Chapter 200: Obviously Playing Games
Evelyn's words left Sophia visibly confused.After a moment of bewilderment, she said, “I’ve known him since we were seven. How could we not be close?”
Surely... there couldn't be any misunderstanding, right?
Evelyn carefully chose her words. "These past few times going out with Bruce, he mentions you constantly. At dinner, he talks about how picky you are. At the movies, he brings up which boring plot devices you hate most. While shopping, he mentions how much you despise pushy salespeople. He became famous early and isn't often in Emerald City, so I thought you two only saw each other occasionally. But you understand each other far better than I imagined."
Not just personality, preferences, and behavior—they knew each other even better than family members did.
Sophia chuckled lightly. "So what exactly are you trying to say?"
Evelyn pressed her lips together, hesitating. "Does Bruce... have feelings for you?"
Hearing this, Sophia let out a long sigh, both exasperated and amused. Just as she'd suspected—a misunderstanding after all.
Her relationship with Michael was harmonious and close since childhood. Everyone among their friends knew that.
What did Bruce have to do with anything?
"Evelyn, can you please stop overthinking everything?" Sophia said with amusement. "Put it this way—if you went out to dinner with Ethan, what would you talk about besides James?"
Evelyn pressed her lips together, imagining the scenario. Indeed, aside from discussing mutual acquaintances, there'd be no other topics.
Sophia continued, "You're interested in interior design, sure, but your careers are completely different. You don't understand the deeper aspects of interior design, and Bruce doesn't know medicine. Surface-level discussions about those topics don't have much value, so naturally I become the subject of conversation.
"Bruce became famous early, but that was still when he was sixteen. Before that, we were in touch quite often. He and Michael got along well too. Over time, naturally we came to understand each other."
Besides, she had to admit, most people were more willing to confide hidden thoughts to friends. Peers could understand each other better, while in front of family, people unconsciously presented the version their relatives preferred.
Naturally, friends sometimes understood each other better than family did.
Like how Bruce constantly made sarcastic remarks and the occasional crude joke when he was around them.
Would he dare curse in front of his retired military parents? His emotions were as controlled as if he'd taken a vow of silence.
Evelyn fell silent for a moment, seemingly accepting Sophia's explanation. Her tangled thoughts cleared somewhat, her mood growing less conflicted.
She'd been afraid—what if the person she liked harbored feelings for Sophia? She truly wouldn't know how to interact with Bruce anymore.
They talked until who knows what hour, their voices gradually fading as both sisters drifted off to sleep.
Unlike the warmth here, the expelled Emily had nowhere to go and could only find temporary shelter at a hotel.
Accustomed to living in a mansion, Emily couldn't stand the cramped, shabby environment of a motel and chose a five-star hotel instead.
“Welcome. Do you need a room?” The receptionist, dressed in a white blouse, greeted her with a polite, professional smile.
Emily glanced at the room rate board and pointed without hesitation at the top line. "I'll take the presidential suite."
John had given her a million dollars. She could afford the presidential suite.
"Certainly." The receptionist smiled. "How would you like to pay?"
"Card." Emily handed over her bank card with a flourish.
The receptionist accepted it with both hands and swiped it through the card reader.
Insufficient funds.
Her smile froze momentarily before she tried again.
Emily was already losing patience. After everything she’d gone through today—walking so much and causing that scene at the Johnson residence—she was both physically and mentally exhausted.All she wanted was a hot bath and a soft bed.
She snapped impatiently, "Are you done yet? Why are you so clumsy? Can't even work a card reader? How did you even get this job?"
The receptionist's lips curved as she returned the bank card with both hands. "I apologize, but this card has insufficient funds. Please use another one."
"What?" Emily immediately frowned, eyes widening in disbelief as she clutched the bank card. "That's impossible! There's a million dollars in there!"
The receptionist remained courteous. "You can check your balance at a bank ATM."
Emily ground her molars, feeling a thick sense of humiliation. Her face alternated between flushed and pale.
Glaring hatefully at the receptionist, she turned and stormed out with long strides.
Outside the hotel entrance, she immediately called John, wanting to demand where that million dollars had gone!
After several attempts, he kept hanging up directly—refusing to answer at all!
He was obviously playing games with her!
"Damn it! John! You dare trick me!" Emily cursed through gritted teeth.
She had no habit of saving money, spending everything she had. The Smith family's monthly allowance was always depleted completely. Now she had only three hundred and sixty-seven dollars on her.
Even if she could barely afford a few nights at a motel, she still needed to eat and get around!
Without that million dollars, how could she survive in Emerald City with its sky-high cost of living?!
Emily stood on the roadside, fear of an uncertain future wrapping around her, making her heart race wildly, terrified she'd end up sleeping under bridges like a beggar.
No! She absolutely couldn't live that kind of destitute life!
John and Andrew were difficult to deal with and definitely wouldn't help her. She had to target the Johnson family instead.
No matter what methods she used, she had to force the Johnson family to arrange housing for her!
Evil thoughts lurked in the pitch-black night. The sleeping Johnsons knew nothing of this, waking to greet a new day.
Breakfast was made by Mary.
When Sophia came downstairs after washing up, everyone was already eating. She was the last one.
After sitting in her seat, she casually placed her phone on the table and picked up a spoon, pushing aside the basil flakes floating in her soup.
Since hearing about everything Sophia had experienced at the Smith family last night, her family's attention had involuntarily focused entirely on her.
She'd never mentioned disliking basil flakes during family meals before, never been picky. Sometimes when they served her meat with basil on it, she'd eaten it anyway.
Now noticing her small gesture, they realized she didn't eat basil flakes.
Everyone's hearts ached faintly. All these years, Sophia had been accommodating them, yet they were only now learning her little habits.
James set down his spoon, went to the kitchen for a ladle, and scooped all the basil flakes from Sophia's bowl into his own.
Sophia froze, looking up to meet his gentle smile. James's eyes brimmed with affection as he said softly, "Go ahead and eat. It won't taste good once it gets cold."
Sophia blinked, only then did she noticed others staring at her too, as if their eyes were telling her: From now on, don't force yourself to eat things you don't like.