“Mark, what exactly did you tell your father? Why did he do something like that?” There's no way he isn't involved.
“I—”
Mark was cognizant that whatever he said was useless, for no one would believe him now.
“Enough. We'll discuss this some other time. I'm sure you know Mr. Tristan's temperament. There's no way he's going to let this slide.” Whoever dares to hurt Sophie will not get off lightly.
The fact wasn't lost upon Mark as he realized that Emerald Gang was doomed. Unlike in the past, he wasn't in a place to beg for mercy.
All this happened because of me. I would be ashamed to even do so.
When he saw the look on Mark's face, Arius didn't know what else to say.
No matter what, this isn't the end of it, but we'll have to wait till Sophie wakes up first. If she doesn't want to pursue the matter, Tristan would probably not retaliate with a heavy hand. After all, he values her opinion a lot.
“Given how close you are to Sophie, you probably have nothing to worry about.” Well aware of how much Sophie cared about Mark and The Wheelers, Arius couldn't bring himself to be too harsh.
“I'm fine.”
When Mark returned to Emerald Gang, Quinton was already there.
“You bunch of trash! Why can't you even complete such an easy task?”
How did they screw up such a wonderful opportunity?
Mark was incensed to hear his father's words.
“Why must you insist on harming them when I specifically asked you not to? How am I going to face them going forward? Why must you do this to Sophie?”
After how I've been disgraced, my members will definitely feel betrayed by me!
“Are you blaming me now? Didn't I do this for you? What's wrong with forcing her into your arms when you like her so much?”
“Are you really my father?” Mark was disappointed.
He had never felt this disappointed in his entire life.
“Mark, what are you saying?” Quinton was equally infuriated. It was common for people like them to force themselves onto whichever woman they fancied.
Therefore, he didn't feel that he had done anything wrong.
After all, there was no point in overthinking in a dog-eat-dog world.
“Do you know who her boyfriend is? Tristan Lombard! You probably need to think about how to salvage the situation now.”
Doesn't he know who her boyfriend is?
“Who?”
Quinton was slightly stunned.
Although he spent his life in the underworld, the name Tristan still rang a bell.
“Are you talking about the infamous Mr. Tristan of Jipsdale?” Quinton began to lose his composure as it was clear to him that Emerald Gang was about to be wiped out.
Once Tristan sought revenge, the biggest gang in the city would be easily annihilated, let alone Emerald Gang.
“Mmm-hmm.”
Mark had no desire to further the conversation, as he had no clue how to remedy the situation. All he wanted now was a quiet moment for himself.
“Mark, you—”
The look on Mark's face rendered Quinton speechless. Have I made a mistake? It looks like I have really gone overboard!
In the end, upon learning that Tristan was Sophie's boyfriend, everyone trembled in fear.
All of them wondered if they still had time to flee the city.
“Boss, what should we do?”
The same question was floating in Quinton's mind.
I knew that Sophie was formidable, but I had no idea that her boyfriend was Tristan. The man whose name alone would strike fear in the underworld. Offending someone like that is the equivalent of death.
“Mark, don't worry. What happened has nothing to do with you. In the event Mr. Tristan seeks revenge, I will bear the responsibility alone!”
Since he was the one who did the deed, he wasn't afraid of owning up to it.
“I won't drag anyone else down with me. All you need to do is take good care of your mother.”
Even though Quinton wasn't an extraordinary person, his love for his wife was true.
However, Mark was filled with conflicting emotions.
If not for his father's love for his mother, he wouldn't have bothered about the former.
“Stay out of this and go. I'll take care of it.”
Now that Mark was the leader of Emerald Gang, he couldn't wash his hands off a matter like that.
“Mark...”
Quinton was stunned, for he had never imagined that his son would grow up to be someone who would step up to the plate.
Nonetheless, as a father, there was no way he could allow his son to shoulder the blame on his behalf.
Meanwhile, Sophie was gradually recovering after taking her medicine. In spite of that, she still hadn't regained consciousness.
Her condition caused Tristan to lose his composure as he quickly summoned Arius.
“Arius, why hasn't she woken up after taking your medication for such a long time? Could there be something wrong with the drug you have given her?”
Arius was initially confident in the products of his research, but Sophie's situation unsettled him nevertheless. Hence, he examined her again.
“I don't foresee any problems, so don't worry too much.”
“If there are no issues, why hasn't she regained consciousness?”
When he saw the condition the woman he loved was in, staying calm was too much to ask of him.
“Just be patient.”
Arius could empathize with Tristan, as he, too, was equally worried. Despite that, he knew that their anxiety wouldn't help matters at all.
“Are you sure that there's nothing wrong with your drug?” That was Tristan's main concern.
“Tristan, can you stop doubting my professionalism?”
My drugs are safe and effective.
Tristan waved him away.
“Forget it. You should just go.”
His response rendered Arius speechless.
“Can't I stay by Sophie's side too?”
It's not like you own her.
Right then, Sophie regained her consciousness.
Even though she barely had any strength to move, the restlessness she had previously felt was gone.
“How do you feel? Any better?”
The sight of them gave her a sense of relief.
“Don't worry. I'm fine.”
Given that Arius had treated the wound on her hand, it was no longer painful.
“Sophie, what happened to you? You had us worried sick. I told you to be more careful, and yet, something like this had to happen.”
Ever since he got to know Sophie, he was always unsettled by his constant concern for her.
“I know. I'll be more careful next time.” She didn't deny how careless she had been.
“The fault is mine.” Despite knowing that Quinton is a shady character, I didn't put in place enough security measures.
Sophie held Tristan's hand.
“Tristan, this has nothing to do with you. It's my fault instead, so don't keep blaming yourself for everything.” As an adult, I should take responsibility for my own life.
Their exchange made Arius feel as if he was the third wheel. Subsequently, he scratched his nose awkwardly before leaving the room.
Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: Changing Only For Her novel (Sophie and Tristan)