Chapter 84 He Couldn't Accept It!
"Mr. Wright, calm down, calm down! Mr. Matthew Green didn't mean it that way." Arthur rushed over to restrain him, terrified that Matthew might slip back into unconsciousness right after waking up.
"What other way could he possibly mean?" Brandon was so furious that his white hair seemed to stand on end.
Sophia had already suffered enough over the years. She'd finally found someone who genuinely cared for her, finally had a chance at real happiness with someone she loved—and now this man wanted to destroy it all? He couldn't accept it!
"Mr. Wright, please don't get upset." Michael gently patted Brandon's back, trying to calm him down. "Thank you for all your hard work today. Let me drive you back to Solstice Haven."
Michael's gentle persuasion earned Brandon's cooperation. He shot Matthew one final glare, snorted coldly, and left with Michael.
Settling into the passenger seat of the Bugatti Chiron, Brandon looked around curiously. "Did you get another new car, boy?"
"No, this is John's gift to Sophia. I was in such a rush to get to the hospital that I just took her car." Having heard about Brandon's disdain for wealthy families who liked to flaunt their money, Michael offered an additional explanation.
Brandon made an understanding sound and dropped the subject, shifting the conversation. "What do you think about what your father said just now?"
If Michael dared to say he'd break up with Sophia to get engaged to Harper, Brandon would kick him out of the car on the spot!
"He's still my father, so I can't really argue with him, but I absolutely will not give up Sophia." Michael's voice was firm and resolute.
He'd realized at thirteen that he would be Green Group's sole heir, but Sophia was someone he'd known since he was three—someone he'd recognized as his person from their very first meeting.
When he learned Sophia wasn't the Smith family's biological daughter, he'd worried this day might come—that he'd be forced into an arranged marriage with another elite family, with no say in the matter.
Since then, not only had Sophia worked harder to build her assets and expand her influence to break free from the Smith family's constraints, but he'd also become more proactive in handling corporate affairs and expanding the business, hoping to earn his parents' recognition so they wouldn't interfere with his marriage.
He'd succeeded. Green Group's current market value had increased by 21.7% compared to the previous year, and after the new flagship phones with the advanced chips officially launched, it was projected to rise another thirty percent.
But he never expected that, despite all his efforts, the first thing his father would mention after a year apart would be arranging his marriage to the Phillips family.
If that was how it was going to be, then he'd make Green Group climb even higher, stand on a pedestal that commanded everyone's attention, until no family in Emerald City could claim to be of equal social standing with the Green family, until the Green Group needed no other company's support.
When that day came, no one would have the right to interfere with his marriage—not even his parents.
Brandon was satisfied with these determined words. "Sophia has always been cold toward others, but with you, she's truly given her whole heart. You only have a couple more years before you're of marriageable age, right? Don't let her down."
Michael smiled faintly. "Though she never experienced family love with the Smiths, she has plenty of people who care about her. You keep saying you don't acknowledge her as your student anymore, but you actually care about her a great deal."
Brandon turned his face away toward the window with a huff. "Who said I care about her? I certainly don't!"
Michael chuckled softly and continued, "Sophia opened a clinic on Maple Street called Sunrise Urgent Care. Business is pretty good. If you're interested, you could stop by sometime."
"I have no interest in some place that's just trying to make money!"
"Boss, there's this elderly gentleman who's been coming for three days straight, trying all of our herbal remedies at Sunrise Urgent Care, and he's even offered some really good suggestions for improvement."
Receiving Daniel's call, Sophia frowned in confusion. Who had that much free time to eat at Sunrise Urgent Care every day?
"What's his name?"
"He didn't say, just mentioned he was passing by and thought he'd take a look. Seems like a professional doctor, though—all his improvement suggestions were excellent. I didn't charge him anything."
Sophia fell silent for a moment, then suddenly smiled. "Alright, I know who it is."
She had a pretty good idea which particular someone it might be.
Mary walked in carrying two outfits, holding them up in front of herself for comparison. "Sophia, which one do you think looks better on me?"
Sophia considered for a moment, pointing to the left. "The cream-colored one. It suits your temperament."
"Perfect, then this is what I'll wear." Mary beamed as she went to change.
Today, Sophia's cousin was getting married, and her uncle had invited their family to attend the wedding.
Evelyn was on duty at the hospital and couldn't get away.
School had already started, so Ray would pick up James and Lucas after work, then come back to collect Mary before they all went to the wedding together.
Silver Fir Academy had an educational field trip, and Sophia had to leave that afternoon. She couldn't attend the wedding and would be gone for two weeks.
After packing her important documents, Sophia shouldered her leather backpack and called toward the master bedroom, "Mom, I have to go!"
"Wait!"
The bedroom door opened, and Mary emerged wearing a cream-colored dress that made her look elegant and refined, with the poise of a sophisticated woman from an academic family.
She hurried over to Sophia, took her hand, and pressed $200 into her palm. "You need to carry some cash when you're traveling. Please be careful out there."
"I'll be careful. You keep the money for yourself."
Sophia pushed the money back, not giving Mary any chance to argue further. She turned and ran to the shoe rack, kicked off her slippers, stepped into her low block heels, and headed for the door.
"I'm leaving now! You all be safe too, and call me if anything comes up."
Watching the wooden door slam shut, Mary clutched the $200 and smiled with a gentle sigh. "It's so hard to give you any pocket money."
After an eighteen-minute walk to Applewood Estate, Sophia entered the security code, locked the door behind her, and glanced at the young man sitting on the sofa, drinking cola.
"How do you have so much free time today?"
"I'm not free. Just passing by."
Sophia laughed. "Passing by again?"
Michael looked confused. "Again?"
Sophia shook her head and headed upstairs. "Since you're here, help me pack."
"Yes, ma'am."
The second floor had three rooms. Besides the master bedroom, the other two had been converted into Sophia's walk-in closets, filled with an array of high-end clothing, shoes, bags, and accessories.
Michael pulled out a large suitcase from the closet and opened it, folding and organizing the clothes Sophia tossed to him while asking, "Where is Silver Fir Academy's field trip going this year?"
Silver Fir Academy organized an educational trip every second semester to expose students to different cities' cultures and main economic industries.
Sophia grabbed a pair of high-waisted jeans, removed the hanger, and tossed them to Michael. "First Luminous City, then Phoenix City, and finally Silverlight City."
She turned back to the closet to select appropriate clothing, saying casually, "By the time I get back, your engagement party should be over, right?"