a bold, creative interior designer. Bruce was a precise, methodical doctor.
They didn't even live in the same city. Bruce's practice was in Silverlight City—he barely came home twice a year. Meanwhile, Evelyn practically lived at the hospital in Emerald City.
Rare meetings. Little common ground. No real chance to nurture feelings.
Even if they'd developed some attraction during this brief window when both happened to be free, distance and their demanding schedules would soon erode whatever spark they had.
Sophia didn't see them going anywhere. She was only checking in because Evelyn was family.
"Evelyn, I know something's bothering you. If you want to tell me, I'll listen and give you my honest take. If you don't want to talk about it, I won't push. But you should know—it'll take you a lot longer to work through this on your own. And you know how it is. When you're hurting, everyone else feels it too."
Evelyn's jaw clenched. Silence stretched for nearly two minutes before she finally said flatly, "I just need a little more time to sort things out."
"Fine. If you're really unhappy, distract yourself with something else."
Since Evelyn wasn't ready to share, there wasn't much more to say. Sophia wrapped up the call quickly and headed downstairs.
Michael had already cleared away last night's takeout containers. He was in the kitchen now, stirring a pot of marinara sauce.
She walked over and slid her arms around his waist from behind, pressing herself against his back. Her voice came out softer, more plaintive than usual. "I don't feel good."
"What's wrong?" Michael immediately set down the wooden spoon and turned around, pulling her into his arms. He pressed the back of his hand to her forehead. "Are you coming down with something? Headache?"
Sophia shook her head, pouting slightly. "My legs are sore. They were shaking when I came down the stairs. And... down there hurts too."
Michael froze. Then his entire face flushed red. He covered his face with one hand, tilting his head back to avoid her accusing gaze, his throat tight.
"Baby, why don't you go sit in the living room for a bit?" His voice had gone hoarse. If she kept holding him like this, he wasn't going to last much longer.
Sophia kept her head down, poking at his firm abs with one finger. She looked utterly pitiful. "Aren't you going to make me feel better?"
Michael closed his eyes and took a deep breath. His heart was about to explode.
His Sophia knew exactly how to push his buttons.
He tilted her chin up and leaned down to brush a soft kiss across her lips. "I'll be gentler next time. Now be good and go sit on the couch. If you keep this up, I won't be able to control myself."
She looked thoroughly pleased with herself. Smiling, she rose on her toes to kiss him back, then turned and walked to the living room.
She curled up on the couch, legs tucked beneath her. Michael soon appeared with two plates of pasta, handing her one before sitting down beside her.
"Want to take the afternoon off and rest?"
"Can't. I've got meetings. The two that were supposed to be this morning got pushed to this afternoon. I'll probably be working late tonight too."
Michael leaned over and kissed her cheek, looking a bit regretful. "I'll be more careful next time."
Sophia laughed. She knew Michael had already been incredibly restrained last night—kissing away her tears, gently promising to stop if it was too much. But first times always came with consequences.
"It won't hurt next time." She leaned against him, twirling pasta onto her fork. "Michael, you're such a good cook! Even better than the chefs at Celestial Peak Hotel!"
Michael gazed at her adoringly. "Tell me what you want to eat and I'll learn how to make it. I'll cook for you for the rest of our lives."
"Really? You'd do that?"
"My beloved deserves nothing but the best."
Silverlight City. Joshua's villa.
The moment Joshua saw Sophia's electronic invitation, he knew she'd understood yesterday's phone call.
And Andrew must have gotten word that Emily was coming back too.
He closed his phone screen and went to the kitchen to pour himself a glass of red wine. Then he sat on the couch and waited quietly.
Sure enough, within ten minutes, Maggie arrived.
"Aunt Maggie." He stood to greet her, his expression pleasant. "What brings you here? Would you like some wine?"
"Just water, please." Maggie's smile was warm, radiating the kind of affection an elder might show a beloved nephew.
Joshua nodded and fetched a clean glass from the kitchen, filling it with warm water.
They sat down together on the couch.
Maggie took a sip, then asked casually, as if she didn't already know, "I heard Sophia's throwing a party for her twenty-third birthday. She invited all her old high school classmates and her friends in the industry. Did you get an invitation?"
Joshua nodded. "Yeah. She just sent it over in a private message. But Aunt Maggie, your ear still hasn't healed. I'd rather stay in Silverlight City and keep you company."
He met her gaze earnestly, but conflicting emotions flickered in his eyes. Maggie could tell—he wanted to see Sophia. But he was also worried about leaving her alone.
Love versus loyalty. The oldest dilemma in the world.
Maggie held her glass, smiling faintly. "Joshua, have you developed feelings for Sophia?"
Joshua's eyes wavered. He looked almost guilty. "Aunt Maggie, I won't ruin the plan."
Maggie's smile turned indulgent. She wasn't angry. In fact, she seemed to approve. "It's all right. Remember what I taught you? If you want something, you do whatever it takes to get it."
Joshua pressed his lips together and nodded. "I remember."
Maggie's smile widened with satisfaction. She reached into her bag and pulled out a small sealed packet containing two white pills. She pressed it into Joshua's palm. "At the party, find a chance to slip these into Michael's drink. Once Michael and Sophia's relationship falls apart, you'll have your opening."
One pill would have been enough to drug Michael. But Maggie had given him two. Was the extra one a backup? Or was she deliberately giving him a chance to keep evidence?
Maybe it was a test.
But it didn't matter anymore.
If Sophia had sent him a private invitation, it meant she and Andrew had already figured out Maggie's plan—and had their countermove ready.
This was their way of creating an opportunity for him to escape Maggie's control and leave Silverlight City.
As long as he made it to Emerald City safely, he'd never be under her thumb again.
Joshua closed his fist around the two pills and smiled at Maggie. "I understand. Don't worry, Aunt Maggie."
Whether it was freedom or love he was after—
He would get what he wanted.