She was most probably extremely helpful when others needed it; in fact, at the last critical moment, there were rumors going on that she had been âexpelledâ. Hence, when it was time for peer evaluation, everyone subconsciously spoke highly of her while leaving a favorable review.
I feel so guilty. Did I obtain my perfect score too easily?
However, Joel informed me about this, and so it shouldnât have been a mistake. Did I really get first place?! Iâm so excited!
Sophia was so elated that she leaped around in joy in her room. However, she noticed a huge problem soon enough. The person who won first place gets to have a meal with Joel!
Oh, damn it! I was just saying today that I have to keep a safe distance from their complicated and chaotic social network. How did I end up getting dragged into it again? The richâs social network is so complicated. Itâs better to stay far away from it for the sake of my life.
Sophia replied meekly, âIâm not feeling well tonight. Can I not show up?â
Joel replied to her, âNo.â
Fine, it seems thereâs no room for discussion!
Iâm innocent, though! I never wanted to be associated with their social network at all! Iâll end up offending next doorâs Stanley and provoking Michael if I were to have a meal with Joel. It will cause a terrible dominoâs effect. Arghhh! I just want to be one of the audience observing this from the sidelines!
Nevertheless, even if the prospect of my future is filled with cruelty and ruthlessness, I must charge forward!
Sophia put down her skating board while adjusting her clothing. She was prepared to wait for Joel to pick her up.
However, she had barely waited for a few minutes when she heard Stanley knocking against the door while wailing loudly, âSophia, you heartless thing, come out right now! I was kind enough to help you, but you won the first place out of nowhere! You snatched away my uncle and my idol! You had better come out now! Letâs fight now! If you have the audacity to rob me of the first place, why donât you come out right now? Open the door, Sophia!â
Sophia was shocked to her core. Stanley caught wind of the news in such a short time.
He sounds as if he is ready to strangle me to death! Their social network is so complicated. I havenât even had the meal, and Stanley is already causing a ruckus. He will most probably murder me if I have that meal with Joel!
Sophia paced her room in a panic while trying to come up with a solution.
Oh, my goodness. Oh, my God. Iâm in deep trouble. Iâm now in too deep, and Iâll most probably drown sooner or later!
At 9.00PM, Joel came in person to pick Sophia up. When Stanley learned that Joel had arrived, he came zooming out to cling onto Joelâs leg. âUncle, why is it not me? I did so well!!â
Joel smacked his face away. âLet go of me!â
Stanley was still howling when Joel snapped at him coldly, âDo you want to get beaten up the second time?â
Stanley immediately returned to his room with his tail between his legs while looking sorry for himself.
Joel finally knocked against her door. âMiss Edwards.â
Sophia opened the door tentatively while scanning the surroundings. She asked suspiciously after confirming that Stanley wasnât around, âHas Stanley left?â
Joel nodded. âYes, heâs left.â
He was quite helpless when dealing with Stanley because the latter had always acted clingy. He clung onto Joel since he was a baby, and it went on into adulthood.
He is so disgusting! Served him right to be beaten up!
Sophia followed Joel and left apprehensively after confirming that Stanley had left.
Along the way, she covered her face intermittently since she was afraid that people might recognize her.
She asked worriedly, âGeneral, where are we having our meal?â
âThe small cafeteria,â Joel answered her.
She followed him and got into a military vehicle. After a half-an-hour drive within the campsite, they finally got out of the car to walk into a building. There was a restaurant inside that was unfamiliar to Sophia.
It looked more like a restaurant than a cafeteria.
The lighting and ambience were perfect. The gorgeous lighting was brilliant, and there was soft music playing slowly in the background.
Joel walked in and found a place to sit down. Sophia took her seat worriedly too.
She observed the surroundings. The restaurant wasnât huge, and the decorations were splendid, but there werenât many people around. Sophia only saw a server when she entered the place. In fact, they were the only customers there.
This must be a high-end restaurant for military officers.
Right now, we are the only two customers here.
The server was wearing a military uniform too. The server handed them their menus, but Joel didnât even pay attention to it. He merely passed the menu to Sophia. âOrder whatever you want; itâs my treat tonight.â
Sophia kept her head bowed while her eyes darted to observe her surroundings. Finally, she glanced at the menu. Itâs similar to civilian restaurants. There are western snacks and oriental dishes too.
She ordered distractedly, âA macaroni and a grilled steak.â
Joel ordered as well. âA sirloin steak.â
The server took the menus away, leaving the two of them in the large and empty restaurant.
The atmosphere felt rather awkward.
Sophia kept her head down while staring unblinkingly at her fingernails.
Joel was in his usual military attire. He took off his military uniform outerwear, revealing a green shirt and dark green necktie underneath. After that, he took his cap off and tugged against his necktie while staring intently at Sophia, as if he was intrigued.
Why did Michael choose this young woman? However, she seems quite interesting now that Iâm taking a closer look.
Silence hung between the two of them for some time. Joel finally took the initiative to break the silence.
âHow long have you been together with Michael?â
Sophia answered truthfully, âOver a year.â
Joel continued, âI see that he treats you differently!â
Sophia flashed him a silly grin. âThatâs true!â
Simultaneously, alarm bells went off in her head.
What did Joel mean by that? Why do I sense jealousy from him?! In fact, his tone reminds me of a legal wife warning a mistress to scare her off! The rich and wealthy have such a complex social circle!
Donât do this to me! Iâm innocent! I have never thought of competing with Joel over a man!
Sophia added hastily, âMichael is always filming elsewhere. Itâs normal for him to not return home for days in a stretch or even half a month at times. I barely see him. I donât spend as much time with him as Harry does.â
What I mean is that Iâm innocent! Iâve barely seen Michael more than a couple of times since we got married! If you want to vent your frustrations, you should do that to Harry! They are joined at the hip during filming! He is the one who took Michael away, not me!
A dull gleam flashed across Joelâs eyes when he heard that. Then, he fell into a silent pause, as if he was deep in thought.
Is she trying to say that Michael has neglected her, and that she is feeling empty and lonely? Is this her subtle way of hinting me?!
Sophia sighed in relief when she noticed Joelâs thoughtful expression. Beat Harry up if you need to vent!
I am the innocent one here!
Joel continued with his questions. In fact, his second question was about Nathan. âYou seem to have a good relationship with Nate.â
Sophia was feeling nervous, and all sorts of thoughts started flashing through her mind. Why is he asking about Nate? Could he be collecting information from me regarding Michaelâs plan for his little boy? Is he doing that to get ready to go against his potential enemy in the future, Nate?
My poor Nate!
After weighing her options, Sophia answered him, âNate is still young now. Besides, he is still a child, and so he needs a mother. Michael has most probably married me in the hopes of providing Nate a complete family. He wants him to have a happy childhood.â
What she meant was, Nate is still a child! Can you animals not drag him into this?! I am innocent too! Iâm just a nanny Michael brought home to look after the child!
Joel paused while appearing deep in thought once again.
Does Michael merely treat Sophia as a nanny? However, he seems to care about her a lot. In fact, he would always creep into the campsite secretly to meet up with her. She doesnât look like a nanny to me.
Could this be another hint too?