Chapter 124
“Were they spreading rumors that Sophie is an escort?” James furrowed his brows even deeper. “Would she just stand there and let them spread rumors about her?”
“Mrs. Burke didn’t say a word from the beginning to the end, but Ms. Jenna seemed quite upset.” Colt paused, then said, “We had someone at the scene who said It started because two of Ms. Nichole’s classmates were defending her, claiming Mrs. Burke seduced Ms. Nichole’s boyfriend”
James pursed his lips and remained silent. Nichole had limited social interactions at school, and James had never heard of her having a boyfnend.
“Look into this matter thoroughly and check with the school as well.”
He rarely meddled in Sophie’s affairs at Eastwood College, and Sophie had always kept a low profile. The fact that rumors were being spread about her being an escort didn’t seem to come out of nowhere, especially since Nichole was also involved.
“Yes, Mr. Burke.” Colt quickly left.
James pushed open the hospital room door, finding Nichole awake, her face worn with exhaustion. “James, I’m sorry for holding you up,” she said.
“The doctor said you have low blood sugar. You need to rest well,” he replied.
Nichole bit her lip and asked, “I heard Colt at the door saying something happened at the banquet, is it…”
“It’s nothing important” James responded with a distant tone.
Nichole fell silent. In the past few days, James’ attitude towards her had been hot and cold, and she felt she was losing grasp of his heart.
“Nichole, let Colt take you home once you’re discharged tomorrow. I have other matters to attend to, James said before walking away.
Nichole wanted to call after him, but he was already heading out of the room..
At the Aldridge family’s late-night dinner, everyone was slightly tipsy after several rounds of drinks.
Jenna realized that Colby hadn’t come down from upstairs and asked Adler, “How much longer are Colby and Gordon going to talk?”
“What talk? They’ve already left,” Adler replied.
“Left?” Jenna was furious. “And he didn’t even tell us?”
“He told me, though!”
“Why didn’t you tell me then?”
“I saw you were enjoying your drinks, so I forgot…
Jenna smacked Adler on the head. “Colby left, but what about Sophie? How could he be so
st u p d? It’s so late. Doesn’t he know he should have escorted her home first?”
Rubbing his sore head, Adler replied, “He did instruct me! Told me to take you two drunkards home!*
“That’s not the same!”
Sophie intervened with a smile. “It’s okay. Maybe Colby had something urgent to attend to. Tonight, I need to make a trip back to the Burke estate. It’s not convenient for Adler to escort me. You guys go ahead.”
“You’re going back to the Burke estate? James just left you and took Nichole away!” Jenna was growing angrier by the second. “That’s exactly why I need to go back. So many high-society ladies were around today, and this drama will reach the ears of his grandma by tomorrow. I can’t let her know I’m staying out.”
Understanding her point, Jenna nodded. “Alright, take care of yourself, and call us if you need anything.”
Sophie nodded, and after Jenna and Adler left, she decided to go to the second-floor terrace for some fresh air. There, she saw Gordon alone in his wheelchair, his silhouette lonely and somber under the moonlight.