Chapter 460 James, Can You Give Me the Snow Mountain Willow?

James wanted to say that he and Emily were already on the brink of divorce, and it seemed like there was no turning back.

And he had made up his mind to marry Sophia. Saying "I love you" was just a phrase, even if his heart wasn't fully in it yet. At the very least, he needed to say it and then work towards making it true.

But no matter how hard he tried, those simple words just wouldn't come out of his mouth.

Seeing Sophia getting anxious, James forced himself to speak.

But what came out wasn't what Sophia wanted to hear.

"About the banquet at sea, I might..." James hesitated.

James wanted to say he might not have time to attend.

He had never attended such events before. For others, these gatherings were a chance to network, but for James, who was already at the top of Skylight City, they were just a waste of time.

Every year, he received an invitation to the banquet at sea, but he never wanted to go.

It had always been like that. This year, because of Emily, he had considered going, but now he didn't want to anymore.

He and Emily had no chance left. Going would only add to the resentment between them, and nothing else.

Sophia immediately understood his meaning when he started speaking and grew anxious.

She tightened her grip on James's shirt. "James, please don't tell me you can't go. I've already prepared my dress and everything, just to go with you."

Seeing James remain silent, she continued, "James, you don't know how exciting this year's banquet at sea is. I heard there's a really fun maze game designed for couples or married pairs. I've been looking forward to it for so long."

Before she could finish, James frowned. "Maze game?"

"Yes," Sophia said with a smile. "But it's not like any ordinary maze game. It has its own unique features. We'll only know what it's like when we get there."

Seeing James's expression grow more tense, Sophia's smile faded.

She looked at James, a bit nervous. "James, what's wrong? Why are you looking at me like that?"

James stared into Sophia's eyes. "Sophia, I remember you have claustrophobia."

She was supposed to be terrified of confined spaces. Why was she so interested in this game?

Sophia fell silent.

She opened her mouth, wanting to say something, but couldn't find the words immediately.

She had been too eager to have James accompany her to the banquet at sea, to assert her claim over him.

She had forgotten that the person who had saved James from the earthquake rubble had claustrophobia.

"James, I..." Sophia quickly thought of an excuse. "I do have claustrophobia, but I don't want many people to know about it. And for you, I'm willing to overcome it."

Without giving James time to consider if her answer was plausible, she looked at him with tender eyes and said, "James, back then, I was able to crawl out of the rubble for you. Now, for you, I can overcome any difficulty. James, nothing is more important to me than you."

Sophia had told many lies before, and what she was saying to James now wasn't entirely true either.

Sophia wanted James to believe her, so she spoke with deep emotion.

Looking at Sophia, James couldn't help but reflect on whether he had been too harsh on her before.

He really should let go of Emily completely and make it up to Sophia.

Sophia keenly sensed the change in James's mood.

She rested her head on his chest, listening to his heartbeat.

As long as she had the merit of saving his life five years ago, he wouldn't be too heartless towards her for the time being.

So, she needed to act while James was still unaware of the truth from five years ago and still resented Emily, to make Emily disappear completely.

If Emily didn't disappear, she feared that one day the truth would come out, and James would disregard his guilt towards her and fall in love with Emily again.

After holding each other for a while, James pushed Sophia away and prepared to take her home.

On the way, Sophia brought up the topic of Snow Mountain Willow.

"James, I heard from others that you have a very precious herb, and you even took it to the Empire of Novara for auction, but it didn't sell, right?" she asked.

James, driving, responded, "I originally planned to give that herb to Gregory to secure a contract, but later found out he wasn't trustworthy. The contract fell through, and I didn't give him the herb."

"James, since you didn't give it away, can you give it to me?"