Sophie let go of Joshua and walked toward me.
She pulled a few tissues from the table, her tone softening. That was rare for her.
"Alright, don't be upset. Wasn't it you who asked me to take better care of Joshua back then?"
Yes. Back then, I pitied him.
When Joshua had cried and begged me to fund his education, I gave in. I brought him out of that remote mountain village myself.
I sent him to the best schools, hoping he could grow freely, without limits.
However, I never imagined that the person I pulled out of the mud with my own hands would one day step on me to reach things he could never have touched before.
Sophie stopped in front of me, trying to wipe the markings off my face.
However, the ink would not come off. The more she rubbed, the worse it smeared.
My carefully styled appearance fell apart. My face was a mess of dark streaks like a ridiculous clown.
Joshua covered his mouth, already laughing. The smugness in his eyes was not even hidden.
"Sophie, I almost forgot. We've got that business banquet in half an hour. We should go."
At that, Sophie's expression sharpened.
She turned to look at me.
"Right… We're out of time. Anthony, I was going to bring you along, but it looks like we'll have to reschedule.
"Head home. When I get back tonight, we'll talk."
Joshua stood at her side. As he turned away from me, he tilted his head slightly–and flashed me a quick, subtle smile.
There was no apology in it. Only naked provocation. Only victory.
I watched Sophie follow him without a second thought.
The last trace of warmth in my chest quietly vanished.
"Sophie, if you can't handle this, I'll deal with it my own way."
She finally turned back toward me. Her face was blank, even tinged with impatience.
"Enough, Anthony. Stop being unreasonable. We'll talk when I get back."
With that, she left with Joshua.
The door was not fully closed. Voices from the hallway drifted in, broken and faint.
First, Joshua's lowered voice: soft, anxious, almost pitiful.
"Sophie, Anthony is so jealous, and he's always making a fuss. What if he tries to get back at me? What should I do?"
Then, I heard Sophie's voice: calm and certain.
"He wouldn't dare. I know Anthony. He loves me too much. He'd never do anything to hurt me."
Their footsteps faded into the distance.
I got into my car and sent a message to the Kastor family, the hosts of tonight's banquet.
[Send Joshua to me at ten tonight.]
In the city, at the very top of the social circle, everyone was desperate for a chance to curry favor with me.
Joshua had just handed the Kastor family that opportunity.
If there was no retaliation, then I did not deserve to carry the Miller name.
