Chapter 331
“Ms. Vanessa was hospitalized last night and woke up this morning insisting on seeing Colby,” the nurse explained.
Sophie remained silent, offering no reply.
Perry, lying on the hospital bed, overheard the conversation and asked in confusion, “Vanessa? Who’s Vanessa?”
“An old acquaintance of Colby,” Sophie replied, her words laced with ambiguity.
Perry read between the lines, and spoke earnestly, “Sophie, your marriage to James has already failed. I hate to say it, but Colby is also not the right man for you. You should end things with him sooner rather than later.”
“Uncle Perry, Colby, and I aren’t what you think.”
“The intentions Colby has for you are clear to anyone who cares to look, but he has too many skeletons in his closet,” Perry said, his eyes filled with worry. “All I want is for you to be safe and happy. Being with Colby will only lead to trouble. If it comes to it, better to stay single. After all, our family is wealthy enough to ensure you’ll never want for anything.”
“I understand your concems. Please don’t worry about me; just focus on getting better,” Sophie reassured him, prompting a nod from Perry.
As Sophie left the hospital room, she saw Colby and Adler conversing in the hallway but chose not to approach them, Perry’s words echoing in her mind.
Was Colby truly not the one for her?
“Sophie!”
Jenna’s voice came from behind. She ran up in her high heels, still dressed in her gala gown, and hugged Sophie tightly. “I’ve seen the news! How are you? Did that jerk James mistreat you?”
“I’m fine, as you can see,” Sophie reassured her.
Jenna relaxed upon seeing Sophie unharmed. “You have no idea how worried I was last night. I wanted to come find you, but Adler insisted it wasn’t safe to go out after dark. I was like, ‘Who’s it not safe for exactly?”
With that, Jenna playfully raised her fist.
Sophie chuckled. “So, you spent the whole night at the hospital?”
“Yeah, Adler had to leave for a bit to help Colby with something, but it didn’t take too long,” Jenna shared, leaning in to whisper conspiratorially, “You wouldn’t believe how much Vanessa cost us last night–tens of thousands, all on Colby’s account.”
That made Sophie feel a pang of jealousy, which quickly passed.
Jenna continued, “But don’t worry, I’ve already checked for you. Colby and Vanessa aren’t what you think.”
Sophie bit her lip before finally voicing her concern, “Who is Vanessa, exactly?”
“The White family used to be quite prestigious overseas. Mr. Elwood, Vanessa’s father, once took a liking to Colby and gave him opportunities abroad, essentially making him his benefactor. After Colby established his own empire, he bought out the declining White family business following Mr. Elwood’s death,” Jenna explained.
“So, Colby now owns the White family’s company?”
Jenna nodded. “Vanessa is Mr. Elwood’s only daughter. He hoped Colby would remember his old kindness and take Vanessa under his wing, expecting Colby to simply finance her lifestyle. But Vanessa sees herself as Colby’s fiancée.”
Jenna tapped her temple. “She’s got it all twisted up here.”
Just then, a weak voice called out, “Colby.”
Sophie turned to see Vanessa, pale and in a hospital gown, making her way toward