Chapter 97 My Self-Interested Father: Sofia's Resentment, She Lost My Father's Affection

Elena Garcia's POV:

Noah coughed, trying to hide his amusement. "Elena, you really don't hold back."

"If you think I'm interrupting, I can leave and let you two be alone." I raised an eyebrow at Noah, who frantically signaled with his eyes, pleading for mercy. 

He despised vain and arrogant girls like Sofia. Almost before I could finish speaking, he pushed her aside.

Noah still wore a facade of annoyance. "Forget it, I'm not interested in girls who throw themselves at me."

Hearing that, James's face darkened as he probably didn't expect me to show no mercy to Sofia in such a setting. I had no reason to. Sofia had been nasty to me, humiliating me in front of others more than once. Why should I care about her feelings?

But I was prepared for James not to understand, just as he never defended me when I was humiliated in public. He didn't treat Sofia and me fairly.

Otherwise, he wouldn't have brought Sofia to interrupt us without first asking about my relationship with Noah, and acted as if he wanted to set them up on a date.

Although Noah wasn't my boyfriend, these details showed how James ignored me. He didn't consider my feelings at all, even though I had solved his problems before!

James looked at me, scolding, "How can you humiliate Sofia like this, Elena? Mistress? Is that what you call your sister?"

James almost raised his hand, but then, seeing Noah, he restrained himself and put his hand down.

If Noah weren't here, James would have slapped me at his own birthday party.

I retorted, "Why can't I? Didn't Isabella tell you how Sofia humiliated me?"

I then sneered at Sofia. "If you forgot how you were sent home, I don't mind letting everyone know what you did."

Sofia's face turned even paler, but she still forced a smile. She bit her lip, looking straight at me. "Elena, I just wanted to be friends with Mr. Bianchi."

It seemed she hadn't given up. Her eyes were red as if tears would fall any second. She took deep breaths, her chest heaving.

Sofia bit her lip, taking a few steps back, looking weak and pitiful. "I know you don't like me, but the Garcia family has reported the school incident to the police. The police will prove it was just a misunderstanding!"

How ridiculous! Did the Garcia family plan to bribe the police?

Laura's parents wouldn't let their daughter be treated like that by Sofia, nor would they accept it was just a misunderstanding.

"Elena, if you apologize now and admit it was a misunderstanding, it's not too late. I don't want our relationship to get worse. We're sisters after all." Sofia looked at me, her eyes flickering. She then glanced at Noah, trying to appear strong.

From her words, it seemed like she was implying that everything that happened to her at school was my fault. I felt annoyed.

Sofia was still denying it, which was both infuriating and laughable.

I raised an eyebrow. "You think I'm targeting you?"

"Isn't that the case?" Sofia continued to look pitiful. "I just wanted to say hi to Mr. Bianchi. Besides, you have no right to stop me from approaching him. Elena, you have a boyfriend, don't you?" She looked at me, gradually showing anger.

I guessed she wanted to call me a slut, not being satisfied with having Marco and still wanting Noah.

I was left speechless for a moment then I pinched Noah's waist, signaling him to handle it. This was his part to perform.

After pushing Sofia away, Noah's expression turned strange.

I thought if he could, he would probably want to disinfect every part of himself that Sofia touched.

I heard him mutter, "Oh my God, her boobs were practically spilling out of her dress. Why would she do that? It's so weird."

"Because she's trying to seduce you, you idiot," Albert whispered to him.

They were both close to me, so I could hear some of their whispers.

After my signal, Noah looked at Sofia, confused. "So what?"

"Don't you think she's playing with your feelings?" Sofia's expression started to crumble as things weren't going as she planned. She thought Noah should be angry and leave me.

But that could only happen if I were a liar like Sofia and if Noah really liked me and was a brainless fool.

Otherwise, what made her believe she could still have her way with me?

Meanwhile, James's expression shifted rapidly. He seemed to realize from Sofia's words that Noah was my date, but then he was scared by Sofia's words, looking terrified when facing Noah. Then, seeing Noah's indifferent attitude, he quickly intervened, trying to defend Sofia.

