Chapter 63 Sophia's Mixed Signals
"We suspected before that you and Emily weren't simply switched at birth by accident, but that someone deliberately orchestrated the swap with malicious intent. However, when we sent people to investigate the hospital where you were born, after all these years, there are no traces left to uncover."
Michael took a sip of his coffee, suddenly feeling an unease creeping into his heart. His instincts told him this matter wasn't simple.
Because babies born in regular rooms and those born in VIP suites weren't even housed on the same floor.
The mastermind had gone to great lengths to move Sophia from a standard room to the top-floor VIP suite. But why?
Moreover, what benefit would switching newborn babies bring to this mastermind?
It was so complicated. Sophia pondered for a long time but couldn't figure out the reason. Unraveling the mastermind's logic was harder than making investment decisions.
"Whatever. Since Andrew and John are also investigating, we'll know the truth eventually."
When she couldn't figure something out, she simply stopped trying. Sophia felt her intelligence should be used for making money; only money was truly her own vested interest.
Michael chuckled. "Don't worry about it. I'm willing to do everything for you."
"Hmph, you're leaving for over a month. Who exactly is doing everything for whom?"
"Sorry to put you through this. I'll bring you back a gift." Michael's right hand curved around Sophia's shoulder, his fingers gently pinching her right earlobe, his eyes filled with tenderness that couldn't be dissolved. "Call me if you miss me."
Sophia shot him a sideways glance. "Who would miss you? Don't flatter yourself."
Michael couldn't help but smile.
"Dinner's ready!" Benjamin brought the dishes to the table.
Today was special, and with Michael's rare visit, he'd opened a bottle of whiskey to celebrate. Brian and Michael joined him for a drink.
Sophia and Lucas, being underage, had chilled orange juice instead.
...
Meanwhile, at the Smith family manor, despite having everyone present for once, the atmosphere was thick with an indescribable tenseness.
They'd heard that Emily had offended Benjamin at Whispering Pines Cottage today, getting chased out with a broom while quite a few people watched the spectacle. George was furious and had specifically returned home to discipline Emily.
"Do you know who Benjamin is? How dare you go to his house and insult him? You barged in like a shrew, making a spectacle for everyone to see. You've completely disgraced the Smith family's reputation!"
Anger burned in George's eyes. He should never have brought Emily back home.
Emily's poise, demeanor, and temperament are nowhere near those of Sophia.
After Benjamin had retired from public life, Sophia had still managed to bring home one of his authentic pieces as a gift. And Emily? She'd thoroughly offended Benjamin on her first visit!
He must have been insane to agree to let Emily return to the Smith family!
Having been humiliated at Benjamin's place, Emily now had to endure criticism at home, too. She sat listlessly at the dinner table.
She bowed her head, quietly shedding tears as she defended herself in a small voice, "It's not my fault. It's all Sophia's doing. She must have deliberately badmouthed me to Benjamin, which is why he was prejudiced against me."
"You still have the nerve to mention Sophia?" George slammed his utensils heavily on the table, his face flushing red with anger. "Someone already sent me a video of today's incident. You were the one who insulted Benjamin first! If you could learn even an ounce of Sophia's poise and grace, you wouldn't have been kicked out by Benjamin! Finish high school and then go abroad to stay there. Don't come back until you're of marriageable age!"
He was so annoyed by the sight of her that George had lost his appetite entirely. He stormed off in a huff without finishing his meal.
Jane also shot Emily a withering glare, finding it impossible to like this so-called biological daughter.
Making a scene in front of so many high society people meant that even if they arranged a marriage alliance for her later, she wouldn't have much value.
What family would want to marry a shrew?
In Emerald City, only the Green family could be considered a suitable match for the Smiths. Originally, Sophia and Michael had been childhood sweethearts, and this marriage was practically set in stone. The Green Group and the Smith Group could have formed a powerful alliance.
They'd brought Emily back because of blood ties—as the Smith family's biological daughter, she'd have more value in a marriage alliance. Even if Michael didn't like Emily, for the sake of both families' interests, Green Group wouldn't refuse.
But now? Everyone in Emerald City had to show Benjamin respect, and Emily had cursed at him directly?
Now, forming a marriage alliance with the Green Group would be nearly impossible.
The Smith couple left one after another. Andrew couldn't be bothered with Emily, and John made an excuse about checking out a new car.
The dinner ended on a sour note.
Only Emily remained alone in the dining room. Feeling aggrieved, she suddenly stood up and swept all the dishes and bowls off the table, sending them crashing to the floor.
"Ah!" She screamed at the top of her lungs, more emotionally unstable than patients in a psychiatric hospital. Blood filled her eyes like a crazed wild animal.
She wanted nothing more than to tear Sophia to shreds!
"This isn't how it should be!"
"I'm the Smith family heiress!"
"What is Sophia anyway? Just a bankrupt pauper—why does everyone side with her and speak up for her?"
"A mere adopted daughter who was kicked out—why does she hold a higher place in the Smith family's hearts than me?"
"Just wait and see. I'll make sure she's completely ruined!"
"Reputation, status, position, resources—I'll take away everything that belongs to her!"
...
At Riverbank No. 9 luxury apartment building, a one-unit-per-floor penthouse.
The 32nd floor was Andrew's private residence. He preferred not to live at Smith Manor, usually staying here alone.
At this moment, John sat lazily across from him, legs crossed, swirling a wine glass.
"Hey, are you really not planning to bring Sophia back?"
"Her last name is Johnson now." Andrew lowered his eyes and took a sip of red wine. Though his words were brief, the meaning was clear.
"So what if her name is Johnson?" John frowned with displeasure, setting down his wine glass. "Just because her name is Johnson, you're going to abandon her? Just watch her live in that rundown house? Sharing a room with others? Taking the bus to school every day?"
She'd been his sister for seventeen years, after all. Even if she hadn't received much affection in the Smith family, she'd still been raised in luxury. How could they bear to watch her suffer in the Johnson family? She definitely couldn't handle such hardship!
Recalling the scene where he'd glimpsed Mary holding Sophia's hand with loving eyes, Andrew's gaze flickered slightly. He quickly composed himself and said calmly, "She owns at least three properties and has over five hundred thousand dollars in liquid assets. Staying with the Johnson family is her own choice."
If Sophia truly didn't want to stay with the Johnson family, she had the means to abandon them and live independently.
Since she chose to stay there, regardless of her motives, at the very least, she recognized the Johnson family's character and knew she wouldn't be mistreated.
Otherwise, without any persuasion from them, she would have already cut ties with the Johnson family and struck out on her own.
John scratched his hair irritably, then closed his eyes wearily and sighed. "Fine then. She's almost an adult with her own thoughts. It's not our place to meddle anymore!"