Ca was terrified by the look in Sophie’s eyes, and all she could do was lower her head and hurry out


    of the bedroom.


    By the time Ca reached downstairs, James had already finished his conversation with Bea, who gave


    her a deep, meaningful nce.


    At that nce, Ca could sense Bea’s disapproval of her. Could it be, just as Sophie had said, that


    Bea had seen through her charade long ago but chose not to confront it directly?


    Upstairs, James opened the door to the sound of running watering from the bathroom. He nced


    at the unopened first aid kit, then proceeded to open it and retrieve the medicine.


    At that moment, the bathroom door opened, and Sophie emerged, her figure perfectly outlined by the


    bathrobe she wore, her hair still dripping with water droplets.


    Sophie frowned slightly; she hadn’t heard James enter and had thought he would be talking with Bea


    for much longer than he had.


    James, looking at Sophie in this state, pressed his lips together and said, “Let me treat your wound.”


    Sophie’s cut had stopped bleeding. In truth, it was just a minor cut, nothing serious.


    She sat next to James, feeling a bit awkward, as he carefully applied ointment to her wound. They were


    so close they could almost hear each other’s breathing.


    O


    James stared at Sophie’s smooth neck, feeling a sudden warmth spread through his body.


    “Are you done?” Sophie’s tone was cool and calm..


    James then reached for an adhesive bandage from the medical kit and applied it to Sophie’s wound.


    “Yeah.”


    Upon hearing this, Sophie got up, putting some distance between her and James.


    James knew Sophie was intentionally distancing herself from him. He felt as though something was


    missing inside him.


    After a long moment, James finally spoke in a low voice, “Will you ept me?”


    CO


    О


    “What? Losing confidence already?” Sophie replied indifferently, “Don’t say I didn’t warn you. You just


    wouldn’t listen.”


    She had already told James that there was no possibility of them sparking a romance.


    She had also told James that no matter what he did, she would not be moved.


    It was James who didn’t believe her, insisting on staking his entire fortune on a gamble.


    Têxt ? N?velDrama.Org.


    “Yes, I’ve lost my confidence.” A rare, bitter smile appeared on James‘ face as he quietly said, “I have


    nevercked confidence, but with you, I truly feel insecure.”


    Sophie averted her gaze, saying, “If you’re afraid of losing Burke International, I’ll give you a chance


    now to call off the bet.”


    “It’s not losing thepany that I fear. It’s losing you.” James stared intently at Sophie, speaking softly,


    “I know that if I give up on this bet, I’ll never have a chance again, so I won’t give up.”


    “That’s your folly. Don’t wait until you’ve lost everything to regret it.” Sophie got up and went back to lie


    on the bed.


    F


    The room was silent, and Sophie faintly heard James say he had no regrets.


    Sophie didn’t close her eyes; she just didn’t tell James that no matter what he did, the love that was lost


    would never return.


    In her heart, there was already a rift between her and James, one that could never be mended.


    The next day, Ada called Sophie early in the morning.


    James had gone to the office early, leaving Sophie alone in the bedroom.