All this while, Tristan wasn't even bothered to say such words. A single look in his eyes was enough to communicate his intentions.
However, it was Jennifer who persisted in barging into his life.
"Old Mr. Lombard, calm down. I'm taking my leave first." Regardless of how thick-skinned Jennifer was, she was incapable of staying any longer.
"Mmm-hmm. Go on ahead. Ignore whatever he said. He has gone mad." William didn't know what else to say.
Upon Jennifer's departure, William got to his feet.
"Tristan, you have disappointed me today."
"I, too, am disappointed in you. I have told you loud and clear not to cause Sophie any trouble, and yet, you refused to listen!"
"So what if I went to see her? It's not like I harmed her!" William didn't feel that he had done anything wrong.
"How can you even let that cross your mind?" William meeting Sophie had already crossed Tristan's threshold, let alone if the former had other plans.
"Hmph, is she really that fragile?" Even Ysabelle isn't pampered to that extent!
"That's right. I don't want her to experience even the slightest bit of suffering!"
Have I made myself clear?
"Do whatever you want! I can't be bothered with you anymore."
When Sarah came home to the hostility between father and son, she pulled Tristan aside upon learning what happened.
"What's wrong with you?" Sophie remarked disapprovingly, "Doing so will only make Father dislike Sophie even more."
"So what if it does? It's not like I need him to approve of her. At most, I won't bring her back home."
"You—" Sarah shook her head in resignation.
He spoils Sophie too much.
"To be honest, you should let Sophie deal with the matter herself. It's not like she's incapable of doing so."
His relentless protection of Sophie will only antagonize Father further.
"With the attitude Dad has displayed, Sophie will definitely suffer if she faces him alone. Why should I allow my woman to go through that?"
This is totally unnecessary!
"Jeez..."
Truth be told, Sarah was envious of Sophie for having Tristan stand up for her.
"What about your relationship with Father? Are you going to let it go to the dogs?" Has he forgotten that Mother left us early, and it was Father who raised us?
"Can you not hurt Father's feelings for Sophie's sake? Promise me that you'll resolve this in a better way instead of direct confrontation.
"I just can't stand anyone who's trying to hurt Sophie. That's where my threshold lies, and not one is allowed to cross it."
Everyone has their limits, isn't it?
"Dad only went to see her and didn't do anything, right? It's not as serious as you're making it out to be."
"Enough talk about this. I'm going back."
He couldn't bear to stay there for a second longer.
All he wanted to do was be by Sophie's side.
"Since you're back, stay for dinner before you go." Leaving now would only make infuriate Father further.
"Both of you should go ahead without me." With no desire to do so, Tristan left in a huff.
Just as expected, William was enraged to learn that Tristan didn't stay for dinner.
Sarah had no choice but to assuage him.
"Dad, there's no need to be angry. Don't you know how Tristan is by now? He has never liked others to interfere in his affairs, especially since his feelings for Sophie are true."
William wasn't in the mood to comment.
"After painstakingly raising the two of you, neither of you grow up to obey me. It makes me wonder what's the point of my life."
"Dad, that's not true. Don't I always listen to you all the time?" Sarah answered gleefully.
"Hmph! Look at how old you are, and yet, you refuse to get married when I asked you to. As long as you're willing to do so, there are plenty of men queuing at the door for your hand. What's the big deal about this Juan?"
The mention of Juan's name caused Sarah's mood to change.
"Dad, didn't I tell you not to bring the matter up? Juan and I have long severed ties with each other. Furthermore, I was the one who harbored unrequited feelings, and it isn't his fault at all."
The fact that he never liked her back was what saddened her the most.
At the end of the day, William's reluctance to see his daughter hurt stopped him from continuing with the topic.
"All right, all right. Stop giving me that look. Do whatever you want. After all, none of you listen to anything I say."
"Dad, I really hope that you can understand how difficult it is to find someone I like." It's hard to find someone who will reciprocate our love.
"Really?" William didn't agree with her, as he felt that compatibility between a couple's family background was more important. Can love last a lifetime?
"I just can't stand anyone who's trying to hurt Sophie. That's where my threshold lies, and not one is allowed to cross it."
Furthermore, he couldn't stand Tristan challenging his authority for the sake of an outsider.
Meanwhile, Tristan had returned to the condominium near the university. He found Sophie writing her thesis and wasn't sure if she had eaten yet.
When Sophie lifted her gaze to greet his arrival, she looked as if nothing had happened at all.
"You're back. Have you had your dinner?"
Taking his seat beside her, Tristan could tell how busy she was from the pile of foreign language books on her table.
"You're just in your freshman year. Is there a need to push yourself to this extent?" Tristan asked curiously.
As Sophie's fingers danced across the keyboard, she replied, "Considering that I want to marry you as soon as possible, it goes without saying that I have to work hard!"
Hearing her words, Tristan couldn't help but put his arm around her shoulder.
"There's no need to be in such a hurry. Watching you slog breaks my heart." It's more important that she takes her time and gets enough rest.
"I'm just kidding. I'm not tired at all." She enjoyed a fast-paced life and didn't see anything wrong with it.
"Okay. Even though I can't wait to marry you, you're still young, and I'm prepared to wait. All that matters is your commitment to our relationship."
"I'm more committed than you can imagine, so don't you worry. I won't leave you for any strange reasons. Besides, it's not like we're in some sort of movie drama."
I want to always be by his side and won't abandon him for some nonsensical reason.
"Um, I'm sorry to have put you in a spot." Despite how amazing she was, his father still disapproved of her.
"What's wrong?" Sophie had sensed that something was amiss. "You found out about my meeting with your dad?"
I suppose it's about that.
"What did he tell you?" She had hit the nail on the head.
"Nothing much. Don't worry. I can handle it." It's no big deal. I'm not a people-pleaser. I can't make everyone like me.
Tristan held her face.
"You're so wonderful!"
A radiant smile flashed across Sophie's face.
In his eyes, she was indeed the epitome of perfection.
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