Chapter 521
Sophie asked Nicholas nonchalantly, “So, why are you here? Are you here to seek revenge on me?”
She did not want to waste her precious time on insignificant people like him.
Nicholas was unbothered by her coldness and explained, “I sought you out today because I’ve missed you. That’s the only reason.”
He risked his life to meet her because he yearned for her. He would not have minded if he died because of his decision.
Sophie was rendered speechless.
She questioned how to talk sense into her admirer’s head.
In the end, she threatened, “Stop following me, Nicholas, or I swear you’ll die by my hand.”
It was a genuine warning.
Much to her chagrin, Nicholas smiled indulgently and replied, “Oh dear, but what else can I do? I’d be happy to die at your hands.”
Sophie scoffed coldly at his response.
Why must he throw himself wholeheartedly into this unrequited love? I will never accept his feelings.
He tried to garner her sympathy. “Don’t be so cruel to me, okay, Sophie? I really, really like you.” Can’t she feel my sincerity?
Sophie ignored him. She adjusted the grip on her textbooks and prepared to leave.
Alas, Nicholas refused to give up and followed her doggedly.
“Where are you going? Let me join you!”
He continued smiling brightly, totally unaffected by her frostiness.
Sophie warned, “That has absolutely nothing to do with you. Stop following me.”
It did little to deter Nicholas. Does she take me for a joke? I was threatened my whole life growing up!
Scrunching her brows in frustration, Sophie turned and leaped into the air, sending a kick flying his way.
Nicholas expected her attack and swiftly grabbed her leg. Before he could pat himself on the back for anticipating her actions, Sophie flipped in the air and kicked him with the other leg instead.
Her attacks were strong and fast, and even someone as skilled as Nicholas struggled to fend her off.
He staggered backward in the middle of their fight and shouted, “Stop it!”
He added, “I didn’t come here to engage you in a fight, Sophie.”
Why is she hitting me without warning?
“I’ve warned you before. Don’t come near me again, or I will really send you to your grave,” repeated Sophie.
She truly had no qualms about ending his life if he continued to pester her.
Sophie’s determination cut Nicholas to the quick.
He painted a forlorn figure as he pleaded, “I flew over ten hours to come here. Do you really not want to see me?”
“Yes. I’ve never wanted to see you, so don’t ever appear in my life again.”
Sophie did not believe in rejecting people tactfully, especially if she did not like the person in question. Moreover, she did not want to become friends with Nicholas.
After her vicious parting remark, Sophie turned and left.
She spent the afternoon reading in the library, gathering information for her medical dissertation.
It was an impossible feat for most medical students.
Preparations typically began in the fourth year of their studies, but Sophie already had a research topic in mind during her freshman year.
Ysabelle came to look for her in the library with two milkshakes in hand.
She spotted Sophie silently reading from afar and ended up admiring the latter’s gorgeous profile for a long moment.
How can a woman be this beautiful? It’s impossible to tear my eyes away from her even though she’s just sitting silently.
Ysabelle stared at Sophie as though she was in a trance.
Suddenly, she recalled how she had offended her uncle a few days ago.
She promptly took her phone from her pocket and snapped a few photos of Sophie, which she sent to Tristan.
There! I think that’s enough to redeem myself.
Tristan was in a meeting when Ysabelle’s texts arrived. He initially had no plans to open the message when he saw who the sender was.
Still, he knew Ysabelle was with Sophie at that moment, and concern over Sophie’s wellbeing eventually spurred him to look at his niece’s texts.
Photos of his beloved girlfriend filled his sight.
Sophie wore a white dress, while her chestnut-brown hair was draped artfully over her shoulder. She sat near a corner of the library, utterly absorbed in her book.
In short, she was the perfect picture of a graceful belle.
Tristan was so busy admiring his girlfriend that even Felix noticed his boss’ mind wandering for the first time during a meeting.
Felix was understandably curious about what Tristan was staring at on his phone and moved closer.
He had only moved an inch before Tristan kept his phone.
“What were you looking at? You looked as if you were hypnotized. Don’t tell me it’s something saucy,” teased Felix.
“Shut up and get back to work.”
Meanwhile, Ysabelle was pleased as punch over her attempt to get back in her uncle’s good graces.
A second later, her phone pinged with a bank transfer notification.
A million!
Tristan had sent her a million to reward her for a measly photo of Sophie.
Ysabelle was dumbfounded.
Still, she was not about to complain about her sudden windfall.
She would be remiss to reject her uncle’s show of generosity.
Ysabelle practically skipped over to Sophie’s side.
“Why’d you take so long to arrive?” asked Sophie as her friend took a seat.
Ysabelle muttered, “I ran into some fans outside. They wouldn’t let me go unless I gave them autographs and took photos with them.”
She had built up a decent-sized fanbase.
Concerned, Sophie asked, “Are you okay? Is it too much to handle? Do you need to hire more bodyguards?”
“It’s okay. The fans are all pretty reasonable. They just wanted photos,” replied Ysabelle reassuringly.
“Okay, if you say so.”
Ysabelle noticed the work in front of Sophie and asked, “What are you doing, Sophie? Didn’t we just start school? What’s that you’re writing?”
“I’m preparing a medical dissertation.”
Her answer rendered her friend speechless in disbelief.
Never mind. I shouldn’t ask too many questions. I will never understand how these geniuses’ minds work. Who the heck starts writing their medical dissertation as a freshman?
Sophie’s existence was living proof that the world was unfair. Some people could be both prettier and more diligent than others at the same time.
Ysabelle put a straw into one of the milkshake cups before handing it to Sophie.
She complained, “Don’t you find the weather scorching?”
She hated summer with a vengeance.
Her sweat glands were exceptionally active, leaving her uncomfortably sticky throughout the hot weather.
Thankfully, the library’s air conditioning offered some respite from the heat. Ysabelle would not have set foot in the place otherwise.
Sophie sipped on the milkshake before asking, “Do you have an event tonight?”
“Yes.”
“Are you tired?” Ysabelle was still a university student with other priorities to manage. Sophie believed it might be prudent to cancel some non-essential events to avoid overworking the poor girl.
“I’m attending an event with Mark and the others,” Ysabelle said excitedly.
She never imagined she would one day share the stage with The Wheelers.
She reassured Sophie, “Don’t worry. I’m not tired at all. In fact, keep these events coming.”
Sophie did not protest her friend’s decision. She’s a fan of The Wheelers. I shouldn’t stop her from meeting them.
Sometime later, they left the library and headed to Jipsdale University’s cafeteria.
Before they could dig into the food they bought, Nicholas plonked himself on the bench opposite theirs while asking, “Excuse me. Can I sit here?”
His audacity in approaching Sophie in broad daylight caused the latter’s expression to darken.
However, she could hardly come to blows with him in public.
Ysabelle stared at Nicholas curiously and asked, “Who are you? Are you a student at our university?”
