Chapter 118: He Really Has a Family Now
Mary and Ray were stunned, unsure how to respond.
James elbowed Ethan, his tone dripping with mock disdain. "Sorry, no vacancy at our place."
With that, he plucked a champagne rose from his own bouquet and handed it over. "Here—a token of brotherly affection."
Sophia glanced down at the flowers in her arms, then followed suit, pulling out a red rose and offering it to him. "Ethan, sharing a little happiness with you."
Ethan accepted both stems gratefully, declaring with dramatic flair, "When I'm a global superstar, you two are getting the first autographed photos!"
James smirked. "Wow. Lucky us."
"What's with that look!" Ethan bristled, clearly sensing the sarcasm.
The two friends bickered back and forth while Sophia listened, a sense of déjà vu washing over her.
Wasn't this exactly like Amelia and Wayne back in middle school?
"Sophia!"
At the enthusiastic shout, Sophia barely had time to turn before Amelia tackle-hugged her, nearly knocking her off balance.
Fortunately, James was right behind her, steadying her with a hand on her back.
"Easy there! Could you dial it down a notch?" Wayne sauntered over, his tone laced with exasperation.
"Mind your own business!" Amelia shot him a glare before instantly switching to her sweetest smile. "Hi, Mr. Johnson, Mrs. Johnson."
"Hey, Amelia." Mary's face lit up. She adored Amelia's vibrant, carefree energy—so different from her own daughters. One was reserved and quiet, the other poised and mature beyond her years.
Young people should be like Amelia, Mary thought—lively, spontaneous, unrestrained.
Ray, however, saw things differently. In his eyes, his daughters were God's precious gifts to him. One was a brilliant mind destined for cutting-edge research, the other a savvy entrepreneur with a golden touch. Future pillars of society, both of them!
Still, he had a soft spot for his daughters' friends, so he liked Amelia and Wayne well enough too.
"Amelia, Wayne, why didn't you two take the exams?" Ray asked.
Wayne replied politely but without overfamiliarity. "Our families already arranged for us to study abroad."
Amelia added, "If I had my way, I'd stay here and go to college with Sophia. But I'm an only child, and everyone's counting on me to take over the family business eventually."
It was the truth. Vacationing abroad was about sightseeing and culture. Studying abroad meant living for years in a place where you knew no one, eating unfamiliar food, speaking a language that didn't come naturally, surrounded by strangers.
She could already picture how lonely it would be.
"Don't worry, sweetie. A little struggle now makes life easier down the road." Mary defaulted to the standard parental pep talk.
Amelia didn't argue. "You're absolutely right, Mrs. Johnson. A couple of tough years now will make work so much smoother later on."
Sophia barely suppressed a grin. Wasn't this the same girl who'd been ranting just days ago about how ridiculous it was to study abroad after receiving a world-class business education at home—as if an overseas degree was some kind of automatic prestige upgrade?
Once the pleasantries wrapped up, Mary and Ray invited the group to dinner.
Sophia glanced around. No sign of Michael. She turned to Wayne. "Didn't Michael say he was coming?"
At that, the Johnson parents and James instantly perked up. A chance to finally meet Sophia's boyfriend in person?
Wayne reflexively glanced at Ray and Mary before leaning close to Sophia's ear. "He got here, but then realized your parents were here too. First impressions matter, you know? He went to grab a gift."
Sophia frowned in confusion. It wasn't like this was an official meet-the-parents dinner—just a spontaneous group meal. Why all the formality?
Then again, remembering what James had said last time—that Michael would be nervous meeting her family—she realized it was precisely because he took her seriously. The thought made her heart flutter.
She told her parents matter-of-factly, "Michael said he couldn't show up empty-handed for a first meeting. He's picking up something. We can head to the restaurant, and he'll catch up."
Mary and Ray exchanged a glance, both beaming. These kids had excellent manners.
Most high schoolers would avoid meeting their significant other's parents like the plague, let alone think to bring a gift. This level of thoughtfulness was rare.
"Perfect. Your dad made a reservation at The Golden Spoon. Let's head over." Mary linked arms with Sophia, adding with a teasing lilt, "Tell your boyfriend not to rush. Drive safe."
Sophia smiled softly. "I will. I'll text him."
……
Inside a sleek black sedan, Joshua sat in the back seat, watching the cityscape blur past. His mind kept replaying the scene he'd just witnessed outside the exam hall.
The moment Sophia and James emerged, they were greeted by family and friends, arms full of flowers, everyone laughing and celebrating together.
It looked... happy.
He'd never experienced that kind of warmth. Not from family. Not from friends. He'd never had either.
From birth, he'd been alone. No parents. Just an aunt with no blood relation, and while he knew she valued him, that "value" was more like... precision engineering. Shaping him into a perfect weapon.
A weapon meant to strike down his biological parents.
He couldn't help wondering: if he'd already returned to the Smith family, even if Jane and George didn't care about him, would Andrew and John have been waiting outside the exam hall?
He wasn't sure. Even now, he couldn't fully read Andrew and John's intentions.
All he knew was that today, for the first time in eighteen years, he felt envy.
Envy that Sophia had family who doted on her, friends who adored her, and a circle of people who genuinely cared—people who would never abandon her, no matter what.
The car pulled into the parking garage of Riverbank No. 9. The driver was the same bodyguard who'd been monitoring Joshua all along.
"Sir, Ms. Thomas has instructed me to handle all your transportation from now on."
"Understood. Thanks for your trouble." Joshua offered a faint smile, showing no sign of displeasure, then headed straight for the elevator.
Ever since he'd moved to Riverbank No. 9 last month, his aunt's surveillance had intensified. At this rate, she'd probably install cameras in his bedroom next.
She was terrified he'd secretly contact Andrew and John and expose her lies.
Back on the 34th floor, Joshua tossed his backpack onto the couch, his gaze briefly catching the living room surveillance camera before he retreated to his room.
He flipped on the light—and stopped.
Two bouquets sat on his desk.
The first was an elegant arrangement of blue and pink lisianthus with baby's breath, delicate and refined. A card nestled among the stems read: [Picked this up on the way. Congrats on graduating. —Andrew]
The second was a vibrant mix of sunflowers and daisies, bursting with cheerful energy. A small card dangled from the ribbon: [My taste is obviously better than Andrew's.]
Joshua's eyes shimmered, a quiet warmth spreading through his chest.
For the first time in his life, he felt it.
He... he really had a family now.