Chapter 126
“I just needed a breath of fresh air”
Sophie noticed a flicker of nervousness in Harold’s eyes, so she asked, “Does your brother dislike people going upstairs?”
“it’s not exactly that. It’s just where my brother discusses business.” Harold replied cryptically.
Sophie had never been to an Aldridge family dinner before and was unfamiliar with their customs.
When she went upstairs earlier, no one stopped her. It seemed that Gordon had tacitly allowed it, perhaps as a way to show her the drama unfolding-to wam her to stay away from Harold.
“It’s getting late. I should head out.”
“I’ll walk you!”
“Thank you, but I’m okay.”
As Sophie prepared to leave, the grand doors of the Aldridge mansion swung open, and James walked in. Everyone greeted him with a toast, but James strode directly to Sophie.
“Let’s go home.” His tone left no room for argument.
Sophie didn’t look at James. Her expression was cold.
Most of the people present had seen James leaving with Nichole earlier. Now, James had returned to take her away-was he trying to make her a laughing stock?
Harold scoffed. “James, don’t you think you’re being a bit too imperious?”
James glanced at Harold, his face unchanging, “Sophie is my wife. If she’s not going home with me, do you expect her to go home with you?”
“You!” Harold was known for his fiery temper, and James’ barbed words instantly ignited his anger.
The atmosphere chilled instantly. Everyone could see that James was furious, but he restrained himself because they were in a public setting.
Sophie couldn’t understand why James was so angry. Could it really be that Nichole’s fainting was somehow her fault?
“Harold, apologize to Mr. Burke,” Gordon’s voice commanded from behind, likely just having exited the elevator.
Reluctantly, Harold complied, “Mr. Burke, my apologies.”
James didn’t even look at Harold and grasped Sophie’s hand, intending to leave.
Sophie winced in pain, frowning slightly at James’ unnecessary force.
Before they could reach the door, a group of bodyguards blocked their path, and more surrounded them, all armed with stun batons-not a good sign.
A polite waming followed by force? Gordon was indeed playing an interesting game.
“Mr. Gordon, do you intend to prevent us from leaving?”
“Mr. Burke, if you wish to leave, naturally, nobody would stop you,” Gordon replied with a light smile. “However, Ms. Sophie is a dear friend of Harold and an honored guest of the Aldridge family. No one can take her from us unless she wishes to leave.”
At this, James’ eyes narrowed dangerously.
The tension between the two men was almost suffocating.
Gordon then turned to Sophie with a slight smile, “Ms. Sophie, would you like to stay?”
Sophie was taken aback,