Chapter 2
James was a legend—way more powerful and mysterious than the Campbells.
How did Sophia ever get tangled up with a guy like him?' Andrew thought, completely thrown.
"What's their relationship?" Andrew asked, his voice cold and sharp.
"Th-They seem really close. James's been paying for all of Sophia's expenses these past few days," the assistant stammered.
"Spending?" Andrew sneered. "Just how much has she burned through?"
The assistant handed him a list. Andrew glanced at it, and his pupils contracted sharply.
In just a week, Sophia had blown through almost ten million dollars.
Jewelry, luxury watches, designer brands... She was making up for three years of restraint in one wild spree.
Andrew laughed in disbelief, anger boiling beneath the surface.
'Great. Just great,' he sneered inwardly.
Now it all made sense.
Sophia was doing this on purpose—just to get under his skin.
She knew exactly what he hated most, yet she went out of her way to do it.
She found a guy even richer than him and started blowing money like crazy—just to show she was doing better without him.
She was just trying to make him jealous, make him regret it, and make him come crawling back.
So childish!' Andrew scoffed inwardly.
Andrew slammed the photos and the list onto the table, his face twisted in fury.
"Get the car. We're heading to Imperial Mall," he barked.
He was going to see for himself just how long she could keep up this little charade.
Imperial Mall was the ultimate playground for the rich—a temple of luxury where price tags meant nothing.
Sophia clung to James's arm as they wandered through a high-end jewelry boutique, her eyes drifting over the sparkling displays without a care in the world.
"This one, this one, and that one—wrap them all up," Sophia said, pointing at random pieces as casually as if she were buying groceries at the supermarket.
The salesperson couldn't stop smiling as she quickly wrapped up the jewelry.
James stood nearby, his eyes full of affection—like he'd pluck the stars from the sky for her if she wanted.
"Sophie, if you like them, just take them all," James said, his voice gentle and warm.
James's voice was smooth and soothing, a world apart from Andrew's cold, hard tone.
Sophia felt a warm glow inside.
When she was with James, she finally felt like a treasure—precious and valued—not just some accessory that could be tossed aside at any moment.
Just then, a cold voice rang out from the doorway.
"Sophia, still picking junk, huh?" Andrew couldn't help but mock.
Sophia turned around and saw that familiar face—now furious, eyes blazing with anger. 'Of course it's him,' she thought.
Andrew—of course it was him.
He marched in, Olivia following close behind, her face practically glowing with smugness.
Olivia wrapped herself around his arm, giving Sophia a look that screamed challenge and triumph, as if flaunting her victory.
It was like Olivia was gloating, "See? The man you let go is mine now."
Sophia couldn't help but think it was ridiculous.
Before Sophia could get a word in, Andrew's gaze had already shifted to James.
He gave James a once-over, his eyes flashing with pure disdain.
"So you're the new sugar daddy she latched onto?" Andrew sneered.
James just raised an eyebrow, not bothering to respond.
Andrew whipped out his checkbook, scribbled down a number, tore it off, and slapped it onto the glass counter in front of James.
"Ten million. Walk away from her," Andrew said, his voice dripping with contempt.
His whole attitude was pure insult—like he was tossing scraps to a stray.
"Whatever you've spent on her, I'll pay you ten times that. Take the money and stay away from her—don't let me catch you with her ever again," Andrew said, his tone full of disdain.
He was convinced James was just in it for Sophia's looks—a quick fling, nothing serious.
He was throwing cash around, trying to prove he was still the alpha ex.
Andrew thought he was putting James in his place, humiliating him.
But the salespeople just stared at him like he was some kind of joke.
As if the heir to Foster Enterprises would ever be short on ten million,' one of them thought, barely holding back a snort.
Sophia finally burst out laughing.
She walked up to Andrew, picked up the check, and waved it right in front of his eyes.
"Mr. Campbells, did you get something mixed up?" she said, her tone dripping with sarcasm.
Andrew shot her a cold look. "I don't have time for your drama. Tell him to take the money and get lost."
"Drama?" Sophia's smile deepened. "Who told you we're just pretending?"
She turned around, stood on her tiptoes right in front of everyone, and planted a kiss on James's cheek.
It was so natural, so intimate, like they'd done it a thousand times before.
James's eyes softened instantly, and he pulled her close, his arm slipping around her waist.
Sophia turned to Andrew, whose face was now dark with fury, and spoke each word slowly and deliberately, making sure he felt every syllable.
"Let me introduce him," she said, her voice crisp and unwavering.
"He's not some sugar daddy, and he's definitely not a substitute for anyone."
"He's my new boyfriend."