"Sophia White." Charles increased the force on his fingers as he clenched her chin with his hand. However, when he noticed a mark on her chin from his increased force, he could not help but loosen his strength a little.
Their breaths intertwined. They were so close that their lips brushed when they talked. This was extremely flirtatious, but neither pair of eyes showed that they were being bound by romance and affection.
Sophia peered straight into his eyes. Her lips turned pale and her limbs turned weak. Despite that, there was not the slightest bend on her back. "For embarrassing you by exposing you and Ms. Jones, I apolo...â
"Two years ago, the day before your birthday, I went to Jonesâ residence and went up to the second floor. I was standing in the room opposite of Williamâs." Charles interrupted her straight away. There was a dull and obscure look in his eyes. His breathing had turned slightly rapid now. "Does that ring a bell at all?!"
Several scenes flashed in Sophia's mind. Her pupils contracted slightly, her body turned stiff, and her head was a mess. She did not seem to have noticed his trembling hands as he clenched her chin.
It was no wonder why Charles humiliated and tortured her because of Leah even though he did not seem to like Leah very much. It was no wonder why Charles had a sudden change of attitude toward her at the birthday party!
She simply thought that Charles liked Leah. She thought the reason he broke her leg and insulted her like a madman was because she broke Leah's leg... However, as it turned out, this was the actual reason.
Anger, unwillingness, helplessness, and hatred coursed through her limbs and bones. They were nearly blowing Sophiaâs heart up!
She gave him a menacing stare and sneered. "I thought Mr. Harris was shrewd. As it turns out..."
Bang!
The door of the ward was suddenly kicked open and Madam Jones stormed in fiercely. When she saw Charles and Sophia in their flirtatious state, she was first startled for a moment. Then, she became flushed with anger. She took large strides forward and raised her hand to hit Sophia.
Sophia lifted her hand with a deadpan look on her face in an attempt to stop Madam Jones. However, a huge and well-defined hand was one step ahead of her as it did what she was trying to do.
"Madam Jones, it may not be appropriate for you to do this as an elder." Charles tugged at his lips. A chill radiated from his forehead. "You really need to learn how to conduct yourself from Leah."
Sophia lowered her eyes and sneered inexplicably. She took several steps back and pulled away from him.
"Charles, how can you protect this sl*t? You..." Madam Jones gave him an incredulous look and questioned him loudly.
Charles narrowed his eyes. There was a slight coolness in his voice. "You should probably watch what you say, Aunt Lewis."
"Youâre getting engaged with Leah but Sophia is still pestering you. If sheâs not a sl*t, then what is she?!" Madam Jones pointed her finger at Sophia with undisguised disgust and hatred on her face.
She did not give Sophia or Charles a chance to speak and convicted Sophia straight away. "Now I know why youâre suddenly helping Sophia to seek treatment. This sl*t has been hooking up with you lately and thatâs why youâre helping her to seek treatment for her leg, right?!â
"First, an elderly who sets a bad example. Now, a fishwife who shouts abuses. I now have a whole new level of respect for the Lewis family, your century-old scholarly family." Sophia sneered. She took two steps forward and looked down at her, saying slowly, "Itâs my choice whether I want to treat my leg or not. Itâs not your turn to criticize me yet, Madam Jones."
Charles looked at Sophia. His gaze grew deep and serene. He could see the shadows of her past in this version of her, yet not completely identical.
This was all because...
His Adam's apple rolled slightly. He could feel a pang in his heart. His fingers were trembling a little. He could not tell whether he hated her more, or...
liked her more.
Madam Jones was incredulous by the fact that Sophia had criticized her. She extended her hand and pointed at Sophia, almost poking her finger on the latterâs nose. "You..."
"Iâm just speaking the truth, Madam Jones. Don't be angry. Getting angry can be harmful to your health." Sophia's lips curled up into an arc but the smile did not reach her eyes.
"You or anyone in the Jones family for that matter is neither a god nor an ancient emperor, so you have no power over my life and death, nor are you qualified to make irresponsible remarks about my decision."
Madam Jones was panting with anger at her words. Her finger stretched forward further. "Sophia, y-y-y-you b*tch..."
"B*tch?" Sophia interrupted her with a smile. "You were born into a scholarly family, werenât you, Madam Jones? I advise you to use a variety of refined language. You keep grinding the same words over and over again. My ears are getting calluses from hearing them..."
As she said that, she grabbed Madam Jonesâ finger and pressed it down forcibly.
"Donât forget that youâre no longer a member of the White family, Sophia. You are going to be very sorry if you offend me!" Madam Jones harrumphed heavily, her face livid.
Sophia tugged at her lips. "Quit pulling my leg, Madam Jones. I was already very sorry even when I didn't offend you."
"You need to stop being so unbridled!!!" Madam Jones had become accustomed to Sophia's meek and subservient attitude during this period of time.
She was fuming madly from getting talked back so suddenly.
Sophia said flatly, "I advise you to start praying so that certain things wonât be brought to light."
"Open up your eyes and take a good look at this, Charles. This murderer is so unbridled. Even her heart is black. Are you really going to seek treatment for her leg?!" Madam Jones' face had gone from being livid to crimson. She was panting even more heavily now from anger.
"I am not obliged to tell you what I intend to do, Aunt Lewis." Charles frowned almost imperceptibly at her words and said, "Please go home, Aunt Lewis."
Madam Jones glanced at Sophia who was staring back at her with an indifferent look on her face. She refused to take it lying down and go home just like that. She screamed, "I'll ask you one last time, Charles. Are you really going to do this?!"
Knock, knock.
Someone knocked on the door before pushing the door open. They said with a frown, "We have patients here. Can you please keep it down? Please have some sense.â
It was the head nurse.
Having said that, she glared at Madam Jones, closed the door, and left.
At first, Madam Jones was fuming because of Sophia and Charles. Now, after getting reprimanded by a mere insignificant head nurse, she was so furious that she was about to erupt! She pointed at Charles, then at Sophia, and spat out these words after a very long time, "Youâve gone too far, Charles. I'll ask Leah to cancel the engagement as soon as I get back!â
"You must have remembered certain things wrong, Aunt Lewis. I am not engaged to Leah, so thereâs nothing to cancel." Charles said.
Madam Jones's face alternated between red, blue, white, and purple, looking as fascinating as an overturned palette.
"Also, if you can also get Leah to stop thinking about getting a marriage alliance with the Harris family, Iâll be very much delighted," Charles smoothed out the non-existent wrinkles on his clothes and said with a sneer.
Atrophy of Love: Mr. Harris, Stop Fooling Around!
ï¤Chapter 159 Not Hatred, But Loathing!
Madam Jones looked at him, then at Sophia. She pointed her finger at the two and sneered, then slammed the door, and stormed off.
The moment the door closed, Charles and Sophia were the only ones left in the ward.
Charles's hand that was hanging on the right side of his body gently tapped the hem of his trousers. His low-hanging eyelashes trembled slightly. He raised his head to look at her and said, "No more interruptions now. You can go ahead."