Chapter 68 Can We Date Now?
James presented his carefully chosen gift—a pair of exquisitely designed heels. "Happy birthday, Sophia! Starting today, you're officially an adult. I wish you a bright future and endless possibilities ahead."
"Thank you, James!" Sophia had grown closest to James among her family members. She opened her arms and gave him a warm, generous hug.
Ray and Mary watched with obvious envy.
They wanted hugs from Sophia, too!
Lucas presented a portrait he'd drawn of Sophia himself.
The brushstrokes were childish, but the subject had clear, bright eyes and wore a heartwarming smile. "Sophia, I hope you grow up happy!"
Sophia laughed as she ruffled Lucas's hair. She'd never heard of anyone wishing an adult to "grow up happy."
"Let's take a family photo! We don't have any family portraits yet!" Evelyn pulled out her phone, opened the camera app, and propped it on the table.
They took several group photos before finally being satisfied.
Then came the time to cut the cake.
It was a matcha-flavored sponge with mango filling and topped with fresh blueberries and strawberries.
Though it was just an ordinary fruit cake with nothing particularly special about it, Sophia thought it was the most delicious cake she'd ever tasted.
Perhaps because Evelyn had made it by hand just for her, and this was the first time the family had celebrated her birthday with her.
The family affection she'd once yearned for but couldn't obtain, she was finally experiencing genuinely at eighteen.
...
Emily's birthday party hadn't been particularly enjoyable. After the fake necklace incident was exposed, the atmosphere remained awkward throughout. When the performances ended and people realized how late it had gotten, they quickly said their goodbyes and left.
When Emily saw the bill, her eyes turned red with rage: $7 million.
It was all that bitch Amelia's fault! If she hadn't ordered all the champagne opened, how could it have cost so much?
Add in the performers' fees and the $500,000 she'd lost on the fake necklace—what an enormous expense!
Not only had she spent all that money, but she'd also been humiliated in front of her classmates, and the entire party had failed to advance any meaningful relationships!
Emily's chest heaved with rage. Her gaze swept over the several bottles of unfinished champagne on the table, and in a fit of spite, she grabbed one and started chugging it.
She'd already spent the money—$200,000 on wine! It would be wasteful not to finish it, wouldn't it?
Eventually, the hotel manager had to contact the Smith family to have someone collect the thoroughly intoxicated Emily.
As soon as she returned to the Smith estate, Emily began her drunken rampage, hurling everything in sight to the floor.
The servants quickly moved all the expensive, fragile vases and ornaments out of reach. Butler Roy hurried forward to restrain Emily.
"Miss, you've had too much to drink. Please return to your room to rest."
Emily's vision was blurry, but her expression was particularly vicious. "What are you to tell me what to do? Get out of my way!"
She shoved Roy hard. He staggered backward several steps and nearly collided with a table corner. Beth reacted quickly, using her hand to block the corner, preventing Roy from injuring his back.
Emily's pupils dilated suddenly as she remembered how she'd given James just such a light push last year, causing him to hit his head and ruin his college entrance exams.
Chaotic emotions played across her face like someone who'd escaped from a mental institution.
"No... It's not my fault, he didn't steady himself... it has nothing to do with me!"
Her muttering escalated to screaming. Like a madwoman with bloodshot eyes and a twisted expression, she charged toward the staircase, shoving Roy aside and violently pushing Beth away.
The floor was covered with fragments of delicate china cups. Caught off guard by the violent shove, Beth fell to the ground, her palms pressing into the shards. Blood flowed freely.
"Ahh—"
Hearing the scream, Emily suddenly froze and turned to see Beth holding up her bloodied hands.
Her breathing became increasingly rapid as fragments of the past came flooding back into Emily's mind. She stood paralyzed for half a second, then turned and ran upstairs, "You all made me do this! It's your fault! It has nothing to do with me!"
Roy helped Beth to her feet, glancing at her injuries and estimating she'd need a month or two to fully recover.
"Have the driver take you to the hospital. Medical expenses and compensation will be transferred to your account."
Beth's tears fell uncontrollably from the pain. She looked toward the staircase and asked with a frown, "What's wrong with the young miss?"
Roy was silent for a moment before quietly responding, "Guilty conscience."
Evil people don't need divine punishment—the nightmares in their hearts follow them constantly, tormenting them repeatedly in the dead of night until death, from which there's no escape.
After helping clean up, Sophia received a call from Amelia.
"Sophia, Emily's party is over. Since it's your eighteenth birthday, we want to celebrate with you too! Are you free to come out? Come have a drink at my place?"
"Just the two of us?"
"Of course not! Wayne's here too, and I've invited Clio and Tom. How's that? Lively enough?"
"Alright, send a car for me."
"It's already outside your apartment building."
After ending the call, Sophia told her family, "My friends want to celebrate my birthday too. I'll spend the night at Amelia's."
Remembering Amelia's confident, reliable demeanor, Mary felt reassured. "It's so late—should your father drive you over?"
"No need, they're coming to pick me up."
Sophia quickly went to her room to pack some clothes, then left with her bag.
Since fewer people used the apartment building entrance at night, the Maybach was parked directly outside.
Sophia opened the rear door and got in, turning to look at the young man beside her. "How did you get back? Didn't you say you couldn't make it?"
Michael glanced at his watch—11 PM.
He smiled. "How could I miss your birthday? I arranged for a helicopter to fly back."
"Wasn't the weather bad?"
"We flew anyway."
Sophia frowned. "Are you crazy? What if there had been an accident..."
"Don't worry, nothing would happen to me!"
Michael pulled out a tissue and leaned over to gently wipe the cream from the girl's hair. "Had fun?"
Sophia pursed her lips uncomfortably. "It was alright."
Michael chuckled softly and produced a gift he'd prepared earlier, handing it over. "Sophia, happy birthday."
"Thank you. Can I open it now?" Sophia placed the box on her lap and politely asked.
"Go ahead, open it."
She untied the ribbon and opened the box. When she saw what was inside, the corners of her mouth curved upward in a smile.
"Bloodstone agate? Why this?"
"Found it a few days ago, fresh from the mine."
Black Mountain's quarry typically produced crystals, but during his recent visit, he'd stumbled upon several pieces of bloodstone agate in excellent condition. He'd immediately had them crafted into a bracelet.
Rare items should be given to treasured people.
"Thank you, it's beautiful."
Sophia put it on her wrist with obvious joy—not because she valued the bracelet's worth, but because when Michael discovered the agate, she was the first person he thought to give it to.
The feeling of being treasured was wonderful.
Before she could examine the bracelet more closely, Michael suddenly took her hand, interlacing their fingers and leaning closer.
Sophia stared bewildered into his sincere yet alluring eyes as his lips parted to deliver his captivating words.
"Sophia, you're an adult now. Can we date?"