Chapter 37
Jasper’s icy demeanor finally softened.
Sophie’s smile vanished instantly when she saw this scene.
It felt like sharp thorns had sprouted in her eyes, piercing her so much that she wanted to gouge them out. She turned around and stormed out of the store, demanding to go back to the aviation squadron.
With an impassive expression, Jasper pointed to the bus station across the street and said, “Tale bus 699 to the end of the line. After you get off, there’ll be a shuttle back to the base”
She stared at him in disbelief. “You want me to take the bus back by myself?”
He shot her a cold glance. “What else should I do?
She pouted, clearly upset. “Aren’t you the one who drove here? I’m all alone in an unfamiliar place! What if something happens on my way b back?” This was indeed a concern. Zachary stepped forward and proposed, “Ms. McClure, how about this? I’ll ride the bus back to the base with you.” Sophie glanced at Jasper, standing with Natalie, and said begrudgingly, “What about Captain Locke?”
Zachary replied, “Captain Locke has other matters to attend to.”
She threw a tantrum, crossing her arms. “What matters?”
This time, Jasper answered her, his tone light yet devoid of any kindness. “Who do you think yo
you are? I don’t need to report my schedule to you.” Sophie was momentarily taken aback, her face flushed with anger. “Jasper, how can you treat me like this? Aren’t you afraid I’ll go h I’m his only daughter, and he wouldn’t let me suffer any injustice!”
home and tell
my dad?
She mentioned her dad to back her up when she couldn’t win the argument. Zachary was sweating on her behalf and thought, “Good grief, do you realize Jasper’s father oversees the entire military district? Your dad is just a chief of staff for the aviation squadron–how does that compare?“.
As expected, Jasper sneered. “Your dad may be the chief of staff, but he can’t control me.”
She was furious, her face turning beet red. She retorted, “If my father can’t control me, have you reported to the organization about being alone with a female friend? This woman doesn’t even look like she’s from the countryside. What if she’s a spy? Can you bear that responsibility?”
Feeling called out, Natalie was left bewildered. How had she become a target? As a proud daughter of a revolutionary martyr, she certainly couldn’t be labeled a spy.
“Ms. McClure, I’m just a hardworking proletariat, and I descend from three generations of poor farmers. My dad was a soldier too! How can you unjustly accuse me of being a spy?
“And you–dropping hundreds on a single outfit, acting like a petite bourgeoisie. Maybe you’re the one who infiltrated us to sow corruption from within, huh?
“Besides, your dad’s salary as a chief of staff isn’t that high. You spend more than he eams in half a year in a single day. If someone digs deeper, can you explain where all that money comes from?
Natalie had turned the tables on Sophie, throwing the accusation right back at her.
Sophie was left speechless, her chest heaving with anger as she pointed a finger at Natalie. “You! You!”
This was blatant slander! A complete reversal of blame!
Zachary struggled to suppress his laughter at her flustered expression. “Ms. McClure, if you d catch a movie”
don’t leave now, I won’t see you off then. I have plans to
you getting on or not? The bus only comes every half an hour. If you want to wait, be my guest!” Furious and humiliated, Sophie finally stomped her foot and boarded the bus.
The bus conductor chimed in, urging. “Are you gettin
Zachary hurriedly pulled two movie tickets from his pocket and shoved them into Jasper’s hands. “Captain Locke, I can’t go, so you and Ms. Talia should use them. Don’t let them go to waste.”
Author Trophies
Win Big!