Chapter 191
Henry had never seen Sophia cry like this before, tears streaming drom her face uncontrollably as if she’d lost something irreplaceable s against the stairwell wall stirred something unfamiliar within him
He was terrible at comforting people. Even as he wanted to tell a joke to cheer Sophia up, his mind went completely blank, All he could do was hole shar slender shoulders, his fingers making awkward little circles on her skin. His thin lips pressed together repeatedly as he struggled to fed de fpt words
Henry Harding, the man renowned on Wall Street for his sharp words and quick wit, suddenly found himself speechless. He even began to reset r why was his mouth so useless when it truly mattered?
But what intrigued him most was why Sophia was crying so intensely.
“Sophia, you’re not usually the crying type,” he finally said, his voice surprisingly gentle. “What happened to make you break down like this? Tell me, so can… enjoy it.” Henry had always thought seeing Sophia cry would bring him satisfaction, but now that she was actually sobbing before him, he felt a strange emptiness inside.
Sophia hadn’t expected to encounter Henry during her most vulnerable moment. When she saw him walk through the emergency exit, she’d felt instantly defensive, certain he would mercilessly mock her and enjoy her humiliation. But the scenario she’d imagined never materialized. Not only had Henry refrained from mocking her, he’d actually offered his shoulder to cry on.
Hearing his poor attempt at teasing, Sophia quickly regained her composure. ‘Pft! If you don’t know how to comfort someone, just shut up.
Seeing that she’d stopped crying, Henry immediately pushed her away with exaggerated disgust, his expression showing disdain. Sophia, don’t be so ungrateful! I kindly lent you my shoulder, and you’ve ruined my clothes with your snot and tears. I should be demanding compensation, yet you have the nerve to insult me!”
He dramatically pointed at the wet spots on his expensive coat. “Well? How do you plan to compensate for dirtying my clothes?
Just seconds ago, Sophia had felt a flicker of gratitude toward this man, but with the atmosphere so abruptly shattered, that sentiment vanished entirely.
‘I’ll take it home and wash it for you,” she responded flatly, still wiping away the last traces of her tears.
Henry was clearly unsatisfied with this solution. “That’s it?” The look in his eyes quickly shifted, and Sophia immediately recognized the familiar hunger
there.
He had just left Isabella after realizing she’d been manipulating him, which had killed any desire to be close to her. But now, seeing Sophia, he felt a sudden longing for intimacy. Calculating in his head, Henry realized they hadn’t been together for over two months. He’d been deprived, craving her body, but Sophia had consistently avoided him.
Sensing danger, Sophia tensed as Henry’s hand reached for her. With a quick, graceful movement, she dodged his grasp and quickly rose to her feet. “Save it!” she shouted, already backing toward the door.
Watching her sprint away, Henry felt a wave of anger wash over him. Was he really that repulsive to her? Without a second thought, he turned and headed in the direction she’d disappeared.
Back in her office, Sophia had just composed herself when Thomas knocked and entered.
“Sophia, are you alright? Did Henry give you trouble?” If not for those overbearing bodyguards, he would never have left her side.
Sophia responded politely, her voice devoid of any emotion. Thomas noticed her cool demeanor–not a hint of concern for what had happened to him, not even a simple greeting. A profound sense of disappointment settled in his chest.
The words he’d planned to say turned bitter on his tongue. ‘Aren’t you worried about how Harding’s bodyguards treated me?” he asked, his voice tinged with
resentment.
Sophia lifted her head from the patient charts/she was reviewing, offering him a slightly apologetic smile. “Thomas, don’t worry. Harding’s security team is very disciplined–they wouldn’t have hurt you.”
But she hesitated before offering her advice.
1/2
Chapter 191
“But I should warn you: the Hardings aren’t people you want to mess with. We’re no match for them.
Thomas knew all too well how formidable Henry was. His family’s business had been in freefall, with stocks plummeting all thanks to Henry His mother had been pressuring him relentlessly to apologize to Henry, but his pride wouldn’t allow it.
He couldn’t bring himself to apologize to his romantic rival. Now, hearing Sophia advise him to back down infuriated him.
‘What do you mean ‘Henry can’t be messed with? What do you mean ‘we’re no match for him? Thomas’s voice rose sharply. Is it because you love him that – you take his side unconditionally?*
Chapter Comments
