Chapter 6
Andrew stood up, his expression grim, brow furrowed, and leaned in to warn Sophie in a low, harsh voice.
"Shut up!" he hissed. "I told you not to come with me!"
Sophie's eyes went red, like she'd just been hit with the biggest injustice.
She suddenly stepped forward and blocked Andrew, not giving anyone a chance to stop her.
She said, "You're all just picking on him.
"Andrew's been running his business in Riverdale for five years.
"Do you even realize how much this sudden move is going to mess him up?
"So just because you've got money and power, you think you can just trample all over other people's lives?"
Her eyes were red, burning with resentment and unwillingness, and she suddenly turned to me.
"Emma's not a kid anymore.
"She's always buried in her lab work, never knows how to deal with people.
"So you have to drag Andrew back just to babysit her like she's some helpless giant baby?"
Grandpa's chest heaved with anger, his face dark as he pushed himself up from the couch.
I couldn't take it anymore.
Without thinking, I raised my hand and landed a hard slap on her face.
She was instantly silenced.
She stared at me in utter shock, unable to believe I'd actually hit her.
My palm was burning, and her cheek was already swelling up.
I caught the tears streaming down her face and the wild, almost crazed look in her eyes.
Keeping my voice steady, I told her, "This isn't your place to butt in.
"And you have no right to judge me or Grandpa."
Sophie had probably never been slapped like this in her whole life.
She grew up in an orphanage.
Andrew would rather get bullied himself than let anyone hurt her.
After Andrew moved in with the Goodwins, I started supporting her financially.
Now, as a senior in college, she was interning at Andrew's company.
She never had to deal with any of the hardships or unfair treatment that regular interns go through.
After getting slapped, Sophie completely lost it.
Her face twisted with rage as she screamed, "You hit me?
"I can't believe you actually hit me.
"Andrew, did you see that? She hit me.
"Back when we first got sent to the orphanage, you promised you'd always protect me!"
She came at me like a madwoman, completely out of control.
For a moment, there was a flash of hesitation in Andrew's eyes.
But he didn't hesitate for long. He reached out and caught Sophie, holding her back.
"That's enough. Get out!"
Sophie's eyes went wide in disbelief, tears streaming down her face as she stared at him.
Then she ran out, sobbing.
Andrew watched her go, his eyes following her retreating figure.
His hand clenched tightly at his side, knuckles rigid, and for a moment, he looked completely lost.
Grandpa turned to him, his voice cold and full of anger.
"You can get out with her.
"Andrew, I'm very disappointed in you.
"As for your engagement to Emma, I'll have to think about it."
Andrew snapped back to reality, his voice trembling.
"Professor Goodwin, I'll let Sophie go.
"She's still young and sometimes acts without thinking. I'm sorry for how she behaved, it's my responsibility as her boss.
"But my feelings for Emma have always been genuine!"
Grandpa's voice was sharp with anger and disgust.
"If Emma hadn't gone soft and helped her out back then, she wouldn't be where she is now.
"Ungrateful mutt, no matter how much you feed her, she'll never be loyal!"
Andrew lowered his gaze, a flicker of awkwardness crossing his face.
It felt like Grandpa's words hit Andrew just as much as Sophie.
Grandpa had just been in the ER a few days ago, and he was still feeling pretty weak.
After all that anger, he was left completely drained.
I spent ages trying to soothe him before he finally drifted off to sleep.
After leaving the hospital room to pick up the diagnosis report, Andrew hurried after me.
His voice was urgent and anxious.
"Emma, please, let me explain."