Chapter 71
Sophia was kind of zoned out until the looming shadow overhead snapped her back to reality. She instinctively looked up to find Brandon right in her face. She was momentarily startled before asking him in a soft voice, “What brings you here?”
“Just had some free time and thought I’d swing by,” Brandon replied casually, taking the book from her hands. “Shall we head out?” Sophia nodded lightly, “Yeah.”
Marian had also just stepped out of the classroom. Catching sight of Brandon, she paused, then waved at him with a natural, “Hey.” That bead bracelet caught Sophia’s eye once again as Marian waved, and Sophia’s expression turned blank with confusion. When Marian noticed Sophia’s odd reaction, her waving hand hesitated and dropped, her gaze toward Sophia now tinged with wariness and defensiveness.
The guarded look made Sophia’s momentary loss of composure flash across her eyes.
She gave Marian an awkward smile.
Brandon didn’t miss the fleeting look of embarrassment and awkwardness in her eyes, nor the pause and blankness when her gaze accidentally fell on Marian’s bracelet. His hand, hanging by his side, subtly took hold of Sophia’s, gripping it firmly.
Sophia looked at him, puzzled.
Brandon wasn’t looking at her, just holding her hand tightly as he gazed calmly at Marian.
“Ms. Barlow, how much for that bracelet?” he asked.
His question left both Sophia and Marian staring at Brandon in surprise.
Marian immediately furrowed her brow and blurted out, “What do you mean by that?”
Brandon simply stated, “How much? I’ll buy it.”
Marian protectively covered the bracelet, treating it like a treasure.
“Sorry, but this isn’t for sale.”
Brandon just looked at her, silent.
Marian persisted, “Don’t think just because you’re loaded you can buy everything.”
Her complaint cut off sharply as it met Brandon’s icy stare, her hand over the bracelet stiffening-wanting to protect it but not daring to, wanting to let go but not daring to either. The bravado she started with melted away under Brandon’s chilly gaze, and she hesitantly looked at Sophia..
Sophia, catching Marian’s plea for help in her eyes, was confused and looked to Brandon.
He was standing sideways to her, shielding her behind him. She could only see his unnaturally calm profile.
He didn’t turn to look at her but kept a tight hold on her hand, his expression cool as he continued to face Marian.
“Ms. Barlow, I don’t care where you got that bracelet from, but you know damn well it’s not really yours. I’m not trying to play the fool here. Consider this money a thank you for taking such good care of it all these years.”
His tone wasn’t harsh, but Marian was obviously intimidated by his presence, her earlier defiance gone. She bit her lip, struggling to speak, and looked at Sophia for help.
Sophia, still not quite getting what Brandon was up to, tugged on his sleeve and whispered, “What are you doing?”
Brandon didn’t respond but instead brought her hand to his side and pulled her to stand in front of him. His eyes didn’t leave Marian as he stared her down, with an almost coercive intensity.
Marian, probably not used to such pressure, seemed intimidated but tried to clarify, “This really is mine. I’ve had it since I was a kid. I’m not selling it.”
She looked the picture of someone being bullied.
Other students from the classroom and the hallway were watching, puzzled by the scene. Some hesitated, taking out their phones, perhaps considering whether to sneak a picture.
Sophia noticed their glances and tugged at Brandon’s hand more urgently, lowering her voice, “Brandon?”
He turned to look at her, seeing the concern and confusion in her eyes.
He let out a long breath and said to Marian, “Think it over. When you’ve made up your mind, you can call me anytime.”
Then, without waiting for a reply, he walked away with Sophia.
Back in the car, Sophia finally had a chance to question him, “What was all that about?”
Brandon turned to look at her, “I don’t want something I gave away to end up with someone who has nothing to do with it.”
Sophia frowned slightly, not quite following his certainty.
Without explaining, Brandon simply asked her softly, “Sophia, who named you?”
The subject change was abrupt, but Sophia still tilted her head, thinking, somewhat unsure, “My dad, I guess. Why?”
Brandon continued, “Why did he name you Sophia?”
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