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 ssroom. 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 nk 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 ofposure sh 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 nkness when her gaze identally 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.”


    Herint 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 y 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 rify, “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 ssroom 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 nces and tugged at Brandon’s hand more urgently, lowering her voice,


    “Brandon?”


    ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org .


    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 exining, 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?”