"Mr. Bianchi, Sofia just wanted to talk to you. Don't be misled by Elena's words. They have some minor conflicts..." James glared at me as he spoke, pursing his lips, signaling me to behave.

"So she's not interested in me, right?" Noah pretended to be relieved. "That's great, because I'm currently pursuing Elena, even though she's already with Marco. If possible, I hope this..."

Noah paused, deliberately acting like he forgot Sofia's name.

I reminded him, "Sofia."

"Right, I hope Miss Sofia Garcia could stay away from me. I'm not interested in talking to any woman other than Elena."

After Noah finished speaking, James looked at me in surprise. His anger disappeared, and he looked at me like I was a valuable commodity.

James then said merrily, "Oh, this is... Elena's honor! I'm glad you're satisfied with Elena, Mr. Bianchi!"

Noah's straightforward expression of his relationship with me clearly made James realize my value.

To James, maximizing benefits was the priority. For that, he could set aside his love for his daughters.

Two heirs of the Bianchi family liked me; one was my boyfriend, and the other was pursuing me. To him, this was a special honor.

It was somewhat repulsive, like we were just commodities in his eyes, valuable if someone wanted to buy us, worthy of his affection and care. If not, he could discard us without mercy.

Sure enough, James turned to Sofia, scolding, "Sofia, your discourtesy had offended Mr. Bianchi. A proper lady shouldn't be so reckless. You should apologize to him. I'll have your etiquette teacher give you new lessons on manners."

"She should apologize to Elena. After all, I said I'm pursuing Elena. I finally got a chance to be her date." Noah took the opportunity to stir things up.

Sofia's face turned pale. She looked at James's change in expression, incredulous. But she couldn't question James as she still needed to maintain her gentle persona in front of our parents, not to mention there were others present.

So Sofia directed her hateful gaze at me, the one who put her in this position.

Actually, I was getting used to her misplaced anger and blame. When she couldn't get what she wanted, she blamed it all on me and never reflected on herself.

Sofia clenched her fists, looking at James pleadingly. "But Dad, you know..."

"Sofia, behave! It seems your mom and I have been too indulgent with you." James was extremely displeased.

I said, "Forget it. I'm not interested in hearing her apology right now."

Sofia's apology couldn't be sincere, so forcing her was pointless. An insincere apology was equivalent to a malicious lie. No one liked malicious lies.

I thought I shouldn't have come back to the Garcia Manor today. Sofia's performance was ridiculous, and James's reaction was disappointing.

I originally wanted to ask him about Isabella's warnings, but now it seemed unnecessary.

A feeling of frustration rose in my heart. Although punishing Sofia made me satisfied, it was only temporary.

What truly made me sad and resentful was my longing for a happy family and normal family relationships.

Albert noticed my change in mood. He was probably the most aware of my emotional shifts, unlike Noah, who liked to joke and didn't know to read people's expressions.

Albert said to James, "Let's go sit in the lounge for a bit. Dad, maybe you can go entertain your friends and give Noah and Elena some space."

"Oh, of course, I'd love to." James left with Sofia, still looking a bit reluctant. He probably wanted to interact with Noah more.

"Noah, you seem much more approachable than Marco. When he stayed at the Garcia Manor, James even didn't dare talk to him, afraid Marco would point a gun at his head any second." After James left, Albert chuckled.

Hearing this, Noah laughed, "I'm always more amiable than my brothers. I'm very popular with kids on Halloween, while no child dares to approach them!"

Albert was a bit speechless. "Is that something to be proud of for a mafia?"

"Maybe not for a mafia, but for me, it's different!" Noah was very pleased with himself. "I'm only half a mafia!"

Hearing their words, I laughed and then noticed that while James's attention was on Noah, there was another gaze on Albert.

That gaze, which was full of discontent, came from Sofia, but Albert pretended not to notice.

She stared at Albert, who was standing with me, with a venomous look on her face.