Chapter 24 He's Completely Insane
Thanks to John's dramatic car-crashing entrance, the gala was forced to wrap up by nine-thirty.
"Sophia, want to grab some late-night food?" Amelia hooked her arm through Sophia's shoulder. Ever since Sophia had returned to the Johnson family, she'd been acting like such a good girl. How long had it been since she'd come out to party with them at night?
This was the perfect opportunity to kidnap her after the gala, grab some food, then drag her back to the villa for an all-nighter!
But Sophia waved her hand dismissively. "Can't do it, I'm exhausted. Going home to sleep."
Amelia looked indignant. "How can you be tired? It's not like you had to drive or cause any mayhem!"
Seeing Amelia's disappointed expression made Sophia laugh. She glanced at Wayne beside them. "My family's waiting for me. Let Wayne keep you company instead."
Amelia clicked her tongue and turned to hook her arm through Wayne's. "Fine, fine, you're such a busy, important person! We're going drinking. Let the driver take you home!"
"Okay." Sophia smiled and waved goodbye.
After the two figures disappeared into the distance, the gentle smile gradually faded from her face.
...
Unlike the tense atmosphere at the gala, the Johnson household was warm and cozy, with the family still chatting happily after dinner.
When Sophia returned home, everyone was having a lively discussion about James taking on part-time work.
"Sophia's back?" Seeing Sophia, James smiled and repeated the current topic of conversation, "My classmate's sister works at a film company. Apparently, web series adapted from novels are really popular now. She said I have pretty good looks, and if I want part-time work, she could recommend me to her sister's company as a web series actor."
"I don't think it sounds very reliable. The industry is full of scammers these days. A lot of them are just money grabs—they get you in the door, then make you pay for some training course first, promising they'll arrange work for you afterward, but then you never hear from them again."
Ray, having been a businessman before, had heard plenty about various industry scams. Whenever he heard about jobs like web series acting or modeling that supposedly paid well for easy work, his scam radar went off.
James wasn't entirely sure it was legitimate either—after all, friend-of-a-friend cons were everywhere these days.
He said, "I just wanted to get your opinions first. If you all agree, I'll go to the audition. If they really do ask for training fees, I'll just turn around and walk out."
"I think you should go for it."
Sophia voiced her support. She'd always thought James's refined, gentle features would be perfect for playing the second male lead in period dramas. Who knows, maybe he'd blow up and get discovered by a talent scout?
And if he didn't naturally become famous, she could always pull some strings behind the scenes to get the same result.
"James, you should definitely try it. Maybe you'll find acting really fun, or discover some hidden talent. It could give you another option after graduation."
James nodded. "Then I'll listen to Sophia. Tomorrow's Sunday, Sophia, want to come with me?"
Sophia thought about it. She'd just be sitting around at home anyway, so why not get out and about? "Sure, let's go after lunch tomorrow."
"Perfect." James affectionately ruffled her hair.
...
Ever since switching beds, Sophia's sleep quality had improved considerably. She slept until nine and, upon waking, habitually checked her phone for new messages.
Michael: [No schedule today. Care to have dinner with me?]
Sophia yawned and replied: [Going out with James today. How about tomorrow?]
Within seconds of sending the message, Michael's call came through.
"What's wrong?" Sophia stayed sprawled in bed, drowsily about to fall back asleep.
Her sweet, sleepy voice tickled his heart like a feather. Michael's heart raced, his ears turning slightly red, and he couldn't suppress his smile. "Nothing, I just wanted to hear how you sound when you first wake up."
Soft and sweet—very alluring.
Sophia immediately became more alert and laughed as she scolded him, "You pervert."
Michael hummed in agreement without shame. "Anyway, I'll be the one waking up next to you sooner or later. What's wrong with getting a preview?"
"Michael!" Sophia's face flushed red as she chided him warningly.
They'd only been apart for a few days, and this guy was getting bolder by the minute.
Michael couldn't help but chuckle—if he teased her any more, she'd explode. He tactfully changed the subject, "You went to the gala last night, didn't you?"
"Yeah, I did. Considering how much John loves his cars, the fact that he drove his favorite sports car straight through the doors really shows he spared no expense on that 'gift.'" Sophia sat up and picked up the glass of water she'd prepared the night before.
Michael's lips curved upward. "Do you think he prepared that gift for Emily, or for you?"
Sophia immediately choked. "Don't even suggest that. I can't handle it."
Michael teased, "You don't seem very satisfied with John's carefully prepared surprise."
"He's completely insane." Sophia's tone didn't attempt to hide her disgust.
Though the Smith family was old money with vast wealth and influence that even other elite families had to respect, John's rampage through the ballroom with his sports car last night could have seriously injured someone. If that had happened, even the Smith family might not have been able to cover it up.
Having John as a son, someone so reckless and constantly causing trouble, truly made George unlucky in family matters.
If John weren't so uncontrollable by nature and completely uninterested in business affairs, George and Jane never would have considered having another child.
And then there wouldn't have been this ridiculous switched heiress situation.
Jane had already been considered a high-risk pregnancy at that age. When doctors said a fourth child could be life-threatening, Jane abandoned the idea.
Boys were the candidates for inheriting the family business. With John being unreliable and no other son to create healthy competition with Andrew, the situation became what it was.
Now, Andrew was gradually taking over the Smith family enterprises, and everyone considered him the heir apparent.
Meanwhile, John, a wealthy but brainless rich kid who loved racing and risking his life, wasn't taken seriously by anyone.
He didn't seem ashamed of this either, continuing to do whatever he pleased, which led to George shipping him off to Lumaria out of sight, out of mind.
Sophia had spent so many years at the Smith family, essentially serving as John's "toy."
When she'd left, she hadn't bothered to notify John, though Andrew probably knew. He must have had pressing matters to attend to, or he would have come back to retrieve her.
This time, with Andrew secretly helping John sabotage last night's gala, both brothers were likely back in the country.
Sophia sighed quietly to herself. The coming days would probably be filled with trouble.