Chapter 48 Sofia's Provocation Towards Me

Elena Garcia POV:

Marco said he'd have a gift for me next time we met to celebrate my first day in college.

He asked what I liked, and I told him anything from a friend would be great.

He grunted, clearly not satisfied with my answer.

As the sky started to brighten, his voice got a bit sluggish, and I could hear him stifling a yawn.

I checked the time and realized we'd talked all night.

Hanging out with Marco was so fun that I lost track of time.

Feeling a bit guilty, I apologized to him.

I had forgotten that I texted him in the middle of the night when everyone should've been asleep.

"You should get some rest, Marco," I said softly.

"Talk to me a little longer, Elena. I won't see you for a while after this," Marco suggested.

He mentioned he still had to meet with the agent during the day because Abner's issue wasn't fully resolved.

I asked if it was tough since Sofia and I caused the problem. I couldn't just turn a blind eye to it.

"If you're worried, just text or call me more, or let me text or call you more, Elena," Marco chuckled.

I thought for a moment and agreed.

But I told him his words sounded a bit flirty, something only Albert would do since he was a playboy and good at sweet-talking.

"Sorry, you don't like it? Albert said no girl likes a guy who stumbles over his words, so he gave me some tips," Marco admitted.

Honestly, except for the first time we met when he scared me with those mafia-like statements, he'd always been polite and not awkward at all.

"Not really, but I think you were fine the way you were before," I laughed.

We said goodnight, and I hung up first at Marco's request.

I realized I was actually tired too, but chatting with Marco had kept me so excited that I hadn't noticed.

I lay down on the bed, feeling completely relaxed, and before closing my eyes, I thought I'd probably have a sweet dream.

In the morning, the maids couldn't wake me up, and my parents didn't look for me. Only Albert came by to ask if I was still asleep, probably at Marco's request.

When I woke up, it was already noon, and I had lunch in my room.

I had planned to visit Isabella, but the maids told me she and James had gone out.

At home, only Albert and Sofia were left, and they were the two people I didn't want to be around right now, so I spent my time reading books.

James and Isabella had bought a property for Sofia at the Estates at Princeton Junction for her to attend school, but they hadn't told me where I could live.

Maybe I still needed to arrange for college accommodation? I should confirm this with my parents.

In the afternoon, I left my room.

Lily told me Sofia was practicing equestrian at the stables, probably worried I would run into Sofia and have a conflict with her.

With the current family atmosphere, if anything happened between Sofia and me, it would be very unfavorable for me. Isabella and James would likely be even more disappointed in me.

I also learned that there would be a small party at home tomorrow night.

It was a party Isabella was throwing for Sofia, hoping the joyful atmosphere would lift her spirits.

"Miss Garcia, are you going to attend the party?" Lily asked.

"No, I didn't get an invitation," I declined.

The guests invited to the party were mostly Sofia's friends, and compared to the party they threw for my return to the Garcia Mansion, this one for Sofia was way more elaborate.

The maids picked out Sofia's favorite colors for the decorations and made sure her favorite foods were on the menu.

Even the bouquets were filled with flowers Sofia loved.

Seeing all the hustle and bustle, I decided to head to the garden to stay out of the way.

But even the garden was transformed, with maids moving Isabella's favorite flowers around.

"Where are they taking those flowers? Isn't Isabella stopping them?" I asked.

"It was Mrs. Garcia's order. She thinks Miss Garcia might come to the garden with her friends during the party. She wants Miss Garcia to see the garden filled with her favorite flowers," a maid explained as she passed by.

At that moment, I really felt how much Sofia was cherished in the Garcia family. She was the princess in my parents' eyes.

"Miss Garcia, how about we go back to the room and continue reading?" Lily suggested quietly, watching me cautiously.

I shook my head. I wasn't going to pretend I didn't see what was happening, even if it made me sad.

Luckily, the lounge chairs in the garden were still there; no one had moved them.

I lay down on one and picked up the book I had brought.

Just as I was about to start reading, I heard a voice. "Why are these two lounge chairs still here?"

It was Sofia. She was in her equestrian outfit, looking like she had just come back from the stables.

She stood at the garden entrance, her eyes scanning the lounge chair I was on.

"I'm sorry, Miss Garcia, we'll move it right away," a maid quickly apologized.

The maid who responded turned and saw me, her face becoming awkward.

"Hurry up and move it!" Sofia urged, acting like she hadn't seen me.

Her expression had completely lost the gentle and considerate look she used to show in front of me, becoming extremely unfamiliar.

"Have you forgotten who you work for?" Sofia snapped impatiently.

I understood what Sofia was trying to do. She was pressuring a maid to teach me a lesson.

To the maids, we were both daughters of the Garcia family, who they couldn't afford to offend.

If they wanted to move the lounge chairs, I would have to leave. If they didn't move them, they would face Sofia's wrath.

I immediately stood up, glaring at Sofia in anger.

"Sofia!" I called her name.

"Move them!" Sofia urged again.

Sofia ignored me. She only looked at me after the maids moved the lounge chairs, showing a fake surprised expression as if she had just seen me. "Oh, you're in the garden too, Elena."

"Honestly, you really don't seem like a member of the Garcia family. You've been back for so long, but you still look the same as when you first arrived. Sorry, I didn't notice you. I mistook you for one of the maids," Sofia said with a mocking smile.

I took a few deep breaths. I didn't want to have a conflict with her in the garden, but she not only targeted me but also belittled the hardworking maids.

"I regret not seeing your true colors sooner. Your praised manners are just a fake mask. Aren't you afraid I'll tell Dad and Mom about your true nature?" I retorted, "Your so-called manners are just a facade."

"So what?" Sofia didn't care at all. She reached out and tucked her golden hair behind her ear. "Do you think anyone in the family would believe you? Especially after you failed to defend yourself last time and almost made Isabella faint, forcing the family to call the doctor for her?"