Too Late She Already Married Mr. Right (Sophia) novel Chapter 30

Charles returned promptly and courteously ushered Sophia into his office. After calling for coffee and snacks. he took a seat across from her.

His eyes lingered on the faint handprint on her face, a slight frown forming. “David’s been getting out of hand lately. Sophie, does it still hurt?”

Though the sting on her face had faded, the knot in her stomach wouldn’t loosen. She fought the urge to snap. Try getting slapped yourself,” knowing it would be disrespectful.

She bit her tongue repeatedly before finally blurting out, “Haven’t you noticed how strangely David shields Emily?”

She thought, ‘He cherished Emily like the apple of his eye, but now, she isn’t his true sister. Had he not developed other feelings, why would he keep hurting me for her sake?’

Charles’s face darkened at once. “Stop talking nonsense. Emily is David’s sister; they grew up together. It’s only natural for him to look out for her a bit.

“Emily was gone for three years. Now she’s finally back; it’s just about setting another place at the table. Can’t you make room for her?”

Sophia’s expression stiffened. Charles meant she resented Emily, so she was making up David’s romantic interest in her.

She muttered inwardly, ‘Anyone with eyes could see the passion in David’s gaze toward Emily. That’s no way for a guy to look at his sister.

She pressed her lips together. “I’m the married daughter-water under the bridge. Whether or not she stays with you guys has nothing to do with me. Mr. Evans, I fear you’re being betrayed right under your own roof without knowing it.”

The tension hung heavy in the air. Charles recalled the look Richard had given Sophia, and his expression eased slightly.

“Sophie, I know you were treated badly by your foster parents, but Emily has been wandering abroad, suffering alone for three years. That should make up for what you endured for her. Can’t you just be generous and welcome her with open arms?”

Sophia let out a laugh and then said, “Fine, I’ll happily accept her.”

Charles felt choked by her reaction, gasping for breath. After a long pause, he muttered a feeble, “No need to force yourself.”

Sophia gazed at the carpet, sighing with feigned helplessness. “If this won’t work and that won’t work, then what do you want me to do?”

Charles eyed the girl before him. Even after three years of her return, he still felt ill at ease with her. He thought, ‘She isn’t as dutiful as David or as thoughtful and sensible as Emily.

‘She always lingers on the fringes of the family, disliked by all. If it weren’t for that reason, I wouldn’t have brought her back, spoiling everyone’s good mood.’

Charles pulled out a bank card and slid it over the coffee table to Sophia. “Here’s 50 thousand dollars. Buy yourself some clothes or handbags you like, as compensation from David.”

Fifty thousand… Sophia stared at the bank card, recalling how Emily had bragged about her credit limit on social media. Compared to Emily’s usual limits of 1.5 million, the fifty thousand felt like tossing crumbs to a beggar.

Sophia picked up the bank card with a sarcastic smile. “Sometimes, I really wonder if Emily is your real daughter-not me.”

She had just said it offhand, but Charles’s gaze flickered. “What nonsense are you spouting? If you weren’t my daughter, why would I have brought you home?

“I know you’re jealous of how much we favor Emily, but that’s because she’s lived with us for over twenty years. Hell, even a dog you’ve raised that long would mean something to you.

“You have to compete with Emily for affection, either. The Evans Group will belong to you and David down the road; Emily won’t inherit a thing.”

Sophia looked at Charles, her eyes almost unreadable. “Have you ever heard, Mr. Evans, that when someone’s got a guilty conscience, their voice comes out three times louder than usual?”

In truth, when she first returned to the Evans residence, she felt both respect and closeness for her brother

David.

That year, the Evans Group hit a rough patch, its market value plummeting. The Evans family was in turmoil, Charles and David frantic with worry. She returned home to make them some soothing soup and secretly worked through the night to help with David’s proposal.

Knowing David was too proud to accept her help, she slipped the proposal to his secretary, Kevin.

The Evans Group’s business began to recover, and David was so happy that he promised to take Sophia to Universal Studios. She was thrilled, checked his schedule, bought tickets, and planned their weekend trip.

When the weekend came, she waited outside Universal Studios till closing, but David never showed, his phone off. She finally reached him, only to find he was in Felarica, keeping Emily company.

“Dad asked me to come,” Sophia said.

David looked at her with hostility. “Don’t come to the company uninvited anymore; it’s not your place.”

Sophia leaned against the elevator wall, eyeing him and Emily lazily. “If she can come, why can’t I?”

David snapped, “What gives you the right to be here? Don’t forget where you came from.”

He despised Sophia to the core. He thought everything about her felt painfully provincial, and that being around her tarnished his image.

Sophia caught the scorn in David’s eyes and brushed it off. “Fine,” she said casually. “I’m not sharing space with a rabid dog. Take the next one.” With that, she pressed the close button.