Sophia's Revenge

Daniel stood before my father calmly, smiling slightly.

John let out a relieved sigh and took the lead in applauding. "What do you think, Tim? My son isn't half bad, is he? He secured the deal for you. Shouldn't he be rewarded?"

The others at the table hesitated at first but soon joined in, clapping along.

The atmosphere grew lively again.

I wondered what made Daniel feel he could make up the loss so easily by merely securing the deal with the BL Group.

I walked up to him with a frown and looked at him with red eyes.

"Daniel, why are you still wearing the suit from our wedding day? Have you been so busy taking care of Ms. Jones that you didn't even have time to change?"

The banquet hall fell silent as the smile on Daniel's face froze.

I forced a bright smile, stepped forward, and pushed him toward the door.

"Go home and take a shower. Get some rest. Don't worry. I'll take care of the rest."

Behind me, a loud bang echoed through the hall as someone slammed the table.

It was my father.

John's voice followed immediately.

"You're not going anywhere!"

Before anyone could react, a lady rushed in from the doorway, squeezing between Daniel and I.

"Please don't make things difficult for Daniel. It's all my fault."

It was Susan Jones. She was Daniel's crush, and the one responsible for Daniel leaving me at the wedding ceremony.

Susan wore a thin, white cotton dress. Her frail body shivered from the cold.

Daniel took off his coat and wrapped it around her under everyone's gaze, pulling her into his arms.

"I told you to wait in the car. Why did you come inside? Are you cold?"

Susan's face was pale. With reddened eyes, she leaned against Daniel.

"Daniel, don't fight with your father because of me. I don't have much time left. I don't want to leave you with a mess."

Before she could say more, she began coughing violently.

Daniel frowned in deep worry.

Without hesitation, he scooped her up in his arms and said, "Don't worry, Susan. I'll take you to the hospital."

He did not spare a glance at anyone in the room.

He lowered his head, whispering comforting words to her as he strode toward the exit.

John's furious voice roared through the banquet hall.

"Daniel! Stop! If you walk out that door, you will have nothing to do with the Rothmans ever again!"

Daniel turned around, his eyes cold as they met his father's.

"My biggest regret is letting you send Susan abroad all those years ago. Do you think you still have control over me like you used to?"

John's face turned ashen. For the first time, he was at a loss for words.

My father sighed and shook his head. "John, it seems you're no longer in charge of the Rothmans."

Daniel smirked and looked at my father.

"Dad, the first thing I did after returning wasn't to arrange Susan's hospitalization, but to bring you the contract with the BL Group. That is my greatest sincerity for the future collaboration between our families. Some things are better left unsaid."

Then, he turned to me, his gaze icy.

"Sophia, I promised to marry you, and I did. I'll ensure you live a life of luxury and stability, but do not expect love."

With that, he carried Susan out the door without looking back.

Nestled in his arms, Susan turned her head slightly, smirking as she stared straight at me.

My tears finally fell.

Daniel and I had grown up together.

I had been his shadow since we were little, following him everywhere—learning languages, business, horseback riding, and wine tasting.

I had no hobbies of my own.

I liked whatever Daniel liked.

The Rothmans and Fosters had been closely tied in business for generations. Therefore, the elders in our family expected Daniel and I would get married eventually.

The only unexpected event was when Susan transferred into our class during our second year of high school.

She had received a sponsorship from the school, enrolling as a scholarship student from an underprivileged background.