Atrophy of Love: Mr. Harris, Stop Fooling Around! novel Chapter 74

“So that’s how it is.” Compared to earlier, Yvette’s voice was slightly lower. “You’re very reasonable. You’re not a good lover, but you’re an excellent businessman.”

Charles made a noncommittal sound and did not say more. His fingers complemented the black steering wheel, looking too beautiful in the night.

The car was silent.

A moment later, Yvette turned her head to look at him and said, “You broke Soph’s leg and sent her to prison. You won’t even let the Whites acknowledge her. She has been through so much these past two years. Even if your anger was sky-high, it should be cooled by now.”

Charles remained looking ahead, eyes obscured. Only the fingers clutching the steering wheel turned slightly pale because of the pressure.

Yvette waited awhile but did not get his reply. She adjusted her body forward and looked to the front. In the night, her long sigh carried faint helplessness.

In the hospital ward, not long after Charles left, William returned.

Laying on the bed, Sophia glanced dully at him. She did not want to bother with him, so she closed her eyes and pretended to be asleep.

“Is your leg… in a lot of pain?” William walked to the bedside. Seeing her pale face, his heart twisted uncontrollably.

Sophia opened her eyes, expression indifferent. “Thank you for recalling, Mr. Jones. It’s not as painful as when my leg was broken two years ago. I can handle it. If you don’t have any other matters, then please leave. If Madam Jones comes over and thinks I’m seducing you, I’ll have a tough time explaining.”

She treated him like he was a stranger, even adding on some disgust and loathing.

William furrowed his brows. “Nobody else is here. You don’t have to call me Mr. Jones.”

Sophia chuckled coldly once, not minding him.

“For Leah accidentally burning you and my mom’s earlier unpleasant attitude, I apologize to you on their behalf.” The red mark on her forehead from the jab and the scar at the end of her eyebrow hurt William’s eyes. He subconsciously stretched a hand out, wanting to touch her face.

Sophia turned her head, dodging his touch. When she recalled that he was about to get engaged to Audrey yet was still here acting misleadingly to her, she felt extremely disgusted.

Darkness flashed through William’s eyes. He retracted his hand and gripped it into a fist, coldness appearing on his face. “But Leah hurt you accidentally, and she already apologized to you. You shouldn’t have urged Sterling to spill hot water on Leah!”

“Shouldn’t have?” Sophia was so angered that she laughed. She braced her hands on the bed and painstakingly sat up. “No matter if it’s back then or now, you seem to like to teach me how to be a person, Mr. Jones.”

She lifted her head to look up at him, enunciating each word, “What right do you have to teach me how to be a person?”

“Sophia. White.” William spat out her name through gritted teeth.

Sophia kneeled on the bed, straightening her back a little as she leaned closer to him. “Because you’re older than me? Because you have a higher education than me?”

The faint fragrance of soap on her body permeated his nostrils, making William’s heartbeat speed up uncontrollably.

“I thought you’d have learned your lesson in these two years. Turns out you’re as unreasonable and unable to distinguish right and wrong just like before!” He spoke with a cold look, turned his head, and made to leave.

Sophia called out to him, “Wait.”

“What else is there?” William halted his footsteps but did not turn back.

Due to the earlier movement, the needle stuck in the back of Sophia’s hand dropped. The blood seeping from her flesh dyed the two strips of medical tape on the back of her hand red.

She placed the needle aside and returned to a sitting position with difficulty. “Since you look down on and hate me so much, don’t come looking for me on your own again, Mr. Jones. I don’t want to be called a slut and homewrecker because of a self-righteous, hateful man.”

William turned to stare at her. “Hold your sharp tongue!”

“I’m not that busy. The new supervisor is reasonable. Once I told him I was taking leave to see you, he agreed.” Megan put the things down and swept her eyes over the hospital ward. Since she did not see Charles, Leah, William, or even Sterling and Nicole, she was a little disappointed.

Sophia pressed her lips together. “It’s fine if you go back now.”

“I just arrived. No matter what, I should sit a while, shouldn’t I?” Megan filled a bowl of pork rib soup for her. “Drink some soup. It’ll help you.”

Sophia glanced at the clear pork rib soup with its transparent jade winter melons. She said dully, “Because my brother and sister-in-law caused big trouble on my behalf, Mr. White and Madam White will keep a close eye on them these few days and won’t give them a chance to come to see me.”

She paused. “As for Mr. Harris, Ms. Jones, Mr. Jones, and the rest, they hated me from the start, so there’s no way they’d come visit me in the hospital. Even if they did come incidentally, it’ll be to taunt me. As my coworker, not only do you not get any benefits, you might even be dragged in because of me.”

She repeated. “It’s fine if you go back now.”

“Your family doesn’t acknowledge you, and only I can somewhat forcefully be called your friend in the club. If I go, you’ll really be alone.” Megan pushed the soup toward her.

Sophia did not take it.

“You’re too serious sometimes.” Megan picked up the bowl and took a big gulp. “No matter if it’s a relative, lover, or friend, where will you find such pure sentiments?”

She picked up the pork rib inside and stuck it in front of Sophia.

Sophia wrinkled her brows and took it, chewing it in small bites.

“I think I’ve never told you about me, have I?” Megan did not wait for her reply before saying to herself, “I won’t talk about family matters. Too worrying.”

She laughed self-deprecatingly and fished out a pork rib to chew on from inside the soup. “My boyfriend knows how many people I’ve slept with. He’s angry, but he still pretends he doesn’t know.”