Chapter 6 You Don't Deserve to Sit
"Maybe I smudged it when I was drinking water."
Sophia instinctively pressed her lips together, then avoided his gaze, rummaging through her purse for a mirror and lipstick. "I'll go touch it up."
Despite her attempt at composure, the flash of panic in Sophia's eyes didn't escape Oliver's notice.
His gaze turned cold, fixed on the corner of Sophia's lips, his voice barely containing his fury. "Don't give me that drinking water nonsense! This lipstick is smudged so evenly; it's clearly from being kissed!"
His voice rose, his eyes taking on an indescribable madness. "Tell me, who exactly did you meet just now?"
"Oliver, what is this, an interrogation?" Sophia winced as his grip tightened around her wrist. She frowned, yanking her hand back forcefully, and when she looked up, her eyes held a chill. "Believe it or not, it was from drinking water. If you don't believe me, go check the security footage."
A mocking smile played at the corner of her lips.
The people at this auction were either wealthy or powerful. With Oliver's status, he'd probably be thrown out before even reaching the security room.
Oliver clearly realized this, too, finding himself momentarily speechless.
Watching his grim face, Sophia couldn't help but roll her eyes internally.
"If you're done, then leave. Grandfather is waiting for us to return."
With that, Sophia stepped forward, heading for the exit.
Oliver watched her retreating figure, his anger intensifying, his face twisting with anger.
He stepped forward, ignoring Sophia's resistance, and grabbed her wrist again, this time with even more force, as if he wanted to crush her bones.
"Do you think I'll believe that?"
His gaze swept over Sophia's body, settling on her slightly open collar. "You've arranged your collar so neatly. Could it be that you're hiding some unspeakable marks on your body that you don't dare let me see?"
Sophia felt nauseated by his words, struggling forcefully. "Oliver, let go! Have you lost your mind?"
"I'm telling you, Sophia, no matter what you're thinking, as long as you're still my wife, you better behave yourself!"
He leaned closer, his voice dropping to a threatening whisper. "We're married—that's an undeniable fact. If you dare do anything to betray me, I'll make you pay dearly!"
Before Oliver's hand could touch her collar, Sophia clenched her fist and swung with all her might at his face.
A dull thud echoed as Oliver was knocked sideways, his cheek swelling rapidly.
He hadn't expected Sophia to strike him. After a moment of stunned silence, his eyes turned vicious. "You dare hit me?"
Taking advantage of his loosened grip, Sophia had already pulled her wrist free.
She shook her numb hand, glaring at him. "Now you remember we're married? When you took your mistress abroad on our wedding day, why didn't you mention we were married then?!"
With that, Sophia rubbed her aching wrist and turned to leave, too tired to continue arguing with Oliver.
She walked directly toward the car parked by the roadside. Just as she was about to open the door, a gust of wind swept past her, and the next second, Oliver was beside her, shoving her aside and climbing into the back seat himself.
Before Sophia could react, the car door slammed shut.
"Drive!" Oliver barked at the driver.
Sophia stumbled from his push, and after steadying herself, she frowned deeply. "Oliver, what's the meaning of this?"
She hadn't expected Oliver to be so ruthless. Instinctively, she knocked on the car window. "Are you even human? It's so far from here to the Miller Manor—how am I supposed to get back?"
"You don't deserve to sit in this car! Drive home, now!" Oliver said coldly.
Seeing the driver's hesitation, he shouted again, "Drive away now! If you dare stop, you won't need to come to work tomorrow, and neither will your nephew, who works at the Miller family factory!"
At these words, the driver straightened in his seat.
He rolled down the window, giving the shocked Sophia an apologetic look. "Mrs. Miller, I'm sorry."
As soon as he finished speaking, the car started up and quickly disappeared from Sophia's sight.
Watching the car drive away, Sophia clenched her fists.
The evening wind picked up, making her shiver.
If she didn't leave soon, she'd catch a cold.
With this thought, she pulled out her phone and opened a ride-hailing app, scrolling through several pages.
But this area was filled with private clubs and was quite remote. The signal was intermittent, and the phone screen remained stuck on the loading page.
Most people from the auction had left by now, and no taxis passed through this area.
After five more minutes of trying, still no drivers accepted her request.
Sophia felt deflated. She looked up at the distant buildings, feeling somewhat helpless.
If she had known Oliver would pull this stunt, she should have driven herself here.
Now she was stuck in the middle of nowhere with no way to get back.
The wind grew stronger, making her instinctively pull her coat tighter.
Just as Sophia was about to walk forward to find a better signal, a blinding headlight shone from behind her.
She instinctively stepped aside, and the next second, a black Rolls-Royce slowly stopped in front of her.
The window rolled down slowly, revealing Henry's profile.
"Get in."
His words were brief and direct, his gaze falling on her reddened wrist before pausing. "It's hard to get a ride here."
Sophia was stunned. Looking at this obviously expensive car, then at Henry in the driver's seat, she asked, "Is this... that rich kid's car?"
Seeing that Henry didn't deny it, she became even more confused. "You took his car out—does he know? If he finds out, with his bad temper, he'll definitely be angry, right?"
Watching Sophia's wary and concerned expression, a hint of amusement flashed in Henry's eyes.
But his tone remained flat. "He won't be angry."
He didn't explain further, just tilted his head, gesturing for her to get in. "Come on, you can't keep standing here in the wind."
Sophia looked at his confident expression, then at the empty surroundings. The evening wind was making her cold, and her ankle was starting to ache.
After a few seconds of hesitation, she finally opened the passenger door.
"Thank you for this." She said quietly.
The moment the car door closed, the silence inside the vehicle seemed amplified.
The car started again, and neither of them spoke first.
Sophia pressed her lips together, her mind involuntarily replaying the kiss in the grove.
They had been intimate bed partners just days ago, yet now, being alone with him made even breathing feel uncomfortable.
Soon enough, the car stopped smoothly in front of the Miller Manor.
Sophia breathed a sigh of relief and was about to unbuckle her seatbelt when Henry suddenly turned to look at her.
Before Sophia could say thank you, she heard him ask in a casual tone, "We're here. Don't you plan to invite me up for a drink?"