Chapter 53 Nearly Brain-Damaged
After dinner, they dropped Amelia off first. As soon as she got out of the car, Michael quickly moved to the back seat.
Between classes and work, he had less and less time to see Sophia, so he treasured every moment he could spend by her side.
With his parents still unconscious, Sophia was the only person he could trust and rely on. Being with her was the only thing that could ease his frayed nerves, even for a little while.
In the dim car interior, the interplay of light and shadow accentuated his striking features—thin lips, straight nose, deep-set eyes, and a jawline sharp as a blade.
After admiring his sculpted face for a moment, Sophia didn't miss the exhaustion in his eyes. Her voice was light but carried genuine concern, "Been busy lately?"
"It's manageable. The chips from Vertex Innovations Ltd. came just in time, and the board of directors has finally settled down a bit." Michael pinched the bridge of his nose, visibly worn down. "But Green Group business is demanding, and I can't let my college coursework slip either. It's hard to be in two places at once."
Despite the major crisis at home, he couldn't afford to drop either his studies or his career.
With Arthur helping with Green Group affairs, Michael could barely squeeze out time for his university classes.
Fortunately, he'd studied economics at Silver Fir Academy and had been involved in business since childhood, so he could manage to keep up with all his exams without letting work completely derail his education.
"Green Group is the Green family's legacy—what your parents spent most of their lives building. As an outsider, it wouldn't be appropriate for me to interfere. But leave Vertex Innovations Ltd. matters to me. Focus on getting more rest. If something happens to you while they're still unconscious, who's going to take over Green Group?"
The elite circles were full of people who would smile to your face while stabbing you in the back, ready to kick you when you were down. Sophia had seen too much of those dirty, underhanded tactics.
Green Group had been built from the ground up by Matthew and Sarah, catching the wave of the tech revolution. In just a few years, they'd grown from a small company into a major corporation, climbing into high society.
Early investors who'd put in small amounts were now board members fighting for power, coveting control of Green Group. They wanted to sit in the chairman's seat and wield real authority, making a name for themselves in Emerald City.
With Ella still young and Matthew and Sarah down, only Michael was left holding things together. How many people wanted to drag him down?
Add to that industry competition, plenty of rivals would love to see Green Group collapse.
Surrounded by wolves, standing alone.
Two years ago, when Sophia learned she wasn't the Smith family's biological daughter, she convinced Michael to co-found Vertex Innovations Ltd. with her. She held seventy percent, and Michael invested for thirty percent.
It was her backup plan, and also a foundation for Michael's growth.
Technology was advancing too rapidly; if Green Group wanted to stay on top, they couldn't afford to fall behind. So Sophia had invested heavily in chip technology research and development.
Once they achieved breakthrough results, she could use Vertex Innovations Ltd. to maintain her elevated status in Emerald City.
Green Group's partnership with Vertex Innovations Ltd. would also help Michael quickly establish his footing within Green Group.
The situation had changed faster than expected. Pacific Group had developed new chip technology first. Michael had to take over the company early.
But fortunately, they'd planned by founding Vertex Innovations Ltd. With their new chip successfully developed and the partnership with Green Group secured, Michael had managed to temporarily stabilize the internal power struggles within Green Group.
"Sophia, thank you." Michael leaned against her shoulder, finally able to relax for a moment.
Sophia gently stroked his hair, as tenderly as if she were soothing a child.
'I should be thanking you.'
The Smith couple had always ignored her completely. Without resources and connections, she never could have made a name for herself in Emerald City.
Even carrying the Smith family's daughter title, she'd always been like a chess piece in an ancient royal marriage alliance, with no power to choose her own life.
It was Andrew and Michael who'd supported her along the way—one helping from the shadows, one openly. They'd introduced her to the city's power players, taught her how to invest and manage her own enterprises.
Otherwise, when the truth about the switched daughters came out, she probably wouldn't have been able to stay calm and composed. She would have been lost, pushed around by fate.
"By the way, I'm taking Lucas to Mr. White's this weekend to formally apprentice him. Mr. White said he's cooking personally and asked if you'd like to join us."
"Mr. White has been secluded in the mountains for so many years—now that he's finally moved back to the city, I definitely need to pay my respects. But I have to go back to campus this weekend, so I probably won't make it until evening."
"No problem. He invited you for dinner anyway, so as long as you make it for the meal, it's fine."
Just thinking about seeing Benjamin, that old rascal, made Michael smile.
Every time they met, the man would either try to convince Sophia to become his apprentice or try to convince him. He'd tell Michael that Sophia was more talented, then tell Sophia that Michael had greater potential.
It was like he was using reverse psychology, trying to get both of them to become his disciples.
Unfortunately for him, neither had taken the bait.
At the hospital, John's injuries still hadn't healed—his arm was wrapped in bandages and suspended in a sling.
He'd suffered a concussion from the blow to his head, but once he'd recovered from the dizziness, he immediately went to the next room to find Andrew.
Andrew wasn't much better off, lying in bed with his left leg in a cast suspended in traction. Still, he hadn't stopped working, with a hospital tray table pulled over, reviewing documents.
When John appeared, everyone in the room panicked and rushed to intervene.
"Mr. John Smith, Mr. Andrew Smith is already injured this badly—surely you've vented enough anger?"
"That's right, Mr. John Smith. Everyone at Smith Group is waiting for Mr. Andrew Smith to recover and get back to running things! If you're still angry, why don't you... Hit me instead?"
"Get lost!" John shoved past the people blocking his way, pointing to his bandaged head. "He really went all out! I nearly ended up brain-damaged!"
While the group noisily tried to calm John down, Andrew closed the file in front of him and said flatly, "So what if you were brain-damaged? You're already a brainless idiot anyway."
"Andrew! You bastard!"
John exploded, lunging forward to attack again, but the others formed a human wall to block him.
"Mr. John Smith, your injuries haven't healed either. Don't be impulsive!"
After several minutes of earnest persuasion, John barely suppressed his rage. He stared directly at Andrew. "For the sake of the Smith Group, I won't hold this against you! But you're going to compensate me!"
"Fine." Unexpectedly, Andrew agreed readily. He glanced at the other employees. "Everyone out. I need to discuss compensation terms with him."
The others exchanged uncertain looks. Despite their reluctance, they followed orders and left.
Watching the hospital room door close, John's anger instantly evaporated. He sauntered over to the bedside and settled lazily into a chair.
"Emily's appearance was completely out of nowhere. Have you found any leads yet?"