Chapter 113
Sophie stepped out of the car, still not having told Jenna about the house James bought for Nichole. It seemed James was eager to have Nichole move in quickly.
“Madam…” Colt heard the commotion, and appeared visibly surprised to see Sophie.
Could it be that Mr. Burke had deliberately planned this, knowing she would be back at this time?
“It’s fine, Colt, carry oh,”
Sophie seemed utterly unfazed, while Colt’s heart was pounding with anxiety. The scene was turning into a battleground!
“Sophie, you’re not upset, are you? We’re going to be neighbors now Ill be counting on your guidance.”
Sophie had already turned to leave, but at Nichole’s pretentious words, she spun around, “Neighbors? What kind of neighbors?”
Feeling backed up, Nichole retorted, “I live in this neighborhood too. Doesn’t that make us neighbors?”
“Do you really think we’re neighbors just because you moved into this neighborhood?” Sophie chuckled, pointing first at Nichole’s building and then at her and Jenna’s, “Did James not tell you about the difference in the price tags of these buildings?”
Nichole’s face fell, asking. “Tell me what?”
Jenna, placing a hand on Sophie’s shoulder, intentionally spoke, “It seems James isn’t that into you, dear. The building you’re in is the cheapest in the neighborhood. Each floor houses five families, filled with either nouveau riche or their kept mistresses. There is no need for any status verification. Just money is enough to get in.”
At this, Nichole’s complexion changed further and Jenna continued, “Our building, on the other hand, costs ten times what yours does. Each floor is a single residence, housing only respected figures from Devonport. Others can’t just move in no matter how rich they are. Now, do you think you qualify to be our neighbor?”
Nichole’s expression was now utterly strained.
Sophie, tired of the exchange, pulled Jenna toward the car.
She asked, “Is it one residence per floor? What about Adler next door?”
Jenna cleared her throat, sounding slightly sheepish. “Colby originally bought it as one residence, but it was too large, and he feared you wouldn’t live there. He had it slightly remodeled to appear as two residences, though it’s actually one.”
Sophie pondered. No wonder, when she first moved in, it felt odd. Given the exclusivity of the building, there should have been one residence per floor, yet there were two. It turned out Colby had altered the layout of that residence.
Jenna whispered, “You can’t let Colby find out about this. He would be upset with me if he knew.”
Sophie reassured Jenna, “Colby is so easy-going, he won’t mind.”
“He’s easy-going? Where did you see that?”
Jenna was momentarily taken aback, then added, “Well, he is nice with you, but he’s never been that way with others.”
Sophie just smiled, not taking it to heart.
The next day, Sophie arrived early at school, where everyone seemed to be discussing something significant. Upon her entrance, the chatter stopped.
Sophie found it odd. Today, Harold was also present; usually, he wouldn’t bother if there wasn’t something happening.
“Is something up?” Sophie sat down, feigning casualness.